Back in the Day: 101 Things Everyone Used to Know How to Do

By Michael Powell

Book Overview

Today's modern conveniences make life easier-but they have caused us to lose some of the vital skills our ancestors took for granted. When was the last time you plucked a chicken for dinner? Dug a well to get fresh water? Defended a castle? The time has come to reacquaint ourselves with the past. Here, in a charmingly nostalgic volume, are 101 fascinating things that we've forgotten how to do, along with easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions to enlighten us. Some are practical, such as shearing a sheep. Others are fun, like playing hopscotch. And still more reveal how folks used to behave-would you know the rules of etiquette at a medieval banquet? You'll be captivated by the ancient tips, time-tested advice, and bygone suggestions.???

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1402763042
• ISBN13: 9781402763045
• Release Date: August 2008
• Publisher: Union Square & Co.
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.8" x 0.5" x 5.3"

Customer Reviews

Neat Book

This is a neat little book about old things people don't know how to do anymore. Its more funny than actual how-to. Its fun to read short little things.

Worth a look

I saw this on the discount table at a bookstore. What caught my eye was the faux worn cover. Te content is what made me buy it. The book, after a lengthy disclaimer, is a collection of very brief descriptions of various lost skills. Things like shoeing a horse, make a barrel, churn butter, milk a cow, weave a basket, make soap, and the like. But there are a few things added which seem to be done for entertainment value: addressing royalty, read Roman numerals, defend a castle, embalm a body and the like. The descriptions are very, very brief and generalized, and often remind me of the Monty Python skit "How To Do It" (Playing a flute: "You blow through this hole and move your fingers down here."). While I wouldn't suggest this as a reference manual, it does make a good starting point on getting a general idea on what skills a less technologically advanced society needs.