Customer Reviews

The Outdoor Survival Handbook: A Guide To The Resources & Material Available In The Wild & How To Use Them For Food, Shelter, Warmth, & Navigation

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

While Mears' book has clear illustrations and an interesting (seasonal) organization, other books such as Outdoor Survival Skills by Larry Dean Olsen and How to Stay Alive in the Woods by Bradford Angier both provide more in depth, specific information.

The subtitle of this book is: a guide to the resources and materials available in the wild and how to use them for food, shelter, warmth, and navigation. The author has parceled out his observations, instruction and advise according to the four seasons. So rather than having a single chapter on types of shelter which one could locate or construct in the wilderness within the various climates or seasons, he parcels out this information over the four main chapters of the book. He does this for each category of survival: shelter, fire, water, cordage, and food. His intention seems to be that the reader use the book as an introductory survival course beginning in the spring, focusing on the particular type of shelter shown in that chapter and not getting distracted by other types that either cannot or need not be built then.

There is some sense to this kind of organization, but yet he leaves any discussion of hygiene or cooking, for example, until the summer chapter, when surely this information would have been just as relevant to the spring. If you have to at least selectively read ahead anyway to be better informed, why not just organize the book from the start so that the categories of survival occur as separate chapters, with the special circumstances of each season being discussed within the category, rather than breaking the content of the category across the four seasons? But the organization according to seasons allows the author to focus upon nature as it lives in each season, which seems to be as important to him as the types of shelter or the various methods of starting a fire.

The book is well illustrated and feels quite accessible. There is quite a bit of useful information on tinder and laying out fuel for a fire, even though it doesn't all occur, as it logically should, in a single chapter; and there is much, also, on cordage, but again, not all in one place. Because of the large and clear illustrations, it seems a good enough first book on wilderness survival. It does not overwhelm the reader with detail, but for some readers it is that very complexity of detail and a more rigorous organization that would be missed.

First, this book is not about wildnerness survival. The recipes that include garlic and butter are well, not practical if your lost in the woods. The book is more geared towards going into the wilderness with everything you need at your disposal, and not lacking the essentials. The information is well presented, and does not deal with emergencies but rather going out into the woods and enjoying yourself.

The book is more about developing a spiritual relationship with wildnerness and emergency wildernesss survival is a matter of life and death, and not a romantic experience where you walk out having touched the hand of God. If you live, you will probably find God. I bought this book for the sole purpose of learning about survival in the wilderness. I found alot of very useful information, but, having a pretty solid base already, the book is still a fun read.

The sections on cordage are very well done, and the sections on pottery, skinning are also well done. I think if you want to have a rewarding wilderness experience without the dangers of being lost, this book is awesome. If your looking for what to do in case your lost, this might not cover all the bases.

Still a nice book that I frequently thumb through while sitting in the bathroom.

This was the first of Rays books I bought.
It is an exceelent collection of how to themes and skills to learn and use. Brilliant for Scouts and Leaders alike, as well as any other woodsman.
Highly Recommended.

An excellent and handy pocketguide to survival, Ray Mears puts his knowledge in this book and it shows. The info is at hand, practical and easy to read.

Remember the old question, what book would you take with you to a deserted island?

Well... this is the one.

Very Basic. Not bad, but not great. Considering this book is for my children the very basic information contained in it is appropriate for someone just starting out in Wilderness Fieldcraft, Survival, or Bushcraft as the Euro's seem to like to call it. Both of Ray's books that I ordered for my boys have sparked their interest. So I gave it four stars for this reason. The writing style is clean and to the point. Easy for young teens to understand.

the illustrations and the info in the book is very accurate i love to be outdoors and i have spent about 10-20 nights a month in the outdoors and often i do that with minimal gear and not much for the fancy items this book is going to be in my pack from now on and it will be a valued item
the book was great thanks
chad

I have read many books and this is the first one I have ever really found useful! I find this book to be a huge use for outdoor survival!

THIS BOOK IS EASY TO UNDERSTAND WHILE IT STILL GIVES YOU A LOT OF INFORMATION.
I WOULD RECCOMMEND THIS BOOK TO MY FRIENDS.
THNX,
BILL CUNNINGHAM

Alot of the same info.Which has already been written before in previous American books.