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The Self Sufficient-ish Bible Paperback – 6 Aug. 2009

by Andy Hamilton (Author), Dave Hamilton (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars 55 ratings
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Identical twin brothers Andy and Dave Hamilton live in the centre of Bristol. Attracted to the pub and music scene of the bustling city, they still yearn for elements of the good life. So ever since they were students, they have used their initiative and imagination to think up ways to live in a frugal and self-sufficientish way, while still enjoying life to the full.

Having set up their website www.selfsufficientish.com in 2004, they discovered that their approach and ethos touched a nerve with thousands of people in the UK. Andy and Dave, Britains green twins, advocate a fun and positive approach to environmentalism, and understand that the thought of adjusting every aspect of our lives is overwhelming and possibly offputting. Hence self-sufficientish.

If you don't have the space or time to be totally self-reliant, but crave creative ideas for recycling, growing organic vegetables and establishing an environmentally friendly home office, this is the book for you. Youll find small suggestions to get you started (not overfilling your kettle, choosing alternative kitchen-cleaning products and making plant pots out of newspapers) and bigger ones for when your confidence grows (advice on keeping chickens, making office equipment out of worn-out trousers and tackling an allotment for the first time), as well as recipes, herbal remedies, eco-friendly travel solutions and much much more.

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  1. Print length
    400 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Hodder & Stoughton
  4. Publication date
    6 Aug. 2009
  5. Dimensions
    19.05 x 3.05 x 26.67 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    0340951028
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0340951026
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Product description

Review

If you incorporate a chunk of the advice of this book into your life - and request your friends to read it and do the same - you'll have made a difference ― Countryfile Magazine

A one-stop book full of ideas and practical tips covering everything from how to darn a sock to how to keep food cool without a fridge. ― The Ecologist

About the Author

Andy was born in Northampton where he undertook a collection of "interesting" jobs the highlights including being the mash potato man in a food factory, selling double glazing door to door and the dizzy heights of operative in charge of cardboard box making for the then Burtons warehouse. He briefly moved to Nottingham and restarted his education finally receiving a psychology degree in Bath.

Andy now lives in Bristol where he runs two allotments, forages and lives a low impact lifestyle. He writes a budget gardening column for Kitchen Garden, another for Garden Answers and a wild food column for flavour magazine. He also works as a freelance features writer and has had articles published for the Guardian, the Ecologist, Home Farmer and Ethical Living. Andy is part of co-operative that runs a coffee shop/second hand book shop called the Little Co-op in inner city Bristol.

He takes groups of people on wild food walks sharing his knowledge of edible wild foods, plant folk lore and herbal medicine He still finds time to work on the hugely popular website selfsufficientish.com that he co-created and helped launch his career.



Andy and Dave Hamilton are based in Bristol, where they write about their frugal, organic and environmentally friendly lifestyle on their hugely popular website www.selfsufficientish.com.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hodder & Stoughton
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 6 Aug. 2009
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0340951028
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0340951026
  • Item weight ‏ : ‎ 1.27 kg
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 19.05 x 3.05 x 26.67 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 55 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Andy Hamilton

    Andy Hamilton

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Andy Hamilton is a bestselling and award-winning author who has penned six books including The First Time Forager, The Selfsufficient-ish Bible, Booze for Free and his most recent title - New Wild Order. It's a memoir-meets-lifestyle-guide which has been described a, "balm for anyone looking for a change of perspective".

    His surname means town-town and he was born in a place that literary means North town town town.

    Despite his obvious urban roots he loves the natural world and originated the Association of Foragers to help promote natural land use. Yet, each project takes a life of its own and the Association of Forager has become a tight-knit community of those working the wild food thanks to the hard work and efforts of its many amazing members.

    Andy has a family of four who get around without a car, forage, and tree climb together.

    See more on the author's page
  2. Dave Hamilton

    Dave Hamilton

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    David Hamilton has been growing his own food for nearly 20 years and foraging for wild food for a lot longer. He holds an honors degree in nutrition and food science and a diploma in sustainable horticulture. He has been teaching wild food since 2005.

    He has written numerous books and countless magazine articles mostly focusing on the great outdoors and the natural world.

    His latest book Where the Wild Things Grow is the culmination of 25 years of foraging. His previous book Family Foraging is a fun guide to the 30 most common plants in the Northern Hemisphere. It has been translated into French, Dutch, Danish and is released throughtout Northern Europe, Canada and the US.

    His first book, the Self-Sufficientish Bible (Hodder), achieved national and international critical acclaim; the award-winning Grow Your Food for Free effortlessly mixed surreal humor and expert gardening knowledge; His Two travel books; Wild Ruins, (Amazon top 10 seller) and its sequel Wild Ruins BC, the explorers guide to Britain’s ancient monuments, took him all over the UK on countless adventures.

    Dave writes for a number of publications including BBC Countryfile Magazine, BBC Wildlife, Walk, Country Walking and the Guardian.

    His students have included TV's Mary Berry, Ben Fogle, National Trust Wardens and members of the British Army.

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
55 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book nicely written and beautiful in its presentation. Moreover, the book is packed full of ideas, with one customer noting its well-researched content. Additionally, they appreciate its value for money.

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8 customers mention ‘Value for money’8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a worthy purchase.

"...All in all a great book - I'll be giving some as presents. Is another one in the offing?..." Read more

"The operative word with this lovely book is 'ISH'..." Read more

"Great go-to book for my garden allotment questions and dreams of a small holding. Nicely written with great illustrations." Read more

"Great book.. Always go back to it for ideas and tips" Read more

7 customers mention ‘Advice’7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book packed full of ideas, with one customer highlighting its well-researched content and another noting its superb gardening tips.

"...is it beautiful (packed with gorgeous pictures) but it's jam packed full of good ideas...." Read more

"...It invites you to do what you can, when you can, follow ideas and guides without feeling like you're not entirely 'with the programme'. Ideas..." Read more

"...the depth of thinking that had gone into some of the sections - well researched and thought out, and presented in an informal and easy to read format..." Read more

"...A must buy for garden fanatics." Read more

4 customers mention ‘Readability’4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book nicely written, with one mentioning its easy-to-read format.

"...still its nicely written and would compost well! ;)" Read more

"...researched and thought out, and presented in an informal and easy to read format...." Read more

"...Nicely written with great illustrations." Read more

"This is an excellent read. I throughly enjoy picking it up again and again. Packed full of ideas, wonderfully set out! A*" Read more

4 customers mention ‘Visual quality’4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the visual presentation of the book, describing it as beautiful and well-thought-out, with one customer noting its great illustrations.

"When I got this book I just couldn't put it down. Not only is it beautiful (packed with gorgeous pictures) but it's jam packed full of good ideas...." Read more

"...that had gone into some of the sections - well researched and thought out, and presented in an informal and easy to read format...." Read more

"...Nicely written with great illustrations." Read more

"...Packed full of ideas, wonderfully set out! A*" Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Pompom
    5.0 out of 5 stars Oh my - what a beautiful way to espouse a thoroughly good idea!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 September 2008
    Verified Purchase
    When I got this book I just couldn't put it down. Not only is it beautiful (packed with gorgeous pictures) but it's jam packed full of good ideas. Everything (for any pocket) from installing clingfilm double glazing, making a bird table, a hay box cooker, homemade skin care, growing things, defeating slugs (if only there was a fool proof way!) - actually so many ideas to help you on the self sufficient route! You can dip in and out and take as much or as little as you need. I was unlucky to miss out on Andy and Dave's talk and foraging walk at the Dartington Ways with Words Festival - but based on their book I bet that was fab too. All in all a great book - I'll be giving some as presents. Is another one in the offing?

    And - it isn't preachy or rammed down your throat. Very good things in my book!
    20 people found this helpful
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  • J. Hallmark
    5.0 out of 5 stars What a Beauty
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 December 2008
    Verified Purchase
    The operative word with this lovely book is 'ISH'
    It invites you to do what you can, when you can, follow ideas and guides without feeling like you're not entirely 'with the programme'.
    Ideas for frugality and re-use as well as superb gardening tips and information (be it window ledge, back yard or allotment)
    A coffee table book? (Let's face it you will refer to it so often that it won't get put back on the shelf) that you won't ever be ashamed of.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Adam Taylor
    3.0 out of 5 stars hmm, feel a bit diddled
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 March 2010
    Verified Purchase
    i think i was expecting more revelation than i got in this. im a normal householder whose insulated the house, grows a bit of veg and has changed to low energy bulbs. not what i'd call being self sufficient-ish. but i found i knew most of the stuff in the book already other than the very useful tips on companion planting. without the recipes and plant growing tips i think what's left is already common knowledge for most of us. still its nicely written and would compost well! ;)
    23 people found this helpful
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  • C. McAlister
    5.0 out of 5 stars A well thought out and informative book in an easily accessible format.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 January 2010
    Verified Purchase
    I bought this book as a present but after having a quick leaf through I was hooked (and thoroughly inspired). I work as an environmental consultant and was impressed by the depth of thinking that had gone into some of the sections - well researched and thought out, and presented in an informal and easy to read format. Excellent - I am just about to order my very own copy for keeps, and start on a big eco project!
    4 people found this helpful
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  • zaza
    4.0 out of 5 stars Worthy purchase.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 November 2013
    Verified Purchase
    My husband lives in his allotment one reads this avidly since it was purchased. A must buy for garden fanatics.
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  • KateD
    5.0 out of 5 stars My go-to book for know-how & daydreams
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 August 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Great go-to book for my garden allotment questions and dreams of a small holding.
    Nicely written with great illustrations.
    Helpful
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  • Jill Howe
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well worth a read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 August 2014
    Verified Purchase
    We had the author stay with us at our guest house. He was doing a charity bike ride up to Scotland and back. Very interesting guy who told us about this book he had written with his brother.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Diane
    5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable, idea provoking!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 December 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This is an excellent read. I throughly enjoy picking it up again and again. Packed full of ideas, wonderfully set out! A*
    Helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Tatiana
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Book, Great Information, Wonderful Fun
    Reviewed in the United States on 5 March 2010
    Verified Purchase
    Hey!

    First things first, I'll give you my warning: This book was written for people living in England. Not America or any other country. However, the fount of infomation still applies...for the most part. However, there are a few things I still must do research in to figure out about (ex. What in the world are courgettes and marrows?) and a few things that simply don't apply outside England (ex. Planting and Harvesting Calendar and the supplies section).

    But there WERE a great many cool projects and some really wonderful information on how to be as green as possible when circumstances deam you can't be completely self-sufficient. Because, let's face it, the majority of us simply can't leave the modern lifestyle behind completely. Nor do many of us want to. This book is great for suggesting how to live a self sufficient-ish lifestyle. Not quite living in the boonies, with no money, no job, and no contact with the outside world, but not completely enmeshed in the modern wasteful lifestyle, either. Sure, I don't agree with every word in here, and I don't know that I'd be completely against living in the boonies with no money, no job, and no contact with the outside world. But this book gives me a way to be self-sufficient-ish until I can do something like that, which is a wonderful thing.

    Hope this helps all of you potential customers, and happy reading!

    Luv ya,
    Tashi :)
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  • U. Bogdan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Nicht immer Öko aber gut
    Reviewed in Germany on 6 October 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Nicht alle Hinweise sind gut umsetzbar und nicht alles ist wirklich öko, sondern einiges ist dann auch eher mal stark auf Autarkie konzentriert. Trotzdem ein gutes Buch, von dem sich leider nicht alles so in D umsetzen lässt. Da müssen dann Kompromisse her.
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  • Danielle
    5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great book that has so many tips and ways of ...
    Reviewed in the United States on 18 April 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This is a great book that has so many tips and ways of doing things that I never thought of. Even though I'm in a different climate than they're in I can still use so much of the information. It's very practical and has made me a bit more conscious of some of the decisions I make concerning my food, things that I use in my house, and my overall footprint on God's earth.
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  • Shannon
    4.0 out of 5 stars Covers everything well but no one thing perfectly
    Reviewed in the United States on 9 February 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed this book, the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is hard to put my finger on. Maybe it was too general and gave a lot of good ideas but didn't fully flush out anything in particular. If you want a book that lets you dream up an ideal life, this book is great but if you want to start living this life style it's more of a starting point. Best part is the little project pages where they lay out how to make things such as the newspaper planters, fun little projects you can do in an afternoon.
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  • Mr. & Mrs. James Upshaw
    5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful Ideas, Approachable Style
    Reviewed in the United States on 11 September 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Interesting subject and thoughtfully written. As someone who is exploring and increasing my knowledge in this area, I appreciate the fact that the authors give ideas and personal insight without sounding self-righteous or preaching. They offer options in a friendly, approachable style. Even though it's British, it is a handy reference book for Americans as well.
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