The Complete Outdoors Encyclopedia [Hardcover]

Vin T. Sparano (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 15, 1998

The totally revised and updated fourth edition of the award-winning and bestselling one-book outdoor library.

Recipient of the Library Association's Outstanding Reference Work award, this complete and comprehensive guide is the ultimate one-volume library for anyone interested in the outdoors. This monumental work features extensive coverage of:

* Fishing
* Hunting
* Firearms and shooting sports
* Camping
* Boating
* First aid
* Archery and bowhunting
* Sporting dogs
* Fish species
* Big game
* Small game
* Upland game and waterfowl
* A complete listing of private organizations
* Government information sources.

To broaden the scope of this established reference work, Vin T. Sparano, Editor Emeritus and Senior Field Editor of Outdoor Life, has compiled brand-new chapters and sections on survival, all-terrain vehicles, and watersports (including kayaking, water skiing, and personal watercraft). He has also included new information on GPS (Global Positioning System) and increased focus on such sections as fly fishing, sporting clays, backpacking, nutrition, and new first-aid breakthroughs in outdoor emergencies. With nearly 400 new photographs and 100 drawings added to the already more than 1300 illustrations, Complete Outdoors Encyclopedia illustrates the newest technology and the latest trends in the outdoors.

Representing decades of research and authoritative writing by Vin T. Sparano, this is the definitive guide that bridges all aspects of the outdoors today. It is a must buy for anyone and everyone venturing outdoors.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

There may be a new publisher, hundreds of new photos and drawings, and new sections on survival, watersports, and all-terrain vehicles, but this book retains its basic format and its editor, which have served it well for three previous editions. Sparano's long experience as an outdoor writer and as editor of Outdoor Life magazine is especially evident in the detailed hunting and fishing chapters. Besides these, the 11 chapters include game animals and birds, game fish, camping, survival, boating, archery, dogs, first aid, and outdoor information sources. Obviously, there are many books on each of these topics, but for a broad introduction to them all at once, with numerous clear illustrations, this continues to be a fine choice. Recommended for smaller collections as a stand-alone work, this would also serve most libraries well as an introduction and stimulus to further reading in more specialized outdoor sources.?Roland C. Person, Southern Illinois Univ. Lib., Carbondale
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Complete Outdoors Encyclopedia is like a vintage wine, it has gotten better with age and subsequent editions."--Nick Karas, NY Newsday

"Vin T. Sparano's lifetime as an outdoorsman is reflected in every chapter of this comprehensive reference. Complete Outdoors Encyclopedia is one of the most complete guides I've ever seen. Everything you need to know from fishing knots to survival skills is covered in detail."--Todd Smith, editor-in-chief, Outdoor Life

"In this world of tunnel-vision specialists, Vin Sparano pursued a refreshingly different mission with his Complete Outdoor Encyclopedia...the essential core of every inquisitive sportsman's library, one we will reach for time and again, whether we've been at this for years or just started yesterday."--James R. Babb, editor, Gray's Sporting Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 800 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books; Revised edition (August 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312191901
• ISBN-13: 978-0312191900
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.8 x 2.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,927,230 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Concise, no-nonsense information for outdoor enthusiasts, October 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Outdoors Encyclopedia (Hardcover)

This book offers a veritable wealth of information for hunters, campers, fishermen and others who spend recreation time in the outdoors. I've used it to identify types of fish, to know how to build a fire in the rain, and to prepare food for overnight hikes. I'd give it 5 stars if it hadn't suggested one thing I consider very poor judgement--using prairie dogs as targets for practice. As a hunter and fisherman, I NEVER would take even a prairie dog's life needlessly... try a few clay pigeons instead.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars good choice, May 21, 2007

By 

K.Rot - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Outdoors Encyclopedia (Paperback)

Lots of info on everything from hunting, ballistics, survival, boating, fishing to first aid. Very worthwhile buy. Wish it had more on tracking game but overall it is very complete.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Complete Outdoors Encyclopedia, May 7, 2009

By 

Maine Guide (Maine,USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Outdoors Encyclopedia (Paperback)

Very good coffee table book for the sportsman with much good advice. Interesting information on a variety of items. Color printing would of been a big plus.