The Complete Book of Self-Sufficiency – John Seymour

The Complete Book of Self-Sufficiency – John Seymour embraces the essence of sustainable living and envision a greener future with the timeless wisdom of the pioneer.

For over four decades, John Seymour has empowered countless individuals to embrace eco-conscious lifestyles through his timeless counsel on sustainability. The Original Guide to Self-Sufficiency provides detailed guidance on a myriad of practices, ranging from forestry techniques to utilizing solar energy; from cultivating crops and preserving the harvest to crafting bread, brewing beverages, and crafting dairy products. Seymour illustrates the art of living off the land, managing one’s own homestead or smallholding, and raising (and processing) livestock.

Amidst a backdrop of industrialized production, intensive agriculture, and extensive food transportation, Seymour’s teachings present an alternative: a homage to investing time, effort, and care into our necessities. Though not all may relocate to rural areas, we can recognize the importance of consuming ethically sourced food or crafting cherished items using ancestral knowledge. This enduring bestseller serves as a source of comfort for those seeking refuge from the chaos of contemporary existence.

About the Author of The Complete Book of Self-Sufficiency

John Seymour was an idealist with a vision of a better world where people were connected to their labor. As a young man, he traveled extensively across Africa and served in Burma during World War II. After returning to England penniless, he lived in a trolley bus and on a Dutch sailing barge before settling on a five-acre smallholding in Suffolk to pursue a self-sufficient life. Seymour continued this lifestyle with his companion, Angela Ashe, on the banks of the River Barrow in County Wexford, Ireland. Over 19 years, they built up the smallholding from scratch. In his later years, John, Angela, and William Sutherland ran self-sufficiency courses from their home in Killowen, New Ross, attracting students from around the world eager to learn about his lifestyle and philosophies firsthand.

Seymour authored over 40 books, including the best-selling “The Complete Book of Self-Sufficiency,” and produced numerous films and radio programs. His later work focused on country matters, self-sufficiency, and environmental issues.

In the final 18 months of his life, Seymour returned to his beloved Pembrokeshire farm to live with his daughter Ann. There, he spent time telling stories to his grandchildren and writing rhyming poetry, wielding his acerbic wit as a final weapon against what he viewed as a destructive era.