The Holistic Life – Sustainability Through Permaculture
by Ian Lillington
ISBN 978 1 86476 437 6
Publisher – Axiom Publishing.
Distributed in the UK by Permanent Publications
Price – approximately £15.00
This is a new entry to the world of Permaculture/sustainability. Lillington is originally from the UK but works and teaches sustainability in Australia. He visited the IOW permaculture group in June of 2007 and presented his book.
The problem with short print runs is that the price tends to be a little expensive, which is a shame because this book is a great introduction to The Principles of Permaculture. Presented with an easy flowing style and lots of high quality photographs. It is the kind of book that would appeal to young people and those of us who do not want to be introduced to a new topic with heavy academic text. Although based in Australia his book does have relevance to permaculture elsewhere. Ian is influenced by Permaculture guru’s David Holmgren and Patrick Whitefield but brought bang up to date. I took my copy to Glastonbury festival and showed it to the folks on the Permaculture association stall- they loved this book, and so do I particularly as even after only a few months the pages, complete with coffee stains and thumb marks show that a number of people have read this book as their personal introduction to sustainability.
There could be some criticism levelled at the paper used – it is high quality but then Ian, I think was wanting this book to be picked up by people who would not normally read this sort of thing – he wants to spread the word, wake people up to the positive alternatives to the way things are currently done. Bearing in mind the drought that Australia is going through and the real need to look at alternative living this book could become a major asset in the tools available to help people understand sustainability.
The Isle of Wight permies have had the pleasure of meeting Ian – he is very much, like his book- free flowing, full of positivism and a joy to have on the bookshelf!
Available in the UK through bookshops, get your local library to stock it or via
Permanent Publications price approximately £15.00 144 pages. 2007.
Reviewed by Tony Hands
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Getting Started in Permaculture
by Ross and Jenny Mars
Over 50 DIY Projects for House and Garden Using Recycled Materials
Published by Permanent Publications
ISBN 978-1-85623-035-3
Price – approx £9.95
Small book just 103 pages, provides a short, basic overview of permaculture but its practical projects are where this book excels.
Make a hay box cooker, propagate plants, build a compost heap and learn how to make good compost, organic pest control, a geodesic dome, natural cleaning products, paper, soap and loads of other interesting projects.
This book [631.58] is available from Newport library or you can reserve it (it is cheaper if you request it online – if the site is working) and have it sent to your local branch if you want to have a look before you buy a copy.
Review by Angie
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