Practical Primitive | Eddie's Bookshelf

Book of the Month

As featured in the December 2011 issue of Practically Seeking.

Build Your Own Earth Oven

Francis Mallmann

For those of you who took our recommendation and picked up last month's book on Earth Ovens, adding this one to your Christmas list is a no-brainer. Seven Fires was first brought to our attention about this time last year by our good friend Jorge and we can not thank him enough!
Francis Mallmann is a celebrity chef — THE celebrity chef — in South America. Originally from Argentina, Chef Mallmann traveled the world, learned from the best and cooked for the most famous before returning home to study the "peasant" ways of his native land. This book is filled with the traditional foods and cooking methods of his homeland and of the Gaucho cowboys who have taken cooking over an open fire to a high art.
The book's title refers to the Seven types of Fires used for cooking in traditional Argentine cuisine: Barbeque, Cast-Iron, "Little Hell", Clay Oven, Embers & Ashes, the "Iron Cross" and the Cauldron.
Trying to describe the deliciousness of the recipes Mallmann includes would only do them a great injustice. The simplicity of both the ingredients and cooking methods is almost (in a strange way) intimidating, but once we convinced ourselves to give it a try... WOW!!! Of all the dishes we have tried so far our favorite is probably the simplest one in the book — Burnt Tomato Halves are without question one of the most delicious things we have ever tasted!
The photos are almost as mouth-watering as the dishes they represent, the recipes and instructions are simple to follow, and the advice Chef Mallmann provides for cooking over an open fire will take your outdoor feasts to a whole new level of yummy.

For anyone who has the deluded notion that outdoor cooking or cooking over an open fire yields only burnt, ash-covered mediocre camping food, I challenge you to throw those misguided thoughts into the fire instead, and begin to enjoy and to savor the wonders of easy outdoor cooking, as learned over the Seven Fires.

Eddie's Bookshelf

Looking for a good book to help further your skills, or your understanding of our world and those who came before? Here are some of Eddie and Julie's favorite books from their own reference shelf.

When you find the one that's right for you, mouse over the book's link and click on the "Buy Now" icon to be taken straight to Amazon.com.

Plants & Trees
	Botany in a Day: The Patterns Method of Plant Identification Thomas J. Elpel	A fast, easy and fun way to dentify plants. Discover the seven key patterns that will help you learn plants by the hundreds, instead of one at a time. A great method to help make sense of the vast amounts of information that can be so intimidating to a beginner.
	Newcomb's Wildflower Guide Lawrence Newcomb	Newcomb's five question identification system, based on easily visible features, will have you out and identifying flowers in no time!
	Peterson Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants: Eastern and central North America Lee Allen Peterson	This classic from the noted Peterson Guide series describes over 370 wild edible plants (and their poisonous look-alikes) found in the eastern and central United States and Canada.
	A Field Guide to Venomous Animals and Poisonous Plants Roger Caras	Another "must-have" from Petersons. With information on over 250 poisonous plants (& 90 venomous animals) this book will help keep you safe and sound as you explore the wonders of the plant kingdom.
	Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs Of Eastern and Central North America James A. Duke	Identification information on over 500 healing plants found in Eastern & Central North America, as well as the habitats in which they are found and their known medicinal uses.
	A Field Guide to Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs Stephen Foster	Identification information on over 500 species of common healing plants found west of the Mississippi River, as well as habitat ranges and known medicinal uses.
	Stikky Trees Laurence Holt	Learn to Recognize the 15 Most Common Trees in the United States—in Just One Hour, Guaranteed! A great book for kids & adults alike. (See Eddie's review in the June-07 issue of Practically Seeking)
	The Tree Identification Book George W.D. Symonds	A fantastic book for anyone in the Eastern half of the United States or Canada. The over 1500 photographs include trees, leaves, twigs, flowers, nuts & bark, making it easy to identify your trees in every season. (See Eddie's review in the March-08 issue of Practically Seeking)
	The Complete Book of Edible Landscaping: Home Landscaping with Food-Bearing Plants and Resource-Saving Techniques Rosalind Creasy	Ready to chuck the lawnmower and turn your yard into a beautiful habitat for edible wild plants? Then this is the book for you.
	The Essential Wild Food Survival Guide Linda Runyon	An excellent "How-to" book on identifying, harvesting, preparing, storing and preserving 50 plants common throughout the U.S. and Canada. Written from experience! (See Eddie's review in the April-08 issue of Practically Seeking)
	Identifying and Harvesting Edible and Medicinal Plants in Wild (and Not So Wild) Places Steve Brill	Anyone who has met "Wildman" Steve Brill will not soon forget him! This fun and informative book is a great resource for anyone intersted in wild edibles.
	Weeds of the Northeast	One of our favorite plant books! Unique in the fact that it has photos of both the seedling and seed stages of over 200 plants so you can identify them at any time of year! (See Eddie's review in the March-09 issue of Practically Seeing)
	The Forager's Harvest Samuel Thayer	A must-have for anyone interested in edible wild plants. Thayer brings his decades of personal experience to bear in dispelling several current plant myths, and provides great insights, to the benefit of us all. (See Eddie's review in the April-09 issue of Practically Seeing)
	Nature's Garden: A Guide to Identifying, Harvesting, and Preparing Edible Wild Plants Samuel Thayer	Thayer has done it again! This second outstanding book offers real, practical EXPERIENCE with each of these new plants. (No repeat from Forager's Harvest. This is a must-have book for everyone even remotely interested in wild edibles. Don't wait, don't hesitate, add this book to your library today! (See Eddie's review in the June-10 issue of Practically Seeking)
	The Complete Mushroom Hunter: An Illustrated Guide to Finding, Harvesting, and Enjoying Wild Mushrooms Gary Lincoff	Gary Lincoff demystifies the world of edible, medicinal, and utilitarian fungi. Good descriptions of a wide variety of mushrooms in a simple to understand format, outstanding photographs & descriptions, information on habitats, soil types, preparation instructions, recipes and clear warnings when extra caution is needed. Well-researched, nicely documented and easy to follow. (See Eddie's review in the September-11 issue of Practically Seeking)

Flintknapping
	The Art of Flintknapping D.C. Waldorf	Without a doubt, THE book on flintknapping!! If you only get one, this is the book you want. Valerie Waldorf's beautiful illustrations provide you with excellent visual guidance as you learn this ancient art. (Also check out D.C.'s new companion DVD!) (See Eddie's review in the September-07 issue of Practically Seeking)
	Flintknapping: Making and Understanding Stone Tools John C. Whittaker	This book contains detailed, practical information on flintknapping that will help you to not only make stone tools, but understand the archeological context in which they were originally used.

Bows & Arrows
	The Traditional Bowyer's Bible, Vol. 1 Jim Hamm	The ultimate guide for anyone interested in bow building. From choosing the tree to creating your finished bow, learn from the experts.
	The Traditional Bowyer's Bible, Vol. 2 Jim Hamm
	The Traditional Bowyer's Bible, Vol. 3 Jim Hamm
	The Traditional Bowyer's Bible, Volume 4 Jim Hamm	What happens when true Masters of the craft collaborate! The revised section on bow design and performance constitute a GIANT step forward from the first book. Contains, without a doubt, the finest information available on building a self bow. (See Eddie's review in the June-08 issue of Practically Seeking)
	Timeless Bowhunting: The Art, The Science, & The Spirit Roy S. Marlow	More than just a book about hunting with a bow and arrow, this is a must-have for anyone interested in archery, whether traditional or modern, as a hunter or for recreation. Whether you're an experienced hunter or beginning archer, do yourself a favor and give this book a read. (See Eddie's review in the October-07 issue of Practically Seeking)
	The Art of Making Selfbows Stim Wilcox	A brand new book on making selfbows, this volume is like none you've ever seen before. Master Bowyer Stim Wilcox lays out all of his secrets to making the sweetest shooting selfbows I've EVER shot; ones that equal and even surpass my laminated bows. Don't hesitate on this one. Buy it. (See Eddie's review in the August-09 issue of Practically Seeking)

Braintan
	Deerskins Into Buckskins: How To Tan With Natural Materials Matt Richards	Easy to follow, step-by-step instructions make this book the go-to guide for wet-scrape braintan. (See Eddie's review in the January-09 issue of Practically Seeking)
	Blue Mountain Buckskin: A Working Manual For Dry-scrape Braintan Jim Riggs	A thorough and complete guide to the dry-scrape braintan method, written by one of the best braintanners of the modern era.

Primitive & Survival Skills
	Desert Survival Skills David Alloway	An excellent and fun-to-read book on how to survive in desert climates, the skills learned in this book can be transferred into a multitude of other tyes of situations. A must-have for any serious survival student. (See Eddie's review in the August-07 issue of Practically Seeking)
	Shelters, Shacks, and Shanties: And How to Build Them D.C. Beard	An oldie but goodie, this book has information on constructing all types of shelter, from the easy & immediate all the way up to a full-fledged log cabin, with nothing but the simplest of tools. (See Eddie's review in the February-09 issue of Practically Seeking)
	Primitive Wilderness Living & Survival Skills: Naked into the Wilderness John McPherson	Hundreds of photographs and line drawings make this a fantastic resource for all of the basics when it comes to primtive skills.
	Primitive Technology David Wescott
	Primitive Technology II: Ancestral Skill David Wescott
	Survival Arts of the Primitive Paiutes Margaret M. Wheat	A remarkable and unparalleled look at what life for the Northern Paiute tribes. The details make it possible to replicate the skills of a people who thrived in an area that most consider uninhabitable. (See Eddie's review in the November/December-07 issue of Practically Seeking)
	Practicing Primitive: A Handbook of Aboriginal Skills Steven M Watts	In the world of Primitive Skills there is one name that everyone knows — or at least they should! Steve Watts has been practicing, discovering, learning & exploring the world of our ancestors for decades, and his Practicing Primitive is an excellent compilation of the knowledge and skill he has achieved, and is passing on. (Read the rest of Eddie's review in the April-11 issue of Practically Seeking)
	98.6: The Art of Keeping Your Ass Alive Cody Lundin	This book is a perfect primer for the those new to the outdoors, and an excellent reminder and resource for those long-time outdoor adventurers who just never even think THEY would end up in a survival situation. Written from Cody's own, extensive outdoor experience, this is one to have on your shelf no matter how long you've been doing this! (Read the Eddie's full review in the July-11 issue of Practically Seeking)

Traditional Living
	The FOXFIRE Book Volume 1 Eliot Wigginton and his Students	Originally an English class project in 1966 rural Georgia, the Foxfire Project has spent 40 years preserving the stories and skills of a "previously-dismissed culture of Southern Appalachia". Passed on by the people who lived them everyday, this entire series is a treasure trove of indespensible knowledge for anyone who desires to live a more "off the grid" style of life. (See Eddie's review in the October-08 issue of Practically Seeking)
	Back to Basics: A Complete Guide to Traditional Skills Abigail R. Gehring	Divided into six sections and containing basic information on hundreds of different skills projects, this comprehensive guide to simple living is worth having on any bookshelf. This book was Eddie's first introduction to many of the skills he has gone on to perfect. (See Eddie's review in the May-09 issue of Practically Seeking)
	The Soap Book: Simple Herbal Recipes Sandy Maine	For anyone interested in making their own soaps this book will be an invaluable resource. Also has a great selection of recipies. (See Eddie's review in the December-08 issue of Practically Seeking)
	The Herbal Home Remedy Book Joyce A. Wardwell	Contains many simple recipes for tinctures, teas, salves, tonics and syrups — especially perfect for someone taking their first steps into the world of herbal remedies.
	It Will Live Forever: Traditional Yosemite Indian Acorn Preparation Beverly Oritz	This book will answer all your questions on how to process acorns or make your own flour. More than just a "how to" on making this delicious and nutritious food, offers a unique insight into the complexity, beauty and integrity of a life well lived. (See Eddie's review in the January-08 issue of Practically Seeking)
	Plenty: Eating Locally on the 100-Mile Diet	What authors Alisa & James discover during a year of eating only what could be found within 100 miles of their downtown Vancouver, B.C. apartment transcends mere meal planning and will bring the reader a new awareness of, and appreciation for, the world around them. "Distance is the Enemy of Awareness" (See Julie's review in the April-10 issue of Practically Seeking)
	Preserving Food without Freezing or Canning The Gardeners and Farmers of Centre Terre Vivante	Shunning the common methods of freezing and canning, all of the preserving in this book is done as naturally as possible to retain maximum flavor and nutrition, using ingredients that are whole or minimally processed, and all the methods have been tested and are easy for "regular people" to try out. A wonderful resouce! (See Julie's review in the January-10 issue of Practically Seeking)
	Alone in the Wilderness (DVD) Dick Proenneke	In 1968 at the age of 51, Dick Proenneke headed into the Alaskan wilderness with the intent of staying for a full year. He stayed for over 30. And even better for all of us, he chronicled his adventure both on film and in his journals! The wonderful DVD uses Proenneke's own writings & beautifully shot home movies to create a legacy that will endure, and can not help but inspire generations to come. (See Eddie's review in the March-10 issue of Practically Seeking)
	Bird Feathers: A Guide to North American Species David Scott & Casey McFarland	The first of it's kind, this extensively researched and beautifully put-together field guide to Bird Feathers will be a constant reference point in your nature studies. A must have for your bookshelf! (See Eddie's review in the December-10 issue of Practically Seeking)
	Root Cellaring: Natural Cold Storage of Fruits and Vegetables Mike Bubel & Nancy Bubel	A fantastic book with solid, experienced-based knowledge on all different kinds of "root cellaring" storage. The specific information provided will provide you with the best possible chance of keeping your larder stocked with fresh fruits, vegetable, nuts and more from one year to the next. An EXCELLENT resource! (See Julie's review in the January-11 issue of Practically Seeking)
	Build Your Own Earth Oven (3rd Edition) Kiko Denzer	The sub-title of this book is "A Low-cost, Wood-fired Mud Oven, Simple Sour-dough bread, Perfect Loaves" and that is exactly what this book delivers. The authors take the daunting task of building a wood-fired oven in your back yard & break it down into eight simple steps that can be accomplished in a few days. Sseveral different style and size options are shown so you can choose the best fit for your needs. A great book! (See Eddie's review in the November-11 issue of Practically Seeking)

Natural History
	Stikky Night Skies Laurence Holt	The title says it all: Learn 6 Constellations, 4 Stars, A Planet, A Galaxy, And How To Navigate At Night—in One Hour, Guaranteed! (See Eddie's review in the June-07 issue of Practically Seeking)
	1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus Charles C. Mann	A fascinating look at what new archeological evidence tells us about life in the Americas before European contact. Heavily populated, with highly advanced civilizations — not the "primitive" world you learned about in school! (See Eddie's review in the May-07 issue of Practically Seeking)
	Kinship with All Life J. Allen Boone	This book will be your guide to relearning the seemingly lost universal language that will bring you back into kinship with all life. (See Eddie's review in the July-07 issue of Practically Seeking)
	The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals Michael Pollan	This is one of those "Must Read" books. Pollan's journey through our current food system is both eye-opening and at times frightening. At the very least it will make you pause as you purchase on your next trip to the grocery store or farmer's market. An excellent and informative read. (See Eddie's review in the July-09 issue of Practically Seeking)
	Warrior Woman: The Story of Lozen, Apache Warrior and Shaman Peter Aleshire	Her name almost forgotten and her story virtually untold, Lozen was a fierce Warrior and powerful Shaman who fought alongside Geronimo and her brother Victorio in the Apache wars. Aleshire pieces together all of the available information on this amazing life and weaves a story of one of the great women of history. Warrior, shaman, healer, leader & lethal adversary — I encourage you discover her incredible story. (See Julie's review in the October-09 issue of Practically Seeking)
	Making Silent Stones Speak: Human Evolution & The Dawn Of Technology Nicholas Toth & Kathy Schick	A fascinating history of and introduction to archeology and the methods used to age the prehistoric sites. Interspersed with entertaining, & enlightening tidbits about the authors' personal experiences and research projects, this is an easy and informative read for anyone interested in Human Evolution and the Dawn of Technology. (See Guest Reviewer Kfir Mendel's review in the December-09 issue of Practically Seeking)
	Pandora's Seed: The Unforeseen Cost of Civilization Spencer Wells	A well-researched and tremendously insightful look at how the choice of our ancestors to leave behind their Hunter-Gatherer lifestyle and begin practicing agriculture shaped our lives in ways that they could have never imagined. A brilliant book and a definite Must Read! (See Julie's review in the June-11 issue of Practically Seeking)