Shelters, Shacks, and Shanties: The Classic Guide to Building Wilderness Shelters (Dover Books on Architecture) [Paperback]

D. C. Beard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 10, 2004 | Series: Dover Books on Architecture

Practical, hands-on guide by one of the founders of the Boy Scouts of America contains a wealth of information and advice on how to build everything from a bark teepee and tree-top house to a log cabin and beaver mat hut. Over 332 illustrations and clear, easy-to-follow text make this an invaluable book.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (September 10, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486437477
• ISBN-13: 978-0486437477
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,607 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > Teens > Sports & Hobbies > Sports
  • #1 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Sports & Activities > Camping
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My boys love this book, January 23, 2009

By 

Samantha (Groton, MA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Shelters, Shacks, and Shanties: The Classic Guide to Building Wilderness Shelters (Dover Books on Architecture) (Paperback)

My 13-year-old boy scout asked for this book. After reading bits and pieces for a week or so, he enlisted his brother and some neighborhood boys to go build some "shelters" in the woods down the street. They kept talking about the shelter and I figured it was typical exaggeration. A few of us adults walked down one day to see the shelter -- WOW! It was impressive -- and it stood up to the recent ice storms that left people without power for weeks. All built with branches and saplings in the woods.

The book inspired them. It's old school and not politically correct, which makes me like it that much more. Some of the words in there have led to interesting discussions at our house about how words have evolved and how views and attitudes have evolved over the past century.

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dense, informative and readable, March 12, 2009

By 

H. Zhang "hz" (MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shelters, Shacks, and Shanties: The Classic Guide to Building Wilderness Shelters (Dover Books on Architecture) (Paperback)

It is hard to believe that a book published almost 100 years ago is still very relevant and practically useful today. It is very very dense yet still very readable. Throughout the book, multiple figures are arranged to tightly fit into one page.I do not know if this book represents the writing style of 100 years ago. I think a modern author would quadruple the size of the book.

I am an avid outdoor person and I wanted to obtain some knowledge about different outdoor shelters that I see all the time and I received this book as a gift. It offers much more information than I originally anticipated. I am amazed by what shelters can be built with some simple tools. The author, one of the founders of Boy Scouts of America, actually lived in a log house built by himself. I suspect most of the content is from the author's own experience in building various kinds of architecture from simple shelters to fairly sophisticated houses. Modern lightweight tents may be the primary temporary outdoor shelters nowadays, but wood shelters are still loved by hikers, campers. This book is invaluable for educating kids to gain some basic carpentry and outdoor knowledge, nurture their sense of independence and responsibility and offer them the tremendous joy of staying in what built by themselves.

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb..., October 30, 2005

By 

P. M. Adams "Bluestone" (Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Shelters, Shacks, and Shanties: The Classic Guide to Building Wilderness Shelters (Dover Books on Architecture) (Paperback)

This is a great book! Dan Beard, one of the principal founders of the BSA, herein illustatrates several easy to build wilderness structures in an easy to read, sometimes humorous style. From lean-to's, shacks, log cabins, even tree houses; there's a wealth of practical information for any outdoorsman within these pages.

I'm very pleased to see this book still available. If you've any interest in the outdoors at all you will not be displeased by an investment in this wonderful book.