Anita Evangelista | Nick Evangelista
1 The Way It Is
This is a common sense narration about life in the country. And it is realistic. No bucolic frolicking, but rather the unvarnished truth, told with sensitivity and humor.
Here you will be told of searching for a lost cow in freezing weather when you thought you were going out to dinner. Or the problem of disposing of a horse that died. Birthing animals and dealing with predators as well as some of the domestic chores such as dealing with wood heat and cooking, some basic gardening, needs vs wants, all paint a vivid picture of country living.
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2 Not really all that funny...
Some of the other reviewers of this book found it hilarious, I did not. It was interesting to read, offered some good insights on things to do and things to avoid before moving to the country, but it just wasn't all that funny, really. In fact, I found some parts of it to be just too much gloom and doom!
I don't live in the country now (although I'd like to) but I do own livestock, which I board with friends who have a farm. And based on my experiences on my friends farm, this book focuses too much on the bad things that can happen, and not enough on how many wonderful things can occur when you live in the country.
Mind you, these folks go head over heels. It's not necessary to move so far out of town that you're off the grid in order to own livestock and live a country life. One doesn't have to grow or raise all of one's food, it is possible to live in the country and still go to the store in town on a regular basis (bad weather or no.) All in all this is an ok book, but not as lighthearted as the other reviewers seem to think.
3 FUNNY, FUNNY, FUNNY!
This book is so funny, it should be a best seller. Even if you don't plan to move to a farm, read this book. You'll get a lot of laughs. If you plan on moving to the country, definitely read this book!
4 Blood-Lust Chickens and Renegade Sheep
This book is written to be funny and easy to read, but yet it presents some very worthwhile insight into what one might encounter when giving up the comforts of city life. Although parts seem to be a bit dated, for example, I can't imagine someone moving to the country and doing without electricity for 3 years. Nor do I believe anyone would rely on strictly wood as a heat source in today's environment. Some of the episodes in this book would make good material for a Disney movie. I'd highly recommend it for anyone who is considering giving up the good life for a trip back to the basics of country living.
5 Excellent book!
This is a down to earthy tale that actually tells you what not to do. This is often more important than all those other books that tell you what to do. I highly recommend this book. It written in an easy to read format that doesn't insult the reader. Kudos for this book and the author.
6 reality check
this is a beautifully written, funny, easy to read must do before entertaining any thoughts of moving to the country.
7 Funny yet true...
A funny, yet real side to moving to the country with lots of tips on hazards. Such as: Don't tie a rope around yourself and also a Calf thinking that you can pull it away. As it says on the back of the book "This is a book about real country experiences, failures and successes." While it also contains chapters such as: To Move or not to move, Protecting yourself, Surviving your move back to the land, even points about that horror, "The Septic System". This has got to be a favorite, from the authors of this book.
Blood-Lust Chickens and Renegade Sheep; A First-Timer's Guide to Country Living by Nick Evangelista & Anita Evangelista has got to be the best book for the up coming Century. A.k.a., Year 2000 Computer Glitch, or even if you just want to move back to the land.
