Eddie's Bookshelf

Book of the Month

As featured in the April 2008 issue of Practically Seeking

Linda Runyon

What would spring be without an edible plants book review?
No matter how much time you spend, there is no way that one person can learn everything about the plant kingdom in a single lifetime. That's why I am always on the lookout for good information based on EXPERIENCE, and this book delivers — 15 years of foraging for a family in the mountains kind of experience! (For more on Linda Runyon see our February 2008 newsletter.)
The Essential Wild Food Survival Guide is not a plant ID book, though it does have many useful photos, drawings and descriptions. What this book does have that I like very much, and why I'm recommending it this month, are the many recipes Linda has included and even better, the specific nutritional information on 59 common and easy-to-identify edible plants, which is rarely found in other wild edibles books. (If you have additional sources please let me know!) She also has valuable information on various means of using and preserving plants in multiple ways that are not readily found elsewhere. Linda also includes information on potential layouts of wild food "gardens" that you can do at home. We, of course, LOVE this idea!
This is a self-published book that, believe it or not, is not available on Amazon! Instead, you can get a copy directly from Linda on her website, www.ofthefield.com (tell her we sent ya) and aid in supporting an individual who earns her living teaching others about the earth.

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's favorite books from his 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.
	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 who lives in the Eastern half of the United States or Canada. The over 1500 photographs include not just trees, but 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.

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 of this book 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
	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 of this book in the October-07 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.
	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)
	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)

Traditional Living
	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.
	It Will Live Forever: Traditional Yosemite Indian Acorn Preparation Beverly Oritz	If you've ever wondered how to process acorns or make your own flour, this book will answer all your questions. But more than just a delicious and nutritious food, the preparation of acorn provides 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)

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 of this book in the June-07 issue of Practically Seeking)
	1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus Charles C. Mann	A fascinating look at what the most recent archeological evidence tells us about life in the Americas before contact with the Europeans. Heavily populated, with highly advanced civilizations, this was not the "primitive" world you learned about in school! (See Eddie's review of this book 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 of this book in the July-07 issue of Practically Seeking)