This critically acclaimed and definitive permaculture design book was the inspiration that BBC2's Brigit Strawbridge (of Its Not Easy Being Green) needed to attend her first permaculture design course with Patrick Whitefield, setting her and her family off on a voyage of discovery which is helping to introduce and inspire others. Already hailed in the UK, Europe and America as definitive, and reprinted by popular demand, The Earth Care Manual offers an inspirational yet practical vision of a sustainable future invaluable to those new to the subject as well as to the experienced practitioner. The permaculture movement started in the 1970s as a sustainable alternative to modern industrial agriculture, taking its inspiration from natural ecosystems. It initially placed an emphasis on gardening, with proponents of permaculture since expanding on its principles; addressing all subjects vital to sustainability, from building and community design to food, energy, water, microclimate and shelter. All of these topics and more are addressed in The Earth Care Manual, demonstrating that permaculture is an interconnecting framework linking a diversity of green ideas. Its aims are a low input, high output efficient use of resources, and genuine sustainability. The Earth Care Manual gives a vision of a sustainable future and the practical steps we can take towards it, both large and small, urban and rural. Written by Patrick Whitefield, one of Europes foremost teachers and practitioners of temperate permaculture, it explains in depth how to apply permaculture to any situation, from the smallest of buildings or apartments, to houses, gardens, orchards, farms and woodlands.
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The Earth Care Manual, put simply, is fantastic. It is what I have been waiting for for years, and it is what those of us in temperate climates have urgently needed. Patrick's considerable experience in the fields of woodlands and fruit growing shine through especially strongly, but the whole book is rich with vision and experience. What it offers is common sense solutions rooted in the culture and climate of these islands. This book is a clear and unarguable road map to where we need to go, an A-Z to sanity and common sense. Patrick has created a manual with which we can repair this beautiful jewel of a planet which we are fortunate enough to inhabit, and in so doing has given us a truly precious gift. --Rob Hopkins, Co-founder of the Transition Movement
Just occasionally a book is published that fully justifies its title and can even change the reader s perspective on life. This is one of those rare and inspiring landmark events. --The Garden Journal of the Royal Horticultural Society
A visionary, yet practical book. A few sentences in and I realised I was in the company of one of the world's great teachers. Patrick Whitefield writes as if he were speaking directly to you. --Reforesting Scotland
Just occasionally a book is published that fully justifies its title and can even change the reader s perspective on life. This is one of those rare and inspiring landmark events. --The Garden Journal of the Royal Horticultural Society
A visionary, yet practical book. A few sentences in and I realised I was in the company of one of the world's great teachers. Patrick Whitefield writes as if he were speaking directly to you. --Reforesting Scotland
About the Author
Patrick Whitefield is a British permaculture teacher, designer, and author. He has been an influential British exponent of the permaculture movement since 1990, and has appeared in several television programmes, including the BBCs Its Not Easy Being Green (2006) and A Farm for the Future (2008). Patrick grew up on a smallholding in Somerset and qualified in agriculture at Shuttleworth College in Bedfordshire. He has experience of farming in Britain, the Middle East and Africa, and has been involved in organic gardening, nature conservation, country crafts and green politics. He offers various permaculture courses at Ragmans Lane Farm, Gloucestershire.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
52 of 52 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is a really inspiring book and a great starting point for those who want to care about the earth, more. This huge resource can be digested chapter by chapter or can be utilised when you want some specific recommendations (e.g. on soil type, shade loving perennials or shape of a pond). Patrick goes into practical details yet still maintains the integrity of caring for the whole (Earth)
Straight forward diagrams and clear mindmaps illustrate significant themes and ideas. Plus there are lots of uplifting case examples of permaculture designs put into practice. There is also a good list of resources and sources of what you may require in implementing your ideas.
If you want to move beyond grumbling about the worlds problems and want to become part of the solution, then this book can guide you step by step through the process. I can envisage this book being useful at many levels, national and local and on both broad and home scale projects. I strongly recommend this book.
40 of 40 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Patrick Whitefield's new book The Earth Care Manual is a long-awaited, carefully researched guide to making a significant contribution to saving our planet. His style is wise and nuanced, almost conversational, but not fundamentalist. His approach is well balanced, and he frequently points out that the choices one makes must be unique to each situation. He offers a working method, tools, and an overview, to permit each indiviudual, with whatever land or space is at their disposal, to make a difference to local ecology. The book is clearly written, well presented and full of excellent case studies, references and resources. The scientific reasoning is clear and necessary, for the author urges the use of a scientific approach as opposed to a purely intuitive one. Ultimately this will attract more people to the ideas of permaculture and help it to enter mainstream planning practice. At the same time, Patrick Whitefield acknowledges the possibility of deep ecology and spirituality based upon an individual's deepening connection with nature and awareness of one's place in the complex web of life on earth.
This is a very important book of synthesis and vision which should be owned and read by everyone who truly wishes to make a contribution to improving the survival chances for life on this planet.
This is a very important book of synthesis and vision which should be owned and read by everyone who truly wishes to make a contribution to improving the survival chances for life on this planet.
34 of 34 people found the following review helpful
By Paul Dillon
Format:Hardcover
This is a wonderful book, both inspiring and practical. It inspires those new to Permaculture into action, demonstrating that we can all make a real and important difference by reducing our personal "footprint" - our energy consumption, and by thinking environmentally about each decision we make. This book leads the reader back outside, into nature.
It is a must for anyone interested in growing their own food, natural building, nature, alternative energy, waste treatment,... On a practical level there are excellent case studies, details of crop varieties most suitable to our temperate climate, seasonal guidelines - for readers who have small gardens, large farms, window boxes, or communal gardens. For example, there is a wonderful diagram which leads a total novice to determine what type of soil they have by using a few simple tests.
For the more advanced Permaculturist, this Manual is a wonderful guide and reference book and a binding together of many ideas and priciples.
I could not recommend it highly enough. You will continually dip into it and find more and more excellent advice and techniques
It is a must for anyone interested in growing their own food, natural building, nature, alternative energy, waste treatment,... On a practical level there are excellent case studies, details of crop varieties most suitable to our temperate climate, seasonal guidelines - for readers who have small gardens, large farms, window boxes, or communal gardens. For example, there is a wonderful diagram which leads a total novice to determine what type of soil they have by using a few simple tests.
For the more advanced Permaculturist, this Manual is a wonderful guide and reference book and a binding together of many ideas and priciples.
I could not recommend it highly enough. You will continually dip into it and find more and more excellent advice and techniques
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great book
I wish I had a larger plot of land on which to apply all that this book teaches. I would really need to start again to put into practice a lot of what is in it, but should I have... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Lisamay
4.0 out of 5 stars
Useful book
It's very complete. Useful for anyone interested in permaculture. Better with color photos but I supose more coherent like this.
Published 8 months ago by maider
4.0 out of 5 stars
A step forward for understanding permaculture
This is a good comprehensive book. Most of it is easy to understand and makes sense. Such a shame it is so expensive and not in paperback. Read more
Published 13 months ago by david wall
5.0 out of 5 stars
Earth Care, People Care, Fairshare
I have been looking for a way to make a life which is both comfortable and ecologically sound, but all the ideas out there always seemed to me incomplete. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Rato de Biblioteca
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fabulous
This is just packed full of information. The author suggests that you can read the introductory chapters and then pick out the sections that are useful to you but I found it was so... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Nicky
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must for everyone who wants to change the world
This is a great book that will help anyone who is interested in a more sustainable future, it is not rocket science, just common sense that we have lost along the way.
Published on 27 Jan 2011 by Ulysse
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating and comprehensive
We are new to permaculture and this book is amazing. It answers all our questions, and is a great inspiration The Earth Care Manual: A Permaculture Handbook for Britain and Other... Read more
Published on 30 Sep 2009 by Dr. Anne V. Davidson
5.0 out of 5 stars
22nd Century Classic
I've been into Self sufficiency, Organics and Alternative energy for about 30 years . I was the 2nd Soil Association registered farm in the south west of the UK in 1985. Read more
Published on 15 July 2009 by Keith Menadue
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Permaculture Classic
Initiated in the '70, the Permaculture movement, aiming at a sustainable culture and land use, didn't have any reference book for our temperate climates. Read more
Published on 28 May 2009 by M. Guy Morant
5.0 out of 5 stars
An absolute treasure trove
I ordered this book on impulse and I am beyond impressed with the wealth of useful information it contains. Read more
Published on 6 May 2009 by S. Small
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