I can only buy one book so...

Hi Everyone,
I'm new to this website, and I have been intensly studying permaculture for the past year and a half. I just bought a 40 acre plot of land in Missouri with my partner in crime. He has been studying and practicing permaculture for over 20 years now. We are planning to move in March to begin building and planting. We can only afford to buy one book on permaculture at the moment, and we really can't agree on which one to buy.
Could we get some recommendations please?
Thank you!

Amber - your options basically boil down to The Permaculture Designers Manual which is fabulous, or something more specifically suited to your situation or climate (I can't advise on that!).

I participated in the winter book club on here last year where we read through the PDM - it was well worth the cost of the book.

I'd also say that the money you spend on educating yourself is well worth it compared to wasting money through ignorance on projects later.

Inter-library loan

Gaia's Garden
Edible Forest Gardens I and II
the Permaculture Design Manual

read them all and then decide which one earned a place on your bookshelf. You may, for example, really like the detailed plant listings in Vol II of EFG, but won't ever really re-read the PDM. Or completely the opposite. Or you may want to have Gaia's Garden to loan to other beginners. They are all good, different takes on 70% of the same material. Which of the other 30% is best for you is up to you.

Thanks Michael and Ann! All of the books you mentioned are on my list to read and get eventually. This helps to narrow my search and make this less overwhelming, because I want them ALL!

Amber Foster : You may get lucky and find that these books are available through your local lending library(s), You can also try Amazon books (used).

Another site I like is called Alibris books (used) and icon my most popular sites but will turn up in a Google search !

For the Goodof the Crafts ! Big AL

Thanks Allen! I love Amazon and have found the Designers Manual on Amazon, and plan to buy it shortly. We will be eventually building a good permaculture library in actual book form. Until that time, we will be using libraries etc to make sure we have all of the information we need.

We decided on Bill Molison's Permaculture, A Designers Manual. It was well worth the cost, and Rob is already making a protective leather pouch for it. Thanks for the recommendations everyone!

Amber, don't forget to check out all of the books in our book forum.

https://permies.com/forums/f-83/books

Thanks Miles, I had only just begun to look at the book thread, when I posted this question. I plan on using it for info on our next book purchases. There is SO much here in the forums, and so much I want to learn. The combination means I want to spend All My Time on permies...I need to pace myself. Or not sleep, ever.