London: Faber and Faber 1947

183pp with several b/w line drawings and plans. Small 4to. Cloth in chipped and worn d/w, with small part of spine missing, in protective glassine. An important early account of how to create and maintain a sustainable home. Duncan was a well-known literary figure and pacifist campaigner, with an interest in husbandry and responsible agriculture. In this volume he explains how a man with 'some capital and a lot of determination' can establish a self sufficient small holding. From sewerage to decorations, he describes how to construct a sustainable and well-designed household using natural, local materials and traditional techniques (with extended discussion of thatch, chalk and pressed earth). The author's inimitable style makes this a fascinating read, as do his musings on planning laws, architectural style, and his own experiences.