Customer Reviews

4-Wheel Freedom: The Art Of Off-Road Driving

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book is a basic introduction to driving off-road. If you don't know what a locker is, how it works or why you might want one for off-road use, you'll find the answers in this book. On the other hand, if you've decided to save money on a locker by welding the spider gears together in your garage, this is not the book for you.

Having said that, I think it's a very good introduction and I knocked off one star for its only fault -- I found the organization a bit strange. If you read through the book cover-to-cover though, you'll know where to find what you need in the book. I'd give it four and a half stars if I could.

On Amazon's recommendation, I bought this book with The Off-Road 4-Wheel Drive Book by Jack Jackson, which is a very different animal. Jackson's book is for hard-core expeditions more than recreational off-roading. Many paragraphs start with sentences like, "As I forded a raging river during the rainy season in Pakistan, the engine suddenly stalled." If you're planning on crossing the Sahara, I'd recommend Jackson's book for you. Even if you're not, he does give good ideas for tough situations and you know you're getting advice that's been tested off-road in some of the worst conditions imaginable.

The bottom line: if you're just starting out, buy DeLong's book alone. If you find yourself venturing off-road more and more and you'd like to be more independent, buy Jackson's book as a follow-up.

Dr. De Long has made the perfect book for those of us who have to learn things the hard way, on our own. With 4-Wheel Freedom we are taken step by step not only through the basics, but through some advanced techniques as well. His advice is good no matter where you live or what rig you own. Read once for pleasure and then give it a careful second going over, extracting the nuggets of wisdom that only come to us after making lots of mistakes and asking lots of questions to so-called "experts" who don't always know what they are talking about.Don't let my beginner's gratefullness fool you, I have friends who know a lot about 4x4 and have had to take back their initial comments about the book. One piece of advice has saved me wear and tear on my rig and an expensive repair job. I hope the author writes more on the subject.

This is the one book to read before leaving the asphalt!With the knowledge gleaned from 4-wheel freedom one can venture off road with confidence,knowing the limitations of his or her vehicle,and understanding the basics of keeping safe.This is not a book for radical off-roading only,this book should be required standard equipment for all 4-wheel drive vehicles sold.The enviormental issues covered are good practices that can help to keep off-roading an acceptable form of recreation.This is one that deserves more than 5 stars.

Once upon a time (and for several years) I spent many less-than-happy hours (and sometimes days) slogging from one mud puddle to another in a Land Rover in Tanzania. We didn't have winches or high-lift jacks. I also didn't have the benefit of the expertise Brad's book provides. After swearing off off-roading in general and Land Rovers in particular, I find myself drawn once again to the places you just can't usually get to from here. 4-Wheel Freedom has done more than refresh my memory; it has saved me from my own ignorance and folly as I attempt to outfit and use my "new" 6X6 Pinzgauer. The book is extremely readable, is sensitive to environmental issues, and thorougly enjoyable. I also find it interesting that a neurosurgical spinal surgeon would find such joy in bone-crunching off-roading...

recently purchased a Jeep with the intention of doing more 4x4 off-road exploration in the upcoming months. In my search for information I stumbled upon Brad DeLong's 4-Wheel Freedom: The Art of Off-Road Driving. This book clearly and confidently spelled out all that I needed to know to begin my adventures in a safe (individually as well as environmentally), respectful and confident manner. I was so pleased to find the author's compassion and sound respect for the environment and how he simply challenges his readers to have the integrity to do the same.

4x4 Wheel Freedom: The Art of Off-Road Driving is clearly organized into 14 chapters and several information filled appendices with resources for continued education. Packing Up - The Basic Toolbox, Rocks and Ravines - Basic Crawling, and Winches and Jacks - Up and Out are some examples of the chapters included. Each chapter presents basic knowledge and details on its theme and further clarifies the information with personal accounts that seem to wrap it all together for the reader.

This is an excellent addition to any personal library or bookshelf! Anyone who drives a vehicle with 4x4 and/or owns an SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) will find useful information in this text and will benefit from its application at sometime in their life as a driver. Brad Delong presents information for all - from those experienced in 4x4 adventures to those with even a small bit of interest in 4x4s.

It goes from the very basic concepts of 4 wheel drive vehicles, to the more advanced techniques and tips for safe driving on and off road. Also discussed are safe vehicle recovery techniques and gear required to snatch your or a buddies rig out of trouble. A great book for this first time buyer of a 4x4 rig. I am much more knowledgable for having read it. I imagine that it will save me and or my truck if I must recover a stuck vehicle.

This book is not worth to buy it. It's outdated and the content lacks in depth details. Pictures are old some of them b/w. I would not recommend this book. The off road bible is a lot better book compare to this one.

As a newbie to four wheel driving, this book is worth its weight in gold to me. Okay, maybe I'm exagerrating a bit; however, I could not find another 4x4 book on the market with the wealth of information that this has.

I now feel "free" as the title suggests, to take my new FJ cruiser off the beaten path.

Wish me luck!

I learned a lot from this book, especially about driving in inclement weather. I was impressed with the easy tricks that I can use to get through common problems while driving in 4-wheel drive.

This book is great! Whether you are new to 4-wheeling or have been at for a long time, you need this book. It has a lot to offer everyone. I have been 4-wheeling for years and still learned from this book. I could hardly put it down. Brad writes so anyone can understand the fine points of 4-wheeling. If there is only one book you are going to buy about learning the art of 4-wheeling, this si it. There are none better. Kern L. Napoletano (4wheeldrive.guide@miningco.com)