Customer Reviews

Allen and Mike's Really Cool Backpackin' Book: Traveling & camping skills for a wilderness environment

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The author shares his substantial experience with the reader in a uniquely entertaining manner, and the illustrator complements the light-hearted style of the author with [occasionally] hilarious visuals. The character of this book will attract everyone in the household; even those without camping or backpacking experience will find it easy-to-read and interesting. For those already bitten by the 'outdoor bug', new insights presented by the author force us to reconsider our position on a variety of subjects.

Unlike so many of its kind, this book is comprehensive without being obscure; no lessons on building water bucket baskets or how to skin and dry moose meat for the winter. This handbook addresses the basics of backpacking with enthusiasm, and it proves contagious for the reader.

Profusely illustrated by Mike Clelland, Allen O'Bannon's Allen & Mike's Really Cool Backpackin' Book is a superbly presented guide for traveling and camping in a wilderness environment. All the relevant issues are covered including dressing and packing for the outdoors, choosing proper equipment; navigating with map and compass; setting up camp; dealing with wildlife; reading the weather; and basic backwoods hygiene. The informative text is enhanced with appendices on low-impact camping technics and an extensive gear checklist. Wether for a day-trip hike or an extended outdoors expedition, Allen & Mike's Really Cool Backpackin' Book is thoroughly "user friendly" and especially recommended for the novice camper and those new to the wilderness experience.

I've read a gazillion backpacking books, and this one is the best. Far and away the best. I don't quite grasp how something so concise can be so thorough. But it is. And entertaining. And up to date.

And a really cool book it is! Don't be deceived by the small number of pages; it contains a wealth of information presented with great wit. Illustrations are perfect and appropriate; chapters progressing from start to end and even making using a compass seem doable!

If you are a beginner, this is the book for you; if you're experienced, this also has some good tips you may not have run across. (If passing horses on a trail, go downhill ...) The emphasis is to cover the high points, why they are the high points, enough to get you out and back, share some of the mistakes you are wiser to do without, and make the outdoors experience better for both you and those who follow after you.

I got the book for the tent and tarp sections - I read all of it just because it was so well presented and fun. Buy it!

Humourous, witty, and helpful, this is the first guidebook I ever managed to read through like a novel. Gives useful information to adventure enthusiasts without putting them to sleep in the process. Gives tips on not only how to enjoy the outdoors, but to preserve it for fellow hikers using Leave No Trace practices. Kudos to the authors for both its content and the hilarious corresponding illustrations.

What can I say, this is just a fun book to read! Perfect for younger folks just learning to backpack and a quick and entertaining read for more experienced backpackers. This book is not a backpacking "bible" in that it just doesn't go in-depth on any topic, but it does cover all the basics like gear selection, trip preperation, trail skills, orienteering, weather reading, etc. Bottom line is that no other book in your backpacking library will be anything like this book so you should buy this. Its the one book you always be lending to all the new backpackers you meet, and you'll probably browse through it everytime you get it back! DISCLAIMER: Grumpy and humorless people stay away from this book!

I'm a Scoutmaster with a troop that wants adventure and backpacking is high on their list of things they wish to do. I picked up this book because I loved the illustrations (Mike Clelland learned to draw from reading MAD Magazine). I can't remember the last time I had a book that was so interesting that it compelled me read thru it every day for weeks. I'm using it as a teaching aid to help my scouts understand backpacking concepts ie. Loose the tent and use a tarp, Choosing types and quantities of food. And the scouts like the pictures. It's a great book for beginners young and old.

Reading this book reminds me that it's possible to learn from all types of backpackers. The book is well written and illustrated. The illustrations have ideas that are not always in the text.

Allen O'Bannon clearly is not in the lightweight backpacking camp, which I am. O'Bannon writes about heavy pack loads (how to properly put on a heavy pack) and leather hiking boots. The book is loaded with ideas that will be interesting to all backpackers. I wouldn't recommend the book to someone just starting out with backpacking. For those readers I would give it just two stars. However, I would recommend it for a current backpacker that wants some fresh ideas or a fairly new backpacker that has read a couple books on lightweight backpacking first. The book isn't loaded with a lot of fluff that can be found everywhere. It is also easy to read and not nearly as boring as many backpacking books.

A friend suggested I read this book before my first backpacking trip. It is a very fast and fun read with tons of useful information. My friend, who is a very experienced backpacker and NOLS alumni, was amazed at the amount of knowledge I acquired just from the book and has since purchased his own copy for reference. I highly recommend this book to any beginner or expert who needs a refresher!

This book has great illustrations and it is entertaining the whole way through...some guidebooks turn into a death march to read cover-to-cover, but I read this whole thing in a few hours! It's a great place to start if you haven't done much backpackin'...If you've already done tons, it will still probably give you some good ideas and a good laugh. If you are looking for an introductory backpacking book, I highly recommend this one.