Official Book Thread!

**ParaFish** · 11-15-2008, 11:07 PM

Hello,

I am a city boy who has recently reached my first mid-life crisis (I'm 25 by the way). Anyway, I have played video games / worked in an office job all my life. Recently, I got this great inspiration to try and live off the land.

I guess I became this way after realizing that I have absolutely no skills. Yes, I graduated college and yes I can push papers. But, aside from that I can't build a house, I can't find food on my own, I can't do anything manly.

I just realized recently that if it weren't for companies, corporations, and access to money; I would have absolutely no way of providing for myself and my family.

I really want to begin developing important survival skills as a sort of new hobby. I will look up information in the following weeks on the forums and such but I need a point of reference that I can begin this great adventure.

I am looking for a book that is practical and has lots of information geared toward newbie survivalist. Remember, I'm a city boy who doesn't have a clue about anything not made by mankind. Please give me your stories of how you got into this and what steps I should take to get into this to learn the skills I need.

I know I can't go walking into the woods with a machete and expect to survive like they do in the movies. I don't want my passion to go on the back burner or anything so please let me know how I can get this thing started properly.

Thanks

**Sourdough** · 11-15-2008, 11:13 PM

There is tons of data in the threads on this forum......better than any book. Use the search mode befor asking questions, or they have a cow. O'Yea welcome.

And if you happen to be wealthy, I have a private school.

**crashdive123** · 11-15-2008, 11:16 PM

ParaFish - good introduction. The best advice I can offer up is to take small steps. Trying to do everything at once can be overwhelming. Since you live in the city, figure out what some of the biggest threats to your survival are and start taking steps in that direction. Before you know it you'll be comfortable with your abilities.

BTW - that whole midlife crisis thing at 25

I've got socks as old as you.

Welcome to the forum.

**nell67** · 11-15-2008, 11:24 PM

What hopeak said,the forum is loaded with information,another place to look is the elder people in your community,a wealth of under utilized information.
Since this sounds like an introduction,maybe one of the mods will move it to that forum for you.

Welcome to the wolfpack!

**ericka** · 11-16-2008, 12:09 AM

I am a city girl and i got my start with Backwoods Home magazine. Alot of nice articles step by step instructions and they have books that i now own that helped me.

**Sarge47** · 11-16-2008, 01:44 AM

Originally Posted by ericka

I am a city girl and i got my start with Backwoods Home magazine. Alot of nice articles step by step instructions and they have books that i now own that helped me.

You haven't posted an intro yet. That's considered somewhat rude, please do so right away, thanks.

**Sarge47** · 11-16-2008, 01:48 AM

Originally Posted by ParaFish

Hello,

I am a city boy who has recently reached my first mid-life crisis (I'm 25 by the way). Anyway, I have played video games / worked in an office job all my life. Recently, I got this great inspiration to try and live off the land.

I guess I became this way after realizing that I have absolutely no skills. Yes, I graduated college and yes I can push papers. But, aside from that I can't build a house, I can't find food on my own, I can't do anything manly.

I just realized recently that if it weren't for companies, corporations, and access to money; I would have absolutely no way of providing for myself and my family.

I really want to begin developing important survival skills as a sort of new hobby. I will look up information in the following weeks on the forums and such but I need a point of reference that I can begin this great adventure.

I am looking for a book that is practical and has lots of information geared toward newbie survivalist. Remember, I'm a city boy who doesn't have a clue about anything not made by mankind. Please give me your stories of how you got into this and what steps I should take to get into this to learn the skills I need.

I know I can't go walking into the woods with a machete and expect to survive like they do in the movies. I don't want my passion to go on the back burner or anything so please let me know how I can get this thing started properly.

Thanks

Cody Lundin has two books that can help you. Check out the books listed on my Blog, it's a start. Next, go down to your local Scout Troop & talk to the Scoutmasters, maybe they can help. If the 1st Troop can't help, don't give up, in a big city there should be more.

**klkak** · 11-16-2008, 02:21 AM

I've got a survival story for you.

There was this bunch of God fearing folks who were traveling to California. When they got to the Sierra Nevada mountains it was late fall. They new they should have waited till spring before crossing the mountains but decided to make a go of it anyway. Well they got snowed in high in this mountain pass. First they ran out of food so they started eating the mules and oxen. Then they ran out of the mules and oxen and started dying. So the ones that was still alive started eating the ones that died. History has given to referring to the poor folks who survived in the mountains the name: 'The Donner Party". A bit of time passed and the ones still alive were rescued and taken down out of the mountains into California. Levinah Jackson Murphy also known as Mary Murphy was one of the surviving members of the Donner Party. She married a man named Charles Covillaud and they lived on Mr. Covillauds ranch. Some years later a town was established on the Covillaud ranch. The townsfolk decided to name the new town Marysville after Charles Covillaud's wife. The area where the Donner party was stranded is now called "Donner Pass".

This of course is the short version of the story. However you can learn allot from it.

**chiye tanka** · 11-16-2008, 02:33 AM

Para, welcome to the pack. Your first post was a good one, and all the members that have responded are full of knowledge in one field or another. Hopeak is absolutely right about the search mode. There folks here from all walks of life and all the ones I've spoke with have been full of help, just pay attention and try to soak it all in.

**crashdive123** · 11-16-2008, 08:32 AM

ParaFish - I should have mentioned the most obvious resource. We have many members living in the same sort of environment as you that can probably help with any specific questions you may have. If you can't find the answer, ask away.

**tsitenha** · 11-16-2008, 08:56 AM

Welcome Parafish, start your journey by taking walks around your neighborhood and extending them as the days go. Then find some quiet, green "safe" place and extend the hours of listening and getting used to nature, extend those into day hikes, day camping and so on till your are comfortable with these newer experiences. Practice your skills (fire starting, shelter making, hiking, breaking in boots or just setting up your pack, etc...) and expand then slowly as you get competent with them. Make weekend trips and get used to your gear and pare it down or add too as experience dictates.
Small incremental steps will lead to success and a better return for your efforts.

**snakeman** · 11-16-2008, 09:11 AM

I i were you, para, I'd start with learning the four essentials (shelter, fire, water, food) And practicing them. As for a book, my favorite has been SAS survival handbook by Johny wiseman. and you could go to an army/navy store and they'll probably have old survival books. I got one of mine there.

**wareagle69** · 11-16-2008, 09:12 AM

para- where abouts do you live? reason i ask is all around there are groups that get together at no cost and share ideas, this forum is a great start but sometimes it can get off track and so forth, also it can be intimidating to try to learn something like outdoor skills so overwellming where to start that some just give up, break the skills down into manageable tasks, for me one of the first would be firestarting and also a possibles bag(some call this a bug out bag but i am not an extremist more of a realist)
books ray mears has some of the best cody lundins are also good as for a magazine that use more than my books pick up a copy of wilderness way if you like it i would suggest buying all 50 some back issues about 250 dollars but better than most books and i would know i have paid a few thousand for all my books also the woodsmaster video series is also great so is chrs nygeres books and videos.
take it easy and relax we still have a bit of time before crap happens how do i know well i am good freinds with pale rider ( crashes good buddy oh by the way crash said he had socks older than you he would have said underroos but he goes commando must be a submariner thang) any how para welcome and have fun

**ParaFish** · 11-16-2008, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by wareagle69

para- where abouts do you live? reason i ask is all around there are groups that get together at no cost and share ideas, this forum is a great start but sometimes it can get off track and so forth, also it can be intimidating to try to learn something like outdoor skills so overwellming where to start that some just give up, break the skills down into manageable tasks, for me one of the first would be firestarting and also a possibles bag(some call this a bug out bag but i am not an extremist more of a realist)
books ray mears has some of the best cody lundins are also good as for a magazine that use more than my books pick up a copy of wilderness way if you like it i would suggest buying all 50 some back issues about 250 dollars but better than most books and i would know i have paid a few thousand for all my books also the woodsmaster video series is also great so is chrs nygeres books and videos.
take it easy and relax we still have a bit of time before crap happens how do i know well i am good freinds with pale rider ( crashes good buddy oh by the way crash said he had socks older than you he would have said underroos but he goes commando must be a submariner thang) any how para welcome and have fun

My hometown is Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Actually, right now I have been teaching English in Japan for 2 years. I'll be coming home in December. I left my job after college to come out here for adventure. I'll be going back home soon and will probably have to work another computer job.

As far as books, I am looking for something very basic skill wise, lots of detailed information, yet not a snore fest to read. My wife asked me what I want for Christmas and I told her about my ideas of getting into this survival stuff.

I don't necessary want to learn how to go camping with a tent and a gas grill as much as learning how to snare animals and bow hunt (using a tradition bow; not some scoped out combat bow). Anyway, if you guys have any good recommendations as far as Christmas presents go that would be great.

By the way, this probably should be moved to introductions.

**crashdive123** · 11-16-2008, 11:05 AM

If it's books you're looking for....how about some free ones. ADEPT posted a really good pdf search engine link a while back. Type in snaring or bow hunting and you get quite a few results. Hope it helps. http://www.pdfgeni.com/

**Rick** · 11-16-2008, 02:50 PM

Wow! How do I add to all of the above. You said you want to learn "manly" stuff so you might consider spending some time at the local Home Depot or Lowes when you get back to the States. Both offer free clinics on "how to's" for things around the house. Plumbing, electrical, masonry, wood working, and on and on. Money you save on do-it-yourself projects can be put toward other "manly" things like knives and weaponry. Argh, argh, argh as Tim the Tool Man would say. It can also be spent on other items for the outdoors as well.

You can spend some time hiking and backpacking in local state parks/forests and begin to build a knowledge base based on some truly fun things. I'm sure your wife wouldn't be upset at all to watch the sun set from the crest of a mountain or help you identify wild flowers you both found at the base of a hill beside a clear stream.

Knowledge is knowledge and it all can be put to good use if something decidely bad happens. Storms or chemical spills or factory fire can offer some urban challenges that are quite different and/or not experienced by our back country bretheren. Even a meth lab can put you out of your home while the local PD cleans up the mess. Knowing what to do, where to go and what to take with you can be the difference between an inconvenience and a terrible time. Even life threatening if you have forgotten important medications.

Welcome to the forum, use the search engine to look up things and ask questions if you can't find the answer. That's how we all learn.

**huntermj** · 11-16-2008, 02:51 PM

Good advise Remy.

**Sarge47** · 11-16-2008, 03:26 PM

If you haven't already done so, one of the 1st things I suggest you look into after you get settled in is a good 1st Aid course, including CPR. Too many people think that bad things can't happen to them when the truth is they can & oft-times do. This is PRIORITY ONE in my book as it can often be the best way to save a life....maybe even your own.

**Rick** · 11-16-2008, 03:28 PM

Ooh. Amen to that, Sarge. Good advice! Tack on AED training, too. You can usually find combination classes of all three for one price at your local hospital or Red Cross.