Woodcraft and Camping

The book looks extremely interesting and I am looking forward to reading it. I wish the print was a little larger but that may be my old eyes.

This book most definitely exceeded my expectations. A quick note to some, however...if you are looking for a fun book to mostly page through to look at illustrations, and to just read a bit here and there, this isn’t the book for you. This book is a joy to read, funny at times, and on the whole entertaining, but to be appreciated, it requires you to sit down and read its pages. While this book is over one hundred years old, it is amazing how so much of it is so directly applicable to today. Yes, many of the things discussed in the book are outdated, but the heart and soul of the work are as fresh today as when it was written. In this literary treasure, George W. Sears, aka “Nessmuk”, grants us modern readers a window into a bygone age of our American heritage. He describes some of his outdoor adventures which took place in a part of America which no longer exists as it did for him in the late nineteenth century. This aspect of the book reminds me in a way of Edward Abbey’s Desert Solitaire. At the same time, the conservationist in Sears speaks to us of a fish and game conservation ethic which easily pairs with the writings of Aldo Leopold. Perhaps one of the more surprising aspects of this book is Sears’ treating of the subject of go-light wilderness gear principles, which feels to be quite ahead of its time. As an aside, many years ago, a dear mentor of mine in the ways of the outdoors made a humorous reference to something he had once read in a book regarding a lightweight canoe outfit. For twenty-some years I wondered where that reference came from, and if I’d ever be able to find it. When I read this book, I finally discovered that passage!

I loved the book. Could I find info elsewhere that would fit today's available equipment better? Definitely. Would this book tell me what I need to know in a grid down you're stuck with what you have or what you can make yourself situation? Definitely. I liked the style and the old wood lore. Some of it looked like my old Boy Scout Handbook, which I wish I could get my hands on. I am so glad I bought it. It has made me rethink just what I need for a wilderness adventure. His 20 pounds for an adventure hits the mark for today's go-bag goal. Ultra-light backpackers could learn a lot from Mr. Nessmuk. His tales about campfire making brought back fond memories of counseling at some church camps in the redwoods where everything was dripping wet in the mornings. I taught city kids how to build a decent fire with one match and keep it at a safe, usable level so we didn't need a redwood tree to keep it going, and how we needed to put it out cold before we left camp or hit the sack at night. Nessmuk shared some good stuff in a way I can relate to. I enjoyed it immensely.

Cool glance into the history of camping for recreation. A little dated in the language but the philosophy is what this book is all about. If you like books by Jack London you will enjoy this memoir style camping book. The book combines instructional techniques with personal stories and scenarios around those techniques. It covers canoeing, camping, cooking, fishing and hunting and what it was like to brave the wilderness before all of the modern gear that is available to us now. People don't realize how unnecessary all the cumbersome amenities of modern life are when on an extended trek through the bush. All you need it the right knowledge and attitude and even the simplest pieces of gear like a belt knife will seem like versatile multitools. Great read for young scouts or anyone looking to expand their knowledge of the natural world.

Out of all the antique camping/outdoors books (like Kephart and similar), I liked this one the most. I only wish it was a longer book because it had me hooked and I could read it for hours. This is more is a “story” book (for lack of better words) than a modern how-to style book (though he does mention how to do stuff and what to pack). It’s like listening to a great great grandfather tell amazing stories of camping in remote lands with minimal, but quality gear. Makes you realize how skilled these men were and they were able to thrive on n their knowledge and experience instead of fancy gadgets. Nessmuk was a true woodsman, and this book is worth its weight in gold.

This is a great book- a gem, really. For those looking to extend their understanding on bushcraft and related subjects, it does have a good amount of info. I enjoy the style of writing and it's helpful in how it goes beyond the technical to speak simply and seamlessly of the philosophies without getting lost in a tangent. My being also from the Adirondacks, he is speaking in a language I understand and shares beliefs I very much agree with. For anyone else, I think it's still going to be a fairly quick, enjoyable read and can be highly relatable. I would hope more people could go into the woods and be able to come out not depleted, but instead revived.

Quite a lovely read, and the information that was written in the 1800s is still of significant value to this day. George Washington Sears (Nessmuk) is, in my opinion, the grandfather of modern bushcraft, and was probably the first outdoorsman to publish a practical guide for camping and living in the woods. This is a man who spent most of his life in the wilderness. Nessmuk gives a detailed account of his many experiences (and the experiences of those he knew) in the woods, some of which are down-right funny ;). He covers a wide variety of topics, from fishing to setting up a camp, and from canoeing to building/managing a fire. Some of his best advice is to pack light, plan in advance, and to be in contact with Nature rather than to think of the wilderness as an enemy. He teaches us to take things slow - not to rush or get stressed out, but to embrace your surroundings and become one with the forest. 'Woodcraft and Camping' is an essential handbook for anyone passionate about the outdoors. It is best to read it before trekking in the woods; but just the very words of Nessmuk paint a beautiful wilderness in our own minds, and he will be right beside us.

This book is amazing and is in my humble opinion a great way to re aquaint yourself with the outdoors. From the authors stand point it talks simple and direct about going and enjoying the wilderness, and that you do not need a ton of extra stuff to enjoy yourself. Feel like you have gotten into an outdoors rut, think you need a travel camper, fancy trailers, and such to enjoy the woods? Dare to rethink these ideas and create your own renaissance. Remember your days of youth when you went into the woods with the barest of supplies all stuffed into a bedroll? Long for those days of adventure? Need to just relax with no frills? Then Buy and read this book and renew yourself with a brand new "old" knowledge from a classic sage of the wilderness. Really decompress yourself on your next outing. I have and glad I did. ( I will say during mosquito season I do bring some deep woods off, lol just saying) hope this helps some folks out there that need to just go and enjoy. ps stuffed shirt,grammar picky ,afraid of the woods folks this aint for you.....or is it?