The Joy of Geocaching: How to Find Health, Happiness and Creative Energy Through a Worldwide Treasure Hunt [Paperback]

Paul Gillin (Author), Dana Gillin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2010

This is a book about passion for a game.

Describing the exciting and adventurous world surrounding geocaching--a worldwide hunt in which treasures are located using global positioning system (GPS) devices--this book offers an understanding and application of the principles and best practices of the game. What's different is that the authors wrap this knowledge in a tapestry of human stories that range from hilarious to touching. Paul and Dana Gillin interviewed 40 of the world's 50 most prolific geocachers as well as experts in container design, "extreme" geocaching and other dimensions of the game. They tell how this global activity inspires passion that has helped people heal frayed marriages, establish new friendships--and even save lives.
 
With rich illustrations complementing secrets culled from experts, this resource gives participants new skills for enhancing their experience and provides a visual montage of the different kinds of spots hobbyists can expect to find in the field.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Must-read...I think it is the most entertaining, educational and compelling book yet written about our marvelous obsession." --Ed Manley, The Online Geocacher

"Paul and Dana Gillin show...the passion and intensity that drive some of the most dedicated cachers.This book is an incredible resource to include in the geocacher's toolkit." --Kimberly McRae, Suite101.com

"A lively and well-written introduction . . . its clear writing and personable tone far surpass similar instruction books . . . also simply an interesting read for all curious about the phenomenon."  —Library Journal

"One of the best books ever written on geocaching  . . . a must have book if you are a geocacher or are wanting to become one."  —About.com Forestry Guide

"Offers understanding and best practices of the sport ... with rich illustrations complementing secrets culled from experts, this resource gives participants new skills for enhancing their experience."  —Independent Publisher Online

"Reveals ardent enthusiasts who thrive on the quest, ingenuity and social bonding involved . . . should please novices and also more advanced practitioners of the art."  —Ridgecrest News Review

"Ratchets up the excitement . . . [not] a primer, but a book on why you should take up the sport. If you're interested in getting started with geocaching, look no further."  —Wired.com GeekDad Blog

"A wealth of information on how to get started . . . features photos and profiles of people who've fallen in love with this creative sport . . . and transformed their lives."  —Outdoors NW Magazine

"A fine guide to a game that has helped many people . . . a top pick for anyone looking for an introduction to the game."  —Midwest Book Review Library Bookwatch

From the Author

We're Paul and Dana Gillin and we love geocaching. When we went looking for a book to help us become better geocachers, we were surprised to find that no new titles had been published in more than four years. That's why we wrote The Joy of Geocaching.

We interviewed scores of the world's most successful and enthusiastic cachers as well as geocache owners, extreme cachers, community organizers, educators and even businesspeople who use caching to promote their companies and destinations. We accompanied people on power-caching expeditions and visited with local groups. We traveled all over America in search of log books in Tupperware containers.

In the process, we discovered the geocaching is more than a game. To its most enthusiastic players, it's a passion, a love affair and a life-changing experience. We heard hundreds of wonderful stories and the packed as many as we could into this book.

The Joy of Geocaching teaches the ins and outs of a game that counts more than three million players in nearly every country in the world. But more importantly, it's about people connecting with each other to find health and happiness through a worldwide treasure hunt.
Please visit the book website at joyofgeocaching.com for more photos, videos and stories.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Linden Publishing (April 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1884956998
• ISBN-13: 978-1884956997
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #391,822 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read Book If Getting In To The Sport Of Geocaching, May 17, 2010

By 

William W. Bresee "Capt Biggins" (Tampa Bay, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Joy of Geocaching: How to Find Health, Happiness and Creative Energy Through a Worldwide Treasure Hunt (Paperback)

I've been involved with sport of geocaching for over 5+ years. I have read several of the books out there on this sport. They were helpful yes but to me boring and lacked personality. "The Joy of Geocaching" gave me a since of bonding as I read the stories and interviews in this book, not to mention the ease of understanding better some of the software and electronics out there for geocaching. I highly would suggest getting this book for anyone who's just beginning geocaching to the seasoned veteran of geocaching.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must have book to satisfy your curiosity and discover "The Joy of Geocaching", May 18, 2010

By 

Scott J. Veix "infiniteMPG" (Bradenton, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Joy of Geocaching: How to Find Health, Happiness and Creative Energy Through a Worldwide Treasure Hunt (Paperback)

Being a geocaching zealot for many years, I have found that one of the greatest joys of geocaching is the diversity of the game. The amazing experience of geocaching is directed with guidelines rather then hard set rules, which allows a wide diversity of methods of play while attracting people from every walk of life. The authors of "The Joy Of Geocaching" have wonderfully crafted this document which not only gives insight for the newcomer of how to play and find their own niche in the geocaching community, but also captures the perspective and life experiences of some geocaching enthusiasts. A must-have book with the power to bring the most stead fast muggle (read the book) into the hunt while also providing amazing insight for the most profound cacher.

Very well written and magnificently organized making it an effortless and enjoyable read. If you're curious enough in geocaching to read thru these reviews, you might as well start shopping Amazon for your GPSr. Once the geocaching bug bites, you're (gratefully) hooked for life. So awaken that curious kid still inside you, get in to the fun of exploring the wonders of the world thru geocaching, and don't forget your guide, "The Joy of Geocaching".

Many Smilies and Enjoy!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Rookie Geocacher, May 18, 2010

By 

T. Thomas (Fort Myers, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Joy of Geocaching: How to Find Health, Happiness and Creative Energy Through a Worldwide Treasure Hunt (Paperback)

I have just finished this book and enjoyed the majority of the book. I am new to geocaching and found a lot of the information very useful. The few parts that I skipped past in the book are parts that I will probably go back and read later after I get more involved with geocaching.

I did not mind the fact that the cacher profiles were of people with a tremendous amount of finds under their belts. I may not ever get my count up that high, but I can still have the same amount of fun searching for caches.

As far as the way the book was written, I only found a couple of spelling and grammar errors. The book was written on a level that most everyone should be able to understand. High scholars may get bored without the 50-cent words, but the overall population will have no problem reading and understanding the book.

This is the only book on geocaching that I have read, so I can't make any comparisons. As of right now, I feel that I have enough information and don't need to get any other books on geocaching.