Some of the titles in our homestead reference library, including a few in our list of essential titles, have proven their value so well that they must be included, even if I don’t want them to be. The prime example of this is the Real Goods company’s Solar Living Source Book: the Complete Guide to Renewable Energy Technologies & Sustainable Living (paid link) (check your local independent bookstore).
The reason I was reluctant to accept this book as a resource in our home is that it is basically a catalog for the Real Goods company. This commercial purveyor of green technologies is a good source for the tools and components of our off-the-grid lifestyle, but it’s very expensive. I like to think of it as the source for those who want to save the earth by throwing money at it.
Nevertheless, the Solar Living Sourcebook has undeniable value on a couple different levels.
(Photo: Mark Zeiger.)
