Mudgirls Manifesto - (Paperback)

About the Book

A tale of rebel women, grassroots self-governance, and community-building in the face of the machine. Part incendiary political and economic tract, part practical yet irreverent guide to building sensible cob and earthen homes for real people, Mudgirls Manifesto is about respecting the earth and each other, and crafting meaningful lives.

Book Synopsis

Building a Revolution, one handful at a time.

In the face of widespread burnout and a world gone crazy, how do we find things to say yes to, rather than a resounding no?

On North America's West Coast, there's a group of rebel women who ten years ago chose to break free from a rigged economic and social system. They didn't take to the streets to lobby banks and governments to change their ways - they didn't have time for that. They had babies to feed and house. They reckoned that if nobody else was going to change the rules to support basic human needs and respect the biosphere, then we are all free to make our own rules.

They chose action. They decided to teach themselves how to build houses using the most abundant material on earth - mud. They'd learn by building, gathering skills and allies. They'd have fun, sharing whatever they learned with whoever wanted to come along for the ride. The Mudgirls revolution was born.

Part story of rebel women, grassroots self-governance, and community-building, part incendiary political and economic tract, and part practical guide to building natural homes for real people. Mudgirls Manifesto is about respecting the earth, each other, and crafting meaningful lives.

A powerful, positive antidote to troubled times.

From the Back Cover

We need a revolution away from the corporate-political prioritization of the economy. This is a glimpse of the way we all have to go -- build community with shared values and purpose, learn new skills, and have fun doing it.
-- DAVID SUZUKI

We have the power to come together to build a world in which we fullheartedly belong as equals.
-- ATHENA STEEN, co-author, The Straw Bale House

This is a wonderful, inspiring and heartfelt book by a bunch of women who have taken a good measure of their lives into their own hands.
-- LLOYD KAHN, author, Shelter and Builders of the Pacific Coast

WHEN "NO" feels like the only viable tool we have in a world straying so close to the edge, how do we forge the things we can say "yes" to?

On North America's West Coast, there's a group of wayward women who chose to break free from rigged economies and social systems. They didn't take to the streets in protest -- they didn't have time for that. They had babies to feed and house. They felt that if the rulemakers weren't interested in supporting basic rights, needs, and the survival of life on earth as we know it, then they'd better start figuring out their own way of doing things, and fast.

They chose action by building houses for each other using the most abundant material on earth -- mud. They'd learn by doing, gathering skills and allies. They'd have fun, sharing whatever they learned with whoever wanted to come along for the ride. The Mudgirls revolution was born.

Part story of rebel women, grassroots self-governance, and community-building, part incendiary political and economic tract, and part practical guide to building natural homes for real people. Mudgirls Manifesto is about respecting the earth, each other, and crafting meaningful lives.

A powerful, positive antidote to troubled times.

Talk about multi-tasking--there has never been a book quite lik e this. I'm enormously cheered up, and you will be too.
-- HOLLY DRESSEL, co-author, Good News for a Change

THE MUDGIRLS is an all-women's natural building collective from coastal British Columbia. They build houses and offer workshops that empower people to take back the right to provide themselves with shelter. They champion respect for the earth and each other. Find out more at mudgirls.ca.

About the Author

The Mudgirls is an all-women's natural building collective that formed in 2007 in coastal British Columbia. Founded on the principle of self-empowerment, they champion the use of natural, local, and salvaged materials, human-scaled DIY solutions, inclusiveness, support for mothers, care for children, and fun. They build things and offer workshops that empower people to take back the right to provide themselves with shelter. The Mudgirls have collaborated with over 50 clients and more than 600 workshop participants from all over the world, forging alliances and honing the skills to build homes. Find out more at mudgirls.ca.