How to Survive Off the Grid: From Backyard Homesteads to Bunkers (and Everything in Between) Flexibound – Illustrated, October 4, 2016

I grew up in the city. After coming to America decades ago, I've learned a lot and grew to appreciate and love the countryside so much. My interest and desire to be more independent from conveniences have grew tremendously the last few years. With friends who are more skilled and knowledgeable in OTG, expose me to many possibility. After reading many reviews on many OTG related books on Amazon, I decided to buy this one. I need to start somewhere. With my dream retirement home somewhere in the county with land and lots of rescue pets (farm animals and domestic pets), I hope this book will touch on things that I'll need to transition from a suburban life to a country life. This book is very well made, high quality with thick laminated like pages. I plan on reading and using it as a reference for many years. I'm on Page 47 of 215 pages, and so far I really like it. This book covers topics to help being more self-reliant, with your own customized options on the degree of off the grid living from going with no modern day conveniences such as electricity, water, etc.. to continuing to enjoy these conveniences. The organization of this book is very good - starting from find a place to living there and then to survive there. The key is to ensure that you'll have the nourishment through plants and animals for everyday living and for preparing for unforeseen emergency. I really enjoy the writing style. The author talks to ME, and as I read each session, the information confirms what I know and what I don't know. This is not a "how-to" book, but it touches on topics that we need to be aware off, and it provides enough information to get me thinking. The first section on shelter covers different type of walls and roofs for a log cabin, and it also discusses building, buying, renting/leasing options, and some things to consider. Although I don't plan on building my own cabin, the section was still interesting to read. I learned about the different types of way to building the wall and roof for the log cabin/home, which was interesting. The water chapter discusses collecting, storing and using water, and highlight contaminated water and how treat it. This book also brings up lots of areas that we need to consider. It is very educational for me, and I plan on implementing some of the ideas and things I've learned from this book to start simplifying my life NOW, and reduce my reliance on the modern day conveniences. It also made me aware of how wasteful I can be - such as taking long shower, which I love. By reducing my reliance on these conveniences, it will preparing me should I choose to move slightly closer to OTG, and in the meantime, save me some money, too. This book is a great starter, but required further research and learning to be successful in having a OTG lifestyle, or even moving closer to OTG from where I am today... living in the suburbs and spoiled by conveniences. The sample pages provided by Amazon will give you an idea how the book is layout and what the level of details it covers. It was very useful in helping me make my selection and purchasing decision on this book.

Very helpful book. I'm starting a completely off the grid homestead, and this guys books are awesome!

First of all this book is beautiful! I chose flexibound over paperback, it was less than $1 more. I didn’t know until it arrived that it came will metal covered corners, I loved that! Its definitely well made.As far as the content it is also beautiful. I do however feel this is more geared toward beginners or just to give you ideas. There aren’t any techniques that go into much detail as far as how to do them. It touches on many things while keeping relatively small which I kind of love. I have the encyclopedia of country living and love that book but it’s just sooooo big, so I like that this one is more condensed.The book touches on:Picking landBuilding shelterPowerWaterHeatFood storageGardeningCompostingBackyard animalsFood preservationHunting and fishingEssential toolsHome defense and securityHome medicalBugging outSurviving in the wildernessLike I said before it only touches on these things. So for example composting is one page, it gave the very VERY basic of composting. For someone to have no experience or knowledge of composting couldn’t get started just from what they read on this page. Like I said its great for ideas but then more research probably needs to be done. But it touches on so many different things that it would probably be bigger than the encyclopedia of country living if it went into great detail on everything.This is the second time in a row that a book purchase from Amazon was sent in a bag envelope and damaged. These should be put in boxes! This one wasn't bad enough for me to have to send the book back and wait on another copy so I’m just dealing with it. You can see the damage on the bottom of the spine and around it. I straightened it out as much as I could. Some people may not be bugged by that but our books are displayed in our home.Overall I’m super happy with the book and don’t regret it! It’s a definite recommend to anyone interested in or just starting a homestead. I will also be purchasing more Outdoor Life books now!

This book and his other one (How to Survive Anything: From Animal Attacks to the End of the World) are freaking amazing! To say they are informative is an understatement. Pair this with the full color pages, short chapters and awesome drawings/diagrams and you have an absolutely perfect book.

Received this book on time & in the condition expected. I LOVE the FLEXCOVERs on these ‘How to Manuals’!! A lit sturdier than a paperback cover, able to wash with a damp cloth when dirty. Easier to handle than a hardcover would have been, especially when referencing WHILE actively following the directions.Was a gift for a beginner ‘Prepper’ relative.

We have several "Outdoor Life" books. We hope to collect them all. The picture online does not show off what a nice book it is. The books have metal pieces on the corners that prevents the books from being damaged. There are color pictures for almost all the articles. The books are simple, well written and the content is interesting.

The book was printed backwards and upside down in comparison to how the cover is facing you have to hold the book backwards and upside down in order to read the text correctly like we do in America top to bottom left to right

This is a really fun book and had a lot of interesting ideas for living "off the grid". There isn't a ton of detail for each topic, so you are kind of left on your own to figure out how to make it work for your individual situation. If you are looking for a detailed "how-to" book, then I would look elsewhere but it is full of great facts and would be a great starting point.