Euell Gibbons (1911–1975)

For the author, the good life is sharing and enjoying nature, and maintaining an environment where natural things can flourish unhampered by man's carelessness or indifference to the bounty and privilege nature offers all of us. In the book he explores the pleasures of camping out without polluting or plundering, and recreates many memorable journeys into the wilds. He tells of living off the land and preparing the products therefrom with skill and imagination. And he offers an abundance of specific solutions to ecological problems that individuals and groups anywhere across this land can readily adopt them… (mehr)

An entertaining read. Euell Gibbons has an engaging way of writing about his subject, gathering from the wild for food and medicine.

This is geared toward the east coast of the United States, but many of the plants mentioned are universal. Written in 1962, I'm thinking that times have changed, and some of the plants in this book may be protected species. It is not encouraged in this day and age. Plants gathered in the way Gibbons talks about, for personal use, will not suffer much, certain kinds of harvesting can be beneficial. I don't think there is a real danger that many people in this day and age will go to the trouble and work of gathering, preparing and cooking most of the wild plants herein.

He gives a description of each plant, where it is found, what its uses are, and several ways to cook it. The recipes are not formal, more like someone talking to you. He also mentions several forms of wild meat, such as frog legs, turtle, opossum, groundhog, bluegills, and more. I enjoyed this read, and I think anyone who likes food and cooking and the idea of sustaining themselves without a grocery store would enjoy it as well. Will I go out and gather wild food regularly? Probably not. I've made dandelion wine, salad and roasted roots. Although they were edible, the work involved did not match the payoff of flavor. I have also gathered elderflowers, which was most definitely worth the time and effort, but time and effort are hard to come by. As for digging cattails, or day lilies and hunting down other wild plants for a salad or vegetable, well, I am happy with Farmer's Market.… (mehr)