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Was listening to Coast-to-Coast the other night and they had on as a guest, professional British soldier with the Special Air Service and author John “Lofty” Wiseman, author of the SAS Survival Handbook which adresses numerous topics of survival in all climates.
Was wondering if any of you have owned the book personaly and what you thought of it. It's had very high ratings everywhere I've looked online.....
PS...... there have been several editions over the years, so if you've read or currently own it, please let us know which edition.
The book has valuable but superficial comments about surviving anything anywhere. It's interesting to read about surviving in the jungle or at sea even if you live in the Sonora Desert.
My survival library contains specific works which are as complete as possible for the intended purpose. For example, when I lived in the Central Rockies I purchased and read works on avalanches, winter mountaineering, cold weather survival, and hypothermia. I have more than one work on each. To think that a few pages or, worse yet, sentences, in a very general work will save your life is silly.
''Lofty'' is writing for the armchair survivalist. It's not bad at all for bathroom reading, but don't expect anything else.
The survivalist needs the most complete library obtainable. He needs to learn the skills mentioned along with their theoretical backgrounds and to practice and experiment.
If the tyro wishes some comprehensive reading in on work I suggest Horace Kephart, Cody Lundin, and Colin Fletcher. There are others as well. Backpacker, the magazine, has many articles. Read about the various environments; survival skills will follow naturally.
I have had a copy for several years, not sure which printing. I have it in my daypack for when I go hunting. When sitting on a stand or during luls, it gives me something to read.
Pretty good basic information, not site specific so depending on where you are, the information may be lacking, but as a general source of information, what's in there is good.
If someone is planning on trying to survive, they need information specific to where they are. Plants, animals, terrain, where to find water will all vary depending on location. Basic "rule of thumb" information is fine, but doesn't give you precise information, and precise information on local plants and animals can be the difference between living and dying.
As a general resource, The SAS handbook is good, but there are better resources available for specifics.
It is good as a "contributing member" of a much larger, more detailed and all-encompassing library. I have similar manuals from the United States Army, the Royal Canadian Air Force, etc.
As always, the best manual is the one you've written in your head; the one that's based on reading and real-world practice.
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