Reviews (39)

Old, presented as New!
I'm not sure why the publish date is listed as Jan. 1, 1992.The cover clearly shows the publish date as October, 1970.
Um, You Don't Have To Pay For This.
This, like many other military manuals, is available online.Just type the FM number into your search box and a list of links to it will magically appear.

A true disappointment.
This book is very disappointing. Poorly written and with weak descriptions leaves the inexperienced outdoorsmen with a false sense of security. Just because there happens to be a section on a particular skill does not translate into the ability of the reader to follow the lousy instructions to complete said skill. If anyone wants to learn survival skills they would be well suited to take a course and view first-hand the execution of the skills by an experienced practitioner of them. Purchase another book and let this one pass. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Handbooks, manuals, etc    3. Military    4. Reference    5. Sports & Recreation / Outdoor Skills    6. Survival skills    7. Dept. of the Army    8. FM manual 21-76    9. Outdoor Skills    10. Sports & Recreation    11. Survival    12. Survival after airplane accide    13. United States    14. Wilderness survival   

Reviews (60)

A book to appreciate
What an exceptional book this is. I very much enjoy the outdoors--fishing, hunting, camping, and hiking for long stretches of time in the wildest places I can find. If you like similar activities, you may come to love this book as I do.
Interesting
Flipping channels a couple of years ago, I came across a show on PBS about a man building his own cabin, with no power tools, in the Alaskan wilderness.I was mesmorized watching this program.It was one of those shows that stuck with my thoughts and emotions for several days.I was awestruck with some of the things he was making with his hands.I wanted to be there myself.Wanting to get more out of this, I bought the book.I would describe the book as interesting, not riveting.It held my interest and does inspire me to start and complete the task at hand, whatever that may be.To me, the description of the cabin building process was a little too tedious, but the rest of book seemed to flow right along.I'm glad I read the book, but I think this is one of those rare instances where I liked the video better than the book

Easy read, inspirational story
This book is a good read for those who feel inspired by someone who follows their "dreams" (trite, but true!).The book reads like the subject is talking, simplified but descriptive.The Alaskan wilderness plays a big part in the story, although I would've thought that life on your own would have been slightly more difficult - the subject almost makes it seem easy. The idea of someone making a life on their own from nothing (building a house, obtaining food) is tempered somewhat by the fact that the subject had supplies flown in on a regular basis.Still, living on your own for 35+ years is an interesting topic.A nice addition to an "outdoor adventure" library.For those that have seen the companion video, this book may be less important. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th Century Description And Travel    2. Alaska    3. Alaska - Local History    4. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions    5. Diaries    6. Essays & Travelogues    7. Frontier and pioneer life    8. General    9. Photo Techniques    10. Photography    11. Pioneers    12. Proenneke, Richard    13. Travel - United States    14. Twin Lakes Region (Kodiak Isla    15. Twin Lakes Region (Lake and Peninsula Borough)    16. United States - Pacific - Alaska    17. United States - State & Local - General    18. Wilderness survival    19. Travel writing   

Reviews (30)

Great, general survival text
This book does a great job of covering a variety of survival topics and techniques without seeming disorganized. Sections are divided well, and wording is direct and uncomplicated. This is a good book for serious outdoorsmen in addition to those just looking to brush up their knowledge "just in case".

Great info and a fun read
My 7 year old son loves the idea of being a survival expert. Most of his "survival" involves spending the afternoon in the year eating sandwiches in his tent.I purchased the "SAS Survival Handbook" as a something fun to read with him.
GOOOD
If you want just one book of survival, than this is your best shot. Just by it and than you'll see... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Camping    2. Handbooks & Manuals    3. Handbooks, manuals, etc    4. Outdoor Skills    5. Outdoor Survival Techniques    6. Reference - General    7. Sports    8. Sports & Recreation    9. Survival skills    10. Wilderness survival    11. Sports & Recreation / Camping   

Features

• Illustrated

Reviews (20)

A great guide to getting out of a survival situation.
Unless something is wrong with you, your goal when thrust into a survival situation is to get out of it as fast as you can. That is the premise of this book. You won't find detailed instructions on building and using a fire bow. You won't find recomendations on the biggest, baddest knife. The one used in the book has about a 4 inch blade and retails for less than $20. You will find practicle suggestions for fire. You will also find suggestions on assembling a survival kit that's thorough but not enormous. There is scientific discussion on the human body's reaction to the environment. All of this is presented in a humorous style. The book focuses on preparation for a survival situation and how to get out of it. Not learning flint knapping, snare building, dead falls, etc. I found the book informative and easy to read. Those offended by the few cartoon characters should get a life.

98.6 Rates a 100%
Down to earth, straight forward, factual, No BS here.
Much better titles out there
Besides the dedication to "all Beings of Light," living "within a conscious understanding of our true Selves" and his gratitude for "all the Ascended and Cosmic Ones, to all the Archangels, Archeia, and angels, elementals, and Elohim"... and his characters "Elvis Parsley, Willy Nilly" and others, by the time you weed through all his flakey or cutesie fluff content, the meat on the bone is practical and useful, but lost.By three chapters in, I truly felt like I had wasted my time.
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Subjects:  1. Handbooks, manuals, etc    2. Outdoor Skills    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Wilderness survival    6. Health & Fitness / Health Care Issues    7. Sports & Outdoor Recreation    8. TRAVEL & HOLIDAY   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (194)

The original survival book.
The book is extremely entertaining and it might save your life, too. It covers scenarios James Bond would aspire to.
tongue in cheek
I enjoyed all of the worst case scenario books.There are several in the series.Each has a few helpful hints but is essentially packed with tongue in cheek advice about surviving various circumstances; your job, parenthood, and this book is a general survival guide.
Hilarious!
I bought this book for my son because it's on his "wish list." I laughed so loud in my bathroom that my husband thought I'd won the war with my grey hair again (I pluck them religiously). The book is so funny but matter-of-factly, I couldn't help but making mental notes when I read the section, "How to land a plane." Do I feel safer when I travel? You bet! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. First aid in illness and injury    2. Form - Essays    3. Handbooks, manuals, etc    4. Humor    5. Personal & Practical Guides    6. Reference    7. Survival skills    8. Wilderness survival    9. American English    10. Humour    11. Reference / Handbooks & Manuals    12. Self-Help & Practical Interests    13. Sports   

Reviews (34)

Keep this in your pack.
This book is the best starting place for those wishing to learn about wilderness survival.The book is well organized and a pleasure to read.The subject matter can be dry, but Mr. Brown does a good job of interlacing his personal experiences with the instructional material.There are two reasons I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5. 1)I think it could use more diagrams and pictures.Without an instructor by your side it would be easy to misunderstand some of the more technical skills covered.2) This book is mainly for temperate regions.While much of the material is useful for any climate, it is missing tropical and artic specific information. Mr. Brown's knowledge of survival and tracking techniques is second to none.His field guides should be on every outdoor enthusiast's book shelf, and this book should be in your pack with you at all times.

Credit well deserved in this "have it all" guide.
I must give credit where deserved and Tom Brown, Jr. certainly deserves it.
Some good nuggets, largely impractical
In my experience, wilderness survival books come in at least two distinct flavors: from-scratch survival (like this book) and practical outdoors education.
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Subjects:  1. Nature    2. Nature/Ecology    3. Outdoor life    4. Reference    5. Wilderness survival    6. NATURAL HISTORY, COUNTRY LIFE & PETS    7. Nature / Ecology   

Reviews (3)

Difficult to get lost with this one...
An excellent book for those starting out on orienteering. Very good conversational wording. Doesn't use too much jargon. The practical exercises are easily understood. The combination of the written word and neat diagrams and pictures make the information easily digestable.

Excellent Map and Compass Instruction Book
The best map and compass handbook I've come across.Excellent photos and illustrations add to simple and straightforward written material to make a great book for use when practicing real-life outdoor navigation.

The best resource for beginning or experienced pathfinders
This book is the best resource on land navigation i've seen.I use it regularly in teaching land navigation in conjunction with search and rescueto area fire departments.The author makes the hard-to-explain easy tounderstand for beginners and experts alike. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Navigation    2. Orientation    3. Outdoor Life    4. Outdoor Skills    5. Physical Education    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Wilderness survival    9. Maps, charts & atlases    10. Orienteering    11. Sports & Recreation / Outdoor Skills   

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.
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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 (69)

Hike on!
As a somewhat outdoor type (ski regularly, backcountry camp about once a year) I found this to be a pretty fascinating look at survival that comes at it from many different perspectives.It is not a survival guide per se.It is not an in-depth account of the survival stories that it tells (most of these stories can be found more detailed in more exhaustive accounts like "Touching The Void".)What this book is (as the cover indicates) is a look at that profound question of why some survive and others don't and what drives us to risk our lives for thrills.Like the systems he describes, even this question has many factors.There is no one way to survive, or one factor that makes somebody a survivor.All too often, the greatest "survivor", doesn't.And realizing and accepting that fact seems to be a big part in giving the best effort to beat the odds.
Compelling journalistic account about the moxie of survivor-adventurers
Elements of "Deep Survival" were quite memorable, especially the story of the ill-fated sailing venture where one incredible woman managed to survive unbelievably difficult circumstances.The work did remind me "The Perfect Storm" at that point.However, I agree with another review that the lengthy summary of Joe Simpson's ordeal on the West Face of Suila Grande WAS lackluster in comparison with the actual narrative in "Touching the Void.As a long-time climber, I found Gonzales' account of the tragedy on Mt. Hood realistic and compelling. Those of us who have survived mountain accidents can certainly identify with the stories related by the survivors of the fall down the ice field and with Gonzales' handling of that horrible event.My hands started sweating as I recalled some of my more harrowing adventures in the Cascades and Sierra Nevada.He's clearly a journalist/adventurer a la Jon Krakauer, not a scientist, so anyone reading the book should read the technical passages about neuroscience, etc. in that context.

Enjoy but beware of the wilderness.
Wilderness is so-called because it instills an element of fear and awe to those who live by the predictable rhythms of urban and suburban life (of course, there is also such a thing as urban wilderness; same rules as spelled out in this book may also apply).Wilderness is there to appreciate by those who should also be cognizant of its risks and any unforeseen circumstances.
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Subjects:  1. Case studies    2. Essays    3. Nature/Ecology    4. Outdoor Life    5. Outdoor Skills    6. Special Interest - Adventure    7. Sports    8. Sports & Recreation    9. Wilderness survival    10. Outdoor survival skills   

Reviews (33)

Interesting but lacked depth
With a daughter in a program similar to the one depicted in the book I read it with great interest. It did give me a lot of information about why these programs are successful, and what my daughter might be doing daily in the program. However it did lack depth and continuity. The style of writing is also not to my particular liking, although others may enjoy this flowery style.

Brilliant & Insightful
You don't have to be a parent, an outdoor educator, therapist or teacher to enjoy this book. An interest in the state of youth today and the healing powers of the natural world are enough. Gary's simple, elegant and insightful prose captures the essence of what so many teens' lives are like today. And his keen understanding and appreciation of the natural world make this book worth reading. Read it. You'll love it.

A Proud Aspen Graduate
It pains me to read these reviews seeing how disappointed some people were with this book.Not only was I sent to Aspen when I was only 14, but to be honest the experience has changed my life indefinitely.Not only is the author accurate, but by reading the book, I was able to reconnect to the wilderness.I only hope that one day I will have the ability to go back and work at Aspen and help troubling youth, like the staff there helped me. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adolescent Psychiatry    2. Adventure therapy    3. Counseling of    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Life Stages - Adolescence    6. Parenting - General    7. Problem youth    8. Psychology    9. Psychotherapy    10. Psychotherapy - Counseling    11. Wilderness survival   

Reviews (26)

Covers all the basics for surviving and maybe even thriving!
Great book (well, 10 books) with an easy to understand narrative style liberally illustrated with pretty good black and white photos.Sure the authors won't win any grammar awards, but that's not the point of this book.This book belongs in everyone's survival kit right next to a good knife and maybe a flint & steel - the information inside might just save your life one day.Thanks John & Geri!

One of the best out there.
I've studied, practiced, and taught wilderness survival on and off for around ten years, now. I've read an enormous amount of material on the subject of survival; some of it is quite good (Brown Jr., Wiseman, Davenport, among others), some of it is at best mediocre (e.g., FM 21-76).
Incredibly disappointed: not a good "first book"
It is rare for me to feel almost completely negative about a publication.
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Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Methods - Outdoor    3. Outdoor Skills    4. Outdoor cookery    5. Outdoor life    6. Sports    7. Wilderness survival   

Reviews (5)

The woods are lovely, dark and deep ...
Easy to get Lost in this Gripping Narrative....
Gripping Account
This fascinating book tells two stories, of two men who lost their way on separate journeys into the north woods. Its structure is engaging: it tells the two stories side by side in alternating chapters. It details their peril, their survival efforts, and the search and rescue operations.
I loved this book!
My title says it all, but it bears repeating: I really did love this book. It's interesting, well written, and utterly riveting.I am a sleep-deprived mom to a toddler and a baby, but this book kept me up at night reading well past the hour when I should have been asleep.I read about this book in my alumni magazine (like the author, I am a graduate of the U of MN).When I read that the book chronicles not just one man lost in the wilderness, but two, each in different years and circumstances, I wondered how the author would manage to tell both stories without confusing the reader.He does it masterfully.The stories of the two men are woven seamlessly together, in alternating chapters, and the structure adds beautifully to the suspense.This is a terrific book.I highly recommend that you buy it right now. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boundary Waters Canoe Area    2. Essays & Travelogues    3. Minnesota    4. Search and rescue operations    5. Special Interest - Adventure    6. Travel    7. Travel - General    8. United States - Midwest - West North Central (General)    9. Wilderness survival    10. Travel / Adventure    11. True stories of endurance & survival   

Reviews (4)

It's in the name.
The phrase Survival Kit is in the title of this book, and that is exactly what is presented. Survival techniques are not the focus of this book, but assembling survival kits for various situations. In that regard, this book is extremely thorough giving many examples of assembling survival kits for just about every scenario be it personal, vehicle, boat, etc. He also provides many examples of the different survival tools available and where you can obtain these tools. There aren't an abundence of survival techniques in this book, but I don't think that was the author's goal. It's also a pretty dry read and when the author reveals what he carries with him at all times, I thought he was joking. This guy carries on 3 keychains something like 2 micro flashlights, 2 knives, a multitool, metal aspirin container, fire tinder in another aspirin container, and about 4 different tools for fire starting. And, that's just what I remember off the top of my head. He carries this stuff around all the time. While I find that completely ridiculous, the kits and all the tool recommendation make this book rate high for what it is. A guide to assembling survival kits. For actual techniqes, I'd go with another book.

Gadgetry vs survival
If you like gizmos..you'll love this book it is full of cool gear stuffed into all kindsof containers.If you like a kit based on practical survival philosophy and outdoor experience.... Look elsewhere.
Detailed and unique ideas
I found this book very helpful for use with my Scout troop.The author, while admittedly carries too much in his wallet and on his keychain (!), does an excellent job describing new and unique ways to create a variety of survival kits customized to your size and condition requirements. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Handbooks, manuals, etc    2. Outdoor Skills    3. Outdoor Survival Techniques    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Survival skills    7. Wilderness survival    8. Outdoor survival skills   

Reviews (4)

A coming of age book of tracking and survival.
This is a coming of age book by one of the great trackers and naturalists: Mark Elbroch.It is not just a journal of his life changing experience living off the land, however.It is also a book that contains very specific guidance on survival skills from pine tea to debris huts, baskets and cordage to fire, hunting and fishing to cooking and food storage, and many more, always emphasizing function over form.Thus, it's like two books in one.But it is his journal of survival and growth that will touch you; from his crying as he held the deer he had just killed, to his realization that when he eats an animal or a plant it becomes a part of him, and creates an obligation to do good in his life.While the survival information in the book is excellent, the journal portion tells, in Elbroch's words, "a story of learning rather than expertise."I for one enjoyed that, and I highly recommend this book.

Excellent guide
This book offers a terrific blend of the standard, "how-to" information of wilderness survival and a first-hand account of actually living it.I personally tend to absorb information much better when it's offered with personal experience.Nearly all wilderness survival guides on the market offer tons of information, but no personal experience.This book presents both in a very easy to read and enjoyable style. Five stars all the way.

Not just a survival guide!
This book is unlike anything I have seen to date (and I have almost every title on survival). The combination of detailed skills instruction and the first-hand account of their implementation in a true survival situation clearly illustrate how such skills are to be put to use. Definitely inspiring! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Outdoor Skills    2. Outdoor Survival Techniques    3. Outdoor life    4. Safety    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. United States    8. Wilderness survival    9. Outdoor survival skills    10. Sports & Recreation / Outdoor Skills   

Reviews (4)

I never leave home without it.
Although a bit heavy this book is a must for any serious outdoorsman. Whether you like mountaineering, ice or rock climbing, hiking, biking, canoeing, snowboarding, piloting or just simply travelling this book is suffused with helpful tips on staying alive.
What a Great Book!
This book is full of Information that anyone can use, especially if they are an outdoors person, or travel alot. You can not go wrong buying this book. Way to go Reid. Amazing Amount of Information
I certainly hope I don't have to use such fascinating information!Read more

Subjects:  1. Outdoor Skills    2. Personal & Practical Guides    3. Reference    4. Safety    5. Study Aids    6. Study Guides    7. Survival after airplane accide    8. Survival after airplane accidents, shipwrecks, etc    9. Survival skills    10. Test Prep    11. Wilderness survival    12. Outdoor survival skills    13. Sports & Recreation / Outdoor Skills   

Reviews (8)

Not very detailed
This book is best described as an overview.It lacks detail and covers too many subjects.

Great practical book
What I liked most about this book is that the author tried to strike a balance between using only the most basic and natural tools and using resources derived from civilization.

A bit overwhelmed...
Wow, this book is for someone who wants a little more nature than I could handle! I'm very glad the deer gutting is in black and white - I am still a bit overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information in the book. Haven't read it cover to cover yet, but can see why it's getting such high ratings.
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Subjects:  1. Nature    2. Nature / Field Guide Books    3. Nature/Ecology    4. Outdoor Skills    5. Reference    6. Sports & Recreation / Outdoor Skills    7. Outdoor life    8. Sports & Recreation    9. Survival skills    10. Wilderness survival   

Reviews (6)

wilderness living and... survival?!
Sure, this book claims to teaches you how to do a a lot of things to survive, except one thing: it doesn't teach you how to string up a log into the trees, so that when someone walks by and unwittingly pulls a trigger, the log comes swinging down and crushes them - like what Arnold Schwarzenegger did to Predator. I haven't yet figured out how a single person can do this, unless you're using a complex lever and pulley system. Anyways, you've really got to fortify some kind of defense if you want to survive, and at least encircle your lair with punji pits.

All you [might] need to know...
Gregory Davenport's book is a masterpiece of clarity and brevity, and it covers all the bases.Use it as a reference book, as opposed to a cover-to-cover read.For instance, it starts off with a chapter on making buckskin.It's just the right level of detail if you're tanning a hide, but too much for the casual reader.Another example is the wonderful chapter on making snares.Davenport lists some nineteen types, all illustrated, and all with a practical application.Davenport's education was clearly of the outdoor variety, at the expense of the indoor variety, resulting in some cumbersome syntax, and excessive passive voice, but perhaps his editor is more to blame for that.Overall, it is a genuine masterpiece, and my copy is already dog-eared with use.

Outstanding Book
I learned A LOT from his books, they offered a tremendous wealth of information for any wilderness enthusiast. It teaches you how to skin a deer, preserve the meat, build a shelter, start fires, and much more.Read more

Subjects:  1. Outdoor Skills    2. Outdoor life    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Wilderness survival    6. Outdoor survival skills   

Subjects:  1. Expeditions & Discoveries    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History: World    5. Holocaust    6. Special Interest - Adventure    7. Survival after airplane accidents, shipwrecks, etc    8. Wilderness survival    9. Europe    10. History / General    11. True stories of endurance & survival   

Reviews (14)

Fun to Read, by a man who knows his stuff
This book is still used and recommended by the Boulder Outdoor Survival School, possibly the most reputable school in the business.Larry Dean Olsen, the author, is a guru in the field, and quite an amusing writer as well.This book is a classic, having come out originally in 1967 (my copy is the 30th anniversary edition from 1997).This is not a book for weekend backpackers, it is a text for those who want to explore and preserve true primitive survival skills - living off the land, friction fires, etc.If that is what you are looking for, this book is a great choice.

I can't believe......................
On reading some of the foregoing reviews, I can't believe we're talking about the same book.I received my first copy of Outdoor Survival Skills in the late 60's and it was the first of the best.There have been many excellent survival/primitive living skill authors since - Tom Brown Jr., John McPherson, Richard Jamison, Kochanski, Mears, Graves, Janowski, more recently, Cody Lundin, and the list goes on.By the way, the reason it was my first copy, was because I lent it to someone, who I guess, appreciated it as much as I did, so I never saw it again. Not a "survive until rescued" book
This book is meant for the survival enthusiest.I.e. someone who likes to go out and intentionally spend weeks at a time living off the land.For them, this is a good book.Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Nature    3. Outdoor Skills    4. Outdoor Survival Techniques    5. Safety    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Wilderness survival    9. Outdoor survival skills    10. Sports & Recreation / Outdoor Skills   

Subjects:  1. Handbooks, manuals, etc    2. Outdoor Skills    3. Outdoor Survival Techniques    4. Outdoor recreation    5. Safety    6. Safety measures    7. Sports    8. Sports & Recreation    9. Survival skills    10. Wilderness survival    11. Active outdoor pursuits