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.


Inspiring and Practical   October 5, 2004
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

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, excellent illustrations, 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


Inspiring and Practical   October 4, 2004
 19 out of 19 found this review helpful

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


Help Save Our Planet   September 19, 2004
 24 out of 24 found this review helpful

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.