Foxfire Books

rayne · 02-01-2012, 02:40 PM

Are any of you familiar with the Foxfire Books? I found one in the library the other day and the whole title was The Foxfire book: hogdressing; log cabin building;mountain crafts and foods; planting by the signs; snake lore, hunting tales, faith healing; moonshining; and other affairs of plain living. Sort of sounds like it covers everything.

wvbreamfisherman · 02-01-2012, 03:09 PM

Yeah they are actually pretty interesting, although they can be tough reading at times. Lots of very practical information, and a real look at how things used to have to be done.

The first 5 volumes used to be (and may still be) available for free on Scribd.

oldsarge · 02-01-2012, 06:30 PM

An old friend had 4 volumes, they were loaded with great techniques for homesteading and wilderness living. I always wanted to buy the set but never got around to it. Last time I looked on ebay they had several volumes but were asking a bit too much so I passed.

DMan · 02-15-2012, 09:52 PM

Wow, I hadn't thought about these books in years. We actually have a couple of volumes kicking around somewhere. Every once in awhile, I take them out and have another read through. Good for nostalgia if nothing else.

dinosaur · 02-15-2012, 09:55 PM

Hmmmm....faith healing and moonshining. Those two do seem to go together.

Pathfinder1 · 02-16-2012, 09:24 AM

Hi...

A few decades ago I perused a few of them. They were very interesting.

Can anyone remember what "foxfire" is?

Grandpa · 02-16-2012, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pathfinder1

Hi...

A few decades ago I perused a few of them. They were very interesting.

Can anyone remember what "foxfire" is?

Isn't that the "glow" from some fungi in the woods?

Pathfinder1 · 02-16-2012, 04:23 PM

Hi...

Right on, Grandpa...usually from a well rotted tree stump.

Subaru Camper · 02-24-2012, 06:46 AM

Wow! That book title is great, sounds like fantastic campfire reading to me. Reminds me of a book I saw at a thrift store years ago, it was very thick and was titled something like "The hitchhikers guide to living off the land" or something like that. I kick myself to this day for not picking it up but the store was using it as a display and I was young and too cowardly to ask if I could purchase it. Anyway, thanks for the lead, found it on Amazon, going to pick this one up for sure! Amazon.com: The Foxfire Book: Hog Dressing, Log Cabin Building, Mountain Crafts and Foods, Planting by the Signs, Snake Lore, Hunting Tales, Faith Healing, Moonshining, and Other Affairs of Plain Living (9780385073530): Eliot Wigginton: Books

beemerphill · 03-02-2012, 08:57 AM

These books are worth reading. My brother bought the complete set way back when they first came out. If you live in the country, or if you are just a country person stuck in the city, they are a valuable source of information. They will also "adjust" your compass to get you more in synch with the real world.
Some of the old ways are probably not for me, but many are. It would be a shame to lose this knowledge. The professor and his class did a great service to civilization when they sought out and recorded this priceless wisdom.