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This is the definitive Permaculture design manual in print since 1988. It is the textbook and curriculum for the 72-hour Certificate course in Permaculture Design. Written for teachers, students and designers, it follows on and greatly enlarges on the initial introductory texts, Permaculture One (1978) and Permaculture Two (1979) both of which are still in demand over twenty years after publication. Very little of the material found in this book is reproduced from the former texts. It covers design methodologies and strategies for both urban and rural applications, describing property design and natural farming techniques. Topics include:
design methods
understanding patterns in nature
climatic factors
water
soils
earthworks and their use in earth repair
techniques and design strategies for both urban and rural applications
the temperate climates
dry lands
cold climates
humid cool climates
humid tropics
trees and their energy transactions
aquaculture
waste management
energy efficient architecture
legal strategies and trusts
effective working groups
right livelihood
money and finance
ethical investment
bio-regional organisation
effective aid
Synopsis:
Permaculture (permanent agriculture) is the conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive ecosystems which have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems. It is the harmonious integration of landscape and people providing their food, energy, shelter, and other material and non-material needs in a sustainable way. Without permanent agriculture there is no possibility of a stable social order.
Permaculture design is a system of assembling conceptual, material, and strategic components in a pattern which functions to benefit life in all its forms.
The philosophy behind permaculture is one of working with, rather than against, nature; of protracted and thoughtful observation rather than protracted and thoughtless action; of looking at systems in all their functions rather than asking only one yield of them; and of allowing systems to demonstrate their own evolutions.
Bill Mollison is the Executive Director of the Permaculture Institute, which was established in 1979 to teach the practical design of sustainable soil, water, plant, and legal and economic systems to students worldwide.
Preface
Author's note
Permaculture defined and its use
Conventions used
Access to information
Cover story
Chapter 1, Introduction
Chapert 2, Concepts and Themes in Design
Chapter 3, Methods of Design
Chapter 4, Pattern Understanding
Chapter 5, Climatic Factors
Chapter 6, Trees and their Energy Transactions
Chapter 7, Water
Chapter 8, Soils
Chapter 9, Earthworking and Earth Resources
Chapter 10, The Humid Tropics
Chapter 11, Dryland Strategies
Chapter 12, Humid Cool to Cold Climates
Chapter 13, Aquaculture
Chapter 14, The Strategies of an Alternative Global Nation
Plant list by common name
Plant list by species name
Glossary
Resources
References
Index
Teril, September 22, 2011 (view all comments by Teril)
I found this to be a thoughtful and comprehensive treatise on sustainable living. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about living more naturally in a modern world. Far from being, "back to the old days" Mollison effectively merges old and modern ideas. These ideas may be utilized for individual families, or applied to larger groups or planned communities.
I do not agree with OrganicStudent's accusation that Bill Mollison is using "junk science." He has based his ideas on research and observation, as well as direct experience. While I may not agree with all of his thoughts, his basic concepts remain solidly grounded in facts that have been supported by successful field "experiments."
It is a great reference, and covers much ground. It is by no means an "easy read" but is well worth the time invested in reading it.
OrganicStudent, September 10, 2010 (view all comments by OrganicStudent)
While this book has several good ideas, much of the "science" involved is junk science and not supported by actual facts or proven techniques. Major disappointment for a person looking for a truly workable solution to some of the problems facing the world.
I think there are better ideas and more modern, more workable approaches to several of the worlds problems out there in print. The writing comes across as disjointed and often repeats itself for no apparent reason making several of the ideas hard to follow and I question how much understanding is really there. Often taking one away from the fact several ideas are not factually correct, especially when referencing livestock of any kind. Some of these methods will cause a great deal of illness in livestock over the long run.
I also find the desire to comsume large amounts of real estate to implement most of the plan he suggests as counter to what is available for most of the world's population. Invest somewhere else, not in this book.
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Permaculture: A Designers' Manual
New Hardcover
Bill Mollison
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$104.45
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Product details
xi, 576 p., 24 p. of plat pages
Tagari Publications -
English9780908228010
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"Synopsis"
by april@powells.com,
Permaculture (permanent agriculture) is the conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive ecosystems which have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems. It is the harmonious integration of landscape and people providing their food, energy, shelter, and other material and non-material needs in a sustainable way. Without permanent agriculture there is no possibility of a stable social order.
Permaculture design is a system of assembling conceptual, material, and strategic components in a pattern which functions to benefit life in all its forms.
The philosophy behind permaculture is one of working with, rather than against, nature; of protracted and thoughtful observation rather than protracted and thoughtless action; of looking at systems in all their functions rather than asking only one yield of them; and of allowing systems to demonstrate their own evolutions.
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