Customer Reviews

How to Stay Alive in the Woods: A Complete Guide to Food, Shelter and Self-Preservation Anywhere

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Although there is a good deal of information to be gained from this book, some of the information is a tad outdated. I have read through several similar books and in my opinion the US Army Survival manual as well as Wilderness Survival by Gregory Davenport does a much better job in helping a camper/hiker feel comfortable in knowing how to take care of themselves or others should the situation arise.

The initial copyright on the book is 1956; the writing style and information show their age... The discussion of wool being the best bet for cold weather seems a bit outdated. The writing style is unique and not the easiest to read. I wouldn't be comfortable if the only survival information I had were Angiers instructions and illustrations. I found that many of the other "survival" books do a much better job in explaining how to do a given task with step by step information. The illustrations leave much to be desired as I couldn't tell most of the edible plant illustrations from the poisonous ones, and I doubt I could match an illustration to an actual plant if my life depended on it...

In my opinion your best bet would be the two other books I mentioned before you considered this one...

Angier's book, How to Stay Alive in the Woods, is a must for all outdoor people. It describes, in detail, how to overcome almost any backwoods disaster. Those who like to take overnight hikes into wilderness areas should be prepared for anything, and this book does just that; it prepares you for everything. I have spent numerous weeks at a time trekking through Alaska, Northern Canada, and the Rockies and have read many books. This is the best wilderness survival book out there.

Having read an earlier book by Mr. Angier many years ago I looked forward to a revised and updated version of the tips offered decades ago. Unfortunately I was dissapointed. While many things have not changed in the wilderness, clothing, emergency suplies, and first aid techniques certainly have. Saying that only wool is good enough to keep one warm and to advocate the outdated use of snake bite kits and iodine are examples. I suggest that today's survivalist look for a more modern guide.

I have never had to use any of the information contained in this book in a susrvival situation but as a kid I did use the information about trapping and snares to catch rabbits in Alaska as a kid (I'm using the third printing 1966 version.) I also built snow shelters to play in. Everything I tried from this book worked.

You are stranded in the woods, alone and scared. Bradford Angier's "How to Stay Alive in the Woods: A Complete Guide to Food, Shelter and Self-Preservation Anywhere" very well may save your life. Throughout the book, Angier gives important information which is also quite interesting. He covers main topics which are the focal point if each chapter. Most ideas and tactics are generally understandable, although the illustrations are downright ridiculous at times. The moments that leave you thinking "that was a brilliant idea" are often interrupted with common sense tips that make you wonder what age group the book is intended for. Detailed explanations of practical knowledge draw attention from several parts of the book, which results in numerous low points. In conclusion, this book makes for a decent read, but lacks the qualities which would make it a book that you would like to own.

This book is primarily focused on survival in the northwestern United States and Canada. The pictures leave something to be desired, but Angier's descriptions are excellent. The book a bit dated, but for theoose looking to go back to simpler times, the lack of GPS systems and Gore-Tex may be just the thing.

I really enjoyed this book. Yes, it is a little outdated, but the ideas are just as valid today. This is written by a writer who lived off the land and knew exactly how to survive in situations that others would give up on. The fact that this was written before the GPS came around doesn't make it any less valuable a resource.

How on earth do you start a fire with only a piece of ice? Read the book! (And yes, I really don't think I could start such a fire even with the book in front of me, but it's nice to know that it is possible...)

How do you create a fish trap out of sticks? How do you create a snare? How do you find civilization if you are lost? How do you find water? What type of things do you need to bring with you on camping trips? What is safe to eat, and what is not? These types of things are all answered inside.

I've read it cover to cover several times and I believe it is the perfect type of book to give to an outdoorsman or to keep down at a cabin for a little light winter reading...

Highly Recommended!

Not only does this book give you the confidence to set off on your own, but it is immensely pleasureable to read. I would agree the plant pictures are a little vague, but that can be supplemented. The Bible of survival!

Changes are inevitable, and you may find yourself in a position to know how to survive in unfamiliar terrain. This books provides a heads-up for the woods. Know the principles so that you can apply them.

I have read other reviews of this book and discovered that advanced survivalists do not think as highly of this book as beginners. This review is based on using the book as a tool -- a writer's tool.

Researching means that I read a variety of books. Though I may never be able to apply the information in my real life, it is necessary for writing. However, that is not the case in this book; the tips and tricks are valuable and informative.

Quenching thirst: The high bush cranberry is different from the vine variety. The fruit of both is tart and can be bitter, but the high bush cranberry has a provocative flavor that remains. It takes time to adjust to the flavor, but the juice of a handful of berries quenches thirst "like no other wild berry I know."

Rabbit starvation: Eating lean meat can be a significant problem -- whether you are in the wild or existing on low fat meals at home. A diet that lacks fat is dangerous and can cause severe digestive problems. The out of balance system will crave food, but the food (if eating lean meat only) will escalate the digestive system problems. I applied this to my own diet and realized that I needed to eat more pizza to compensate for the quantity of low fat foods.

What wild creature is the most dangerous? Many animals have become accustomed to humans and will move toward rather than away from the curious two legged beings invading their space. Wolves and bears and wild cats -- oh my. No, insects are the real danger. Mosquitoes, bees, and black flies in large swarms can kill a healthy man who does not know how to protect himself. Good information -- better information is that there are ways to find shelter and be safe from the swarms. . . right here in this book.

In writing a story the tips within this book enhance creative imagination. My view of camping out is being in a cozy hotel with room service. However, my heroes and villains must have better survival skills to be interesting.

Because there are no color photographs and the drawings are crude pencil ones, I give it four stars.