Book Review
5
Holy Shit
Managing Manure to Save Mankind
reviewed by Laura Giles
Title: Holy Shit
Author: Gene Logsdon
ISBN: 978 1-60358-251-3
204 pages
Copyright 2010
Price $17.50
If there is one thing that all goat owners have in common, it's an abundance of poop! (The Pennsylvania State Univeristy fact sheet says a goat produces 5% of its body weight in manure each day). Learning how to manage it well can mean the difference between good and poor health, profit and loss, and pollution and sustainable practices. In Holy Shit: Managing Manure to Save Mankind, Logsdon gives clear ideas for making improvements to your operation.
The book starts out by putting it all into perspective. Most of us think that poop is dirty and unmentionable - both our own and that of our animals. Consequently, we well, don't mention it! That can be unfortunate because the result is that we don't learn about it. Logsdon walks us through it covering the value and differences in horse, bat, chicken, sheep, goat, rabbit, cat, dog, and human manure.
If you're thinking, "Ew! That's too much information!," open your mind and get ready to roar with laughter. It's all presented with such down to earth humor that you will actually look forward to learning the scoop about poop.
When you are finished reading this book, you will know why properly recyling manure is important, how it brings fertility back to the soil, and how to make it all work for your operation. You will most likely also be inspired to make some changes to your practices to make things easier, more profitable, and more sustainable.
Holy Shit is a must read for any farmer, gardener, prepper, composter, eco-warrior, or land owner who is interested in improving his land. If you are looking for scientific information or research material, this isn't it. If you are looking for a fresh, folksy, well-informed approach to managing manure, give this book a try. I think you will be entertained and more informed.