Jungle Travel & Survival [Paperback]

John Walden (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2001

The guidebook on how to survive in the jungle and walk out alive.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

American book buyers, among the richest and safest people anywhere, can't get enough of survival literature. Where else would we learn to handle wild dogs, jaguars or parasitic catfish dangers from which no cell phone can save us? Jungle Travel and Survival, by medical doctor John Walden, who has visited the Amazon Basin 75 times, explains "how to survive in the jungle and get out alive." Walden helps the reader navigate tropical landscapes from rain forests to mangrove swamps, avoid horrible diseases like malaria, build fires and cope with perils both physical (typhoid fever, spine-bearing plants) and psychological (culture shock). He also offers tips on appropriate gear (headlamps, machetes) and appropriate interactions with tribal peoples, who may not appreciate trespassing Westerners. ( Aug.)
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

In this illustrated guidebook, medical doctor Walden (Marshall Univ. Sch. of Medicine) discusses three main areas of concern for those planning to journey the rainforests of the world: how to prepare for the jungle, cope while on the trail, and effectively handle medical emergencies. Although the title may suggest a rather specialized handbook that will appeal to a very limited audience, there is actually much useful information for the common hiker. Walden, who has led many treks into the Amazon basin, offers knowledgeable advice on what to wear, how to build shelter, what plants and animals to eat, how to build fire, and how to handle extreme situations, such as the lack of food and drinking water. Especially valuable is the section on medical concerns in which Walden lists medicines one might need while on the trip, discusses how to avoid parasites and diseases, and explains what vaccinations are necessary. The bibliography is excellent. Recommended for all libraries. George M. Jenks, Bucknell Univ., Lewisburg, PA
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 198 pages
• Publisher: The Lyons Press; 1st edition (August 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158574249X
• ISBN-13: 978-1585742493
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #715,255 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #55 in Books > Science & Math > Nature & Ecology > Rain Forests

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars lots about travel, less about survival, October 1, 2001

By 

rhonva (Bay Area, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jungle Travel & Survival (Paperback)

If you're thinking of travelling to a jungle area, this book is indispensible. It has well-thought out information about everything from health to culture shock, dealing with guides, children in the jungle, how to behave when interacting with tribal populations, what to pack, group dynamics, managing a mosquito net, the truth about ants, how to tolerate being wet all day, how to use a machete... literally everything you'll need to know.

My only criticism is that the information about jungle survival (as opposed to travel) is only one chapter, and though it is also well-written, is limited in scope. My sense is that this was an excellent travel book with some survival information thrown in at the last minute to justify putting 'survival' in the title. Therefore, hard-core survival researchers might be disappointed. All others are likely to tremendously appreciate this book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Overview, November 1, 2008

By 

Ryan L. Burrill (Minnesota, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Jungle Travel & Survival (Paperback)

This book is great as an overview and a spring board to other info. It is a thin volume and as such does not delve very deeply to any one subject.

I guess I would like to see more detail on survival and less about organizing a jungle expedition. In other words it should be more personally oriented and less group oriented.

Still, for someone who knows nothing about the jungle this book serves to introduce you to some important precautions and gear to take and leave behind.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars John Walden's Jungle Travel & Survival, June 9, 2004

By 

Dr. Junito Zala (Nuevo Andoas, Ecuador) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jungle Travel & Survival (Paperback)

Living in the largest rainforest in the world is a great life, yet dangers can be at ever turning of the trail. Dr. Walden has written a superb book for both the casual traveler as well as the experienced explorer. There are numerous books and persons who call themselves "experts" that have written about the rainforest. Only a few of these "experts" come close to the truth about life here; while most can only use hype and self praise to sell their books, Dr. Walden has walked the walk and can talk the talk. Great read, excellent information and I highly recommend it even for the arm chair explorers.
Dr. Juanito Aguila Zala
Nuevo Andoas, Ecuador