Good book guide : Self-sufficiency and living Off-Grid 

No... it's certainly not just the information that's delivered but it's how it's delivered... which is why we're watching this not some other channel.

The word "Mortgage" comes from Old French, which literally means "Death Pledge". You are truly a "free man" Maximus Ironthumper. Thank you for sharing your story.

John Seymours book is full of amazing information for anyone dreaming of a different lifestyle although sometimes not always able to attain the dream...

i came to the netherlands to live here with my wife but knowing what i know now thanks to your youtube channel i would love to just get some land and start living this way. im mostly interested in being self reliant on all things but electric and water first, (which includes waist) but i dont think my wife would ever go for it all the way. and we might be doomed to rent when we get out of her moms house. im 43 and she is 53 and says she just wants to settle down now ... oh man we can be really free if she just trusted me to do it.

One of the main reasons I subscribe to your channel is for the same reason you like those books (as you mentioned). You show the way you are building/fixing/creating things in a non 'tarted' up or artsy fashion as seems to be so popular on RU-vid now, and in such a down to earth way that encourages me, and I am sure others, to realise that all these things are within anyones grasp if you are willing to put the effort in!

Had I been a young able man You would be my role model without doubt. Your self deprecating manner belies your total ability and confidence in what you do. I have two sons who are in their early twenties and they both now watch your Videos and find inspiration from them. A role model of the highest order you are!

Just got me a copy of Rural Planning Handbook. Going to spend some time digesting it this week.

Hi, I know these are old videos, and I have only just found your channel, but I would like to thank you for the information you have provided and I look forward to start watching your channel from the beginning. I have been living in my ( currently unconverted) van for 7 months and I have been lack any ambition or direction for some time. Thank you for giving me some ideas and inspiration.

Bit late but thought I'd chime in and say that, at least for me, you offer the same sort of inspiration those books gave you. Until I'd started watching your videos I had no idea that what you've achieved was even a possibility nowadays, but you're living proof of it. Your videos in general have really opened my eyes to a life that doesn't involve me sitting in an office until I die, and I greatly appreciate it!

Great book John Seymour’s

Well-thumbed books show genuine engagement. John Seymour's book was probably one of my first books to get me on my journey out of the conventional world. Great classic. He also wrote another couple of related books (maybe more?) - The Forgotten Arts and The Forgotten Crafts with a little more detail on some of the craft things (there is also a combined volume). Makes me want to pick up a real book again. We did actually manage without the internet back then. Thanks.

Hi max in relation to John Seymour incidentally John and Will Sutherland ran there school of self sufficiency in New Ross Co Wexford Ireland. John was also bit of a rebel and got arrested for damaging a Monsanto crop of modified sugar beet. What a legend

I got the John Seymour book from the school library lots. I was the first person to get it out since 1976 when I left the school in 1998 I’d had it out every year for 5 years. Still trying to live the self suffiency dream.

So happy to have found your channel. Very helpful and inspiring. I am going to walk on your footpaths now :)

I have not read either of these books but I would imagine that you are even more inspirational than you know as you had the courage of your convictions to not just talk about it or dream about it but actually get off your ass and do it against all the odds.

Enjoying the series Max. No need to apologise for the state of the books as it just goes to show you do use them and your conviction certainly comes across.

Me and the Mrs want to escape to a smallholding and are researching everything about it II've already had one recommendation for John Seymour's book you've convinced me to order it Thanks.The fact that the book is that ragged means its obviously got something worth reading inside it.

John Seymour's book was what got me started back in the 80s

Mate, That's brilliant. Thanks. I'm 63 and need to make the most fundamental changes. Stumbled on your videos. Watched a few now. All good

I've been going back to that John Seymour book since childhood. The illustration is amazing. I always smile every time I open it at how clever the ideas are.

The day i discovered this channel was a great day, keep on doing what you are doing Max and thanks for sharing it with us.

Thank you for showing and explaining your life on RU-vid, it's pleasure to watch and be educated 👍👍👍

Truly i would be LOST without your inspiration and enthusiasm! I have only dreamt about this before not thinking it was possible. Having now watched most of your videos I am now taking a fresh look and ‘cant do’ is changing to ‘where can i buy woodland’! Within days of chatting about your progress to a friend I have a possible offer of land. Sadly just bare pasture so a problem, in order to survive on it I would need to go there and plant a few acres of trees for a few years of growth before I could survive off the timber. So i dont think its the land for me.

Your video itself also inspirational thanks keep up the good work!

I fully concur about John Seymour's book; I read and absorbed it ~40 years ago and as you say, it's full of practical advice that just was not available then - and still hasn't been bettered!

John Seymour's book: can't rate it highly enough! Been my handbook to life in rural France for the past 16years.

Best book review I've heard all year - literally clicked buy before your video finished!

Loving this book series!! Keep em coming!

just bought it on eBay thanks for the recommendation

Hi Max, Picked up a used copy of Self - Sufficiency and latest version of Rural Planning Handbook. Some light reading of first, but very intrested about Planning, this maybe useful if only to find out where I stand if I have need to go into acction👍😀 Regards Peter.

You have mastered the art of presenting information in a very accessible way. Brilliant video again. Isn't splendid a splendid word!

Ah, thank you very much! Have been looking forward to this one.

Love the videos and the way that you deliver your topics keep it up!!!

Nicely done, looking forward to the next one!

Loving the book reviews mate, can’t wait for the building vid! That Collins DIY book you have is good one, nice and practical with good illustrations.

It seems, for lot of people, change happens when they haven't got anything else to lose; I think that can be quite a liberating place to be. Really great video. Self reliant, off grid people always have really inspiring and interesting experiences to draw from.

Maximus, thank you for making me confront my prejudices. I am a middle aged, middle class, Daily Telegraph reader whose natural inclination is to avoid bumping into bearded traveller types. I have however been following your channel for some months and have now watched most of your videos. I have really enjoyed them, found the content really informative (particularly as it is clear that you know what you are talking about) and like your style and honesty. If i lived locally to you i would buy you a beer despite me being a life long teetotaller. All the best and keep those videos coming.

Great video as usual Max. Nice to get an authors credit. Well done and keep em coming. Enjoying the book reviews ATM. Thanks

Thanks for presenting your information in this nice way and make it easy to understand. Gonna give it a go and try to find these books.

Looking healthier my brother. Keep on keeping on and many thanks for the knowledge xx

Self sufficiency by John Seymour is one of my all time favourites, I was so happy to see you agree! I love the bit about personal examples of people who have engaged with self sufficiency and how it doesn't expect you to have a huge piece of land to get involved, anyone can pick this book up and take what they want from it, be it how best to grow some tomatoes in your back yard to how best to dispatch a pig (distract it with some food apparently!) He also has respect for the animals and points out the importance of compassion and not causing pain and distress. I'm off to read it again now. Thanks for the great videos, keep on keeping on!

Hey, very late to the party on this but i bought the self sufficiency book two weeks ago and i haven't put it down, its amazing, driving my partner mad with it but it's worth it... well worth the buy. Cheers.

Great recommendations max, good idea these book review videos look forward to the next one thanks

Nice one! Both of these books have been a huge inspiration to me. your videos also. good stuff

Thanks Max love your videos

Great vid. I think a lot of people, me included, would like to hear some more of your story that you touched on here. Sounds very interesting and think it would add a lot of detail to the channel. All the best man

Very good video, just wanted to say thanks ever so much for making it, a big help indeed.

Great review. Yep, I bought the John Seymour book a few years ago and I found it tremendously inspiring. It is a real treasure. And in the same way I find your videos wonderfully inspiring and just enjoyable to watch. Thanks Max and keep up the good work.

Loving your book series! I’ve my own library of “printed tools” (some in equally poor condition) and a penchant for projects...can’t imagine being without one ever!

Great to know they did sort out the revised edition. I called them after your last video, guess I'll be calling again soon !

Once again totally interesting. Thanks max 😁

Max what you described around the 5:30/50 mark related to me on such a huge level. I have been desperately trying to find somewhere to realise the dream of being off grid and I hope it will be attainable in the future. Thank you for making such amazing videos, can't wait for the one on making charcoal :)

Thanks will need to keep a eye out for cheap secondhand ones. The fact you have a well used book speaks volumes about how well you regard this book and how often you refer to it

The John Seymour book... I've borrowed loads of Dorling Kindersley books in the past and they really do know the value of good illustrations.

Spot on Max, nothing worse than a "how to" book that is soulless. I have a few that really inspired me, also the early 90's TV shows like "A cook on the wild side" and the legendary "Escape to River Cottage". Now of course we have RU-vid and this also helps me keep positive and focussed. Great review mate. Enjoyed that.

I love the title for this series.

Send this man more beers great vid

Very helpful video, sir. Thank you. :)

Arise SIR max , excellent once again 👍🍺👍🍺

Thanks for the recommendations, I'm going to hunt down John Seymour's book now.

Brilliant! Just seen this now - going to get a coffee and have a watch. Thank you!

Thanks for posting!

Bought "The Complete Book of Self-Sufficiency" by John Seymour a couple of days ago. Hanx for the heads up!

Thanks as always for a super informative episode. I am already a John Seymour fan... and have a copy of his excellent "The Self Sufficient Gardener". I am very keen however to get my hands on the Rural planning handbook as I plan to move from South Africa to the UK in the near future to set up my own small homestead. Your videos have been a huge inspiration in this regards. Please keep them coming as I know I will depend on them in my future land/build/grow journey. Kind Regards, Emily

Ah u took my suggestion on a similar video on off grid books John seymours book possibly the best book out there, great choice!

Good video thanks for posting..

Great video 👍

Hi Max, I just pulled the trigger on the 'RURAL PLANNING HANDBOOK'. I was thinking about it for a while; hopefully there are plenty of references I can use, 'if I ever need to'.

Hi, never apologise for a much loved book, finding this book review very useful, thanks

Thanks Max

You worked in a call centre?! I cannot picture that at all, I assumed you were born with a long beard and a hammer in your hand. As those books are to you, you're an inspiration to your viewers. You've given me hope to find a modest plot to live on :)

How funny sent my cheque off today for Rural Planning.....😊.....a great book I've got is the encyclopedia of country living....by Carla Emery Everything you could want to know from Bees Birthing Cider Poultry Planting and hundreds of recipes too....loving the videos thanx

hi max i have invested in several books from Lloyd Kahn ,builders of the Pacific Coast and his first book Shelter fantastic Reference for building and wooden frame construction worth a look great vid

Currently reading a book, that my grandad bought in 1955, about constructing a home. Apparently a whole house can be built for $3500 (I would say it's a bit out dated 😅). Still includes lots of helpful knowledge non the less.

John seymore books are fab

I learnt how to skin & gut rabbits & hares from John Seymour the complete book of self sufficiency.

Great vid 😎

I had a copy of Self-sufficiency about 30 years ago. I never got to use it, and now it's too late... :o( Thanks for another informative and entertaining vid.

Another Ironthumper missive to the masses! Ok!

Seymour is the man! I'm not sure how the other book would pertain to us in the state's I'll have to look it up. I do most of my reading off a tablet, but there is something most satisfing about hold some in hand like your copy of Seymour's they tend to get a bit ratty, which just proves they are loved

Thanks man =)

Well I know what I'm buying next👍🏻 In two years time I hope to sell our property and buy land so as to live as free as possible. Thank you me old mucker for being such an inspiration guide. Now what's the latest on the truck🤔

Home Work just arrived!!

Pole Building Construction has just arrived,,

Come the apocalypse, I vote Max our leader........☺

You should try metal detecting Max, i'm sure you'd enjoy it! :-)

👍😃

Max where did all your off grid videos go? Can't find them on the channel

Good video again, 👍👍👍 it's clear we still need a bit of reading matter and not just using the t,Internet. Although both are very useful. And when we don't need the books put them on compost to recycle them😁👍👍

If those books are on Amazon you can set up Amazon affiliate links so you'll get a few pennies whenever someone buys the books by following your links I'm interested in the handbook now and I wouldn't have known about it otherwise so i think it would only be fair if you got a bit of commission

I sent my postal order off and now my Rural Planning Handbook duly arrived - what a superb book full of the sort of info I need to help me MAYBE find a little piece of land (if one exists) :( Simon says the '4 year rule' may have changed - do you know if it has at all? I know our 'lovely' government love closing loopholes!

Very helpful info thanks, is the planning book available for Wales as I noticed it is only applicable in England? Cheers

Many thanks for the information. I can’t seem to find Simon,s book anywhere any ideas where to look I done amazon.

Can you still get the valves for that antique on the bookshelves Max?

always lovely to watch your vids...so what made you decide to take up this lifestyle.

When are you publishing your own to book about your journey and experiences?

Mr Orson Welles

Your early experiences are mirrored by many of us. I was looking under "about" for a private message feature. It seems to have been removed. How can I send you a copy of a book? cheers, Andy

It does not matter what a book looks like. It does matters what information it contains, and how that information is interpreted by the reader, whether for learning or enjoyment. Thank you for your inspirational video's. I live 39 miles away and I need some help with my house maintenance? Are you interested some occasional work so I can cut down on my living costs by making my house work for me? Thank you.

Can anyone suggest where I can get the rural planning handbook from? Ive looked on amazon and ebay and cant find it?