THings you'd like to see

RescueRiley

RescueRiley

Joined
Mar 22, 2006
Messages
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in a survival book??? I have allot of these Probably around 25 or so and have read them all..allot of it is the same basic information which is recycled over and over.. Usually if I can glean 1or 2 bits of info form a book it;s a success. This makes sense because most surivival books are overviews for people who know little or nothing of bushcraft or survival.. so my question is, If you where to have input as to what went in to one of these books, What would it be? As a side note.. I personally find Ray mears books to be some of the best out there in terms of clear info, and reabilitiy.
 
I, like you, tend to find that survival books are all general overviews. I would like to see a series that takes one aspect for each book and really delves into that aspect.

For instance, book 1 could be shelters and each chapter could be a different type of shelter with sub chapters on where it is best suited, best materials etc. Maybe chapter one could be pancho shelters. Show each type of shelter that could be made from a pancho. Accesory items needed to make each type of shelter. Tips and tricks for using the pancho. (like making sure the shelter is open to the leeward and that the hood opening is also to the leeward side of the shelter).

Then move on to a different shelter for chapter two.

Book Two could be traps, show how to make each trap, which animals it's best suited for, best locations etc.

Book three could be edible plants( actually there should be several books on this (in my mind) one general purpose showing plants that are common to most areas then one book on each section of the U.S.).

Next could be Fires, different types of fires and ways to make them...


I think you get the idea.
David
 
This may sound dumb ,but I would like to see a Chapter on Knives, how to use them in different angles of "how to hold them" for this task with less fatigue to fingers ,wrist etc. I mean common sense tells you how to hold a knife,but no one every explains the different grips to use for certain bushcraft skills, small game etc.
I know how to use my knife effectively but am I using it correctly , I'd just like to see more depth of useage of Sharp tools,knives,axes, etc. just because I would not like to pass on bad habits to my son or friends. I guess that came out right ?
 
I'd like to see (or if there already is one, please recommend it) a book that does a better job of covering "urban" survival than most books out there.

Sort of an "here's little surprise places you can find drinkable water" Etc...
 
I'm there with you Riley. I have bought just about every survival book I've come across, and they generally have the same info. But if I can pick up a few new things it's worth it to me.
Christopher Nyerges puts out a guide that's more of a test booklet to practice skills in the field with. I'd love to see some more books like that. The author introduces a skill, step by step say, friction fire making. Then you take the manual with you into the field and test yourself by doing the steps. Breaking down skills into small parts would really help people grasp them better than the quick general overviews that are in most books.
 
Pictures. Lots of them detailing the building of x, or the design of y, because humans are more visual learners than just reading words. Does that make sense? Probably why Youtube is sooo popular. And I agree with BCCL, urban survival is where it's at, how to forage and protect yourself from others. Think Katrina.
 
Urban Survival is definitely overlooked and underappreciated. Most folks here, including yours truly, would probably head for the woods if TSHTF, but if you live in a bigger city, it might take a while to get to the woods. Knowing how to stay alive till you get there is pretty important.
 
Carolina River Rat said:
Urban Survival is definitely overlooked and underappreciated. Most folks here, including yours truly, would probably head for the woods if TSHTF, but if you live in a bigger city, it might take a while to get to the woods. Knowing how to stay alive till you get there is pretty important.
Click to expand...

Just buy Cody Lundins ' When all hell breaks loose ' covers all the urban survival to perfection !!!!:thumbup:
 
I would like to see more workbook type books. Even better if they were geared for kids. They could have lessons that covered a wide variety of skills in a step by step fasion. It would be great if they included space to write about the projects. It wouldnt have to be strictly survival, but outdoor skills in general. There could be consecutive volumes that had progessively more difficult skills. A chapter on fire, a chapter on water, a chapter on shelter, a chapter on carving, plant ID, cordage, cutlery, navagation, basket making, hunting tools, etc. Vol1 Chpt 5"the Rabbit Stick". Vol2 Chpt 5 "the Atlatl". Vol1 Chpt 6 "Spoon Carving" Vol 2 Chpt 6 "The Bowl". I think it would be a great. I would love to find a book like this for my nephews, son and even myself. I can read about things for ever but unless I do it I dont really know it.

Matt
 
I can't really find too much to fault with many that I have but I guess I'd like to see some location specific ones, 50% of the contents in mine talk about plants and trees etc that I don't have so can't use !!!!
 
I would like to see more materials that can be made into natural cordage. Most books only give a few kinds, and often times you can't find the damn plants mentioned.

More of a long-term situation thing, but I'd love to see a book showing how to recreate primitive technologies. How to build/make tools, find and work metals primitively, etc...a visual how-to of recreating the progression of technology through history.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
I would like to see more materials that can be made into natural cordage. Most books only give a few kinds, and often times you can't find the damn plants mentioned.

More of a long-term situation thing, but I'd love to see a book showing how to recreate primitive technologies. How to build/make tools, find and work metals primitively, etc...a visual how-to of recreating the progression of technology through history.
Click to expand...

+1 :thumbup:. I'm looking for something like that myself.
 
Oakietree said:
I would like to see more workbook type books. Even better if they were geared for kids. Matt
Click to expand...

That would be very cool. One with some fun quizzes, puzzles, word finds, coloring pages, and basic info (mostly safety-oriented) for my 9-yr-old would be awesome. Anyone know of one? She has a birthday coming up and of course camping/fishing season is upon us. (Finally! :) )
 
Echo4v said:
I, like you, tend to find that survival books are all general overviews. I would like to see a series that takes one aspect for each book and really delves into that aspect.

For instance, book 1 could be shelters and each chapter could be a different type of shelter with sub chapters on where it is best suited, best materials etc. Maybe chapter one could be pancho shelters. Show each type of shelter that could be made from a pancho. Accesory items needed to make each type of shelter. Tips and tricks for using the pancho. (like making sure the shelter is open to the leeward and that the hood opening is also to the leeward side of the shelter).

Then move on to a different shelter for chapter two.
Click to expand...

Beard, Daniel Carter, "Shelters, Shacks, and Shanties," Diver 2004 [reprint]. Shelters simple and complex explained and shown by B.S.A.'s first “Chief Scout.” Pretty much a chapter for each type.
 
I would love to see how people drill holes in stuff without a drill bit.
brain tanning leather.
making a knife or cutting implement if something were to happen to yours.
how to make alcohol...... he he.
 
A quote saying something to the effect," If you use common sense during your ordeal, most of this book is'nt relevant, don't panic and make things worse than they already are!":eek::foot::rolleyes::D

RescueRiley said:
in a survival book??? I have allot of these Probably around 25 or so and have read them all..allot of it is the same basic information which is recycled over and over.. Usually if I can glean 1or 2 bits of info form a book it;s a success. This makes sense because most surivival books are overviews for people who know little or nothing of bushcraft or survival.. so my question is, If you where to have input as to what went in to one of these books, What would it be? As a side note.. I personally find Ray mears books to be some of the best out there in terms of clear info, and reabilitiy.
Click to expand...
 
pitdog said:
I can't really find too much to fault with many that I have but I guess I'd like to see some location specific ones, 50% of the contents in mine talk about plants and trees etc that I don't have so can't use !!!!
Click to expand...

Thats what I would like to see also. Here in S Fla we have different stuff than 95% of the rest of the country. I have even thought of doing my own book on wild edibles found here and how to prepare them. Can't find much info on the net. There are little tidbits but I have to do some pretty intensive searches on specific plants. So it would begin there, whith what is here...
Most of the woodsy skills I am pretty comfortable with. Urban survival I am pretty ok with, but what to do when the grocery stores are all raided out?
Being stuck way down here on a peninsula could be a problem, or maybe even an advantage.
 
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