DIY goodness! Nice conceptual organization means you get out of the pitfalls of many a how-to book--namely, that their projects just don't grab you, so the book leaves you kind of cold, due to incompatible local-ness. Best read with their funny and info-filled blog, Root Simple. Writers have also been very involved in Freedom of Info causes, putting in time in class-action suits re: wiretapping, and I find their forays into alt.citizenship to be inspiring. This is a reference guide to living a healthy 'green' lifestyle and it is pretty extreme. In general I am not an extreme person, in any direction. As for being 'green'; I believe in helping the earth, recycling and doing my part but I am definitely not going to stop living so I can do the 100+ steps in this book to make my life more environmentally friendly. Maybe I am selfish but that is how I feel. Although it was extreme is many ways there were some good points/ideas; canning/food, worm composting, gardening ideas. I definitely found parts of it helpful.
What do You think about Urban Homestead (2008)?
much better guide than many of the similar books I've read recently. Concise, helpful, not preachy.
—Samantha
Nicely laid out and easy to understand. Not only do I now know what filmjolk is, I love it!
—jay
zeitgeist! Got a lot of good ideas from this one. Out of Los Angeles of all places.
—suribabu
