"The SAS Survival Handbook" is the Special Air Service's complete course in being prepared for any type of emergency. John 'Lofty' Wiseman presents...
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Mar 26, 2011
Christopher
rated it: 
The SAS SURVIVAL MANUAL won acclaim upon its publication in 1986, both because of its clear organization and the illustrious career of the soldier behind it, John "Lofty" Wiseman who served for 26 years and participated in operations all over the world. Having examined a range of survival manuals, I decided to sit down and read this one in depth, and all in all I'm happy I did. There are clear, often colour illustrations for edible and poisonous plants and for tying knots, while the in
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Jan 13, 2009
Bernard
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I don't really remember what made me get this book. I've long been a fan of the outdoors and I'm thoroughly impressed by Les Stroud, aka Survivorman. (Bear Grylls is flat out crazy and suggests things no one should ever do.)
This manual covers survival techniques across all climates. This is a good toilet read and something valuable to consult before heading out on any outdoor trip. For a city-mouse like myself, I may 'read' the book, but I'm not likely to remember more than 1/4 o More...
This manual covers survival techniques across all climates. This is a good toilet read and something valuable to consult before heading out on any outdoor trip. For a city-mouse like myself, I may 'read' the book, but I'm not likely to remember more than 1/4 o More...
Aug 22, 2011
Craig
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The SAS survival guide provides a wealth of information on how to survive in different situations ranging from a volcano eruption to being lost at sea and tells you how to perform useful tasks like building an igloo and amputating an arm. While I am undoubtedly better prepared to fend for myself if I get lost in the woods the lack of detail on certain topics and the focus on long term (1 month +) survival prevented me from rating it higher.
I didn’t find the organization as bad as some More...
I didn’t find the organization as bad as some More...
Sep 27, 2011
^
rated it:
Not one I've read cover to cover; more dipped into as and when I've wanted specific information. It's a bit heavy to carry in a rucksack; and I wouldn't want an e-copy because dead batteries would render it dangerously useless.
The material is very well presented and set out; the only improvement I can think of would be to group material relating to a particular geography and season; i.e. one is perhaps unlikely to need to know how to catch an octopus and how to defend oneself from a More...
The material is very well presented and set out; the only improvement I can think of would be to group material relating to a particular geography and season; i.e. one is perhaps unlikely to need to know how to catch an octopus and how to defend oneself from a More...
Mar 26, 2011
David
rated it:
Now I know how to field dress a hare.
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Aug 19, 2009
Dan
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This book is poorly written, terribly organized, and horribly (I mean HORRIBLY) edited, but I almost gave it four stars. Obviously, you don't read a book like this expecting great literature. The guy who wrote it isn't a writer (and apparently neither were his "editors") -- he's a legit survival expert. The sheer amount of useful information in this book makes it worth owning and worth actually reading. Besides the obvious worst-case-scenario imagination-stimulation, you might actually
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Mar 17, 2010
Jonathan
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i really liked it and most sertantly will take with me anywhere i go.Its for anyone ANYONE who would like to not die in a natural disaster and im sure there are some people that were hit by katrina that would have faired better with this book. i especialy liked the edible plant but it seem that identifying information was laking and more like a basis to research them more but still great.
May 15, 2010
Jill
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I have the updated version of this book, just FYI.
I needed a survival guide for a fiction project I was working on, and picked through a bunch of guides online before finally settling for this one and hoping it had what I needed.
This book is amazing. Tons of information, and easily organized. Highly, highly recommended even if you are just an armchair survival enthusiast.
I needed a survival guide for a fiction project I was working on, and picked through a bunch of guides online before finally settling for this one and hoping it had what I needed.
This book is amazing. Tons of information, and easily organized. Highly, highly recommended even if you are just an armchair survival enthusiast.
Jan 19, 2012
Eggs
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Great book to keep in the can as it's all useful knowledge to have but if you read too much of it at once you don't take in and memorize what youy've just learned. It's interesting reading that kind of freaks you out when you realize just how many different ways there are to die and how unlikely you are to spontaneously work out the correct thing to do in a survival situation.
Feb 11, 2012
Ben
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If Oprah was really interested in helping people, she'd add this book to her book club. "Read it TODAY. Steadman!!! We need a survival kit and a survival pouch. And one for the cocker spaniels. And Gayle. Get off the Xbox."
Zombies: come at me bros.
Zombies: come at me bros.
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Nov 15, 2009
Gina
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What a bizarre, interesting book! I now feel prepared should my car drive off of a cliff onto a frozen tundra. Seriously, I was fascinated by this book, and I have the strangest urge to buy a good knife and always keep in on my person now...
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Apr 15, 2010
Bob
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An ok read if you are curious, but the overview format never goes into sufficient detail to really allow anyone to master outdoor survival. The author knows this; the reader might not.
Mar 17, 2011
Blue
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This book is something nice to have around the house to read on a rainy day. This not a book I would read at once. I would read the beginning and skip to the chapter I want.
Jun 10, 2010
Nick
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You see i've read the book but not the actual book, i have it on my ipod and boy was it worth 7 dollars i tell ya
Feb 18, 2009
Jonathan
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Maybe a bit too much for my summer plans, but you know what they say: better safe than sorry.
May 16, 2009
Ray
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If this book can't get you out of the trouble you are in, you probably deserve to be in it.
Jul 02, 2011
Jeffrey
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Awesome read. This is a classic preparedness text that could save your life.
Jun 12, 2011
chaz2b
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- 060611: everything needed to know about how to survive!
- 061111: finished. Everything that could be thought of that you'd need to know in emergency survival that also works out as a great camper's guide. I look forward to rereading and learning all relevant information in regards to camping.
- 061111: finished. Everything that could be thought of that you'd need to know in emergency survival that also works out as a great camper's guide. I look forward to rereading and learning all relevant information in regards to camping.
Aug 21, 2008
Janrae
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Survival books are not just for people who go out in the wilds and adventure about. They are also good tools for a writer's work. I used this book extensively as a reference while writing "Kady's Vengeance." The section on the proper way to chop down a tree helped me detail the way that Todd created his bridge across the river.
The section on traps and trapping was also very useful. I consider this to be a must have book for any writer who is trying to write about an out
The section on traps and trapping was also very useful. I consider this to be a must have book for any writer who is trying to write about an out
Jan 19, 2010
Doris
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This book is AMAZING! I'm learning so much! But now there is much to practice! WOWsers! I recommend this book for anyone who would be in backcountry for any period of time. It is a heavy book, so not one you might want to carry with you although there is a mini/pocket version available. The information in this book just might save your life or the life of someone else.
Mar 26, 2011
Michele
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This is just a pocket-sized survival handbook that covers just about any imaginable emergency: stranded in snow, stranded at sea, stranded in the woods. I bought a few copies to throw into our disaster-preparedness pile and the gloveboxes of our cars.
The book is easy to read, easy to understand, fairly complete, and totally free from any weird, militia-in-the-woods agenda.
The book is easy to read, easy to understand, fairly complete, and totally free from any weird, militia-in-the-woods agenda.
Mar 26, 2011
Doris
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It weighs more than I wish it did. But into the backpack it goes. This little book is worth its weight in gold and is a book that could save your life. It is a miniature version of the larger SAS Handbook, but it has critical information for first-aid, survival, disaster preparedness, emergency response, building shelters and fires.
Mar 26, 2011
DJMikeG
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An awesome little guide to surviving any situation. A great resource for those who know that anything can happen at any time! The best way to live is to be prepared for anything. This book not only will teach you little tricks and habits that can make the difference between life and death, but the proper mindset for survival.
Dec 16, 2009
Rachel
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This book is for anyone, not just people who spend lots of time camping hiking or biking.
Maybe I am a pessimist, but with global warming and the possibility of increased storm frequency and natural disasters I think everyone should read this book. it really provides a lot of information and is simple to read and understand.
Maybe I am a pessimist, but with global warming and the possibility of increased storm frequency and natural disasters I think everyone should read this book. it really provides a lot of information and is simple to read and understand.
Jun 26, 2008
This book has revealed some horrifying truths to me, the likes of which I could never have conceived.
Is it really possible that Australians refer to a hurricane as a "Willy-Willy"?
What a horrifying land they must be from.
Is it really possible that Australians refer to a hurricane as a "Willy-Willy"?
What a horrifying land they must be from.
