The Independent Home: Living Well with Power from the Sun, Wind, and Water

Potts, who has lived the life he writes about, here explores the promise held out by independent living, made possible by new solar technologies and other alternative methods, for anyone--``urban refugee'' or not--who would like to cut the stranglehold of expensive and environmentally hazardous utilities systems on their lives. ``In the sweep of history,'' he writes, ``the twentieth-century American house will probably be regarded as a temporary aberration, an embarrassment to enlightened builders and planners'' for its ``resource-gobbling conveniences,'' unconscionable ``consumerism'' and arrogant disregard of nature. This is probably wishful thinking, and all readers will not cotton to the born-againism--and, at times, the extremism--of the contemporary pioneers Potts visits and profiles in pursuit of his creed. Still, the idea of improving life without harm to earth has got to be attractive, and he spares few details in the attempt to persuade. For anyone with thoughts of making a big change, his book will provide a great deal of information, anecdotal charm and--not least--courage. (Oct.)