Customer Reviews

How to Camp Out

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"How to Camp Out" (HTCO) was written by my great-great-grandfather John M. Gould in 1877. I doubt there are very many, if any, books written by Americans and the subject of how to camp out before that date.

Several things make HTCO special. First, it gives excellent insight into how people camped out over a century ago. I show that people were quite capable of enjoying the outdoors without the benefit of Coleman stoves and lanterns, the L.L. Bean Catalog, an EMS store at the shopping mall or any modern conviences. HTCO helps us understand that people adapted to their environment and could endure the rigors of the simple life because the rewards were far greater.

Another thing which makes HTCO special is that it contains practical camping advice which is still pertainent to this day. This ranges from "Don't waste your money buying every new invention." to "Wear what you please if it be comfortable and durable: do not mind what people say. When you are camping you have the right to be independent."

There are numerous other worthwhile quotes in the book. These may be found at the John M. Gould website.

Another feature is that HTCO gives the reader valuable insite into getting to know its author. John M. Gould served as an officer with theUnion Army for 4 years during the civil war and served on occupation duty in South Carolina for a year after. He was a man who was practical, judgemental and kindhearted. From the book we see his reverence for Creation and his desire to share the best life had to offer with his friends and family. We also see some of his eccentricity when he devotes a full five pages on how it keep a diary. This habit stood him in good stead as his war diaries have been recently published.

Regardless of whether you are a novice camper, a Civil War re-enactor, a nostagia buff or a professional historian you will find a rich and rewarding experience by reading "How to Camp Out".

I picked up a first edition of this book many years ago, and its condition is evidence of how many times it has been read. (I had hoped to find reprints available that I could give as gifts, but I guess I'm out of luck. Rats!) Mr. Gould provides the prospective camper with valuable advice covering the logistical, psychological, and social aspects of camping. One of my favorite pages is a list of necessities (which, the author cautions, "is by no means exhaustive") that includes first-aid supplies, shingles (to be used as plates), beeswax, a bean-pot, and even a Bible! In a reflection of his military experience, he devotes part of the text to the importance of the division of labor in the camping party and the requirements of leadership in the person chosen as group captain. This is not merely an instruction manual for learning how to pitch a tent and build a fire (although it is certainly that), but also an eloquent treatise on the need for everyone to pull his own weight as part of a group that's living in somewhat spartan circumstances. It is also a primer on etiquette and civil behavior: there is a moving admonishment to the reader concerning the treatment of farmers: "Do not be saucy to the farmers, nor treat them as 'country greenhorns.' There is not a class of people in the country of more importance to you in your travels; and you are honor bound to be respectful to them. Avoid stealing their apples, or disturbing any thing; and when you wish to camp near a house, or on cultivated land, obtain permission from the owner, and do not make any unreasonable request, such as asking to camp in a man's front-yard, or to make a fire in dry grass within a hundred yards of his buildings...When you break camp in the morning, be sure to put out the fires wherever you are...see that the fences and gates are as you found them, and do not leave a mass of rubbish behind for the farmer to clear up." (Important rules even in the 21st century!) The author also advocates keeping a diary to remember the pleasures of the camping trip long after it has come to an end. In the same way, Mr. Gould's camping guide serves as a reminder of the attraction of "roughing it" in the 19th century. Even if you're not a camper, if you can find a copy, you'll get vicarious pleasure from this splendid book.

"How to Camp out" is exceptionally dated, but is a very fun read and still has some valuable information to impart. This was published long before a lot of the camping equipment advancements we take for granted and speaks in a tone that many would now now find condescending. With that in mind, it pays to remember that this comes from a different age with different values. Here are my observations:

The tone of the book is almost conversational and is somewhat folksy. This was a pleasure to read and sort of brought to mind advice that a friendly uncle or grandfather might pass along. This gem is worthwhile for any age, "Try to be civil and gentlemanly to everyone", but this one (from the "Tent" section) just isn't practical, "...you would do well to have a sailmaker... show you how the work is to be done."

As noted above a lot has changed since this was written, here is a random sampling:

- Sunblock had not been invented
- Buried wooden barrels were used in place of coolers
- Alcohol listed as a stimulant
- Women "must have a wagon, and do none of the heavy work."

One disappointing thing is that the illustrations on the (free) Kindle versions are missing, but it is a minor complaint considering the cost.

Recommended!

CFH

This book was written many many years ago. Much of the stuff written in this book is still good advice for staying outdoors. Read this little freebie, learn and enjoy.

It doesn't matter whether you want to read this for a peek into what camping was like 140 years ago ("women's dresses should not touch the ground") or to give you some good advice for camping in the 21st Century ("there is no need to buy every latest gimmick"). Most of it is still applicable (perhaps not the instruction to be sure to pack shoe polishing equipment) and much of the practical instruction fills a gap in knowledge that exists today because of our reliance on others to do the skilled tasks. Would you like to know how to make your own tent pegs? Or how to avoid mould if you have to pack away your tent while it's damp? Or even how to make your own tent?

It's unfortunate that the illustrations aren't included in this kindle edition, but the step-by-step instructions make it possible to manage without, for the most part.

And perhaps my favourite quote: "They say that a little gunpowder flashed in the tent will drive out flies and mosquitoes. I saw a man try it once, but noticed that he himself went out in a great hurry, while the flies, if they went out at all, were back again before he was." Ah, those were the days! :-)

A gem of a book.

I downloaded Amazon's kindle software for the PC during the Georgia blizzard of 2011. The first book I download was How to Camp Out by John M. Gould. The book was published around 1877. The book takes you back in time and a lot of the suggestions are very humorous. Like changing collar-binding, that way you only have to wash the collars and not the whole shirt. But than again some things don't change like the Dutch oven. I'm not sure if it would have been easier or harder for the ladies to camp during that time. Who cares if your gown touches the ground or not, but I must admit I do enjoy a tent with a floor. So grab your brogans and lets go camping.

Yes I would recommend reading it, it's a quick, fun easily read, o and can't forget its free.

a fantastic trip back in time when ideals were simple and needs simpler. trips and tips that would have aided me as a boy, and may aid me even now, many many decades later. even the view of the role and place of women (although very out of place in this modern era) provides comedy for those with the ability to laugh off the ridiculousness of days gone by.

I was not happy to find this was not a facsimile edition but a text only version. I am sure the original illustrations would have greatly improved the book. A very small book but it is worth reading if you are interested in 19th century camping not a book for modern camping advice. The price is a bit high for what you get. A far better book if you can find it is the Horace Kephart Camping and Woodcraft, it dates form a few years later but has a lot more in it. Not like I am going to send it back but if I had looked at it in a store I would not have purchased.