Top Choices

The Humanure Handbook: A Guide to Composting Human Manure 3rd edition by Joseph Jenkins

With “human manure” in the title and chapters such as “Crap Happens” and “A Day in the Life of a Turd”, you might wonder what kind of crackpot this Jenkins guy is. However, upon closer inspection, one will realize this book is not only an award winner but also an Amazon.com bestseller and three-time award finalist. Additionally, the US Dept of Health and Human Services praised it and asked for more information and the US Environmental Protection Agency ordered copies and nominated it for an environmental award. There is a reason for all this: the book is brilliant! Jenkins blends humor with considerable research and 30 years real-life experience into a fun to read book that goes well beyond that of human excrement. Whether or not one has any intention of safely recycling their poo, this book should be considered a must read for anyone with an interest in the environment and or sustainable lifestyles. Actually, many feel this book should be a mandatory read for every high school student. The message is poignant and it would certainly put the "fun" back in to learning.

Additional information can be found here on Jenkin’s website.

Our Stolen Future by Theo Colborn, Dianne Dumanoski and John Peterson Myers

Many assume products containing chemicals would not be on store shelves if they were not “safe”. This book shatters those assumptions by bringing to light scientific discoveries that expose the enormity of the ramifications common and everyday products have on embryogenesis, children and ultimately, our future. Though unnerving, this is undoubtedly one of the most important to read books of our time. Put together by the all-star cast of Dr. Theo Colborn, an award winning senior scientist with the World Wildlife Fund and one of the world's leading authorities on endocrine disrupting chemicals; Dianne Dumanoski, a recipient of the prestigious Knight Fellowship in Science Journalism; and Dr. John Peterson Myers, CEO and Chief Scientist at Environmental Health Sciences. Foreword by Nobel Peace Prize winner and former Vice President, Al Gore.

A synopsis and excerpts, along with updated scientific findings, can be found at Our Stolen Future’s website. An excellent PBS interview with Theo Colborn, can be found here.

Sustainable Building

The Good House Book: A Common-Sense Guide to Alternative Homebuilding by Clarke Snell

This is a superb primer for those wanting to familiarize themselves with alternative building concepts, materials and approaches. With one to eight color pictures and or illustrations on nearly every one if its 240 pages, and an easily understood writing style, The Good House Book clearly compares alternative with conventional in every facet of the building process. To top it off, there are six sizable accounts from people who have built their own alternative homes, sharing their experiences good and bad.

The Art of Natural Building by Joseph F. Kennedy, Michael Smith, and Catherine Wanek

An anthology of articles from leaders in the alternative/natural building movement covering everything from the philosophical side to the practical application of design and materials. While similar in idea to The Good House Book above, this introductory book focuses entirely on natural materials and contains heaps of resources and some very helpful articles with architectural details.

Building Green: A Complete How-To Guide to Alternative Building Methods by Clarke Snell & Tim Callahan

Clarke and Tim build a small building using an array of alternative methods/materials and document the entire process from concept to completion. Easy to read and lavishly loaded with color pictures and illustrations, this step by step how-to guide is for those wanting to build an alternative home yet aren’t sure where to start and how. Strawbale, cob, living roofs, earthen plaster, cordwood, solar orientation and more, this book is both inspiring and confidence boosting. Supplement it with specialty books, i.e., if you want to build a strawbale home, complement it with those books for additional detail info.

The Hand-Sculpted House: A Philosophical and Practical Guide to Building a Cob Cottage by Ianto Evans, Michael G. Smith & Linda Smiley

Though some might consider cob the fringe of alternative building materials, it is dirt-cheap (nearly free) and as shown in this book, one can build a beautifully unique cottage with it. But there's more to this book than building with cob. Learning to use the sun for heating is greatly simplified and the philosophical section excellent, driving home the value of not having a mortgage. These people live and write with soul.

Design of Straw Bale Buildings: The State of the Art by Bruce King

Earthbag Building: The Tools, Tricks and Techniques by Kaki Hunter & Donald Kiffmeyer and Building with Earth: A Guide to Flexible-Form Earthbag Construction by Paulina Wojciechowska

These are both very good books on a unique building technique. The former is more comprehensive but the latter does have a few differing and excellent illustrations on varying details.

The Natural Plaster Book: Earth, Lime and Gypsum Plasters for Natural Homes by Cedar Rose Guelberth & Dan Chiras

While all of the above books have good information on natural finishes, this book goes into much more detail and especially so with, you guessed it, natural plasters. An indispensable reference for anyone building a home with natural materials.

The Natural Paint Book by Lynn Edwards & Julia Lawless

Natural Solar Architecture: A Passive Primer by David Wright

Though much has been learned about solar since 1978 (published date), this book's information is still relevant and the excellent hand drawn illustrations and simple writing make it easy to understand. It also contains some clever ideas and is unique due to being entirely hand written, architectural style. It’s a useful read but perhaps of particular interest to book collectors for its novelty. (If possible, get the "revised edition".)

Rocket Mass Heaters: Superefficient Woodstoves You Can Build by Ianto Evans and Leslie Jackson

For the habitual tinkerer interested in building a novel yet inexpensive and environmentally friendly wood heater few have heard of and fewer have seen, this is the book. Though small, it has just enough illustrations and pictures to make the instructions easy to follow and will arm you with the information needed to design in varying contexts. A warning though. Although Ianto has decades of experience designing stoves, and has used this style since the late 80's, he makes it clear these heaters are still in the experimental stage. If that stokes your fire, grab this book and get started.

Real Goods Solar Living Source Book: Your Complete Guide to Renewable Energy Technologies and Sustainable Living by John Schaeffer

Reference manual and catalog in one, this book is huge in content and a must have for anyone interested in alternative building and renewable energy. Design concepts, products, diagrams, charts and much more, this book, quite literally, has it all. A tremendous resource! (Make sure you get the latest edition.)

Sustainable Building Inspiration

Small Strawbale: Natural Homes, Projects & Designs by Bill Steen, Athena Steen, and Wayne Bingham, The Beauty of Straw Bale Homes by Athena Swentzell Steen & Bill Steen and Strawbale Home Plans by Wayne J. Bingham and Colleen F. Smith

All of these books are loaded with beautiful photos and ideas to inspire. The first two, however, contain various chunks of useful information from sawdust toilets to natural finish recipes. The latter doesn’t contain “plans” in the technical sense but does have conceptual floor plans, general specs and the owner/builders story with each home featured.

Home Work: Handbuilt Shelter by Lloyd Kahn

This is a super fun book containing around 1500 photos of some seriously funky and whimsical homes and various other owner-built shelters from the U.S. and abroad. It’s artfully put together, informative and a compendium of creativity and handcraftsmanship at its finest. With a scrap-book type layout and interesting stories throughout, this book is good enough to hold the interest of most anyone. Further words cannot do this one justice.

Water

Water Storage: Tanks, Cisterns, Aquifers, and Ponds for Domestic Supply, Fire and Emergency Use by Art Ludwig, The New Create an Oasis With Greywater: Choosing, Building and Using Greywater Systms by Art Ludwig, Builder's Greywater Guide: Installation of Greywater Systems in New Construction & Remodeling by Art Ludwig

The most definitive collection of books currently available on the subject of storing domestic water and recycling it. These no-frills books are brimming with valuble information. The first two are self-explanatory. The latter is useful for those building in areas with heavily enforced codes.

Solar Water Heating: A Comprehensive Guide to Solar Water And Space Heating Systems by Bob Ramlow & Benjamin Nusz

Water From The Sky by Michael Reynolds

Renewable Energy

The Homeowner's Guide to Renewable Energy: Achieving Energy Independence Through Solar, Wind, Biomass And Hydropower by Daniel D. Chiras

A good primer for those wanting to familiarize themselves with renewable energy sources. Lots of good basic energy saving tips as well.

Microhydro: Clean Power from Water by Scott Davis

Lifestyles

A Handmade Life: In Search of Simplicity by William Coperthwaite

A uniquely beautiful book, both in appearance and content, A Handmade Life is philosophical in nature yet practical in many ways. Mixed amongst the easy-to-read writings are unobtrusive instructions for simple handmade items from Eskimo-inspired knifes to bread and children’s toys. Philosophically, the content covers areas such as the beauty of quality and practicality; the importance of manual work; what William refers to as a “forced” education system which fails to nurture individual creativity; and the value of simplicity. We’d all do well to read and take to heart Mr. Coperthwaite’s wisdom.

Radical Simplicity: Small Footprints on a Finite Earth by Jim Merkel

The Newman's Own Organics Guide to a Good Life: Simple Measures That Benefit You and the Place You Live by Nell Newman

Organic Living in 10 Simple Lessons by Karen Sullivan

Complete Idiot's Guide to Simple Living by Georgene Lockwood & Carol Abel

Botany & Gardening

Edible & Medicinal Plants of the Rockies by Linda Kershaw and Plants of the Rocky Mountains by Linda Kershaw, Andy MacKinnon & Jim Pojar

There is no better way to build a closer understanding and relationship with your surroundings than learning to identify wild plants. And for the Rocky Mountains, you will not find two more user-friendly field guides than these.

Four-Season Harvest: Organic Vegetables from Your Home Garden All Year Long by Eliot Coleman

In temperate zones, it is practically universal in acceptance that gardening is over by summer’s end without a heated greenhouse. Eliot Coleman defies this logic by harvesting vegetables throughout the cold winter months of Maine using seldom heard of winter-hardy plants, succession planting and cold-frames. Inspired by traditional French gardeners, Coleman shows what can be done for both personal and planetary well being by detaching oneself from conventional thinking. And like icing on the cake, Eliot’s methods are economical and can be simply implemented by anyone desiring to grow their own food. Snow or shine, learn how to harvest year round with this book.

Permaculture

Permaculture: A Designers' Manual by Bill Mollison

Some times called the "Permaculturist's bible", this book (written by the co-creator of permaculture) is the most comprehensive on the subject. It is also the book most permaculture institutions base their curriculum from. Consequently, some find its size and sheer volume of information overwhelming and prefer Mollison’s other book, Introduction to Permaculture…or, The Basics Of Permaculture Design by Ross Mars or, The Permaculture Way: Practical Steps To Create A Self-Sustaining World by Graham Bell.

Permaculture: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability by David Holmgren

David Holmgren, the other co-creator of the term permaculture, has put out a markedly contrasting book to that of Mollisons. Rather than a get’er done nuts and bolts style with how-to illustrations, Holmgren chose a philosophical route. Holmgren articulately talks about the problems with modern business tactics, the rote education system and the looming energy crisis, or what he calls an “energy descent”. Though different in approach, this is a great compliment to the other books currently available on permaculture and just as important for all its valuable wisdom. For a feel on Holmgren, click here for a video.

Gaia's Garden: A Guide to Home-Scale Permaculture by Toby Hemenway

There is no doubt this world would be a cleaner and healthier place if more people better understood the ecosystem and its link to their wellbeing and that of future generations. Sure, while the ecosystem as a whole is hugely complex, the basics, with a good book, are easy to learn and serve as a platform to a greater understanding. Gaia’s Garden teaches these basics then ties them to the home garden and landscape combining Permaculture principals. A popular, informative and valuable book that a person can reference from long after they learn the basics, Gaia’s Garden is a good fit on anyone’s shelf interested in gardening, landscaping and health, both personal and planetary.

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