Orienteering (Essential Guides (Stackpole)) (Paperback)

by Ian Bratt (Author) "have you ever tried to find your way in an unknown area while driving?..." (more)
Key Phrases: electronic punching, control description sheet, many orienteers, World Championships, Competitive Orienteering, South Africa (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Orienteering is a sport that combines a variety of physical and mental skills and appeals to people of all ages and fitness levels. In this introductory guide, four well-known competitors explain why they love the sport. The book explains the different levels of events-cross-country, score, relay, and night orienteering-for the novice and the advanced athlete. Perfect for the beginner, this book covers every basic detail; from what to wear to how to read a map, use a compass, and cope with different terrain. Covered are the four different types of orienteering recognized by the International Orienteering Federation: foot, ski, mountain bike, and trail orienteering. The book is comprehensively illustrated with maps, map symbols, and full-color photographs. A helpful and inspiring guide for anyone who wants to take up this fascinating sport.

About the Author
Ian Bratt started orienteering at school in the United Kingdom and since 1971 has competed regularly in events in that country. After emigrating to South Africa in 1981, he joined a group of immigrants to start the sport there and is currently president of the South African Orienteering Society. He was manager of the South African team for the 2001 World Championships in Finland.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Stackpole Books; 1 edition (July 10, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811720543
• ISBN-13: 978-0811720540
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Note: Gift-wrapping is not available for this item.
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #86,502 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Appealing ro read and inspiring to do, May 22, 2005

By	ken dowling (melbourne, australia) - See all my reviews

My opinion in summary: attractive, appealing, draws you to read it, inspires you to do it.

This book is one of an Adventure Sport series and that is exactly how orienteering is refreshingly portrayed by Ian Bratt. Ian doesn't say who the book is intended for but the Adventure Sport series and the style indicate a youth to adult target.
Forget your dry `how to' chapters and dreary photos of people in funny nylon suits. This book combines photography, text, charts and artwork to portray orienteering as appealing to readers as it is to practitioners.

The range of topics is extensive yet thanks to well crafted text that is concise, precise and clear, at less than 100 pages this is not a heavy tome. Examples of extended scope include "Trends in orienteering" in the description of the sport and also a chapter that covers general and orienteering specific training, nutrition, stretching through to the mental angle. The final chapter covers various forms of orienteering including rogaining and an intriguing look at new developments.

The photography is outstanding and is exemplified by the cover action shot of an orienteer in modern, trendy gear. No nerdy look here! The action/trendy theme is complemented by superb scene shots and backgrounds. For example verdant foliage and lichen covered roots amongst rapids or the multi green-blue hued plants and reflections in underwater orienteering. The photos alone make you want to get out there now.

Extensive use of diagrams helps keep text minimal while improving clarity of explanation.

If there is one negative, it is that it is not in enough book shops and libraries.

If I had to choose one book to introduce people to the sport, it would be this attractive and appealing book without question. And get one for your own coffee table and work place.

(Written from the perspective of an orienteer).

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for people just getting into this activity/sport, April 24, 2006

By	LBJ "PI from Oregon" (Willamette Valley, OR) - See all my reviews

After my husband and I did our first go at orienteering a few weeks ago at a Scout-O with our son and throughly enjoyed it. As fans of "the Amazing Race" on TV we really got into it. I rushed home to find some books or websites on this sport/activity to learn more and found a wealth of stuff. It is a whole huge subculture of activities (hiking, kayaking, underwater, night races, etc...) that we knew nothing about. I ordered this book along with others (on this site) about orienteering as well as checking out a few books from the library.

After combing through all of them this is the only book we kept and have used it quite a few more times to look map symbols up or read more about some aspect. This is a very inspiring -- everyone can do it -- kind of book. Great pictures and helpful short section that were easy to manuver around in and find what I was looking for.

Skip the other books and buy this one. This is the one you will actually pick up and read and USE!