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Outdoor survival skills,by Larry Dean Olsen

Joined
Apr 14, 2008
Messages
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Came accros a survival book I had not heard of before. The forward says that the author was the consultant for survival skills in the Jeriamiah Johnson movie. Looks like an older book. Anyone familiar with it. Reviews?
 
I believe you are talking about the book written by Larry Dean Olsen. I bought that one in the early 80's. It is a good book.

Mike
 
One of the first I ever read. A classic imho.

The recommended gear is fun to compare with what most of us carry now.
 
I loved this book as a kid. I've got a weathered copy that was my companion through many educational bush outings. The interesting part about this book is that it is mostly comprised of good pictures rather than drawings. Larry Dean Olsen is one of the most respected authors and teachers in the circle, from what I hear from the older guys.
 
I bought this book back in the early '70's. It was one of the first of its kind that I had ever found. It was a great book back then... and still is today. I loaned out my old, dog eared copy and it never found its way home again. I will buy another copy soon: that's how good this book is. Buy it. Don't be without it.
 
I bought that book in 1972. It is the book which started this survival obsession with me. It is still one of my absolute favorites. I read through it, spent around one month practicing in my yard (huge yard I lived on a farm). When I felt I had enough grasp of the skills therein I took off into the hills for a couple weeks with the dog. I was stuck on this stuff from that point on.

My next book was Bushcraft by Graves. Was introduced to that one by my woodshop teacher.

I was lucky going to a smaller country school in those days a lot of the teachers hunted and fished. Our biology teacher taught rock climbing to his students. Kids today just don't get the same opportunities.
 
Interesting book probably worth reading because covers wide range of skills but to be honest I prefer more straight-forward, rational oriented books.
 
I bought this book back in the early '70's. It was one of the first of its kind that I had ever found. It was a great book back then... and still is today. I loaned out my old, dog eared copy and it never found its way home again. I will buy another copy soon: that's how good this book is. Buy it. Don't be without it.

Hey dawsonbob, I had the same thing happen. First one I bought was back in late '60s - lent it out - never saw it again. Since then I don't lend my books to anyone!

BTW, you might want to replace it soon. Books have a tendency of being 'here today, and gone tomorrow', although Olsen's has really demonstrated some staying power.

Doc
 
Hi, Doc,

It's on my short list of things to get when I have some money. When I first got it, I very nearly wore it out, reading and re-reading it. I think I must have almost memorized it back then, though as I get older, and memory fades, I need to read it again.
 
I got my copy in 1980 or 1981. I was in college at the time, and knew the author's daughter there. She was a nice girl.

It is a classic, definitely worth having.
 
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