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Extreme Food: What to Eat When Your Life Depends on It – A Guide to Wilderness Survival and Foraging by Bear Grylls
In the tradition of the million-copy-bestseller SAS Survival Guide , former SAS paratrooper Bear Grylls—the world’s most famous survival expert—teaches the necessary skills for eating in the wild. “There’s no getting away from it; I’ve eaten some pretty extreme things in my time—live tarantulas, raw goat testicles, elephant dung, you name it. In a situation when your life depends on it, you need to put your prejudices aside to keep your stomach filled and your strength up. Whether it’s mastering the art of foraging and cooking up a tasty feast around the campfire or learning about the more extreme end of wild food (ever tried a scorpion kebab?), there’s a lot to learn when it comes to dinner time in the wild. Extreme Food will teach you all the necessary skills and techniques to get your teeth into meals you might never have thought of as food in the first place—and, crucially, how to recognize plants and animals that might end up doing you more harm than good. In today’s world, we rarely need to venture beyond the local supermarket and we turn our noses up at the thought of snacking on bugs and grubs. But out in the wild, Mother Nature has provided us with a plentiful supply of nutritious—if not always delicious—food for the taking. And when needs must, we just have to know where to look. Some of it might take you out of your comfort zone. Some of it might turn your stomach. But it’s saved my life more than once. And one day, it might save yours . . .”—BEAR GRYLLS
272 pages, Paperback
Published April 30, 2015
About the author
Bear Grylls
322 books990 followersBear Grylls has become known around the world as one of the most recognized faces of survival and outdoor adventure. His journey to this acclaim started in the UK on the Isle of Wight, where his late father taught him to climb and sail. Trained from a young age in martial arts, Bear went on to spend three years as a soldier in the British Special Forces, serving with 21 SAS. It was here that he perfected many of the skills that his fans all over the world enjoy watching him pit against mother-nature. Despite a free-fall parachuting accident in Africa, where he broke his back in three places, and after enduring months in military rehabilitation, Bear went on to become one of the youngest ever climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Bear went on to star in Discovery Channel's Emmy nominated Man Vs Wild and Born Survivor TV series, which has become one of the most watched shows on the planet. Off screen, Bear has lead record-breaking expeditions, from Antarctica to the Arctic, which in turn have raised over £2.5million for children around the world. In recognition of his expertise and service, Bear was appointed as the youngest ever Chief Scout to 28 million Scouts worldwide, awarded an honorary commission as a Lieutenant-Commander in the Royal Navy, and has authored 10 books, including To My Sons.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 1, 2020
Read Harder Challenge 2020 - read a book about a cuisine you’ve never tried.
July 20, 2015
EVERY HOME SHOULD OWN A COPY
I hope I never have to use the information, but having this book in the event of calamity could be the difference between life and death. I have other books to teach survival and thrilled to add this with them. Wonderful diagrams and information. I know my husband has enjoyed reading the book. We have the utmost respect for Bear Grylls and appreciate him compiling this information in book form. Disclosure: I won a copy of this book at a Goodreads giveaway event.
I hope I never have to use the information, but having this book in the event of calamity could be the difference between life and death. I have other books to teach survival and thrilled to add this with them. Wonderful diagrams and information. I know my husband has enjoyed reading the book. We have the utmost respect for Bear Grylls and appreciate him compiling this information in book form. Disclosure: I won a copy of this book at a Goodreads giveaway event.
September 27, 2015
This was a free book won through Goodreads giveaways. I was not sure what to expect from reading it. Grylls is well respected as a survival expert. It seems that Extreme Food tried to cover more ground than it should have. The illustrations were black and white drawings which are useless in teaching what to look for in the wild. Clear photographs are much more useful.
July 8, 2022
"I really liked it!" - 4 out of 5 star rating.
Very well done survival book, focused on obtaining macronutrients necessary to survive in harsh times. Everything from drinking your own pee, to eating worms, hunting/trapping/fishing, as well as full coverage of consumable plant life.
I haven't been exposed to much Bear Grylls content, but I am very impressed with this entry. Hopefully I can check out some more of his stuff, either written or on screen!
Very well done survival book, focused on obtaining macronutrients necessary to survive in harsh times. Everything from drinking your own pee, to eating worms, hunting/trapping/fishing, as well as full coverage of consumable plant life.
I haven't been exposed to much Bear Grylls content, but I am very impressed with this entry. Hopefully I can check out some more of his stuff, either written or on screen!
May 28, 2015
Thank you to William Morrow/HarperCollins Publishers for my review copy of Extreme Food: What to Eat When Your Life Depends on It, by Bear Grylls.
Extreme Food, the latest book by ex-special forces, nature/survival enthusiast, and television personality Bear Grylls, is a fast, fact-packed read that offers survival information that anyone can benefit from.
As a sometime viewer of Grylls' nature shows (usually when my dad or brothers have it on television), and someone with an abiding, but rarely deeply explored interest in the natural world, I especially enjoyed the parts of this book which dealt with the basics of food as a source of energy in a survival situation, edible (and toxic) plants, and how to track animals.
I found the sections on making traps, hunting, and preparing a kill more disturbing to me personally, and so skimmed those sections. I do, however, think that the information presented therein seemed like a useful introduction to techniques that could save one's life.
Finally, I found the sections on edible/toxic fungi, as well as all the edible creepy crawlies and extra-dangerous animals (think snakes and scorpions) to be fascinating reading from a "bizarre foods" perspective, but anything I was about to try to apply to my own life.
In his introduction and afterward, Grylls states that this book is meant as an introduction to survival concepts which can save your life. His hope is that this book will increase readers' interest in, and sense of empowerment about, survival techniques, and that it will encourage readers to investigate further.
Read in this context, I think that Extreme Foods pretty much hits the mark. I didn't enjoy some of the pictures in the middle of the book, which included gratuitous shots of Bear eating bloody animals.
But overall, I'm really glad I read Extreme Foods. I learned something from it, and am inspired to learn more, and in that way, I'd call this latest by Bear Grylls a great success.
This review can also be found on my blog, at https://hafullmer78.wordpress.com/, and on Facebook.
Extreme Food, the latest book by ex-special forces, nature/survival enthusiast, and television personality Bear Grylls, is a fast, fact-packed read that offers survival information that anyone can benefit from.
As a sometime viewer of Grylls' nature shows (usually when my dad or brothers have it on television), and someone with an abiding, but rarely deeply explored interest in the natural world, I especially enjoyed the parts of this book which dealt with the basics of food as a source of energy in a survival situation, edible (and toxic) plants, and how to track animals.
I found the sections on making traps, hunting, and preparing a kill more disturbing to me personally, and so skimmed those sections. I do, however, think that the information presented therein seemed like a useful introduction to techniques that could save one's life.
Finally, I found the sections on edible/toxic fungi, as well as all the edible creepy crawlies and extra-dangerous animals (think snakes and scorpions) to be fascinating reading from a "bizarre foods" perspective, but anything I was about to try to apply to my own life.
In his introduction and afterward, Grylls states that this book is meant as an introduction to survival concepts which can save your life. His hope is that this book will increase readers' interest in, and sense of empowerment about, survival techniques, and that it will encourage readers to investigate further.
Read in this context, I think that Extreme Foods pretty much hits the mark. I didn't enjoy some of the pictures in the middle of the book, which included gratuitous shots of Bear eating bloody animals.
But overall, I'm really glad I read Extreme Foods. I learned something from it, and am inspired to learn more, and in that way, I'd call this latest by Bear Grylls a great success.
This review can also be found on my blog, at https://hafullmer78.wordpress.com/, and on Facebook.
July 20, 2015
EVERY HOME SHOULD OWN A COPY
I hope I never have to use the information, but having this book in the event of calamity could be the difference between life and death. I have other books to teach survival and thrilled to add this with them. Wonderful diagrams and information. I know my husband has enjoyed reading the book. We have the utmost respect for Bear Grylls and appreciate him compiling this information in book form. Disclosure: I won a copy of this book at a Goodreads giveaway event.
I hope I never have to use the information, but having this book in the event of calamity could be the difference between life and death. I have other books to teach survival and thrilled to add this with them. Wonderful diagrams and information. I know my husband has enjoyed reading the book. We have the utmost respect for Bear Grylls and appreciate him compiling this information in book form. Disclosure: I won a copy of this book at a Goodreads giveaway event.
April 25, 2016
Poor excuse of a book by Bear. He's done better.
February 24, 2020
Whether it’s mastering the art of foraging and cooking up a tasty feast around the campfire or learning about the more extreme end of wild food (ever tried a scorpion kebab?), there’s a lot to learn when it comes to dinner time in the wild. This book will teach you all the necessary skills and techniques to get your teeth into meals you might never have thought of as food in the first place – and, crucially, how to recognize plants and animals that might end up doing you more harm than good.
I am what i like call a couch adventurer, i read books like this one, and books about true storys of exploration into the amazon or the Arctic Circle. And i sit there with that buzz of "yeah I'd love to do my own expedition, and become an Explorer" so i read books like this to prepare, for the unlikely chance i get called to action or my plane crashes in the amazon and im the only survivor. I know all these are unlikely! But i think it's always good to make sure that you know even a few of the things in this book like, what you should eat and not. If i don't rememeber anything else from this book i just hope i rememeber, the different types of mushrooms, because some of the deadliest mushroom will kill you in a matter of hours and it will be nasty. I wouldn't say now im an expert at surviving, as bear Grylls say " you will constantly be learning" and im sure i will till i die. Im thinking about doing more hikes this year so i could keep an eye out on my adventures for things that could save my life if i really needed it.
4/5 Stars on GoodReads 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
96/100 GingerPoints 🔥🔥🔥🔥
I am what i like call a couch adventurer, i read books like this one, and books about true storys of exploration into the amazon or the Arctic Circle. And i sit there with that buzz of "yeah I'd love to do my own expedition, and become an Explorer" so i read books like this to prepare, for the unlikely chance i get called to action or my plane crashes in the amazon and im the only survivor. I know all these are unlikely! But i think it's always good to make sure that you know even a few of the things in this book like, what you should eat and not. If i don't rememeber anything else from this book i just hope i rememeber, the different types of mushrooms, because some of the deadliest mushroom will kill you in a matter of hours and it will be nasty. I wouldn't say now im an expert at surviving, as bear Grylls say " you will constantly be learning" and im sure i will till i die. Im thinking about doing more hikes this year so i could keep an eye out on my adventures for things that could save my life if i really needed it.
4/5 Stars on GoodReads 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
96/100 GingerPoints 🔥🔥🔥🔥
August 13, 2017
Excellent book for the armchair enthusiast waiting for the day he is shipwrecked on a desert island.
Really enjoyed it. Grylls knows his stuff and his enthusiasm leaks into your fingers as you hold this book.
A must for all those survivalists whose scenarios are in their head, like me!
Read it before the apocalypse, or that cruise ship holiday, it will come in very handy.
Really enjoyed it. Grylls knows his stuff and his enthusiasm leaks into your fingers as you hold this book.
A must for all those survivalists whose scenarios are in their head, like me!
Read it before the apocalypse, or that cruise ship holiday, it will come in very handy.
September 22, 2019
Usually I don't let myself say I've read a book on Goodreads unless I've read it cover-to-cover, every word, but I've had my fill of nonfiction and this book seems particularly tough to read like that. It was a wealth of knowledge and had very interesting survival facts. I think I will buy this and keep a copy for camping trips and other adventures.
Would recommend for survivalists!
Would recommend for survivalists!
July 10, 2018
A good look at what food is about and how to eat it especially in survival situations
August 31, 2018
Survival guide to wild foods. Good in audio. Best in paperback. Great book for extreme situations.
May 27, 2025
Беър Грилс отново доказва защо е символ на оцеляването в дивото. В „Екстремна храна“ той не просто споделя съвети, а ни въвлича в свят, където инстинктът и креативността са въпрос на живот и смърт. Книгата е едновременно практична и вдъхновяваща – с реални примери, уроци от природата и удивителни истории за ястия, които повечето хора не биха си представили.
С неподражаем стил, пълен с енергия и хумор, Грилс обяснява какво може да се консумира в екстремни ситуации и защо. Това не е просто книга за храна, а за устойчивост, решителност и преодоляване на страха. Подходяща както за ентусиасти по оцеляване, така и за всеки, който иска да излезе от зоната си на комфорт — дори само чрез четене.
С неподражаем стил, пълен с енергия и хумор, Грилс обяснява какво може да се консумира в екстремни ситуации и защо. Това не е просто книга за храна, а за устойчивост, решителност и преодоляване на страха. Подходяща както за ентусиасти по оцеляване, така и за всеки, който иска да излезе от зоната си на комфорт — дори само чрез четене.
February 12, 2016
Ich konnte dieses Buch nicht in einem durch lesen. Die Flut an Informationen, die ich als Stadtmensch vielleicht niemals brauchen werde, ist einfach zu groß um den Lesefluss aufrecht zu erhalten. Und die vielen Bilder von Bear Grylls, in denen der Ex-SAS-Soldat nicht unbedingt wie jemand rüberkommt, den man zum Dinner erwarten möchte, haben auch nicht geholfen.
Das Buch fokussiert sich auf genau jene Sache, die der Titel verspricht: Das Überleben. Und zwar draußen. Da, wo's entweder kälter oder heißer ist als auf der gemütlichen Wohnzimmer-Couch. Dabei vermittelt er eine Vielzahl unglaublich nützlicher Informationen, angefangen vom Ausheben eines Camping-Plumpsklos (eher weniger häufig anzuwenden - dafür aber mit detaillierter Beschreibung zur Verwendung!) bis hin zur ersten Hilfe (hoffentlich nicht häufig anzuwenden).
Das macht er auch wirklich gut. Man merkt, dass er nicht nur weiß, wovon er spricht, sondern auch ganz gut darin ist sein Wissen zu teilen. Illustrationen, Fotos und ordentliche Beschreibungen stehen ihm dabei genauso zur Seite wie sein scheinbar unermesslicher Schatz an Anekdoten aus seinem Leben als Pfadfinder und Ex-Soldat.
Ich würde das Buch vor allem all jenen ans Herz legen, die in ihren eigenen Geschichten über das Leben in Camps, Lagern und der Wildnis schreiben möchten. Dafür ist es geradezu optimal. Da ich nicht davon ausgehe, dass auch nur jeder 100ste seiner Leser tatsächlich jemals in die Verlegenheit kommen wird den Everest besteigen zu wollen, denke ich über eine Empfehlung für Outdoor-Überlebenskünstler gar nicht nach. Obwohl ... wahrscheinlich täte es diesen gut das Buch mitzunehmen. ;)
Das Buch fokussiert sich auf genau jene Sache, die der Titel verspricht: Das Überleben. Und zwar draußen. Da, wo's entweder kälter oder heißer ist als auf der gemütlichen Wohnzimmer-Couch. Dabei vermittelt er eine Vielzahl unglaublich nützlicher Informationen, angefangen vom Ausheben eines Camping-Plumpsklos (eher weniger häufig anzuwenden - dafür aber mit detaillierter Beschreibung zur Verwendung!) bis hin zur ersten Hilfe (hoffentlich nicht häufig anzuwenden).
Das macht er auch wirklich gut. Man merkt, dass er nicht nur weiß, wovon er spricht, sondern auch ganz gut darin ist sein Wissen zu teilen. Illustrationen, Fotos und ordentliche Beschreibungen stehen ihm dabei genauso zur Seite wie sein scheinbar unermesslicher Schatz an Anekdoten aus seinem Leben als Pfadfinder und Ex-Soldat.
Ich würde das Buch vor allem all jenen ans Herz legen, die in ihren eigenen Geschichten über das Leben in Camps, Lagern und der Wildnis schreiben möchten. Dafür ist es geradezu optimal. Da ich nicht davon ausgehe, dass auch nur jeder 100ste seiner Leser tatsächlich jemals in die Verlegenheit kommen wird den Everest besteigen zu wollen, denke ich über eine Empfehlung für Outdoor-Überlebenskünstler gar nicht nach. Obwohl ... wahrscheinlich täte es diesen gut das Buch mitzunehmen. ;)
June 26, 2015
I received this book through Goodreads giveaway contest. Bear Grylls does a fantastic job of preparing the reader to hunt, find and prepare food in any environment. I spent a lot of my youth in the Sierra Nevadas and other mountian ranges in the Western part of the United States. But until I read, "What to eat when your life depends on it", I realized that I actually had no clue, as far as, if I had to survive if my situation in the wilderness ever became life threatening. The book is a survival guide that cannot only be read one time. If you're the type of person that likes to explore the outdoors then you should have this book in your backpack, or back pocket, at all times. Mr. Grylls book covers what foods to look for and how to retrieve and prepare them. He talks about eating wild plants, mushrooms, game, reptiles, amphibians and even insects. But as important as what foods in the wilderness you CAN eat, he also spends ample time on telling the reader what NOT to eat. Informing the reader on potentially fatal foods they might come across And how to avoid confusing them with edibles. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes to venture out of the city and explore the wilderness.
July 19, 2016
A quick and fun read. Including drawn, black ad white pictures when talking about plants is pretty pointless. But that's not what this book is about, it's not an all including manual teaching you all the skills, or even all the basics, but a sneak peak into the lifestyle. Something easy to take a bite out of to see if that's even in any of your food groups. And as that the book is pretty good.
June 25, 2015
3.5/5
July 11, 2016
It wasn't easy to get through it. Definitely interesting advises. Some things surprised me and some disgusted me. Yet another interesting tips from my favorite adventurer.
April 7, 2017
Very informative.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews