Last Updated: September 19th, 2018
Survival skills are taught in classrooms and schools all over the world, and with good reason.
You never know when a disaster may strike, or when you might end up in a situation you never dreamed you’d be in. Television shows, like
Television shows, like Man vs. Wild, do a great job of showing you how to survive, but there’s nothing quite like a great book to have handy when you need it.
Not all survival skills books are created equal though.
Some are best for really advanced survivalists, and some focus on one or two main topics, such as trapping or first aid.
Below is a quick guide to three of the best survival books and how to use them.
Top 3 Survival Books
1) Bushcraft 101: A Field Guide to the Art of Wilderness Survival
Bushcraft 101 by Dave Canterbury is quite possibly the most comprehensive introduction to survival skills ever written.
It is a New York Times bestseller for good reason.
If you’re new to outdoor survival skills, I recommend starting with this book. Canterbury covers all the bases at a high level.
Learn about what to keep in your pack and how to trap and prepare game for food or clothing. You’ll also learn about the coverage that you need, from tents to sleeping bags and blankets.
While this may not be the most detailed survival book out there, it is a great overall guide.
2) SAS Survival Guide 2E (Collins Gem): For any climate, for any situation
The SAS Survival Guide 2E by John ‘Lofty’ Wiseman is a small, easy-to-carry reference guide for surviving disasters and emergencies anywhere in the world.
With diagrams, advice, and real-life survival scenarios, this book gives you exactly the level of detail that you will need to make it on your own.
Wiseman provides step-by-step instructions with practical tips.
In this book, you’ll learn how to set up camp and forage for food if you end up in a place you’re completely unfamiliar with.
It’s recommended for anyone wanting to learn survival skills. This is a true reference guide and not just an overall how to book.
3) The Ultimate Survival Manual (Outdoor Life): 333 Skills that Will Get You Out Alive
The Ultimate Survival Manual (Outdoor Life) by Rich Johnson covers not only wilderness survival skills, but also disaster and urban survival skills as well.
Johnson splits up the 333 skills into four categories: Essentials, which covers things like an “assemble-at-home” survival kit, Wilderness, Disaster, and Urban.
What’s unique about this book is that you’ll not only learn classic survival techniques, but you learn about really practical living tips, such as how to avoid getting pickpocketed and how to avoid identity theft.
This is a great gift for anyone you care about, too, because it is truly a catchall for managing just about any type of unfortunate situation.
Conclusion
So, what’s the best survival book?
The answer to that question depends on whether you’re looking for a handy reference guide or something that teaches you end-to-end survival skills.
Either way, these three books are easily among the best survival books out there. Here’s a tip: Choose a book that meets you where you’re at as a beginner.
An overview book is going to give you a good understanding of what survival is all about. It makes a great gift also.
A small reference guide is a necessity to add to your survival pack. To cover all your bases, get both types of books. Good luck out there!
[thrive_text_block color=”light” headline=”Need Some New Survival Gear?“]
Check out our detailed review guide on the Top 11 Survival Items.[/thrive_text_block]
2 comments