A collection of literature I have found to be useful over
the years for
learning Bushcraft and the outdoors skills. Most of the comments on this page
are not my personal reviews of the books, they are mostly retailers blurbs and
customer reviews, however I have checked the text and only published it here if
I believe it to be true. Please enjoy my recommendations...
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Ray Mears Outdoor Survival Handbook
First published in 1992, this became my first Bushcraft
book and was a great seclude for me as a kid travelling on the school bus. It
captivated my mind, gave me new skills that I could get out and try and taught
me more about the natural-world. Its a great starter for any Bushcrafter.
Here's Woodlore's blurb: "It was the first comprehensive
guide on bushcraft and survival tips, and provides the reader with numerous
skills and in-depth knowledge of fire-making, useful plants and shelter
techniques." - it should say and more!.. it gives recommendations on kit,
links and contact details to relevant organisations, game preperation and wild
food and much more!
ISBN-10: 0091878861 | ISBN-13:
978-0091878863
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Wildlife of Britain (Hardcover) (DK Reference)
 Synopsis
Take a spectacular photographic look at Britain's flora and fauna. From
golden eagles in the Scottish Highlands to Portuguese Man 'o' War
jellyfish off the coast of Cornwall, Britain boasts an astonishing array
of wildlife and habitat. Explore its extraordinary beauty, diversity and
wonder from the comfort of your front room. British wildlife is revealed
habit by habitat: trees, flowers and plants, fungi, insects, reptiles,
amphibians, mammals, invertebrates, fish and birds are all profiled;
changes through the seasons are uncovered; and key information on when
and where to experience first hand such plants and animals is provided.
It provides outstanding reference for all the family; a visual testimony
to the extraordinary scope and depth of Britain's wildlife.
My Review - Ashley Cawley from
NaturalBushcraft
Firstly as I opened this book I was astounded with
some of the most beautiful photography of nature I have ever seen,
numerous once in a life time shots showing nature in all its beauty.
This huge 500 page book is a superb reference guide to all wildlife in
Britain, but its so much more than that, its so enjoyable to sit and
browse through learning new species, animal behaviours and more. From
Lichen to Butterflies, Toads to great ancient trees, birds, lizards and
fish, mamals, bugs and wild-flowers its all in here! One of the best
books on my shelf.
| Review By |
G. I.
Forbes (edinburgh)
8 May 2008 |
This excellent book is undoubtedly what wildlife
enthuasiasts have been waiting for as it covers the whole field so
seperate guides are unnecessary.Following a tour of Britain the 6types
of habitat are described in detail.Thhe main part of the book deals with
the various species namely mammels,birds,reptiles and
amphibians,fish,invertebrates,plants and fungi.Each section starts with
a piece on anatomy and identification followed by apicture of each
specamin with a short description and distribution map.The one fault
ofthe book is that many ofv the best pictures cover two pages destroying
the integrity o the subject.Highly recommended and a great buy at £20 |
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Bushcraft
- An Inspirational Guide to Surviving the Wilderness
(Hardcover)
Ray Mears has lived off the land in the world's most
inhospitable places, and Bushcraft is a coffee table-style
encapsulation of that hard-won knowledge and experience. Aspiring
travellers will find hundreds of life-saving tips here, and even if you
plan to stick pretty closely to the beaten track (say, your garden), the
specialist information contained in chapters on survival essentials like
finding and purifying water, establishing fires and shelter, cordage
(the joys of making your own string), and living off the land (grubs and
the like), is fascinating in itself--in the tradition of TV's finest
"natural history" output.
Elsewhere, Mears establishes some basic principles
about equipment--with brief guides to the right sort of knives, axes,
rucksacks etc--and runs through his own kit for the various climates of
the world. But be warned, it's doubtful whether this information will do
more than arm you with the ability to make semi-informed choices in the
shop. Will this book prepare you for the world's wildernesses? Yes and
no. It is an entertaining, informative introduction to the survival
mindset which will have even the sofa-bound thirsting for adventure, but
aside from the solid core knowledge--which regular wanderers will find
pitched at roughly intermediate level--the region-specific practical
information looks sketchy.
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Mushrooms
Collins Gem
 Synopsis
This handy, practical guide offers a quick way for beginners to identify
mushrooms and toadstools Collins Gem Mushrooms describes almost 240 species of
mushrooms and toadstools to be commonly found in Britain. Portable and clear, it
is the ideal guide for those out foraging for fungi! Each mushroom or toadstool
entry includes: * A photograph, illustration and clear description of its
appearance * Details of size, habitat and when it can be found * Whether it is
edible or poisonous * The names of similar species with which the mushrooms or
toadstools could be confused, and details of the differences between them.
This book is available on the right.
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| Bushcraft Survival
 This
great book is more about the stories, journeys and indigenous peoples
that Ray has encountered on his travels. Its not so much a guide or an
in-depth look at skill sets but a look at different cultures,
environments and techniques, featuring beautiful photography and people
from all over the world.
Amazon Reviewer:
By M.
D Roberts (Gwent, United Kingdom)
I wish I was 21 again .....
For those who enjoyed the BBC series by the same name,
this will be a welcome addition to their library. While the book cannot
really compete with the impact, immediacy, entertainment and atmosphere
of that provided by the TV series, it is surely the next best thing.
Revealing an enormous depth of knowledge, Ray Mears shows
how to construct shelters from the elements suitable for virtually any
time of the year amid a variety of locations and environments.
He approaches such elementary tasks such as how to
light a good fire in all types of weathers, using the materials readily
available in the wild, together with many other essential everyday
skills needed to survive in the great outdoors. Skills which Ray ably
shows can be used almost anywhere in the world.
Applying essential Bushcraft skills, Ray demonstrates
their application throughout a variety of differing situations and
locations. Providing a somewhat different approach to Ray's earlier
works, the expertise and experience of a number of others are also
brought into the context of this excellent study providing an added
interest during Ray's travels. Ray continues to live the dream of so
many in an excellent book which is replete with excellent photographs
and tips throughout. I wish I was 21 again ......
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Food for Free
Collins Gem
 Synopsis
Fans of Food for Free will be delighted at this new format -- ideal for carrying
in a rucksack. Over 100 edible plants are featured together with recipes and
other interesting culinary information. With details on how to pick, when to
pick and regulations on picking. This new format of a best-selling title
provides a portable guide for all those who enjoy what the countryside has to
offer. Over 100 plants are listed, fully illustrated and described, together
with recipes and other fascinating information about their use throughout the
ages. The recipes are listed so that you can plan your foray with a feast in
mind. This is the ideal book for both nature-lovers and cooks. Particularly with
today's emphasis on the freshest and most natural of foods. There is also
practical advice on how to pick plus the countryside laws and regulations on
picking wild plants.
This book is available on the right.
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| Animal Tracks and Signs (Pocket Nature Guide)
(Hardcover)
People view nature in many different ways. Some enjoy
the big picture - the shapes, the colours, the sounds and wide-open
spaces. Others gain particular pleasure from spotting and identifying a
certain bird or plant. Animal Tracks and Signs makes it possible to
identify mammals and birds that have passed by from the traces they
leave behind them - whether footprints, feeding marks, homes, hiding
places, pellets or droppings.
With over 240 colour photographs and hundreds of
drawings this book brings everything you see on country walks to life!
| Review By |
"joker591"
Comprehensive...
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I can't praise this book enough...if you're at this page
and you haven't got a copy, why not? It details not only footprints and
tracks, but feeding signs, droppings, pellets etc. Nice clear, colourful
illustrations and photos, too! Yes, it covers some animals you are
unlikely to encounter in the UK (brown bear, anyone?) but that's in
addition to in-depth coverage of our more 'local' wildlife... |
| Ray Mears - Essential Bushcraft
 This
paperback book was published in June 2003 due to huge public demand for
a condensed version of Ray's best-selling hardback book Bushcraft.
At only 200mm x 143mm it will easily fit into your rucksack.
| Review By |
"ed-orama"
An Invaluble Guide! |
The title says it all really, this book contains
ESSENTIAL bushcraft skills. This is a condensed version of his larger
book 'Bushcraft' and as it was released after the first one, it actually
has more upto date photographs and some new information. It is very
nicely presented with a hard-wearing paperback cover, 240 glossy FULL
colour pages with loads of really helpfull information.
It has the following chapters:
OUTFIT
CUTTING TOOLS
WATER
FIRE
SHELTER
CORDAGE
HITTING THE TRAIL
LIVING FROM THE LAND.
As you can see, everything you need to get out there
and stay alive! There are loads of 'survival' and 'bushcraft' books, and
this book will not tell you how to deliver a baby or give an emergency
cesarean like the SAS survival book, however this isn't its aim. Ray
Mears has succeeded in delivering a well-thought out and VERY
informative book on how to live in the wild whilst causing as little
disturbance to the natural habitat as possible. Invaluable reading!
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| Trees of Britain and Europe
(Hamlyn Guide)
- Paperback:
320 pages
- Publisher:
Hamlyn (1 Jan 2005)
- Language
English
- ISBN-10:
0753709570
- ISBN-13:
978-0753709573
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SAS Survival
Guide
Collins Gem
Amazon.co.uk Review
What would you do if you were in the middle of a tropical rain forest and one
of your party was bitten by a bug or a snake? Do you know how to choose a
knife or how and when to abandon ship? The Collins Gem SAS Survival Guide
has the answer to these--and many, many other--essential survival questions
for anybody wanting to trade the supermarket for the scrub and get back to
nature.
The pocket-size guide covers everything from the essential survival kit and
pouch to disaster strategies for those who find themselves facing natural
disasters such as hurricanes, avalanches, floods, tornadoes, active volcanoes,
floods, lightening and earthquakes. And just in case nature proves too much
for such precautions, there is an extremely comprehensive section on health
and first aid.
Illustrated throughout with numerous black-and-white line drawings and
colour photographs for identifying wild plants and animals, this is a
well-produced, compact and comprehensive guide for all would-be explorers.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Synopsis
Whether lost on a mountain, trapped in your car by a blizzard or stranded in a
desert, this book is designed as the ideal guide to survival. Written by one
of the SAS' leading survival experts, this book includes life-saving
strategies and information on subjects such as camp craft, what to eat and how
to obtain it, first aid and keeping healthy, moving through different terrain
and signalling for rescue and surviving specific scenarios.
This book is available on the right.
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