How to Stay Alive in the Woods by Bradford Angier (2001, Hardcover, Reprint)

This is the hardcover edition of the 1956 book of the same title by Bradford Angier. This book is absolutely remarkable - it has the ability to rearrange your priorities - to reassure anyone of their ability to SURVIVE in the 'WILD'. This book is basic, in the best sense of the word, to help focus on the essential needs to 'stay alive' until rescue or reaching civilization. Which foods supply the best nutrients? (its a sliding scale i.e. effort versus return on energy expended) What if you don't have a compass? What constitutes the best strategy/strategies for optimum success? Different considerations for an individual versus a group. Simply addressed - this book has its focus on 'necessity', literal survival imperatives, and shows why some well-known (and well thought of) strategies are ineffective. I purchased this book to expand and update my need for INDIVIDUAL help - I often hike alone (and I have for many years) and I need to be absolutely certain that all my current paradigms are sufficient (first aid kit adequate? shelter ideas OK? what to eat when I have nothing? what to prioritize first - food or shelter?) What if I break an ankle - a clear and absolute possibility - how do I get help? What constitutes the 'best' campsite? and better still (like all of this book), WHY? There are a few shortcomings (?) to the book, most notably the author's upbringing and background - raised in New Hampshire and living in British Columbia (so its most appropriate to those climates ...but covers desert and coastline problems) - but I found it incredibly helpful to reaffirm the essential needs of everyone that hikes 'off the grid', whether in a group or individually, that even if stranded with nothing, literally, that one can not only survive but live to tell about it.

Probably, like most people who own this book, I received mine as a gift. Perhaps some innate mountain man spirit or boy scout tendencies of mine made somebody think this was an appropriate present to give me around the holidays. Anyways, I appreciated the gift and have only recently gotten around to reading and reviewing it. In this edition of the book the cover is bound in olive drab, grip rubber, not unlike a basketball. This unique cover material makes the book a handsome and manly looking piece of literature if there ever was one.
So what about the content? Well, as a former soldier, I found much of the material consistent with standard military survival manuals, particularly when it comes to woodland survival. The language of the writing is classic 1950's American English, not too removed from those elitist publications put out by the East Coast gentry who cranked out books on every subject following the war. It is, however, not pretentious or condescending, Bradford Angier genuinely has written a book he hopes will assist the stranded, starvation-bound "Average Joe American (or Canadian)."
A fun and attractive book to read with at least a little insight into roughing it, either deliberately or not.
REVIEW EVERY BOOK YOU READ, AUTHORS, READERS AND PUBLISHERS DESERVE YOUR HONEST OPINIONS.

Comment

This book has been one of those things in life you can't stop until it's done then you want to restart the task over. It's some of the best reading I've done in years.

excellent resource, loaded with information, great for the hiker,camper and survivor. Rubber-like cover is a plus too