[julianj]

The subtitle of this book is: A Permaculture Handbook for Britain and other Temperate Climates

I don't feel remotely competent to review it: this is more like an information dissemination. This is a large book: 450+ pages of small print (+ pix in B/w and colour) intended to fill a gap in info about permaculture which mostly centres around the very different climate of Australia.

It seems to be *very comprehensive*: it's aimed, I think at those with a good knowledge of agriculture already, though even a novice like me has got lots out of it, where it isn't above my head.

I recommend it for those who are interested in the subject. It costs £34.95 . I requested it from the library, but it is an interlibrary loan from the BL at Boston Spa and you can only have it for a week. (a hot property! they usually let you keep renewing them - I've had some for months in the past).
Publisher: Permanent Publications ISBN 1 85623 021 X

I hope this is useful. The Amazon link is: Earth Care Manual

[oowolf]

An indispensible reference for those in the temperate zones hoping to escape from the doomed petroagricultural paradigm. A must for those founding, or joining, sustainable intentional communities.

The section on the tragically neglected possibilities of nut culture is alone worth the price of the book.

This book will be essential for survival in the post-petroleum world. Anyone seriously anticipating the convulsive challenges of the near future should acquire this book ASAP.

[Elfstrom]

I have a copy of it, but haven't started reading it yet. One of the criticisms of the book is that it doesn't address the 'culture' aspect as fully as some people would like. We'll see, when I get to reading it.

I'm currently working through David Holmgren's Permaculture: Principles and Pathways to sustainability - which is amazing by the way! Holmgren's ties every one of the permaculture principles to energy descent. In contrast to Whitefield's manual, Holmgren's is more the overall big picture, and not intended to be for a particular climate or situation.

[bart]

Both books are outstanding.

Whitefield's book is an encyclopedia. Clear, well-researched and thorough.

Holmgren is doing the best thinking about a low-energy future I've run across. In addition to the book, many of his writings are available online (do a search on Holmgren at energybulletin.net, for example).

What if a concerned philanthropist were to subsidize Whitefiled and Holmgren, in exchange for their putting all their works online -- and thus accessible to millions of readers?

What if a few hundred of us were to chip in some money to make this possible?

[jullianj]

Now that's an idea Bart!

Count me in.

PS thanks to you all for contributing rather more knowledgeable comments than my original ones!!!