#Seed021: Essential Reading List for a Resilient Future
#Seed021: Essential Reading List for a Resilient Future
Thirty books to survive resource scarcity, a food crisis, an economic collapse, rampant materialism and the end of the world
Reality check. We're not surviving an apocalypse so don't bother stocking up on canned goods and toilet paper. Does that mean we should despair? Absolutely not. Apathy, nihilism, and a disdain for the world are not appropriate responses grounded in gratitude. The spiritual traditions teach us that the fruit of our labour is not of this world. This is the resilient mindset.
Since I started The Sufi Gardener, many people approached me asking about where they could read more about some of the ideas that are shared here. Over the years, I've kept a library of resources that I return to again and again. Some of these resources help frame why a resilient mindset is needed in our times while others outline the skills needed to thrive in times of crisis.
Feel free to share any resources that weren't included in this list in the comments!
Permaculture (or Permanent Agriculture, how not to mess up future generations)
"The One-Straw Revolution" by Masanobu Fukuoka
A seminal work that challenges conventional agricultural practices and offers a simpler, more harmonious way of living. This book is essential for understanding the philosophy behind “do-nothing” farming. Could also be called Zen and the Art of Farming.
"Gaia's Garden: A Guide to Home-Scale Permaculture" by Toby Hemenway
A classic guide to applying permaculture principles in your home garden for a sustainable and thriving landscape. Hemenway's work is a cornerstone for anyone looking to build resilience through permaculture.
"The Resilient Farm and Homestead: An Innovative Permaculture and Whole Systems Design Approach" by Ben Falk
A comprehensive guide to creating a resilient homestead using permaculture principles, covering everything from water management to food production. Falk's insights are particularly useful for those looking to build resilience in a rural setting.
"Permaculture: A Design Manual" by Bill Mollison
A foundational text from one of the co-founders of permaculture, offering a comprehensive design manual for sustainable living. Mollison's manual is a must-read for anyone serious about implementing permaculture on any scale.
Community Building (with all the messiness involved in collaboration)
"Creating a Life Together: Practical Tools to Grow Ecovillages and Intentional Communities" by Diana Leafe Christian
A valuable resource for anyone interested in creating and maintaining intentional communities. Christian's book is a guide to building communities that are both sustainable and resilient. Provides real-life case studies on community building. Useful for anyone who is starting a collaborative community project.
"The Art of Community: Seven Principles for Belonging" by Charles Vogl
A framework for building strong, resilient communities, essential for survival in uncertain times. Vogl's principles are key to creating a sense of belonging and mutual support, crucial elements in community resilience.
Knowledge and Skill Building (what you ought to know)
"The Knowledge: How to Rebuild Civilization in the Aftermath of a Cataclysm" by Lewis Dartnell
A guide to the basics of civilization, invaluable in a post-collapse world. Dartnell provides a roadmap for rebuilding society from scratch, an essential resource for long-term resilience.
"Bushcraft Illustrated: A Visual Guide" by Dave Canterbury
A visual guide to essential bushcraft skills, perfect for wilderness survival. Canterbury's book is a practical guide to living off the land, a key aspect of resilience.
"Lean Logic: A Dictionary for the Future and How to Survive It" by David Fleming
A unique dictionary-style guide that offers interconnected solutions for building resilient communities and economies. Fleming's work is a treasure trove of ideas for sustainable living.
Self-Cultivation (not self-help)
"Living Presence: A Sufi Way to Mindfulness & the Essential Self" by Kabir Helminski
A Sufi guide to becoming more present and aware in your daily life. Helminski's teachings offer spiritual resilience, helping you navigate life's challenges with grace and wisdom.
"The Sabbath" by Abraham Joshua Heschel
A profound exploration of the spiritual significance of the Sabbath, offering a respite from the chaos of the modern world. Heschel's work teaches us the importance of rest and reflection, key components of a resilient life.
"Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius
Timeless Stoic wisdom that teaches the art of self-control, resilience, and virtue. Aurelius provides a philosophical foundation for personal resilience, helping you face adversity with equanimity.
"Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life" by Karen Armstrong
This book offers a practical guide to becoming a more compassionate individual. Armstrong's twelve steps are a roadmap to emotional resilience and a more empathetic society.
"Science of the Soul, Science of the Cosmos" by William Chittick
This book explores the intricate relationship between the soul and the cosmos from a Sufi perspective. Chittick's work offers a profound understanding of how spirituality and cosmology can inform and enrich each other, contributing to a holistic sense of resilience.
Food and Preservation (or “you are what you eat”)
"The Forager's Harvest: A Guide to Identifying, Harvesting, and Preparing Edible Wild Plants" by Samuel Thayer
A comprehensive guide to foraging, focusing on edible plants found in North America. Thayer's book is a must-read for anyone looking to supplement their diet with foraged foods, a key skill for resilience.
"The All New Ball Book Of Canning And Preserving: Over 350 of the Best Canned, Jammed, Pickled, and Preserved Recipes" by Ball Home Canning Test Kitchen
A complete guide to canning and preserving food, essential for long-term survival. This book is a comprehensive resource for food preservation, a critical skill for building resilience.
"The Art of Fermentation: An In-Depth Exploration of Essential Concepts and Processes from Around the World" by Sandor Ellix Katz
The definitive guide to fermentation, covering a wide range of fermented foods and beverages. Katz's book is a culinary journey that also serves as a guide to food preservation and resilience.
"The Sourdough School" by Vanessa Kimbell
A comprehensive guide to mastering the art of sourdough bread, a staple food that can be made with simple ingredients. This book is not just about baking; it's about creating a resilient food source.
"Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and Diet Dictocrats" by Sally Fallon
This book is a treasure trove of traditional food preparation techniques and recipes. Fallon's work challenges modern dietary wisdom and offers a return to nourishing, whole foods. It's a must-read for anyone interested in building physical resilience through nutrition.
Animal Processing and Preservation (or why our food shouldn't be grown in labs)
"Butchering Poultry, Rabbit, Lamb, Goat, and Pork: The Comprehensive Photographic Guide to Humane Slaughtering and Butchering" by Adam Danforth
A humane guide to butchering various types of animals, complete with step-by-step photographs. Danforth's book is an essential resource for anyone looking to raise and process their own meat, a key aspect of food resilience.
"The Hunter's Guide to Butchering, Smoking, and Curing Wild Game and Fish" by Philip Hasheider
A practical guide to processing, smoking, and curing wild game and fish. Hasheider provides a wealth of information for those interested in hunting as a sustainable food source.
Water Management (be like water)
"Essential Rainwater Harvesting: A Guide to Home-Scale System Design" by Rob Avis and Michelle Avis
A step-by-step guide to designing and building a home-scale rainwater harvesting system. The Avis duo offers a comprehensive resource for water management, a critical aspect of resilience.
"Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond, Volumes 1 and 2
This book offers a comprehensive guide to rainwater harvesting, covering everything from the basics to advanced techniques for both urban and rural settings. Volume 2 delves deeper into the practical aspects of rainwater harvesting, including design and construction of water-harvesting earthworks.
Insights on Civilization and Society (because we are political animals after all)
"The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire" by Edward Gibbon
A classic work that explores the collapse of one of history's greatest empires, offering lessons for modern societies. Gibbon's work serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the fragility of civilizations.
"Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed" by Jared Diamond
A thought-provoking analysis of why societies collapse and how they can choose to succeed instead. Diamond's book is a must-read for anyone interested in the long-term resilience of societies.
"The Lessons of History" by Will Durant and Ariel Durant
A concise overview of the patterns and lessons that history offers, invaluable for understanding the challenges we face today. The Durants provide a historical lens through which to view resilience.
"The Unsettling of America" by Wendell Berry
A critique of modern agriculture and its impact on American culture and society, offering a call to return to more sustainable practices. Berry's book is a call to action for building a more resilient food system.
"The Benedict Option: A Strategy for Christians in a Post-Christian Nation" by Rod Dreher
Dreher's book explores the concept of strategic withdrawal from mainstream culture to build resilient, faith-based communities. While written from a Christian perspective, the principles can be adapted to various faiths and philosophies.
"The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure" by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt
This book delves into the cultural shifts that are affecting mental resilience and well-being, especially among younger generations. It offers insights into how to build mental toughness and critical thinking skills.
"A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction" by Christopher Alexander, Sara Ishikawa, and Murray Silverstein
This book provides a set of design principles for building resilient and livable spaces, from individual homes to entire communities. It's a must-read for anyone interested in the architecture of resilience.
"The Age of Anger: A History of the Present" by Pankaj Mishra
Mishra's book delves into the global rise of populism, anger, and division, offering a historical perspective on today's volatile social and political conditions. Understanding this age of anger is crucial for building resilience against the divisive forces that threaten community cohesion.
A Life Syllabus (and success is with God)
This list is not just a reading list; it's a life syllabus. It's a collection of resources that I will return to and study closely to ensure that my family, my community, and I are prepared for whatever the future holds. From permaculture and community building to food preservation and spiritual well-being, this list offers a holistic approach to preparing for a resilient future.
Additional Note
Most of these books come with their own bibliographies, offering readers the opportunity for a deeper dive into each subject. These secondary resources can provide additional layers of understanding and practical knowledge, further enriching your journey toward resilience.
Great reading list. Once again, I suggest the book "Black Earth Wisdom: Soulful Conversations With Black Environmentalists" -- by Leah Penniman.