Woodcraft and Camping [Paperback]

George W. Sears Nessmuk (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1963

One of America's most famous woodsmen and nature experts provides classic instructions for roughing it. His advice covers camping, hiking, building a fire, cooking out, shelters, tools and equipment, hunting and fishing, canoeing, and more. "Useful, specific information and suggestions on all aspects of woodcraft." — Moor and Mountain.

Product Details

• Paperback: 105 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications; 1ST edition (June 1, 1963)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486211452
• ISBN-13: 978-0486211459
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,153 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #2 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Outdoors & Nature > Hiking & Camping > Camping
  • #23 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Sports > General
  • #32 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Hiking & Camping > Camping

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A must-read for camping nostalgia and wooden canoe buffs., April 1, 1998

By 

Joseph Ruckman (Excelsior Springs, MO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Woodcraft and Camping (Paperback)

At the close of the 19th Century, long before the advent of ultralight gear, synthetics, and freeze dried food, Nessmuck was an advoacate of minimalist camping, his own load equalling about 26 pounds including his canoe, a 10 pound cedar strip wonder made by legendary wooden canoe maker J. H. Rushton. Nessmuk (the nom de plume of George Washington Sears) was 65 years old, weighed about 105 pounds and was probably suffering from tuberculosis when he decided to solo canoe the Adirondack Lakes. While much of his camping techniques are outdated, there is much in both his methods and philosophy from which even the most modern backpacker and canoeist can learn, and it is an excellent read besides.

38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Advance To The Woods, Nessmuk for your guide., August 12, 2005

By 

G. VONHILSHEIMER III (Maitland, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Woodcraft and Camping (Paperback)

I have been buying multiple copies of Nessuk's two books to give away since I was a kid (I'm 71 on 15 Aug 05). I was stimulated to return to the book by a plague of horseflies and mosquitoes, recalling that Nessmuk had a repellant that actually seemed to be a skin tonic. Three parts pine tar, two parts castor oil, and one part pennyroyal oil, simmer gently. Rub on. It works like a charm. In context you can see that Nessmuk rubbed it on and then didn't wash for six weeks or so, but that's real men in the real woods. If you are a father and haven't given Two Little Savages (Ernest Thomas Seton) and Nessmuk's books to your
son, you just really aren't ready to Advance Into The Woods. Its also an enjoyable read. Its encouraging to me that "Nessmuk" gets you >5,000 hits on google. Go explore.
Thank God for Dover Books.

George von Hilsheimer, Ph.D., occasional woodsman and swamp creature

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smooth it, November 16, 2005

By 

Clarke Green "CAG" (Kennett Square, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Woodcraft and Camping (Paperback)

' We do not go to the green woods and crystal waters to rough it we go to smooth it. We have it rough enough at home...'

' The temptation is to buy this or that bit of indispensable camp kit has been too strong and we have gone to the blessed woods handicapped with a load fit for a pack mule. That is not how to do it.

Go light, and the lighter the better so that you have the simplest material for health comfort and enjoyment. '

Nessmuk

Nessmuk is the pen name of George Washington Sears. In 1884 he wrote the book Woodcraft and Camping and it has been in print ever since. His approach to camping is satisfyingly philosophical and completely practical. Worthy reading for anyone who wants to take to the woods.