With frequent warnings about water and energy shortages, and the potential dangers of pesticides and genetically modified foods, many people nurture a dream of living a 'self-sufficient' lifestyle.With these people in mind, this comprehensive yet easy-to-read book examines what it truly takes to live off the fat of the land. Authors Alan and Gill Bridgewater, who themselves recently moved to a smallholding, answer all the fundamental questions that anyone considering a similar lifestyle shift might ask; from the best way to warm your home off the grid to the time and effort that go into growing your own food and raising your own animals. The book even goes so far as to describe quirkier aspects of the lifestyle, with detailed descriptions of how to make soap and candles. Both the most fulfilling aspects and the hard graft of self-sufficient living are revealed in full.Packed with informative illustrations and diagrams, and a wealth of useful advice, The Self-Sufficiency Specialist is the perfect guide for prospective 21st-century smallholders.