Customer Reviews

A Pilgrim's Journey, Volume Two: 1996-2005

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A Pilgrim's Journey vols 1 & 2 by Mark A. Baker -- This book is a compilation of Mark Baker's column from Muzzleloader Magazine. (I'd have written a different review for each, but someone has determined they are a "set" and that's a "no-no!?")

I don't know about you, but I have been a fan of Baker's for years... his ideas and articles are not only useful for his time-period, they also translate well to other time periods. Mark Baker truly IS one of the leading lights of "Experimental Archeology."

A Pilgrim's Journey contains over 300 pages of treks, scouts, hunts and how-to. Baker shares his knowledge and insights gained from wilderness experiences, extensive research, and from his partners and mentors along the way. Join Mark as he takes his pilgrim's journey back to the 18th century frontier. From flintlocks and moccasins to shooting bags and knapsacks, Baker explores the way of life of the Colonial woodsman. Learn about the clothing, accouterments, food and skills from an era that helped forge the American Spirit and a new nation.

Lovers of the time period covered by this book need to buy "Pilgrim's Journey Volume 2." (Also pick up the first volume.) The information in this book is incredibly thorough and excellent. It's an invaluable reference for historians, writers, and laypersons. What a great contribution to the field--I'm indebted to the author and publisher. Anyone who would quibble about minor editing issues misses the entire point--that we've been given a great book full of useful information not found anywhere else.

As far as a "how-to" guide not as good as the first. Last part of the book deals more with the thought in our hobbie, how our reflection is conpaired with the real history and past.

This book is useful mostly to the hardcore historical reinactor (it includes many good references). However it is in dire need of editing. There are even comments from the author to the editor left in the text! Seems very unprofessional. The first book in this series is great and highly recommended but the second is marginal and mainly concerned with historical research rather than practical woods experience which the first book overflowed with. I do not recommend this book unless you are a hardcore reinactor.