Reviews (16)

Buy it you'll learn and live better for it.
This is a great book on three levels. 1. On the practical level it will make you a better tracker because of its simplicity and organization. 2. On the scientific level it will help you analyze and synthezise tracks because of its system for measurement and classification. 3. On the metaphorical level it will help you connect the search for the unseen in tracking to the search for the unseen in your psyche, spirit or soul. It is rare to find a manual that moves from the worldly or practical to the religious or spiritual. Buy it you'll learn and live better for it. Roberto

quite useful, more so than his other books
there is a good summary of basic pressure points and many of the important complicated ones.If you are at a point in your tracking studies when you are ready to start working beyond basic animal signs to reading track movement, this is a good guide.But you might not need it for long, because all of its exercises are carried out in a tracking box with relative ease.It is very hard to teach this stuff to yourself, as I am finding, so find yourself a teacher to set you on your way.Or go to Tom Brown's tracking school for more detailed instruction.If you want to be inspired and drawn into tracking for life, read The Tracker first, then read his other books.A lot of stuff is repeated amongst all of his books, so don't buy them unless you really need them.This is the only book with really concrete tracking instruction, which is why I bought it.Kind of sad really, I wish he would write more books about this and less about old man stories.

Charlatan
Brown's revelation of pressure releases is nothing new. Any tracker worth his or her salt knows Brown's new revelation is just common sense. Trackers have been using this technique for centuries. Brown's "adventures" with grandfather are fiction. Brown is a charlatan who couldn't track a muddy-footed elephant down a dry sidewalk. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animal tracks    2. Footprints    3. Mammals    4. Nature    5. Nature/Ecology    6. Outdoor Skills    7. Reference    8. Tracking and trailing    9. Nature / Ecology    10. Outdoor survival skills   

Reviews (6)

Easy to understand in plain english!
This will teach most (non-electrician by trade) people many useful things that will make their trips more enjoyable.(reduce operator error).

Easy-to-understand information for do-it-yourselfers
Bought book to help plan an RV electrical system upgrade and it more than met my expectations. Found the book fairly easy to understand with a wealth of specific information about the "whys" and "wherefores" of wire, fuses, circuits, batteries, battery charging, electrical loads, etc. Author also includes a wealth of technical info for tech types who want greater detail.

Moeller's "RV Electrical Systems" a Live Wire!
As the co-author of "RV Boondocking Basics--A Guide to Living Without Utility Hookups" (available on Amazon) I not only have read, but keep on my active RV bookshelf the Moellers' tome.It's thick, but covers a wide variety of important topics that all RVers, not just "do it yourselfers" need to be aware of.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Automotive - General    2. Automotive - Repair & Maintenance    3. Automotive Electrical Systems    4. Camping    5. Electric equipment    6. General    7. Recreational Vehicles (Engineering Aspects)    8. Recreational vehicles    9. Transportation    10. Travel - General    11. Automotive (motor mechanic) skills    12. Sports & Recreation / General   

Reviews (8)

Excellent source
My wife is considering hiking the trail and gave this book high marks.

GOOD REFERENCE
You have to admit, this IS a good general reference book for the virgin AT hiker, because of its size; good info compacted and goes well with other sources, but you won't find a seasoned through-hiker carrying one!

Mediocre Literature
I personally have bought every book possible concerning the Appalachian Trail while planning my thru-hike.However, if you are concerned about money, or wasting time reading for that matter, I would advise not to buy any of Jan Curran's books.I have read all three of his on the AT and have found them very boring, to the point of difficult to finish.Other books out there are much worthwhile.Read more

Subjects:  1. Appalachian Trail    2. Guidebooks    3. Hiking    4. Reference - General    5. Travel    6. Travel - United States    7. United States - General    8. Walking   

Reviews (29)

Second Edition
Davenport's second edition is worth the purchase.He has updated the signaling chapter and expanded all others making it even better then it already was.If you want the definitive guide to learning outdoor survival skills, the second edition of Wilderness Survival is the book.

Both Interesting and useful - highly recommended
Wilderness Survival is a valuable source of information on woodland survival techniques.Like most books on this subject, he covers shelter, acquisition of water, food, fire building and signaling to search and rescue personnel.A significant bonus is the excellent section on land navigation included by Davenport.The illustrations are nothing to write home about, but still quite clear and effective.This book includes a surprising amount of good information considering how little time it takes to read.One reviewer criticized the book because the material was "almost word for word from about 10 different books I own".From my perspective, any single book that provides the information of 10 is worth owning.

Teaches you how to think
Although it would be nice to have everything you needed for a survival situation, that isn't always the case. Davenport's book teaches you how to think through a survival situation and promotes the art of improvising when things go wrong.His book is straight forward--helping the reader identify survival needs while showing a myriad of methods in which to meet them.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Handbooks, manuals, etc    2. Nature/Ecology    3. Outdoor Skills    4. Outdoor Survival Techniques    5. Reference    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Wilderness survival    8. Active outdoor pursuits    9. Family & Health   

Reviews (2)

Almost as fun as the hikes themselves!
This is a wonderful book that goes into great deatil about the many trails in and around the South Bay.It breaks down the area by specific parks and then suggested hikes, including mileage, elevation loss or gain, and time.It even has a neat little appendix outlining hikes by category (ie., short hikes, hikes to see spring flowers, etc.)The text is detailed, explaining what you will find around every bend, and the historical information on the parks is very interesting.I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to get out and away from the hustle and bustle of Silicon Valley.

A good book made better
I just replaced my battered copy of the first edition with the latest, third one, and it's a real winner! These authors' books are always educational, interesting and complete. And best of all they lead one into many fine hiking adventures around the bay. I've spent many a fine summer day following their instructions. It's about time they put out a new edition, because of all the new parks and trails they had to cover. Recommended! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. California    2. Guidebooks    3. Hiking    4. Parks    5. Santa Clara Valley (Santa Clar    6. Santa Clara Valley (Santa Clara County)    7. Santa Clara Valley (Santa Clara County, Calif.)    8. Travel    9. Travel - United States    10. United States - Pacific - California    11. United States - State & Local - General    12. United States - West - Mountain (General)   

Reviews (6)

THE Best Book on Walking!
I have read many books on walking, and this is by far the best. It is good for the novice or expert and contains a great progressional walking program that you can jump into at any point.

The Average minus Non-Readers is 5 Stars
Two jerks in the review pool gave the book a 1 star despite the fact they had never read it.I guess they will have to wait for the made for TV movie.

I love this book!
I've bought this book four times now, because I show my copy to a family member or friend and they get so excited about it, I give them my copy and then have to go buy another one.This is the best walking book I've ever come across, with good information for the total beginner or the experience walker who just wants some extra motivation.Buy it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Diet / Health / Fitness    2. Exercise    3. Fitness walking    4. Physical fitness    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Walking    8. Weight loss    9. Exercise & workout books    10. Reference / Personal & Practical Guides    11. Walking, hiking, trekking   

Reviews (10)

Perfect Book
This book has all of the information that you wished people would have told you over the years.Well written, fun to read, and extremely useful for techincal information.

How to Rock Climb!
I'm a beginner at rock climbing and reading this book for instructional purposes. While it does a good job of explaining fundamentals I have found certain sections difficult to follow - often times different moves will be referecned before the section that explains them (sometimes with a referencing page, sometimes without). I also found it poorly edited in some spots - mis-refenced pages, paragraphs seemingly in wrong order (ie. pg 62 claims there is a "taping" illustration on pg 60, it is clearly on pg 63; the last and second to last paragraphs on page 63 seem to be flip flopped).

Undeniably classic, yet strangely flawed
This is undeniably one of the major "textbooks" on rock climbing, and contains a great deal of useful information. Yet it has some rather disturbing flaws. Firstly, even though I read the 1998 edition,outdated information from earlier editions had not been updated. At times Ifelt like I was reading a book describing rock climbing in some paralleluniverse: Long refers to brands and items of gear not currently inexistence (what's a Salewa Antz?) and some recommended techniques (tyinginto a trad anchor with the rope rather than with slings or a cordelette)are very rarely, in my experience, used. The text often makes referenceswhich will prove confusing for the beginner, and would benefit from abetter glossary. The 1998 edition also has some sections so full ofmisspellings that they appear to have been written by a quasi-literateperson. In summary, everything in this book is good information, but someof it is not entirely relevant to the way climbing is done today, and someof it is presented in an unclear manner. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Mountaineering    2. Outdoor Skills    3. Rock climbing    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Sports & Recreation / Mountaineering   

Subjects:  1. Guidebooks    2. Hiking    3. Mountaineering    4. Nevada    5. Red Rock Canyon National Conse    6. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area    7. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (Nev.)    8. Rock climbing    9. Sports    10. Sports & Recreation    11. United States - Pacific - Nevada   

Reviews (132)

Spellbinding story - uneven writing and organization
This is a spellbinding book on a scuba diving drama that raises mixed emotions, as it combines a variety of topics and experiences and confronts the reader with a number of challenges. As the title implies, it is nominally about the last dive of Chris and Chrissie Rouse, a dare-devil father-and-son scuba dive team that perished in 1992 while trying to unlock the secrets of an undocumented German U-Boat laying at 230 feet of water about 60 miles off the New York/New Jersey coast.
Intriguing study of what drives risk takers
Bringing their only child into the world, and making a lifetime commitment to each other, changed everything for Chris and Sue Rouse when they faced her unplanned pregnancy. Chris was 18 years old, and still in high school, when Chris Jr. - known throughout his life as "Chrissy" - arrived. Sue gave up her dreams of college, a career, and world travel so the young couple could build a business and a family instead. Eventually they succeeded so well financially that Chris could afford such hobbies as owning his own small airplane. Then he discovered scuba diving, a sport to which he promptly introduced both Sue and Chrissy; and the Rouse family's lives changed again. Never inclined toward doing anything by halves, they soon moved from recreational diving - a relatively safe pursuit - to the adrenaline rush of cave diving.
A Must Read For Any Wreck Diver
Bernie Chowdury does a great job at giving an in depth look in the life and death of the Rouse's. This book is a must read for anyone involved in the sport of Wreck Diving. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Family & Relationships    3. Family/Marriage    4. Oceans & Seas    5. Outdoor Skills    6. Parenting - Fatherhood    7. Scuba & Snorkeling    8. Winter Sports    9. Sports & Recreation / Outdoor Skills   

Reviews (1)

a really good 4wd guide book
I found this very informative showing good facts and details, examples would be gps coordinates and road information (like you'll pass mine shaft on rt then road forks).One will find that the book also has a detailed road description in reverse, in case you are on a road traveling from the other end.You will also love the maps, lots of them, on every page. Then on each page the author talks about what hazards to look for and what sights to see, goes into good overall detail, very well done. The book goes over facts of 4 wheeling for the novice and the pro so that all can enjoy the outdoors and be safe at the same time.When traveling these roads you'll have the guide next to you with page marked for constant referance. Take your camera and a tripod to record your trip. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Outdoor Skills    2. Special Interest - Adventure    3. Travel    4. Travel - United States    5. United States - Mountain - Arizona    6. United States - South - West South Central (General)    7. United States - West - General   

Reviews (2)

Pennsylvania Hiking Trails
Overall this book describes all of Pennsylvania's hiking trails. Pennsylvania has over three thousand miles of hiking trails, so it is important to find a good book the depicts all of them. It also includes several modern waterproof topographical maps that are very useful with navigation of the trail. Longitude and latitude are availible for compass and navigation headers. However while this book is an excelent guide, it does seem to be never-ending with the trails. There is always one after another. Although this is one of my favority hiking guides. The philosophy of the book states, "The basic goal of this edition is to provide the hiker with a comprehensive list of available hiking areas and trails". This book is still not limited to trails alone, it shows helpful places to camp, and to restock supplies. This book was written with the help of the Keystone Trails Association which is an alliance of Pennsylvania organization's which share the belief of helping hikers. This book is an excelent guide.

Definitive guide
The definitive guide to the AT that you can buy. Extremely detailed directions. Great waterproof maps with side trails and elevations. If you get lost using this guide, you're just plain stupid. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Hiking    2. Travel    3. Travel - United States    4. United States - Mid Atlantic - Pennsylvania    5. United States - Northeast - Middle Atlantic (General)   

Reviews (7)

A Good Knot Book
This book gives clearly illustrated instructions on tying many very useful knots.It organizes them under headings of Sailing, Hiking and Climbing in which they are most commonly used.The author includes the strength of most of these knots which describes how much they weaken the lines in which they are tied - often leaving less than 50% of the original strength of the line!Some knots do not hold well when bending (you will learn the definition of this term, as well as "hitch" and "knot") together two ropes of unequal size. Maybe you should use a different knot?Budworth has a suggestion!
A nice introduction to the world of knots...
I bought this book for my husband for Christmas, and we've both come to like it very much. Neither of us are "knot aficionados", as it were, but wanted a book which would allow us to explore some knots we might need in our outdoor activities (horseback riding, camping, sailing, etc.) As the beginners at knotmaking we are, this book has proven to be excellent for us. DO NOT, Repeat DO NOT buy this book
There are better books for the beginner or intermediate. DAWSON'S book is nice, so is the MORROW BOOK OF KNOTS. Neither suffers from the deficiencies of Budworth's book. The faults include:Inadequate, minimal, poorly-written textual instructions;VERY poor illustrations, possibly even errors, make it very hard to figure out how to do the knots;A choice of hard-to-read sans serif type faces, make the text hard to read;Surprising omissions of some of the most useful knots. For example, the Marlinespike Hitch is a quick (1 second or so) way to put a temporary loop around a tool handle or rod anywhere along a line, to give you a 'handle' to pull on.; The author is purportedly a world-class expert on knots. Unfortunately, he is not an expert on putting a book together, and allowed his name to be put on something that reeks of a slopped together 'pastepot' job.Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Hiking    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Knots and splices    5. Outdoor Skills    6. Reference    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Sports & Recreation / Outdoor Skills   

Reviews (3)

Good lightweight primer
I thought it was an excellent book in which I learned something after almost 20 years of field work and backpacking.Weakness: He should have had a little more detail about packing light in different environments besides the preface.In particular, hiking high elevations even in the summer months requires a little more insulation at camp.

A rather lightweight book ...
With a nod to the author's experience, I'd say the book is light on content.
Lightweight Backpacking makes sense!
What a wonderful little book with some just amazing ideas!I've been lightweight backpacking for several years now, and Don Ladigin has included bits of his wisdom that will make time spent out in the wilderness even more rewarding.Some of his ideas seem so simple and straightforward, I wonder why I didn't think of that!Thanks Don! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Backpacking    2. Camping    3. Equipment and supplies    4. Hiking    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Sports & Recreation / Hiking    8. Walking, hiking, trekking   

Reviews (5)

meticulous research
This book was most helpful especially in the way it told what rooms to request based upon what your expectations are.Many lodgings have an extreme variety of room types and these are almost never spelled out for a customer in detail.Thank you for a job well done

From resorts to cabins and campgrounds
Most national park lodges are located within the park itself and offer the best local accommodations for seeing the park, so if you wish the best national park experience, pick up The Complete Guide To The National Park Lodges as a planner. It's organized by state, then by park, which makes it a snap to locate the park and its offerings. From resorts to cabins and campgrounds, details include maps, descriptions of accommodations, rates and food, seasons, and activities.
Good Buy
An excellent guide to own if you are planning to visit and stay in a national park.We used it before booking reservations in Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Glacier. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Parks & Campgrounds    2. Travel    3. Travel - General    4. Travel - United States    5. United States - General    6. Travel / Parks & Campgrounds   

Reviews (5)

The new lightweight bible
This is definitely the new bible for
Plenty of pro/con tips for assessing each piece and how to work with it more efficiently
If you're an avid backpacker tired of carrying a heavy pack into the wilderness, then LIGHWEIGHT BACKPACKING & CAMPING: A FIELD GUIDE TO WILDERNESS HIKING EQUIPMENT, TECHNIQUE AND STYLE is for you. Undoubtedly the first question will be how all 'the essentials' can be taken while reducing weight: there's new gear and techniques on the market which can achieve both goals, and all are covered in a book which comes from one of the leading authorities on the lightweight backpacking movement. This isn't just a review of the latest equipment: it adds plenty of pro/con tips for assessing each piece and how to work with it more efficiently.
Funny, the 1st reviewer works for Ryan Jordan
I'd say Andy's review is pretty self-serving since he works for Mr. Jordan. From [...] :
Read more

Subjects:  1. Hiking    2. Sports & Recreation   

Reviews (2)

Over The Open Fire
This book is a must hav e if you enjoy outdoor cooking.Alot of the recipes can be used indoors.There is more than just recipes, there is background about the Campfire Cafe show.This is a must see show.The pictures that go along with the recipes show you exactly how the food will look.Enjoy outdoor cooking.

A "must-have" for anyone who enjoys preparing restaurant-quality food in the great outdoors
Over the Open Fire is a cookbook dedicated to recipes meant to be cooked over an outdoor fire, whether a campfire or a backyard barbecue. Although Over the Open Fire features a wealth of recipes, it is also packed cover to cover with camping, cooking and grilling tips. Dishes meant to be tasted fresh from the flames range from Sourdough Biscuits to Baked Stuffed Apples, Layered Veggie Cheesecake, Pecan Crusted Chicken, Smoked Pork Ribs and much more. Extensive instructions and full-color photographs on every page make Over the Open Fire easy-to-use and a "must-have" for anyone who enjoys preparing restaurant-quality food in the great outdoors. A bonus DVD offers two hours of instructional and entertaining footage.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Camping    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Methods - Barbecue & Grilling    5. Methods - Outdoor   

Reviews (16)

GREAT CAMPING GUIDE
I found the book a GREAT guide for camping with my RV.The publishers website has updates on the campgrounds.

Traveler's Guide to Mexican Camping
We found the Churchs book an essential aid in navigating around some of Mexico's cities and finding interesting campsites. Each page is filled with useful information, maps, directions and commentary on camping places that aid in trip planning.
mise a jour
C'est effectivement une aide pr�cieuse pour certains voyageurs qui recherchent absolument le camping s�curitaire.Toutefois m�me si la 2eme edition n'a encore que deux ans, elle devrait d�j� �tre � jour car plusieurs trailer park n'existent plus. De plus dans la version vendue au Canada il manque les pages 320 � 353...Erreur a l'assemblage sans doute...Myke et Terri pourrait aussi signaler les Pemex poss�dant espace et services pour arr�t d'urgence(une nuit...) lorsque necessaire... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Camping    2. Mexico    3. Parks & Campgrounds    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Travel Guides    7. Belize    8. Caravan & camp-site guides    9. Travel / Mexico   

Reviews (2)

A must-have book if you plan to hike the PCT
It's got the bare essential data you need for the hike.
Couldn't Be Better
I can't think of anything this guide has left out.It provides not only thorough trail descriptions and maps for each segment that are detailed and clear, but also a history of the trail, both natural and historic, advice on planning your trip, and a complete list of agencies to contact for trail permits.I appreciate the details regarding flora and fauna, as well as advice from everything to supply stations to how to deal with bears.I don't believe that I have ever seen a more thorough and complete trail guide. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Hiking    2. Parks & Campgrounds    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation   

Reviews (6)

Paid for itself already
Great book, I found a great campground in Columbia CA
Good book for the novice RVer.
We got this book from the library and liked it so much we bought it. It has a lot of information that we can use for our future trips.

I shouldn't have bought Woodalls RV campground guidge
I purchased both a Woodalls RV guide and Foghorn and compared them both this past Aug and Sept 2005 while RVing in WA, OR, NV and CA.I stopped using Woodalls after the first few nights -- there is no comparison between the two.The driving directions in Foghorn are far superior to Woodalls and the campground descriptions are more factual as I believe that Woodalls give an edge to those RV sites that advertise in their guidebook (just my gut feeling) whereas Foghorn does not accept any ads in their guidebook. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Camping    2. Parks & Campgrounds    3. Travel    4. Travel - United States    5. Travel Guides - U.S.    6. United States - West - Pacific (General)    7. Caravan & camp-site guides    8. Western & Pacific Coast states   

Reviews (4)

Not impressed
This book is entitled "GPS Mapping, Make your own maps" I see little in the book that tells you in any kind of clear or concise way how to do that. The book is little more than a review of various mapping softwares, which can easily be found just searching the internet.

Covers all of the major brands of mapping software
Every month more than 200,000 GPS units are sold to the general public and while learning to use a GPS is quite easy, choosing which software to use can be quite complicated and confusing. Very highly recommended, GPS Mapping: Make Your Own Maps by conservationist and outdoorsman Rich Owings informatively guides readers through all the diverse choices they face and explains just how to combine the fun of high-tech with the security of paper maps for their outdoors, wilderness, and travel activities. GPS Mapping covers all of the major brands of mapping software (including sources of free software and maps), and explains how to use aerial photos, satellite imagery, and viewing backcountry locations in 3-D. Thoroughly "user friendly", GPS Mapping significantly expedites the learning curve and will speed the outdoor recreation enthusiasts into a rapid expertise in the use of their GPS units.
GPS Mapping - A real keeper!
To the Author;Rich Owings:
Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Maps & Road Atlases    3. Navigation    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Travel    6. Outdoor Skills    7. Map making & projections    8. Global Positioning System    9. Maps    10. Maps, Topographic