LOW←TECH MAGAZINE English

Low-tech Magazine: The Uncompressed Book Series

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Image: The redesigned and revised chronological book edition. Photo: Marie Verdeil.

Between 2019 and 2021, Low-tech Magazine published three books containing selections of articles from the website, spanning 14 years (2007-2021). In 2024, we launched the “compressed edition”, which squeezes the article catalog of the three-volume book series into just one book of 620 pages.

We did this by switching to a smaller font size, downsizing most images, and opting for a two-column layout. I rewrote some articles, especially older ones, resulting not only in fewer pages but also in better articles.

This revised edition of the original, “uncompressed” series is based on the edits made for the compressed edition. However, we increased the font and image sizes and returned to a one-column layout for improved reading comfort.

The book design is a collaborative effort by Laia Comellas, Marie Verdeil, and Johanna Gratzer. Marie Verdeil made the covers, Vaiva Vinskaitė did the typesetting.

Image: The redesigned and revised chronological book edition. Photo: Marie Verdeil.

The books are available in paperback and hardcover:

Paperbacks:

Hardcovers:

Volume IV (2022-2026)

We’re also working on the final edits for Volume IV (2022-2026), expected to launch in May.

Patrons have free access to all ebooks, and early access to print books at a reduced price. They also receive exclusive content, which includes previews of new building projects and behind-the-scenes news.

Our books are also available as epubs. However, the chronological series is still based on the original book edition. We temporary lowered their price and will launch the new versions in a couple of months.

Thematic Book Series: Too Much Combustion, Too Little Fire

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Image: Book cover.

Buy the print edition.
Buy the epub edition.

For most of history, the multifunctional fire was the only source of energy in the household. It served as a cookstove, toaster, heating device, lighting source, hot water boiler, clothes dryer, and refrigerator, among other functions. During the twentieth century, the fire was replaced by a wide range of appliances plugged into central infrastructures.

In this series of articles, LOW←TECH MAGAZINE critically examines the efficiency, sustainability, health, and safety of the fire and its flame- and smoke-free modern alternatives. What are we saying when we argue that electrical appliances are “better” than a traditional fire?

Contents table

Too Much Combustion, Too Little Fire
Thermo-electric Stoves: Ditch the Solar Panels?
How to Make Biomass Energy Sustainable Again
Well-Tended Fires Outperform Modern Cooking Stoves
If We Insulate Our Houses, Why Not Our Cooking Pots?
Wood Gas Vehicles: Firewood in the Fuel Tank
Medieval Smokestacks: Fossil Fuels in Pre-industrial Times

Available in our bookshop

Patrons get free access to ebooks, as well as early access to new print books at a reduced price.

Other books in the series

How to build a low-tech internet?, Kris De Decker, Roel Roscam Abbing, Marie Otsuka, 2023. Ebook edition.
How to downsize a transport network?, Kris De Decker, 2023. Ebook edition.
Heating people not spaces, Kris De Decker, 2024. Ebook edition
How circular is the circular economy?, Kris De Decker, 2025. Ebook edition

The Low-tech Magazine archives are also available as a chronological series consisting of four volumes.

Low-tech Magazine: The Ebooks

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Image: Ebook. Photo: Marie Verdeil.

Many of you have asked for ebooks, and now you can download both the chronological and thematic books series in epub version. The files work on any type of device, without restrictions. You can find all ebooks in our online bookshop.

Patrons get free access to all ebooks and PDF archives.

Image: Low-tech Magazine Ebook. Photo: Marie Verdeil.