This is a practical guide to the River Cottage lifestyle from Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. It includes tips on how best to buy organic produce and, for the more adventurous, advice on rearing your own meat, growing your own vegetables and tapping into theOrdinarily the word "lifestyle" is more likely to be applied to slender magazine articles puffing lofts full of Eames furniture rather than books about smallholdings in Dorset. The River Cottage Cookbook, however, is a hefty 450 pages of pure, gumbooted rural lifestyle; and one could not wish it shorter. Cook, broadcaster and food-writer-at-large Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall has been ensconced at River Cottage for a number of years, cultivating his vegetable garden, raising chickens, pigs and even cattle for his table and taking occasional potshots at the local wildlife. His achievements have been chronicled on television; now they appear between hard covers.

Although it calls itself a cookbook and does contain a large number of fine recipes, the book's scope is much broader. Really, this is more like one of those "Enquire Within on Everything" volumes 19th-century settlers used to take to the outback with them, full of instructions for mixing whitewash, worming dogs and making a bag pudding. Starting with vegetables, proceeding to livestock and fish (River Cottage does indeed have a river and is only five miles from the sea) and concluding with the wild food, floral and faunal, of the hedgerow, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall explains how he grows, gathers, kills and cooks his own food.

There is a lot of information here, and a lot of hard reality, too: he is very clear and forthright about the place of death in this kind of life. But then this is a very clear and forthright book overall, a very engaging and really quite inspirational manual of how to live the country life so many of us dream about. It's well-illustrated, too, with Simon Wheeler's fine photographs of Hugh at work chasing chickens, skinning eels, carrying piglets and so on. The food in the River Cottage kitchen looks wonderful, too, though the photo of a cod-head glaring resentfully from under a beehive of parsley in a stock pot carries many more resonances than it is possible to summarise here. --Robin Davidson

A great read, 28 Apr 2008
This book is wonderful, imaginative, easy to read and understand. I also found it entertaining, for a 'non cook' that is praise indeed! Although I am no great cook, I do keep chickens for eggs, the wife wont let me eat them, (yet!)I do grow lots of stuff, and much of this is credited to the Author. A man who cherishes his food and where it comes from, and how. This book comes close to being my Bible

A tome to be reckoned with!, 17 Oct 2006
If you're even remotely entertaining the idea of purchasing this book for yourself, your friend or your granny, then just go ahead and click the button.

Fantastic cookbook, yes, but also so much more than that. Here is someone who finally seems to love eating as much as cooking, and the whole process honestly excites him. You can't help but get swept up in his enthusiasm.

Recipes are broken down into easy to follow pieces, which work for budding cooks as well as those with more experience. Fantastically, he also does this without being condescending in the slightest.

If there were a version of Desert Island Books, this would most certainly be on my top 5 list!


The only cookbook you'll ever read..., 07 Oct 2006
I have just finished reading this book from cover to cover, and it is the only cookbook I have ever "read" in this way. Part of the reason is that half (at least) of the book is devoted to the smallholding economy of River Cottage, which like many I can only aspire to at the moment but still find fascinating. This part of the book is a creditable smallholder's manual, better in fact than some others I have read. There is also an immensely useful bibliography and contact list on this and related topics (from where to buy a wicker eel trap to where to get pigeon decoying tuition). But the book is a genuine cookbook as well, and a practical one at that. Personally I find the recipes absolutely mouthwatering, and they also are presented in such a way that at least the introduction and anecdote attached to each one is worth a read in itself, even if you're not in the kitchen. HFW can certainly write as well, with humour and a light touch throughout. At this price, it's an absolute bargain - being such a weighty tome I would recommend buying the hardback version.

Excellent, 20 Mar 2006
If after reading this book you don't want to do what he did...

The recipes are fantastic, and the writting behnd the recipies about how life comtinues is amazing

Uhm a bit though, 23 Aug 2004
Do not take me wrong. I enjoyed this book as much as I loved the TV series; the only problem is that I am not sure the average reader will be interested in breeding his/her own cattle. I love the recipes and have enjoyed this book more as a novel than as a manual to a do-it-yourself live in the country book.

A great read, 28 Apr 2008
This book is wonderful, imaginative, easy to read and understand. I also found it entertaining, for a 'non cook' that is praise indeed! Although I am no great cook, I do keep chickens for eggs, the wife wont let me eat them, (yet!)I do grow lots of stuff, and much of this is credited to the Author. A man who cherishes his food and where it comes from, and how. This book comes close to being my Bible

A tome to be reckoned with!, 17 Oct 2006
If you're even remotely entertaining the idea of purchasing this book for yourself, your friend or your granny, then just go ahead and click the button.

Fantastic cookbook, yes, but also so much more than that. Here is someone who finally seems to love eating as much as cooking, and the whole process honestly excites him. You can't help but get swept up in his enthusiasm.

Recipes are broken down into easy to follow pieces, which work for budding cooks as well as those with more experience. Fantastically, he also does this without being condescending in the slightest.

If there were a version of Desert Island Books, this would most certainly be on my top 5 list!


The only cookbook you'll ever read..., 07 Oct 2006
I have just finished reading this book from cover to cover, and it is the only cookbook I have ever "read" in this way. Part of the reason is that half (at least) of the book is devoted to the smallholding economy of River Cottage, which like many I can only aspire to at the moment but still find fascinating. This part of the book is a creditable smallholder's manual, better in fact than some others I have read. There is also an immensely useful bibliography and contact list on this and related topics (from where to buy a wicker eel trap to where to get pigeon decoying tuition). But the book is a genuine cookbook as well, and a practical one at that. Personally I find the recipes absolutely mouthwatering, and they also are presented in such a way that at least the introduction and anecdote attached to each one is worth a read in itself, even if you're not in the kitchen. HFW can certainly write as well, with humour and a light touch throughout. At this price, it's an absolute bargain - being such a weighty tome I would recommend buying the hardback version.

Excellent, 20 Mar 2006
If after reading this book you don't want to do what he did...

The recipes are fantastic, and the writting behnd the recipies about how life comtinues is amazing

Uhm a bit though, 23 Aug 2004
Do not take me wrong. I enjoyed this book as much as I loved the TV series; the only problem is that I am not sure the average reader will be interested in breeding his/her own cattle. I love the recipes and have enjoyed this book more as a novel than as a manual to a do-it-yourself live in the country book.

This book is my bible!!, 19 Oct 2008
I found this book on a friends shelf and had to buy my own immediately. It inspired me so much that I have moved to New Zealand and bought a ten acre small-holding which is run using John Seymour's principles.

This book is approachable and amusing, it is not everything you'll ever need to be self-siffient buts it a bloody good start and always the first place I look for information.

the best book I ever bought, 10 Jul 2008
Genuinely, this book has enriched my life. This sounds very strong language, but a glimpse of how achieveable a degree of self sufficiency can be is a great stress-buster and very uplifting.

Practical, useful, full of ideas and inspiration, this book will motivate anyone to take a step or two towards self sufficiency, wherever they live.

Every chapter is interesting, well written, and well illustrated. The craft skills are useful and practical and whilst a compost-toilet is not quite the thing for our garden in the suburbs, all the practical projects are well described and amply illustrated.

A great reference book, a comfort on a cold winter's night, I recommend it to anyone.



review, 27 Jun 2008
A must have for all small holders.Not a full complete guide but nonetheless full of great info and knowledge. A book i reread and reread from one season to the next.

worth while, 27 May 2008
Im not much of a person for writing or reading, more of a hands on sort of person, but i read this book and it was incredible. The author makes it clear and easy to understand, giving good diagrams along with step by step procedures. I would reccomend this book to anyone, as i hve done, its well worth the money.

Excellent addition to the coffee table. . . or museum, 08 Apr 2008
Regarded as a classic by many, Seymour's tome has slipped sadly out of date and the 2003 relaunch did little to correct some aspects which - in Britain at least - have been overtaken by legislation. To recommend a swill bucket for pigs is inexcusable as contaminated swill is generally accepted to be the cause of the 2001 foot and mouth outbreak.

There's a lot of interesting stuff - including Seymour's unusual and ill-informed culinary ideas - which will keep you amused, but little for the serious smallholder. It is rarely looked and never consulted on our farm.

One fellow-farmer, on being asked if he followed Seymour's advice, said he would love to, but the day had yet to be extended to 37 hours.

A great read, 28 Apr 2008
This book is wonderful, imaginative, easy to read and understand. I also found it entertaining, for a 'non cook' that is praise indeed! Although I am no great cook, I do keep chickens for eggs, the wife wont let me eat them, (yet!)I do grow lots of stuff, and much of this is credited to the Author. A man who cherishes his food and where it comes from, and how. This book comes close to being my Bible

A tome to be reckoned with!, 17 Oct 2006
If you're even remotely entertaining the idea of purchasing this book for yourself, your friend or your granny, then just go ahead and click the button.

Fantastic cookbook, yes, but also so much more than that. Here is someone who finally seems to love eating as much as cooking, and the whole process honestly excites him. You can't help but get swept up in his enthusiasm.

Recipes are broken down into easy to follow pieces, which work for budding cooks as well as those with more experience. Fantastically, he also does this without being condescending in the slightest.

If there were a version of Desert Island Books, this would most certainly be on my top 5 list!


The only cookbook you'll ever read..., 07 Oct 2006
I have just finished reading this book from cover to cover, and it is the only cookbook I have ever "read" in this way. Part of the reason is that half (at least) of the book is devoted to the smallholding economy of River Cottage, which like many I can only aspire to at the moment but still find fascinating. This part of the book is a creditable smallholder's manual, better in fact than some others I have read. There is also an immensely useful bibliography and contact list on this and related topics (from where to buy a wicker eel trap to where to get pigeon decoying tuition). But the book is a genuine cookbook as well, and a practical one at that. Personally I find the recipes absolutely mouthwatering, and they also are presented in such a way that at least the introduction and anecdote attached to each one is worth a read in itself, even if you're not in the kitchen. HFW can certainly write as well, with humour and a light touch throughout. At this price, it's an absolute bargain - being such a weighty tome I would recommend buying the hardback version.

Excellent, 20 Mar 2006
If after reading this book you don't want to do what he did...

The recipes are fantastic, and the writting behnd the recipies about how life comtinues is amazing

Uhm a bit though, 23 Aug 2004
Do not take me wrong. I enjoyed this book as much as I loved the TV series; the only problem is that I am not sure the average reader will be interested in breeding his/her own cattle. I love the recipes and have enjoyed this book more as a novel than as a manual to a do-it-yourself live in the country book.

This book is my bible!!, 19 Oct 2008
I found this book on a friends shelf and had to buy my own immediately. It inspired me so much that I have moved to New Zealand and bought a ten acre small-holding which is run using John Seymour's principles.

This book is approachable and amusing, it is not everything you'll ever need to be self-siffient buts it a bloody good start and always the first place I look for information.

the best book I ever bought, 10 Jul 2008
Genuinely, this book has enriched my life. This sounds very strong language, but a glimpse of how achieveable a degree of self sufficiency can be is a great stress-buster and very uplifting.

Practical, useful, full of ideas and inspiration, this book will motivate anyone to take a step or two towards self sufficiency, wherever they live.

Every chapter is interesting, well written, and well illustrated. The craft skills are useful and practical and whilst a compost-toilet is not quite the thing for our garden in the suburbs, all the practical projects are well described and amply illustrated.

A great reference book, a comfort on a cold winter's night, I recommend it to anyone.



review, 27 Jun 2008
A must have for all small holders.Not a full complete guide but nonetheless full of great info and knowledge. A book i reread and reread from one season to the next.

worth while, 27 May 2008
Im not much of a person for writing or reading, more of a hands on sort of person, but i read this book and it was incredible. The author makes it clear and easy to understand, giving good diagrams along with step by step procedures. I would reccomend this book to anyone, as i hve done, its well worth the money.

Excellent addition to the coffee table. . . or museum, 08 Apr 2008
Regarded as a classic by many, Seymour's tome has slipped sadly out of date and the 2003 relaunch did little to correct some aspects which - in Britain at least - have been overtaken by legislation. To recommend a swill bucket for pigs is inexcusable as contaminated swill is generally accepted to be the cause of the 2001 foot and mouth outbreak.

There's a lot of interesting stuff - including Seymour's unusual and ill-informed culinary ideas - which will keep you amused, but little for the serious smallholder. It is rarely looked and never consulted on our farm.

One fellow-farmer, on being asked if he followed Seymour's advice, said he would love to, but the day had yet to be extended to 37 hours.

Fantastic!, 24 Oct 2008
This book is a great basic guide on how to prepare a vegetable bed and advice on how to plant various veg. Cant wait to start planting up my new veg plot next year! :)

A Darn good start, 30 Jul 2008
I have a small back garden, and wanted to plant some veg, but had no idea where to start, what would survive, how much space I'd need & what would grow in small spaces.

This book gave me a darn good start! It gave me an idea of space required per vegetable, what would grow, and, this sumnmer, I have courgettes & pumpkins in my flowerbeds, carrots, peas, beans, beetroot and spinach in big pots, potatoes in tyres and a HUGE amount of enthusiasm for next year!

A great read, 28 Apr 2008
This book is wonderful, imaginative, easy to read and understand. I also found it entertaining, for a 'non cook' that is praise indeed! Although I am no great cook, I do keep chickens for eggs, the wife wont let me eat them, (yet!)I do grow lots of stuff, and much of this is credited to the Author. A man who cherishes his food and where it comes from, and how. This book comes close to being my Bible

A tome to be reckoned with!, 17 Oct 2006
If you're even remotely entertaining the idea of purchasing this book for yourself, your friend or your granny, then just go ahead and click the button.

Fantastic cookbook, yes, but also so much more than that. Here is someone who finally seems to love eating as much as cooking, and the whole process honestly excites him. You can't help but get swept up in his enthusiasm.

Recipes are broken down into easy to follow pieces, which work for budding cooks as well as those with more experience. Fantastically, he also does this without being condescending in the slightest.

If there were a version of Desert Island Books, this would most certainly be on my top 5 list!


The only cookbook you'll ever read..., 07 Oct 2006
I have just finished reading this book from cover to cover, and it is the only cookbook I have ever "read" in this way. Part of the reason is that half (at least) of the book is devoted to the smallholding economy of River Cottage, which like many I can only aspire to at the moment but still find fascinating. This part of the book is a creditable smallholder's manual, better in fact than some others I have read. There is also an immensely useful bibliography and contact list on this and related topics (from where to buy a wicker eel trap to where to get pigeon decoying tuition). But the book is a genuine cookbook as well, and a practical one at that. Personally I find the recipes absolutely mouthwatering, and they also are presented in such a way that at least the introduction and anecdote attached to each one is worth a read in itself, even if you're not in the kitchen. HFW can certainly write as well, with humour and a light touch throughout. At this price, it's an absolute bargain - being such a weighty tome I would recommend buying the hardback version.

Excellent, 20 Mar 2006
If after reading this book you don't want to do what he did...

The recipes are fantastic, and the writting behnd the recipies about how life comtinues is amazing

Uhm a bit though, 23 Aug 2004
Do not take me wrong. I enjoyed this book as much as I loved the TV series; the only problem is that I am not sure the average reader will be interested in breeding his/her own cattle. I love the recipes and have enjoyed this book more as a novel than as a manual to a do-it-yourself live in the country book.

This book is my bible!!, 19 Oct 2008
I found this book on a friends shelf and had to buy my own immediately. It inspired me so much that I have moved to New Zealand and bought a ten acre small-holding which is run using John Seymour's principles.

This book is approachable and amusing, it is not everything you'll ever need to be self-siffient buts it a bloody good start and always the first place I look for information.

the best book I ever bought, 10 Jul 2008
Genuinely, this book has enriched my life. This sounds very strong language, but a glimpse of how achieveable a degree of self sufficiency can be is a great stress-buster and very uplifting.

Practical, useful, full of ideas and inspiration, this book will motivate anyone to take a step or two towards self sufficiency, wherever they live.

Every chapter is interesting, well written, and well illustrated. The craft skills are useful and practical and whilst a compost-toilet is not quite the thing for our garden in the suburbs, all the practical projects are well described and amply illustrated.

A great reference book, a comfort on a cold winter's night, I recommend it to anyone.



review, 27 Jun 2008
A must have for all small holders.Not a full complete guide but nonetheless full of great info and knowledge. A book i reread and reread from one season to the next.

worth while, 27 May 2008
Im not much of a person for writing or reading, more of a hands on sort of person, but i read this book and it was incredible. The author makes it clear and easy to understand, giving good diagrams along with step by step procedures. I would reccomend this book to anyone, as i hve done, its well worth the money.

Excellent addition to the coffee table. . . or museum, 08 Apr 2008
Regarded as a classic by many, Seymour's tome has slipped sadly out of date and the 2003 relaunch did little to correct some aspects which - in Britain at least - have been overtaken by legislation. To recommend a swill bucket for pigs is inexcusable as contaminated swill is generally accepted to be the cause of the 2001 foot and mouth outbreak.

There's a lot of interesting stuff - including Seymour's unusual and ill-informed culinary ideas - which will keep you amused, but little for the serious smallholder. It is rarely looked and never consulted on our farm.

One fellow-farmer, on being asked if he followed Seymour's advice, said he would love to, but the day had yet to be extended to 37 hours.

Fantastic!, 24 Oct 2008
This book is a great basic guide on how to prepare a vegetable bed and advice on how to plant various veg. Cant wait to start planting up my new veg plot next year! :)

A Darn good start, 30 Jul 2008
I have a small back garden, and wanted to plant some veg, but had no idea where to start, what would survive, how much space I'd need & what would grow in small spaces.

This book gave me a darn good start! It gave me an idea of space required per vegetable, what would grow, and, this sumnmer, I have courgettes & pumpkins in my flowerbeds, carrots, peas, beans, beetroot and spinach in big pots, potatoes in tyres and a HUGE amount of enthusiasm for next year!

not hottie enough!, 14 Nov 2008
I didn't find the hottie very hot at all........the fleece cover is nice but not much warmth came through when I followed the instructions. I was very disappointed.

Not Impressed., 09 Nov 2008
If you are considering buying this product as an alternative to a hot water bottle, do not. It does not get very hot (even when heated to the max time permitted) and it does not retain its heat for `several hours' as is stated.

For me this is just another idea which sounds good on paper, but does not deliver.


HOTTIE THERMAL BOTTLE, 06 Nov 2008
Could not live without my Hottie. I use mine daily for lower back pain. It takes the focus off the pain while waiting for pain tablets to work. Also very comforting and relaxing for the muscles.

1st leaked, 2nd ok so far, 16 Mar 2008
Bought this for our daughter to save time. However, the first one leaked within a week. Amazon replaced it without a problem - well done Amazon. No problems with the second one so far.

It's great!, 18 Jan 2008
I bought this for my mum (who's 83) and she thinks it's great and is recommending it to all her friends!
Excellent for older people particularly who find it difficult to hold a hot water bottle whilst filling with V hot water (usually from a kettle) so dangerous.
This also stays lovely and warm for HOURS!

A great read, 28 Apr 2008
This book is wonderful, imaginative, easy to read and understand. I also found it entertaining, for a 'non cook' that is praise indeed! Although I am no great cook, I do keep chickens for eggs, the wife wont let me eat them, (yet!)I do grow lots of stuff, and much of this is credited to the Author. A man who cherishes his food and where it comes from, and how. This book comes close to being my Bible

A tome to be reckoned with!, 17 Oct 2006
If you're even remotely entertaining the idea of purchasing this book for yourself, your friend or your granny, then just go ahead and click the button.

Fantastic cookbook, yes, but also so much more than that. Here is someone who finally seems to love eating as much as cooking, and the whole process honestly excites him. You can't help but get swept up in his enthusiasm.

Recipes are broken down into easy to follow pieces, which work for budding cooks as well as those with more experience. Fantastically, he also does this without being condescending in the slightest.

If there were a version of Desert Island Books, this would most certainly be on my top 5 list!


The only cookbook you'll ever read..., 07 Oct 2006
I have just finished reading this book from cover to cover, and it is the only cookbook I have ever "read" in this way. Part of the reason is that half (at least) of the book is devoted to the smallholding economy of River Cottage, which like many I can only aspire to at the moment but still find fascinating. This part of the book is a creditable smallholder's manual, better in fact than some others I have read. There is also an immensely useful bibliography and contact list on this and related topics (from where to buy a wicker eel trap to where to get pigeon decoying tuition). But the book is a genuine cookbook as well, and a practical one at that. Personally I find the recipes absolutely mouthwatering, and they also are presented in such a way that at least the introduction and anecdote attached to each one is worth a read in itself, even if you're not in the kitchen. HFW can certainly write as well, with humour and a light touch throughout. At this price, it's an absolute bargain - being such a weighty tome I would recommend buying the hardback version.

Excellent, 20 Mar 2006
If after reading this book you don't want to do what he did...

The recipes are fantastic, and the writting behnd the recipies about how life comtinues is amazing

Uhm a bit though, 23 Aug 2004
Do not take me wrong. I enjoyed this book as much as I loved the TV series; the only problem is that I am not sure the average reader will be interested in breeding his/her own cattle. I love the recipes and have enjoyed this book more as a novel than as a manual to a do-it-yourself live in the country book.

This book is my bible!!, 19 Oct 2008
I found this book on a friends shelf and had to buy my own immediately. It inspired me so much that I have moved to New Zealand and bought a ten acre small-holding which is run using John Seymour's principles.

This book is approachable and amusing, it is not everything you'll ever need to be self-siffient buts it a bloody good start and always the first place I look for information.

the best book I ever bought, 10 Jul 2008
Genuinely, this book has enriched my life. This sounds very strong language, but a glimpse of how achieveable a degree of self sufficiency can be is a great stress-buster and very uplifting.

Practical, useful, full of ideas and inspiration, this book will motivate anyone to take a step or two towards self sufficiency, wherever they live.

Every chapter is interesting, well written, and well illustrated. The craft skills are useful and practical and whilst a compost-toilet is not quite the thing for our garden in the suburbs, all the practical projects are well described and amply illustrated.

A great reference book, a comfort on a cold winter's night, I recommend it to anyone.



review, 27 Jun 2008
A must have for all small holders.Not a full complete guide but nonetheless full of great info and knowledge. A book i reread and reread from one season to the next.

worth while, 27 May 2008
Im not much of a person for writing or reading, more of a hands on sort of person, but i read this book and it was incredible. The author makes it clear and easy to understand, giving good diagrams along with step by step procedures. I would reccomend this book to anyone, as i hve done, its well worth the money.

Excellent addition to the coffee table. . . or museum, 08 Apr 2008
Regarded as a classic by many, Seymour's tome has slipped sadly out of date and the 2003 relaunch did little to correct some aspects which - in Britain at least - have been overtaken by legislation. To recommend a swill bucket for pigs is inexcusable as contaminated swill is generally accepted to be the cause of the 2001 foot and mouth outbreak.

There's a lot of interesting stuff - including Seymour's unusual and ill-informed culinary ideas - which will keep you amused, but little for the serious smallholder. It is rarely looked and never consulted on our farm.

One fellow-farmer, on being asked if he followed Seymour's advice, said he would love to, but the day had yet to be extended to 37 hours.

Fantastic!, 24 Oct 2008
This book is a great basic guide on how to prepare a vegetable bed and advice on how to plant various veg. Cant wait to start planting up my new veg plot next year! :)

A Darn good start, 30 Jul 2008
I have a small back garden, and wanted to plant some veg, but had no idea where to start, what would survive, how much space I'd need & what would grow in small spaces.

This book gave me a darn good start! It gave me an idea of space required per vegetable, what would grow, and, this sumnmer, I have courgettes & pumpkins in my flowerbeds, carrots, peas, beans, beetroot and spinach in big pots, potatoes in tyres and a HUGE amount of enthusiasm for next year!

not hottie enough!, 14 Nov 2008
I didn't find the hottie very hot at all........the fleece cover is nice but not much warmth came through when I followed the instructions. I was very disappointed.

Not Impressed., 09 Nov 2008
If you are considering buying this product as an alternative to a hot water bottle, do not. It does not get very hot (even when heated to the max time permitted) and it does not retain its heat for `several hours' as is stated.

For me this is just another idea which sounds good on paper, but does not deliver.


HOTTIE THERMAL BOTTLE, 06 Nov 2008
Could not live without my Hottie. I use mine daily for lower back pain. It takes the focus off the pain while waiting for pain tablets to work. Also very comforting and relaxing for the muscles.

1st leaked, 2nd ok so far, 16 Mar 2008
Bought this for our daughter to save time. However, the first one leaked within a week. Amazon replaced it without a problem - well done Amazon. No problems with the second one so far.

It's great!, 18 Jan 2008
I bought this for my mum (who's 83) and she thinks it's great and is recommending it to all her friends!
Excellent for older people particularly who find it difficult to hold a hot water bottle whilst filling with V hot water (usually from a kettle) so dangerous.
This also stays lovely and warm for HOURS!

How to grow your own food, 19 Jul 2007
This delightful book is a practical guide to enjoying the growing as much as the eating of your own food. It clearly presents a week by week guide to sowing, planting, nurturing and harvesting your own crops, plus some veggie recipes to further enjoy the fruits of your labour. Along side this are notes to engender closer observation of the wildlife encountered while in the garden or allotment and historical background to the food grown. It would be a stimulating book to encourage a beginner but being informative on many levels it is a really rewarding read for all who are willing to get their nails dirty.

How to Grow, 18 Jul 2007
A delightful read. A "must" for ANY gardener. I felt so sad when I turned the page for the last week of January and found the year's week-by-week guide had finished. I wanted to just start all over again!

How to Grow Your Own Food, 18 Jul 2007
What a wonderful book I have just read! It reads like a novel with the main character being 'Dirty Nails'. And what is it? A gardening book!! But it is more than that - wildlife, histories of various vegetables, soil information and for both the experienced and inexperienced gardener a week-by-week guide to planning, sowing, looking after and finally harvesting your very own veggies. Beautifully laid out and with a comprehensive contents page and extensive index, this is DEFINITELY one for the Gardener's library.

A great read, 28 Apr 2008
This book is wonderful, imaginative, easy to read and understand. I also found it entertaining, for a 'non cook' that is praise indeed! Although I am no great cook, I do keep chickens for eggs, the wife wont let me eat them, (yet!)I do grow lots of stuff, and much of this is credited to the Author. A man who cherishes his food and where it comes from, and how. This book comes close to being my Bible

A tome to be reckoned with!, 17 Oct 2006
If you're even remotely entertaining the idea of purchasing this book for yourself, your friend or your granny, then just go ahead and click the button.

Fantastic cookbook, yes, but also so much more than that. Here is someone who finally seems to love eating as much as cooking, and the whole process honestly excites him. You can't help but get swept up in his enthusiasm.

Recipes are broken down into easy to follow pieces, which work for budding cooks as well as those with more experience. Fantastically, he also does this without being condescending in the slightest.

If there were a version of Desert Island Books, this would most certainly be on my top 5 list!


The only cookbook you'll ever read..., 07 Oct 2006
I have just finished reading this book from cover to cover, and it is the only cookbook I have ever "read" in this way. Part of the reason is that half (at least) of the book is devoted to the smallholding economy of River Cottage, which like many I can only aspire to at the moment but still find fascinating. This part of the book is a creditable smallholder's manual, better in fact than some others I have read. There is also an immensely useful bibliography and contact list on this and related topics (from where to buy a wicker eel trap to where to get pigeon decoying tuition). But the book is a genuine cookbook as well, and a practical one at that. Personally I find the recipes absolutely mouthwatering, and they also are presented in such a way that at least the introduction and anecdote attached to each one is worth a read in itself, even if you're not in the kitchen. HFW can certainly write as well, with humour and a light touch throughout. At this price, it's an absolute bargain - being such a weighty tome I would recommend buying the hardback version.

Excellent, 20 Mar 2006
If after reading this book you don't want to do what he did...

The recipes are fantastic, and the writting behnd the recipies about how life comtinues is amazing

Uhm a bit though, 23 Aug 2004
Do not take me wrong. I enjoyed this book as much as I loved the TV series; the only problem is that I am not sure the average reader will be interested in breeding his/her own cattle. I love the recipes and have enjoyed this book more as a novel than as a manual to a do-it-yourself live in the country book.

This book is my bible!!, 19 Oct 2008
I found this book on a friends shelf and had to buy my own immediately. It inspired me so much that I have moved to New Zealand and bought a ten acre small-holding which is run using John Seymour's principles.

This book is approachable and amusing, it is not everything you'll ever need to be self-siffient buts it a bloody good start and always the first place I look for information.

the best book I ever bought, 10 Jul 2008
Genuinely, this book has enriched my life. This sounds very strong language, but a glimpse of how achieveable a degree of self sufficiency can be is a great stress-buster and very uplifting.

Practical, useful, full of ideas and inspiration, this book will motivate anyone to take a step or two towards self sufficiency, wherever they live.

Every chapter is interesting, well written, and well illustrated. The craft skills are useful and practical and whilst a compost-toilet is not quite the thing for our garden in the suburbs, all the practical projects are well described and amply illustrated.

A great reference book, a comfort on a cold winter's night, I recommend it to anyone.



review, 27 Jun 2008
A must have for all small holders.Not a full complete guide but nonetheless full of great info and knowledge. A book i reread and reread from one season to the next.

worth while, 27 May 2008
Im not much of a person for writing or reading, more of a hands on sort of person, but i read this book and it was incredible. The author makes it clear and easy to understand, giving good diagrams along with step by step procedures. I would reccomend this book to anyone, as i hve done, its well worth the money.

Excellent addition to the coffee table. . . or museum, 08 Apr 2008
Regarded as a classic by many, Seymour's tome has slipped sadly out of date and the 2003 relaunch did little to correct some aspects which - in Britain at least - have been overtaken by legislation. To recommend a swill bucket for pigs is inexcusable as contaminated swill is generally accepted to be the cause of the 2001 foot and mouth outbreak.

There's a lot of interesting stuff - including Seymour's unusual and ill-informed culinary ideas - which will keep you amused, but little for the serious smallholder. It is rarely looked and never consulted on our farm.

One fellow-farmer, on being asked if he followed Seymour's advice, said he would love to, but the day had yet to be extended to 37 hours.

Fantastic!, 24 Oct 2008
This book is a great basic guide on how to prepare a vegetable bed and advice on how to plant various veg. Cant wait to start planting up my new veg plot next year! :)

A Darn good start, 30 Jul 2008
I have a small back garden, and wanted to plant some veg, but had no idea where to start, what would survive, how much space I'd need & what would grow in small spaces.

This book gave me a darn good start! It gave me an idea of space required per vegetable, what would grow, and, this sumnmer, I have courgettes & pumpkins in my flowerbeds, carrots, peas, beans, beetroot and spinach in big pots, potatoes in tyres and a HUGE amount of enthusiasm for next year!

not hottie enough!, 14 Nov 2008
I didn't find the hottie very hot at all........the fleece cover is nice but not much warmth came through when I followed the instructions. I was very disappointed.

Not Impressed., 09 Nov 2008
If you are considering buying this product as an alternative to a hot water bottle, do not. It does not get very hot (even when heated to the max time permitted) and it does not retain its heat for `several hours' as is stated.

For me this is just another idea which sounds good on paper, but does not deliver.


HOTTIE THERMAL BOTTLE, 06 Nov 2008
Could not live without my Hottie. I use mine daily for lower back pain. It takes the focus off the pain while waiting for pain tablets to work. Also very comforting and relaxing for the muscles.

1st leaked, 2nd ok so far, 16 Mar 2008
Bought this for our daughter to save time. However, the first one leaked within a week. Amazon replaced it without a problem - well done Amazon. No problems with the second one so far.

It's great!, 18 Jan 2008
I bought this for my mum (who's 83) and she thinks it's great and is recommending it to all her friends!
Excellent for older people particularly who find it difficult to hold a hot water bottle whilst filling with V hot water (usually from a kettle) so dangerous.
This also stays lovely and warm for HOURS!

How to grow your own food, 19 Jul 2007
This delightful book is a practical guide to enjoying the growing as much as the eating of your own food. It clearly presents a week by week guide to sowing, planting, nurturing and harvesting your own crops, plus some veggie recipes to further enjoy the fruits of your labour. Along side this are notes to engender closer observation of the wildlife encountered while in the garden or allotment and historical background to the food grown. It would be a stimulating book to encourage a beginner but being informative on many levels it is a really rewarding read for all who are willing to get their nails dirty.

How to Grow, 18 Jul 2007
A delightful read. A "must" for ANY gardener. I felt so sad when I turned the page for the last week of January and found the year's week-by-week guide had finished. I wanted to just start all over again!

How to Grow Your Own Food, 18 Jul 2007
What a wonderful book I have just read! It reads like a novel with the main character being 'Dirty Nails'. And what is it? A gardening book!! But it is more than that - wildlife, histories of various vegetables, soil information and for both the experienced and inexperienced gardener a week-by-week guide to planning, sowing, looking after and finally harvesting your very own veggies. Beautifully laid out and with a comprehensive contents page and extensive index, this is DEFINITELY one for the Gardener's library.

yum yum, 10 Sep 2008
At a time when the government are telling us to eat well and exercise and food is becoming more expensive local councils are taking the decision to bulldoze allotments. This book captured the community spirit of the place and encouraged me to plant some veg in my garden! The photos are great too. Already a fan of the restaurant and the previous books, this one did not diappoint. Brilliant book, vibrant recipes, especially the marinades!

"A great Christmas present written by the husband and wife team of Moro"., 04 Dec 2007
Famous for Spanish- and North African-style food, the couple have gone East - literally and metaphorically. A few years ago they `acquired' an allotment in London's East End and found, amongst fellow growers, Turks, Greeks and Cypriots. The two Sams swiftly became part of the allotment community even if there's little detail of any actual digging in the book. Rather it marks the passage of the seasons and the breadth of the crops with rich and alluring recipes - some their own, others weeded from neighbours.

Not that you have to grow-your-own to enjoy or cook them. They concentrate, not surprisingly, on vegetables and are cool about using up "all the bits" or eating weeds or young leaves - I'd never imagined young poppy leaves had anything to offer; now I can't wait to try them next spring. Recipes highlight Moro's approach to cooking of "three simple flavours jostling in the mouth to create something exciting". Strong on soups, there's a buxom leek and rosemary soup with blue cheese (great for any leftover Stilton over Christmas) or a heavenly almond and fennel with scallops. Bitter leaves with tahini and caramelised onions, one of FoodLovers featured recipes, is a bitter-sweet sensation and pumpkin pisto is fast becoming my favourite way of cooking pumpkins this autumn.

Now Moro East the allotment is sadly gone. The fertile land has been swallowed up by bulldozers, concreted over and incorporated in the Olympic site. For a mere four weeks, the two Sams write poignantly "it will be used as a pathway between stadiums". Luckily for us, the book remains.


Another treat from Moro, 08 Nov 2007
The first two Moro cookbooks are rated higher than the Bible in our household, they're stained, sticky and thoroughly loved. And although I have yet to try many of the recipes from Moro East - i only just got it, give me a chance - I'm familiar enough with Sam Clark's recipe style to know that this is another winner. It's beautifully laid out, the recipes are easy to follow and, more importantly, inspire you to experiment and add your own ideas.

The perfect way to recycle newspapers and save money! Produce your own free fuel. Simply soak your old newspapers in water, fill the Paper Briquette Maker then press down the handles to squeeze out excess moisture. Leave to dry and the newspaper briquettes will burn steadily for up to 2 hours. Completely non-toxic and leaves a minimum of ash.

A great read, 28 Apr 2008
This book is wonderful, imaginative, easy to read and understand. I also found it entertaining, for a 'non cook' that is praise indeed! Although I am no great cook, I do keep chickens for eggs, the wife wont let me eat them, (yet!)I do grow lots of stuff, and much of this is credited to the Author. A man who cherishes his food and where it comes from, and how. This book comes close to being my Bible

A tome to be reckoned with!, 17 Oct 2006
If you're even remotely entertaining the idea of purchasing this book for yourself, your friend or your granny, then just go ahead and click the button.

Fantastic cookbook, yes, but also so much more than that. Here is someone who finally seems to love eating as much as cooking, and the whole process honestly excites him. You can't help but get swept up in his enthusiasm.

Recipes are broken down into easy to follow pieces, which work for budding cooks as well as those with more experience. Fantastically, he also does this without being condescending in the slightest.

If there were a version of Desert Island Books, this would most certainly be on my top 5 list!


The only cookbook you'll ever read..., 07 Oct 2006
I have just finished reading this book from cover to cover, and it is the only cookbook I have ever "read" in this way. Part of the reason is that half (at least) of the book is devoted to the smallholding economy of River Cottage, which like many I can only aspire to at the moment but still find fascinating. This part of the book is a creditable smallholder's manual, better in fact than some others I have read. There is also an immensely useful bibliography and contact list on this and related topics (from where to buy a wicker eel trap to where to get pigeon decoying tuition). But the book is a genuine cookbook as well, and a practical one at that. Personally I find the recipes absolutely mouthwatering, and they also are presented in such a way that at least the introduction and anecdote attached to each one is worth a read in itself, even if you're not in the kitchen. HFW can certainly write as well, with humour and a light touch throughout. At this price, it's an absolute bargain - being such a weighty tome I would recommend buying the hardback version.

Excellent, 20 Mar 2006
If after reading this book you don't want to do what he did...

The recipes are fantastic, and the writting behnd the recipies about how life comtinues is amazing

Uhm a bit though, 23 Aug 2004
Do not take me wrong. I enjoyed this book as much as I loved the TV series; the only problem is that I am not sure the average reader will be interested in breeding his/her own cattle. I love the recipes and have enjoyed this book more as a novel than as a manual to a do-it-yourself live in the country book.

This book is my bible!!, 19 Oct 2008
I found this book on a friends shelf and had to buy my own immediately. It inspired me so much that I have moved to New Zealand and bought a ten acre small-holding which is run using John Seymour's principles.

This book is approachable and amusing, it is not everything you'll ever need to be self-siffient buts it a bloody good start and always the first place I look for information.

the best book I ever bought, 10 Jul 2008
Genuinely, this book has enriched my life. This sounds very strong language, but a glimpse of how achieveable a degree of self sufficiency can be is a great stress-buster and very uplifting.

Practical, useful, full of ideas and inspiration, this book will motivate anyone to take a step or two towards self sufficiency, wherever they live.

Every chapter is interesting, well written, and well illustrated. The craft skills are useful and practical and whilst a compost-toilet is not quite the thing for our garden in the suburbs, all the practical projects are well described and amply illustrated.

A great reference book, a comfort on a cold winter's night, I recommend it to anyone.



review, 27 Jun 2008
A must have for all small holders.Not a full complete guide but nonetheless full of great info and knowledge. A book i reread and reread from one season to the next.

worth while, 27 May 2008
Im not much of a person for writing or reading, more of a hands on sort of person, but i read this book and it was incredible. The author makes it clear and easy to understand, giving good diagrams along with step by step procedures. I would reccomend this book to anyone, as i hve done, its well worth the money.

Excellent addition to the coffee table. . . or museum, 08 Apr 2008
Regarded as a classic by many, Seymour's tome has slipped sadly out of date and the 2003 relaunch did little to correct some aspects which - in Britain at least - have been overtaken by legislation. To recommend a swill bucket for pigs is inexcusable as contaminated swill is generally accepted to be the cause of the 2001 foot and mouth outbreak.

There's a lot of interesting stuff - including Seymour's unusual and ill-informed culinary ideas - which will keep you amused, but little for the serious smallholder. It is rarely looked and never consulted on our farm.

One fellow-farmer, on being asked if he followed Seymour's advice, said he would love to, but the day had yet to be extended to 37 hours.

Fantastic!, 24 Oct 2008
This book is a great basic guide on how to prepare a vegetable bed and advice on how to plant various veg. Cant wait to start planting up my new veg plot next year! :)

A Darn good start, 30 Jul 2008
I have a small back garden, and wanted to plant some veg, but had no idea where to start, what would survive, how much space I'd need & what would grow in small spaces.

This book gave me a darn good start! It gave me an idea of space required per vegetable, what would grow, and, this sumnmer, I have courgettes & pumpkins in my flowerbeds, carrots, peas, beans, beetroot and spinach in big pots, potatoes in tyres and a HUGE amount of enthusiasm for next year!

not hottie enough!, 14 Nov 2008
I didn't find the hottie very hot at all........the fleece cover is nice but not much warmth came through when I followed the instructions. I was very disappointed.

Not Impressed., 09 Nov 2008
If you are considering buying this product as an alternative to a hot water bottle, do not. It does not get very hot (even when heated to the max time permitted) and it does not retain its heat for `several hours' as is stated.

For me this is just another idea which sounds good on paper, but does not deliver.


HOTTIE THERMAL BOTTLE, 06 Nov 2008
Could not live without my Hottie. I use mine daily for lower back pain. It takes the focus off the pain while waiting for pain tablets to work. Also very comforting and relaxing for the muscles.

1st leaked, 2nd ok so far, 16 Mar 2008
Bought this for our daughter to save time. However, the first one leaked within a week. Amazon replaced it without a problem - well done Amazon. No problems with the second one so far.

It's great!, 18 Jan 2008
I bought this for my mum (who's 83) and she thinks it's great and is recommending it to all her friends!
Excellent for older people particularly who find it difficult to hold a hot water bottle whilst filling with V hot water (usually from a kettle) so dangerous.
This also stays lovely and warm for HOURS!

How to grow your own food, 19 Jul 2007
This delightful book is a practical guide to enjoying the growing as much as the eating of your own food. It clearly presents a week by week guide to sowing, planting, nurturing and harvesting your own crops, plus some veggie recipes to further enjoy the fruits of your labour. Along side this are notes to engender closer observation of the wildlife encountered while in the garden or allotment and historical background to the food grown. It would be a stimulating book to encourage a beginner but being informative on many levels it is a really rewarding read for all who are willing to get their nails dirty.

How to Grow, 18 Jul 2007
A delightful read. A "must" for ANY gardener. I felt so sad when I turned the page for the last week of January and found the year's week-by-week guide had finished. I wanted to just start all over again!

How to Grow Your Own Food, 18 Jul 2007
What a wonderful book I have just read! It reads like a novel with the main character being 'Dirty Nails'. And what is it? A gardening book!! But it is more than that - wildlife, histories of various vegetables, soil information and for both the experienced and inexperienced gardener a week-by-week guide to planning, sowing, looking after and finally harvesting your very own veggies. Beautifully laid out and with a comprehensive contents page and extensive index, this is DEFINITELY one for the Gardener's library.

yum yum, 10 Sep 2008
At a time when the government are telling us to eat well and exercise and food is becoming more expensive local councils are taking the decision to bulldoze allotments. This book captured the community spirit of the place and encouraged me to plant some veg in my garden! The photos are great too. Already a fan of the restaurant and the previous books, this one did not diappoint. Brilliant book, vibrant recipes, especially the marinades!

"A great Christmas present written by the husband and wife team of Moro"., 04 Dec 2007
Famous for Spanish- and North African-style food, the couple have gone East - literally and metaphorically. A few years ago they `acquired' an allotment in London's East End and found, amongst fellow growers, Turks, Greeks and Cypriots. The two Sams swiftly became part of the allotment community even if there's little detail of any actual digging in the book. Rather it marks the passage of the seasons and the breadth of the crops with rich and alluring recipes - some their own, others weeded from neighbours.

Not that you have to grow-your-own to enjoy or cook them. They concentrate, not surprisingly, on vegetables and are cool about using up "all the bits" or eating weeds or young leaves - I'd never imagined young poppy leaves had anything to offer; now I can't wait to try them next spring. Recipes highlight Moro's approach to cooking of "three simple flavours jostling in the mouth to create something exciting". Strong on soups, there's a buxom leek and rosemary soup with blue cheese (great for any leftover Stilton over Christmas) or a heavenly almond and fennel with scallops. Bitter leaves with tahini and caramelised onions, one of FoodLovers featured recipes, is a bitter-sweet sensation and pumpkin pisto is fast becoming my favourite way of cooking pumpkins this autumn.

Now Moro East the allotment is sadly gone. The fertile land has been swallowed up by bulldozers, concreted over and incorporated in the Olympic site. For a mere four weeks, the two Sams write poignantly "it will be used as a pathway between stadiums". Luckily for us, the book remains.


Another treat from Moro, 08 Nov 2007
The first two Moro cookbooks are rated higher than the Bible in our household, they're stained, sticky and thoroughly loved. And although I have yet to try many of the recipes from Moro East - i only just got it, give me a chance - I'm familiar enough with Sam Clark's recipe style to know that this is another winner. It's beautifully laid out, the recipes are easy to follow and, more importantly, inspire you to experiment and add your own ideas.

Briquette Maker, 29 Jan 2007
I have one of these briquetter make. I didn't buy it from this supplier but as far as I can tell from the photograph it is exactly the same as mine (made in China). It works quite well but can be dangerous as the sharp edges of the components have not been removed (they weren't on mine). If you slip, and you can because the handles can flex laterally, you are likely to cut yourself -I did; and I should know better being a retired Design and Technology teacher.

What I did to make the briquette maker safe was to take a fairly smooth file and remove the sharp edges and round off the corners.

In use your newspaper, it will work with cardboard and other flammable materials - like leaves, needs to be well soaked. With care you do not have to leave it to dry. But if you do leave it for several hours, the briquette can be removed and placed elsewhere to dry. Don't try to make the briquettes too large as the handles have a limited amount of power to compress the paper etc.

A great read, 28 Apr 2008
This book is wonderful, imaginative, easy to read and understand. I also found it entertaining, for a 'non cook' that is praise indeed! Although I am no great cook, I do keep chickens for eggs, the wife wont let me eat them, (yet!)I do grow lots of stuff, and much of this is credited to the Author. A man who cherishes his food and where it comes from, and how. This book comes close to being my Bible

A tome to be reckoned with!, 17 Oct 2006
If you're even remotely entertaining the idea of purchasing this book for yourself, your friend or your granny, then just go ahead and click the button.

Fantastic cookbook, yes, but also so much more than that. Here is someone who finally seems to love eating as much as cooking, and the whole process honestly excites him. You can't help but get swept up in his enthusiasm.

Recipes are broken down into easy to follow pieces, which work for budding cooks as well as those with more experience. Fantastically, he also does this without being condescending in the slightest.

If there were a version of Desert Island Books, this would most certainly be on my top 5 list!


The only cookbook you'll ever read..., 07 Oct 2006
I have just finished reading this book from cover to cover, and it is the only cookbook I have ever "read" in this way. Part of the reason is that half (at least) of the book is devoted to the smallholding economy of River Cottage, which like many I can only aspire to at the moment but still find fascinating. This part of the book is a creditable smallholder's manual, better in fact than some others I have read. There is also an immensely useful bibliography and contact list on this and related topics (from where to buy a wicker eel trap to where to get pigeon decoying tuition). But the book is a genuine cookbook as well, and a practical one at that. Personally I find the recipes absolutely mouthwatering, and they also are presented in such a way that at least the introduction and anecdote attached to each one is worth a read in itself, even if you're not in the kitchen. HFW can certainly write as well, with humour and a light touch throughout. At this price, it's an absolute bargain - being such a weighty tome I would recommend buying the hardback version.

Excellent, 20 Mar 2006
If after reading this book you don't want to do what he did...

The recipes are fantastic, and the writting behnd the recipies about how life comtinues is amazing

Uhm a bit though, 23 Aug 2004
Do not take me wrong. I enjoyed this book as much as I loved the TV series; the only problem is that I am not sure the average reader will be interested in breeding his/her own cattle. I love the recipes and have enjoyed this book more as a novel than as a manual to a do-it-yourself live in the country book.

This book is my bible!!, 19 Oct 2008
I found this book on a friends shelf and had to buy my own immediately. It inspired me so much that I have moved to New Zealand and bought a ten acre small-holding which is run using John Seymour's principles.

This book is approachable and amusing, it is not everything you'll ever need to be self-siffient buts it a bloody good start and always the first place I look for information.

the best book I ever bought, 10 Jul 2008
Genuinely, this book has enriched my life. This sounds very strong language, but a glimpse of how achieveable a degree of self sufficiency can be is a great stress-buster and very uplifting.

Practical, useful, full of ideas and inspiration, this book will motivate anyone to take a step or two towards self sufficiency, wherever they live.

Every chapter is interesting, well written, and well illustrated. The craft skills are useful and practical and whilst a compost-toilet is not quite the thing for our garden in the suburbs, all the practical projects are well described and amply illustrated.

A great reference book, a comfort on a cold winter's night, I recommend it to anyone.



review, 27 Jun 2008
A must have for all small holders.Not a full complete guide but nonetheless full of great info and knowledge. A book i reread and reread from one season to the next.

worth while, 27 May 2008
Im not much of a person for writing or reading, more of a hands on sort of person, but i read this book and it was incredible. The author makes it clear and easy to understand, giving good diagrams along with step by step procedures. I would reccomend this book to anyone, as i hve done, its well worth the money.

Excellent addition to the coffee table. . . or museum, 08 Apr 2008
Regarded as a classic by many, Seymour's tome has slipped sadly out of date and the 2003 relaunch did little to correct some aspects which - in Britain at least - have been overtaken by legislation. To recommend a swill bucket for pigs is inexcusable as contaminated swill is generally accepted to be the cause of the 2001 foot and mouth outbreak.

There's a lot of interesting stuff - including Seymour's unusual and ill-informed culinary ideas - which will keep you amused, but little for the serious smallholder. It is rarely looked and never consulted on our farm.

One fellow-farmer, on being asked if he followed Seymour's advice, said he would love to, but the day had yet to be extended to 37 hours.

Fantastic!, 24 Oct 2008
This book is a great basic guide on how to prepare a vegetable bed and advice on how to plant various veg. Cant wait to start planting up my new veg plot next year! :)

A Darn good start, 30 Jul 2008
I have a small back garden, and wanted to plant some veg, but had no idea where to start, what would survive, how much space I'd need & what would grow in small spaces.

This book gave me a darn good start! It gave me an idea of space required per vegetable, what would grow, and, this sumnmer, I have courgettes & pumpkins in my flowerbeds, carrots, peas, beans, beetroot and spinach in big pots, potatoes in tyres and a HUGE amount of enthusiasm for next year!

not hottie enough!, 14 Nov 2008
I didn't find the hottie very hot at all........the fleece cover is nice but not much warmth came through when I followed the instructions. I was very disappointed.

Not Impressed., 09 Nov 2008
If you are considering buying this product as an alternative to a hot water bottle, do not. It does not get very hot (even when heated to the max time permitted) and it does not retain its heat for `several hours' as is stated.

For me this is just another idea which sounds good on paper, but does not deliver.


HOTTIE THERMAL BOTTLE, 06 Nov 2008
Could not live without my Hottie. I use mine daily for lower back pain. It takes the focus off the pain while waiting for pain tablets to work. Also very comforting and relaxing for the muscles.

1st leaked, 2nd ok so far, 16 Mar 2008
Bought this for our daughter to save time. However, the first one leaked within a week. Amazon replaced it without a problem - well done Amazon. No problems with the second one so far.

It's great!, 18 Jan 2008
I bought this for my mum (who's 83) and she thinks it's great and is recommending it to all her friends!
Excellent for older people particularly who find it difficult to hold a hot water bottle whilst filling with V hot water (usually from a kettle) so dangerous.
This also stays lovely and warm for HOURS!

How to grow your own food, 19 Jul 2007
This delightful book is a practical guide to enjoying the growing as much as the eating of your own food. It clearly presents a week by week guide to sowing, planting, nurturing and harvesting your own crops, plus some veggie recipes to further enjoy the fruits of your labour. Along side this are notes to engender closer observation of the wildlife encountered while in the garden or allotment and historical background to the food grown. It would be a stimulating book to encourage a beginner but being informative on many levels it is a really rewarding read for all who are willing to get their nails dirty.

How to Grow, 18 Jul 2007
A delightful read. A "must" for ANY gardener. I felt so sad when I turned the page for the last week of January and found the year's week-by-week guide had finished. I wanted to just start all over again!

How to Grow Your Own Food, 18 Jul 2007
What a wonderful book I have just read! It reads like a novel with the main character being 'Dirty Nails'. And what is it? A gardening book!! But it is more than that - wildlife, histories of various vegetables, soil information and for both the experienced and inexperienced gardener a week-by-week guide to planning, sowing, looking after and finally harvesting your very own veggies. Beautifully laid out and with a comprehensive contents page and extensive index, this is DEFINITELY one for the Gardener's library.

yum yum, 10 Sep 2008
At a time when the government are telling us to eat well and exercise and food is becoming more expensive local councils are taking the decision to bulldoze allotments. This book captured the community spirit of the place and encouraged me to plant some veg in my garden! The photos are great too. Already a fan of the restaurant and the previous books, this one did not diappoint. Brilliant book, vibrant recipes, especially the marinades!

"A great Christmas present written by the husband and wife team of Moro"., 04 Dec 2007
Famous for Spanish- and North African-style food, the couple have gone East - literally and metaphorically. A few years ago they `acquired' an allotment in London's East End and found, amongst fellow growers, Turks, Greeks and Cypriots. The two Sams swiftly became part of the allotment community even if there's little detail of any actual digging in the book. Rather it marks the passage of the seasons and the breadth of the crops with rich and alluring recipes - some their own, others weeded from neighbours.

Not that you have to grow-your-own to enjoy or cook them. They concentrate, not surprisingly, on vegetables and are cool about using up "all the bits" or eating weeds or young leaves - I'd never imagined young poppy leaves had anything to offer; now I can't wait to try them next spring. Recipes highlight Moro's approach to cooking of "three simple flavours jostling in the mouth to create something exciting". Strong on soups, there's a buxom leek and rosemary soup with blue cheese (great for any leftover Stilton over Christmas) or a heavenly almond and fennel with scallops. Bitter leaves with tahini and caramelised onions, one of FoodLovers featured recipes, is a bitter-sweet sensation and pumpkin pisto is fast becoming my favourite way of cooking pumpkins this autumn.

Now Moro East the allotment is sadly gone. The fertile land has been swallowed up by bulldozers, concreted over and incorporated in the Olympic site. For a mere four weeks, the two Sams write poignantly "it will be used as a pathway between stadiums". Luckily for us, the book remains.


Another treat from Moro, 08 Nov 2007
The first two Moro cookbooks are rated higher than the Bible in our household, they're stained, sticky and thoroughly loved. And although I have yet to try many of the recipes from Moro East - i only just got it, give me a chance - I'm familiar enough with Sam Clark's recipe style to know that this is another winner. It's beautifully laid out, the recipes are easy to follow and, more importantly, inspire you to experiment and add your own ideas.

Briquette Maker, 29 Jan 2007
I have one of these briquetter make. I didn't buy it from this supplier but as far as I can tell from the photograph it is exactly the same as mine (made in China). It works quite well but can be dangerous as the sharp edges of the components have not been removed (they weren't on mine). If you slip, and you can because the handles can flex laterally, you are likely to cut yourself -I did; and I should know better being a retired Design and Technology teacher.

What I did to make the briquette maker safe was to take a fairly smooth file and remove the sharp edges and round off the corners.

In use your newspaper, it will work with cardboard and other flammable materials - like leaves, needs to be well soaked. With care you do not have to leave it to dry. But if you do leave it for several hours, the briquette can be removed and placed elsewhere to dry. Don't try to make the briquettes too large as the handles have a limited amount of power to compress the paper etc.

A Must For Any Vegetable Grower, 29 Jul 2008
This is a gardening book of the old school, one that is based on proven, tested experience and not the ususal unsubstantiated platitudes so easy to find in most books on the subject published these days.

Light on pictures and full of accurate information this is now my most valued book on vegetable growing, and would be useful to any allotment or home grower of food. In fact the book's title sells it short, as much of the book would be helpful to an organic 'digger' or even a non-organic grower.

If you grow vegetables, fruit or herbs than you should read this book.

A superb guide to intensive organic vegetable growing, 30 Apr 2007
A highly productive vegetable garden that involves no digging, written by a man with no formal horticultural training, and organic to boot? You may be permitted a certain cynicism.

However if that cynicism stops you from reading this book then you will have missed out on a treasure.

This book is now my first port of call when I am looking for a gardening solution. As a beginner and non-scientist, I found his style easy to understand packed with useful tips and coherent in that it took me from an uninformed start to considering quite complicated seasonal planning without loosing the plot or throwing my hands up in confused despair. The results at the Domaine de Montrouch are looking promising- if the wild boar don't decide they fancy a salad dinner one night.

A great read, 28 Apr 2008
This book is wonderful, imaginative, easy to read and understand. I also found it entertaining, for a 'non cook' that is praise indeed! Although I am no great cook, I do keep chickens for eggs, the wife wont let me eat them, (yet!)I do grow lots of stuff, and much of this is credited to the Author. A man who cherishes his food and where it comes from, and how. This book comes close to being my Bible

A tome to be reckoned with!, 17 Oct 2006
If you're even remotely entertaining the idea of purchasing this book for yourself, your friend or your granny, then just go ahead and click the button.

Fantastic cookbook, yes, but also so much more than that. Here is someone who finally seems to love eating as much as cooking, and the whole process honestly excites him. You can't help but get swept up in his enthusiasm.

Recipes are broken down into easy to follow pieces, which work for budding cooks as well as those with more experience. Fantastically, he also does this without being condescending in the slightest.

If there were a version of Desert Island Books, this would most certainly be on my top 5 list!


The only cookbook you'll ever read..., 07 Oct 2006
I have just finished reading this book from cover to cover, and it is the only cookbook I have ever "read" in this way. Part of the reason is that half (at least) of the book is devoted to the smallholding economy of River Cottage, which like many I can only aspire to at the moment but still find fascinating. This part of the book is a creditable smallholder's manual, better in fact than some others I have read. There is also an immensely useful bibliography and contact list on this and related topics (from where to buy a wicker eel trap to where to get pigeon decoying tuition). But the book is a genuine cookbook as well, and a practical one at that. Personally I find the recipes absolutely mouthwatering, and they also are presented in such a way that at least the introduction and anecdote attached to each one is worth a read in itself, even if you're not in the kitchen. HFW can certainly write as well, with humour and a light touch throughout. At this price, it's an absolute bargain - being such a weighty tome I would recommend buying the hardback version.

Excellent, 20 Mar 2006
If after reading this book you don't want to do what he did...

The recipes are fantastic, and the writting behnd the recipies about how life comtinues is amazing

Uhm a bit though, 23 Aug 2004
Do not take me wrong. I enjoyed this book as much as I loved the TV series; the only problem is that I am not sure the average reader will be interested in breeding his/her own cattle. I love the recipes and have enjoyed this book more as a novel than as a manual to a do-it-yourself live in the country book.

This book is my bible!!, 19 Oct 2008
I found this book on a friends shelf and had to buy my own immediately. It inspired me so much that I have moved to New Zealand and bought a ten acre small-holding which is run using John Seymour's principles.

This book is approachable and amusing, it is not everything you'll ever need to be self-siffient buts it a bloody good start and always the first place I look for information.

the best book I ever bought, 10 Jul 2008
Genuinely, this book has enriched my life. This sounds very strong language, but a glimpse of how achieveable a degree of self sufficiency can be is a great stress-buster and very uplifting.

Practical, useful, full of ideas and inspiration, this book will motivate anyone to take a step or two towards self sufficiency, wherever they live.

Every chapter is interesting, well written, and well illustrated. The craft skills are useful and practical and whilst a compost-toilet is not quite the thing for our garden in the suburbs, all the practical projects are well described and amply illustrated.

A great reference book, a comfort on a cold winter's night, I recommend it to anyone.



review, 27 Jun 2008
A must have for all small holders.Not a full complete guide but nonetheless full of great info and knowledge. A book i reread and reread from one season to the next.

worth while, 27 May 2008
Im not much of a person for writing or reading, more of a hands on sort of person, but i read this book and it was incredible. The author makes it clear and easy to understand, giving good diagrams along with step by step procedures. I would reccomend this book to anyone, as i hve done, its well worth the money.

Excellent addition to the coffee table. . . or museum, 08 Apr 2008
Regarded as a classic by many, Seymour's tome has slipped sadly out of date and the 2003 relaunch did little to correct some aspects which - in Britain at least - have been overtaken by legislation. To recommend a swill bucket for pigs is inexcusable as contaminated swill is generally accepted to be the cause of the 2001 foot and mouth outbreak.

There's a lot of interesting stuff - including Seymour's unusual and ill-informed culinary ideas - which will keep you amused, but little for the serious smallholder. It is rarely looked and never consulted on our farm.

One fellow-farmer, on being asked if he followed Seymour's advice, said he would love to, but the day had yet to be extended to 37 hours.

Fantastic!, 24 Oct 2008
This book is a great basic guide on how to prepare a vegetable bed and advice on how to plant various veg. Cant wait to start planting up my new veg plot next year! :)

A Darn good start, 30 Jul 2008
I have a small back garden, and wanted to plant some veg, but had no idea where to start, what would survive, how much space I'd need & what would grow in small spaces.

This book gave me a darn good start! It gave me an idea of space required per vegetable, what would grow, and, this sumnmer, I have courgettes & pumpkins in my flowerbeds, carrots, peas, beans, beetroot and spinach in big pots, potatoes in tyres and a HUGE amount of enthusiasm for next year!

not hottie enough!, 14 Nov 2008
I didn't find the hottie very hot at all........the fleece cover is nice but not much warmth came through when I followed the instructions. I was very disappointed.

Not Impressed., 09 Nov 2008
If you are considering buying this product as an alternative to a hot water bottle, do not. It does not get very hot (even when heated to the max time permitted) and it does not retain its heat for `several hours' as is stated.

For me this is just another idea which sounds good on paper, but does not deliver.


HOTTIE THERMAL BOTTLE, 06 Nov 2008
Could not live without my Hottie. I use mine daily for lower back pain. It takes the focus off the pain while waiting for pain tablets to work. Also very comforting and relaxing for the muscles.

1st leaked, 2nd ok so far, 16 Mar 2008
Bought this for our daughter to save time. However, the first one leaked within a week. Amazon replaced it without a problem - well done Amazon. No problems with the second one so far.

It's great!, 18 Jan 2008
I bought this for my mum (who's 83) and she thinks it's great and is recommending it to all her friends!
Excellent for older people particularly who find it difficult to hold a hot water bottle whilst filling with V hot water (usually from a kettle) so dangerous.
This also stays lovely and warm for HOURS!

How to grow your own food, 19 Jul 2007
This delightful book is a practical guide to enjoying the growing as much as the eating of your own food. It clearly presents a week by week guide to sowing, planting, nurturing and harvesting your own crops, plus some veggie recipes to further enjoy the fruits of your labour. Along side this are notes to engender closer observation of the wildlife encountered while in the garden or allotment and historical background to the food grown. It would be a stimulating book to encourage a beginner but being informative on many levels it is a really rewarding read for all who are willing to get their nails dirty.

How to Grow, 18 Jul 2007
A delightful read. A "must" for ANY gardener. I felt so sad when I turned the page for the last week of January and found the year's week-by-week guide had finished. I wanted to just start all over again!

How to Grow Your Own Food, 18 Jul 2007
What a wonderful book I have just read! It reads like a novel with the main character being 'Dirty Nails'. And what is it? A gardening book!! But it is more than that - wildlife, histories of various vegetables, soil information and for both the experienced and inexperienced gardener a week-by-week guide to planning, sowing, looking after and finally harvesting your very own veggies. Beautifully laid out and with a comprehensive contents page and extensive index, this is DEFINITELY one for the Gardener's library.

yum yum, 10 Sep 2008
At a time when the government are telling us to eat well and exercise and food is becoming more expensive local councils are taking the decision to bulldoze allotments. This book captured the community spirit of the place and encouraged me to plant some veg in my garden! The photos are great too. Already a fan of the restaurant and the previous books, this one did not diappoint. Brilliant book, vibrant recipes, especially the marinades!

"A great Christmas present written by the husband and wife team of Moro"., 04 Dec 2007
Famous for Spanish- and North African-style food, the couple have gone East - literally and metaphorically. A few years ago they `acquired' an allotment in London's East End and found, amongst fellow growers, Turks, Greeks and Cypriots. The two Sams swiftly became part of the allotment community even if there's little detail of any actual digging in the book. Rather it marks the passage of the seasons and the breadth of the crops with rich and alluring recipes - some their own, others weeded from neighbours.

Not that you have to grow-your-own to enjoy or cook them. They concentrate, not surprisingly, on vegetables and are cool about using up "all the bits" or eating weeds or young leaves - I'd never imagined young poppy leaves had anything to offer; now I can't wait to try them next spring. Recipes highlight Moro's approach to cooking of "three simple flavours jostling in the mouth to create something exciting". Strong on soups, there's a buxom leek and rosemary soup with blue cheese (great for any leftover Stilton over Christmas) or a heavenly almond and fennel with scallops. Bitter leaves with tahini and caramelised onions, one of FoodLovers featured recipes, is a bitter-sweet sensation and pumpkin pisto is fast becoming my favourite way of cooking pumpkins this autu