Backwoods Home Magazine

One way I explained this magazine to a friend was, "It's better than Mother Earth News, and without the left-wing spin." The publishers are a small operation, and that keeps a `down home' feel to the magazine I like.

Here's how to tell if you'ld like this magazine. If thinking about Carla Emery's "Encyclopedia of Country Living", John Seymour's "Guide to Self Sufficiency", "Back to Basics", "101 Things to do till the Revolution", "Five Acres and Independence", "Handy Farm Devices and How to Make Them" gives you a warm fuzzy. Or you own a grain mill, vegatable garden, pressure canner, livestock, hunting rifle, or have heard of a HDR - you will probably like this magazine.


I get jitters when it arrives!   November 8, 2005
Carol Borrelli (Florida)
14 out of 14 found this review helpful

I am an earthy-crunchy, organic, outdoorsy type and I love simple, natural things. [Yes, I shave my legs! I'm not that bad! Pfft.] Anyway, this is probably one of my favorite magazines of all time. It isn't for everyone, I will grant you that, but if you're into your home and land it is terrific.

Seriously, this magazine has a little bit of everything for everyone....its subtitle is "practical ideas for self-reliant living". Don't you think we can all use a little of that? It would be nice if we could not be so reliant on other countries and their oil....couldn't we go on and on about that one?

For instance, the newest issue touches on the following subjects: Panning for gold, making sausage, solar batteries, funerals don't have to be expensive, how to cook black bear [yes, really], the benefits of mulching, build a water component system, the Marlin 336 firearm, put your garden to bed for the winter, Kinder goats: a small breed for milk and meat.

The magazine is educational, wholesome, down-to-earth, and very family-oriented.

I subscribed last year. When it arrives in the mail I practically start jumping up and down, then run in the house and stash it in my briefcase so I can devote the "perfect" time to read it.

It really is great. In fact, I just resubscribed and I did so for 5 more years. I can't wait to see what Mr. Duffy and his crew in Oregon pump out over that time frame.

I'm sure they will send you a sample issue if you call and ask them for it: 800-835-2418.


My grandpa and grandma absolutley LOVE this magazine.   December 24, 2006
Lacey B (Pasco, WA USA)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

I got a subscription of this magazine for my grandpa and grandma for Christmas.
They absolutley love the magazine and can't live without it. This magazine is full of great recipes that my grandma enjoys, and also news and information that my grandpa lusts after. News, that you don't hear everyday on the radio or news, news that 80 year old Grandparents LOVE and enjoy. I plan on getting this magazine for them again and again.


Excellent source of self-reliant ideas   April 3, 2003
13 out of 13 found this review helpful

Have subscribed to mother earth news, countryside, and the now defunct american survival guide, to name a few. This magazine is the best by far. This magazine is written by people that not only believe in self-reliant living but who live it as well. It is written from their experiences that give credability to the articles found within the magazine.


A whopping good read!   October 20, 2004
E. Thorpe (Fat City, Ca USA)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

As a Mother Earth News reader since the 70s I've become more and more dissatisfied with the 'slick' and corporate feel of the latest incarnation of TMEN. Then I found BACKWOODS HOME MAGAZINE and read every issue cover to cover. It gives me the type of substance of the old TMEN, but with a different ideological bent. Though I almost never agree with John Silvera he does a very important thing; he makes me think about the issues in a whole new light. The best John Silvera columns are when I do not agree with him, but reconsider old worn ideas I might have held as dear to my heart. Thank You John.
Dealing with Dave Duffy and his whole team has been a pure pleasure. I've order many of the anthologies (back years in single copy form) and have been very pleased with the rapid shipping and care they take with each order.
If you're even thinking of moving to a more rural lifestyle this is the magazine for you and you should order it today.