As someone who loves being in the great outdoors, I know the importance of being prepared for anything, which is why I read a lot of bushcraft books!
The best bushcraft books are:
- Best Overall: "Bushcraft 101: A Field Guide to the Art of Wilderness Survival"
- Best Budget: "The SAS Survival Handbook"
- Best for Advanced Bushcraft: "Advanced Bushcraft"
- Best for Edible Plants: "Edible Wild Plants: A North American Field Guide"
- Best for Shelter Building: "Shelters, Shacks, and Shanties"
When it comes to survival in the wilderness, there's no substitute for experience. However, reading the right books can help you gain bushcraft knowledge and insight that you might not be able to acquire on your own. That's why I've put together this list of some of the best bushcraft books out there. With these resources at your fingertips, you'll be better equipped to handle whatever challenges come your way in the great outdoors.
Key Takeaways
- The best overall bushcraft book: "Bushcraft 101: A Field Guide to the Art of Wilderness Survival"
- Essential bushcraft skills are: fire making, shelters, hunting, food, cordage, and first aid.
- Advanced bushcraft techniques are important to master after an initial introduction.
Table of Contents
Understanding Bushcraft
As someone who loves the outdoors, I've always been fascinated by bushcraft. It's a set of outdoor skills that allows you to survive and thrive in the wilderness, using only the resources available in nature. But where did this knowledge come from, and how has it evolved over time?
Bushcraft History
Bushcraft has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. Our ancestors used these skills to hunt, gather food, and protect themselves from predators.
As humans evolved and settled into communities, these skills became less essential for survival, but they were still passed down from generation to generation.
Modern Bushcraft
In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in bushcraft, as people look to reconnect with nature and learn the skills of our ancestors.
Today, bushcraft is seen as more than just a set of survival skills. It's a way of life that emphasizes self-reliance, sustainability, and a deep respect for the natural world.
But what exactly does bushcraft involve? At its core, it's about using your knowledge of the wilderness to survive and thrive. This includes skills like shelter building, fire starting, foraging for food and water, and navigation.
It also involves a deep understanding of the natural world, including the plants, animals, and weather patterns that surround you.
Top 5 Books for Bushcraft
1. Best Overall: "Bushcraft 101: A Field Guide to the Art of Wilderness Survival" by Dave Canterbury
Book Info
- Paperback
- 256 pages
- Published by Adams Media
Synopsis
This book covers all the basics of bushcraft, from building a shelter to finding and purifying water. It's easy to read and includes helpful illustrations and photographs.
What Sets This Book Apart
What sets this book apart is the author's extensive experience as a survival instructor. Dave Canterbury has spent over 20 years teaching wilderness survival skills, and his expertise shines through in this book.
Recent Updates
The latest edition of "Bushcraft 101" includes new information on primitive tools and weapons, as well as updated gear recommendations.
Benefits
- Comprehensive coverage of bushcraft basics
- Easy to read and understand
- Includes helpful illustrations and photographs
Drawbacks
- May be too basic for experienced outdoorsmen
- Some readers may find the author's writing style repetitive
Who Should Buy This Book?
This book is perfect for beginners who are just starting to explore the world of bushcraft. It's also a great resource for anyone who wants to brush up on their survival skills.
Where to Buy This Book
You can purchase "Bushcraft 101" on Amazon.
2. Best Budget: "The SAS Survival Handbook" by John 'Lofty' Wiseman
Book Info
- Paperback
- 672 pages
- Published by William Morrow Paperbacks
Synopsis
This book covers a wide range of advanced and basic skills , from navigating with a map and compass to making traps and snares. It's well-organized and easy to navigate, with helpful illustrations and photographs.
What Sets This Book Apart
What sets this book apart is the author's background as a former SAS soldier. John 'Lofty' Wiseman draws on his experience in the military to provide practical, real-world advice on survival.
Recent Updates
The latest edition of "The SAS Survival Handbook" includes new information on urban survival and disaster preparedness.
Benefits
- Comprehensive coverage of survival skills
- Well-organized and easy to navigate
- Includes helpful illustrations and photographs
Drawbacks
- Some readers may find the book too dense or technical
Who Should Buy This Book?
This book is perfect for those on a budget who want a comprehensive guide to survival skills. It's also a great resource for anyone interested in learning from a former SAS soldier.
Where to Buy This Book
You can purchase "The SAS Survival Handbook" on Amazon.
3. Best for Advanced Bushcraft: "Advanced Bushcraft" by Dave Canterbury
Book Info
- Paperback
- 256 pages
- Published by Adams Media
Synopsis
This book is geared towards more experienced outdoorsmen and covers advanced bushcraft skills such as making bows and arrows and building long-term shelters. It includes detailed illustrations and photographs.
What Sets This Book Apart
What sets this book apart is its focus on advanced skills, making it a great resource for those looking to take their bushcraft to the next level. The author's expertise as a survival instructor also shines through in this book.
Recent Updates
The latest edition of "Advanced Bushcraft" includes new information on fire-starting methods and updated gear recommendations.
Benefits
- Comprehensive coverage of advanced bushcraft skills
- Detailed illustrations and photographs
- Written by an experienced survival instructor
Drawbacks
- May be too advanced for beginners
- Some readers may find the author's writing style repetitive
Who Should Buy This Book?
This book is perfect for experienced outdoorsmen who want to take their bushcraft skills to the next level. It's also a great resource for anyone who wants to learn from an experienced survival instructor.
Where to Buy This Book
You can purchase "Advanced Bushcraft" on Amazon.
4. Best for Edible Plants: "Edible Wild Plants: A North American Field Guide" by Thomas Elias and Peter Dykeman
Book Info
- Paperback
- 288 pages
- Published by Sterling
Synopsis
This book focuses specifically on identifying and using edible plants in North America. It includes detailed illustrations and photographs to help with plant identification.
What Sets This Book Apart
What sets this book apart is its narrow focus on edible plants, making it a great resource for those looking to forage for food in the wilderness.
Recent Updates
The latest edition of "Edible Wild Plants" includes updated information on plant identification and uses.
Benefits
- Comprehensive coverage of edible plants in North America
- Detailed illustrations and photographs
- Narrow focus on edible plants
Drawbacks
- May be too specific for those looking for a more general bushcraft guide
Who Should Buy This Book?
This book is perfect for anyone interested in foraging for food in the wilderness. It's also a great resource for those looking to expand their knowledge of edible plants in North America.
Where to Buy This Book
You can purchase "Edible Wild Plants" on Amazon.
5. Best for Shelter Building: "Shelters, Shacks, and Shanties” by D.C. Beard
Book Info
- Paperback
- 256 pages
- Published by Skyhorse
Synopsis
This book is a classic guide to building shelters in the wilderness. It includes detailed instructions and illustrations for building a wide range of shelters, from simple lean-tos to more complex cabins.
What Sets This Book Apart
What sets this book apart is its focus on shelter-building, making it a great resource for those looking to build their own shelter in the wilderness. The author's writing style is also engaging and easy to read.
Recent Updates
There have been no recent updates to this book, as it was originally published in 1914.
Benefits
- Comprehensive coverage of shelter-building techniques
- Detailed instructions and illustrations
- Engaging and easy-to-read writing style
Drawbacks
- Some readers may find the information outdated or irrelevant to modern wilderness survival
Who Should Buy This Book?
This book is perfect for those interested in building their own shelter in the wilderness. It's also a great resource for those interested in the history of wilderness survival.
Where to Buy This Book
You can purchase "Shelters, Shacks, and Shanties" on Amazon.
How to Choose a Bushcraft Book
When choosing a bushcraft book, it's important to consider your level of experience and the specific skills you want to learn.
Beginner-Friendly
If you're new to bushcraft, "Bushcraft 101" by Dave Canterbury is a great place to start. It covers all the basics of wilderness survival and is easy to read with helpful illustrations and photographs.
Budget-Pick
If you're on a budget, "The SAS Survival Handbook" by John 'Lofty' Wiseman is a comprehensive guide to survival skills that won't break the bank. It's well-organized and includes practical advice from a former SAS soldier.
Advanced Bushcraft
For more advanced bushcraft skills, "Advanced Bushcraft" by Dave Canterbury is a great resource. It covers skills such as making bows and arrows and building long-term shelters, and includes detailed illustrations and photographs.
Foraging and Food Gathering
If you're interested in foraging for food in the wilderness, "Edible Wild Plants" by Thomas Elias and Peter Dykeman is a comprehensive guide to identifying and using edible plants in North America.
Shelter Building
Finally, if you're looking to build your own shelter in the wilderness, "Shelters, Shacks, and Shanties" is a classic guide to shelter-building techniques. Keep in mind that some of the information may be outdated, as the book was originally published in 1914.
Overall, it's important to choose a bushcraft book that aligns with your specific interests and skill level. Do your research and read reviews before making a purchase to ensure you're getting the most out of your reading experience.
Additional Bushcraft Resources
As someone who loves bushcraft, I'm always looking for new resources to help me improve my skills. Here are a few additional resources that you might find helpful:
Online Resources
There are plenty of great bushcraft resources online. One of my favorites is the Bushcraft USA forum. It's a great place to connect with other bushcraft enthusiasts, ask questions, and learn new outdoor survival skills.
Another great resource is the Pathfinder School YouTube channel. The channel is run by Dave Canterbury, one of the most respected names in the bushcraft community. He shares tips, tricks, and tutorials on everything from fire starting to shelter building.
Bushcraft Schools
If you're really serious about learning bushcraft, attending a school is a great way to get hands-on instruction from experts.
One of the most well-known bushcraft schools is the Pathfinder School, which was founded by Dave Canterbury. They offer a variety of courses, from primitive skills to advanced bushcraft techniques. Another great school is the Jack Mountain Bushcraft School. They offer courses in everything from canoeing to winter survival.
About THE AUTHOR
Brittany Melling
Brittany has been in the land business since 2020 when the world was starting to shut down. Since then, we’ve sold to dozens of people from ATV weekend warriors to camping enthusiasts to retired truck drivers. Our inventory spans mostly in the western United States. We’ve been trained by experience, land acquisition courses, and hundreds of hours meeting with county assessors and clerks, zoning officials, realtors, and land investors. We’ve answered hundreds of questions from people regarding the buying and use of land.
Read More About Brittany Melling
