“Let this book be your guide” writes Lester B. Morrison. “Over the last few years I’ve studied the experts of escape. Let us now praise these lonely men: hermits and hippies, monks and survivalists. I’ve included a number of photos by my comrade Alec Soth. When you look at these scenes, try to put yourself in the picture. Visualize your new life on the lam. Before you know it, you just might make the break.”

Broken Manual is not a conventional documentary book on life “off the grid” but an underground instruction manual for those looking to escape their lives. It was created over four years (2006-2010) and marked the end of the collaboration between the artist and Steidl. While the special edition was definitely printed in 300 copies (one of them is available here), the number of copies of the trade edition that were actually printed is unsure.