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Fire Making: The Forgotten Art of Conjuring Flame with Spark, Tinder, and Skill
A Richly Illustrated Guide to Making Fire Without a Lighter
If you ask outdoorsman Daniel Hume for the fastest, most practical way to start a fire, he’ll tell Use a match. But he probably won’t stop there. For Hume, conjuring flame is an art form, and seeking out the old ways is a passion that has led him the world over.
Fire Making is your guide to techniques Hume has learned firsthand—from the San people in Namibia, the Mangyan of the Philippines, and other masters. You’ll fall in love with the craft of coaxing spark into flame using only handmade tools. Learn
Hume’s crystal clear steps, all helpfully illustrated, make it easy to start and maintain the perfect fire for any need—from quickly boiling a pot of water, to setting up camp . . . to the sheer joy of seeing your efforts rewarded with a blaze of warmth and light.
If you ask outdoorsman Daniel Hume for the fastest, most practical way to start a fire, he’ll tell Use a match. But he probably won’t stop there. For Hume, conjuring flame is an art form, and seeking out the old ways is a passion that has led him the world over.
Fire Making is your guide to techniques Hume has learned firsthand—from the San people in Namibia, the Mangyan of the Philippines, and other masters. You’ll fall in love with the craft of coaxing spark into flame using only handmade tools. Learn
Hume’s crystal clear steps, all helpfully illustrated, make it easy to start and maintain the perfect fire for any need—from quickly boiling a pot of water, to setting up camp . . . to the sheer joy of seeing your efforts rewarded with a blaze of warmth and light.
- GenresNonfictionSurvival
192 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2017
18 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 26, 2018
Making fire without a lighter is one of those skills that is difficult to master and takes time and practice. In this book, author Daniel Hume, shows the reader many methods of producing flame without matches or lighter.
The skills are used world-wide and the author has examined this art all over. His photos show people from all continents making fire with friction and other methods. The photos are fantastic and show that it really can be done!
Some of the methods are the bow drill and the hand drill. These are standard methods that are taught in many survival schools. But, the author also gives you advice on other things as well. How to gather tinder. What sort of materials make the best tinder. What sort of kindling to use. What kind of woods are best to make a hand drill? The illustrations show you, for example, how to choose your hand drill, straighten the wood, and prepare it for making fire.
You also learn the fire piston and more! The methods get more complicated, but the idea is the same. Create a spark and ignite the tinder. You learn how to use flint and steel, iron pyrites, and more modern methods too. There are an amazing number of ways to make fire. I was surprised at how many ways there are to do this.
The author writes in a very clear style. All skills are thoroughly explained for the reader. There are great diagrams in addition to the author’s wonderful photos too. If you want to learn how to do this, this book is all you need. You can try the skills as you go along. The tips and tricks given should help you get your first coal and flame. I am eager to try out these skills as they look fun and enjoyable to learn. I think this book would be appreciated by anyone who goes camping regularly, or anyone who is into learning survival skills. Or, just learn a new method of making fire to impress your friends on your next camping trip. This is the book to teach you.
The skills are used world-wide and the author has examined this art all over. His photos show people from all continents making fire with friction and other methods. The photos are fantastic and show that it really can be done!
Some of the methods are the bow drill and the hand drill. These are standard methods that are taught in many survival schools. But, the author also gives you advice on other things as well. How to gather tinder. What sort of materials make the best tinder. What sort of kindling to use. What kind of woods are best to make a hand drill? The illustrations show you, for example, how to choose your hand drill, straighten the wood, and prepare it for making fire.
You also learn the fire piston and more! The methods get more complicated, but the idea is the same. Create a spark and ignite the tinder. You learn how to use flint and steel, iron pyrites, and more modern methods too. There are an amazing number of ways to make fire. I was surprised at how many ways there are to do this.
The author writes in a very clear style. All skills are thoroughly explained for the reader. There are great diagrams in addition to the author’s wonderful photos too. If you want to learn how to do this, this book is all you need. You can try the skills as you go along. The tips and tricks given should help you get your first coal and flame. I am eager to try out these skills as they look fun and enjoyable to learn. I think this book would be appreciated by anyone who goes camping regularly, or anyone who is into learning survival skills. Or, just learn a new method of making fire to impress your friends on your next camping trip. This is the book to teach you.
November 8, 2020
Fire Making is an illustrated guide by Daniel Hume to learning the most practical ways to gather materials for making a fire, starting a fire, and then ending and eliminating traces of the fire. Daniel Hume speaks from personal experience of visiting various world cultures and explores how respected fire is in every world culture. Some of the techniques for lighting a fire described include the bow drill, the fire plow and other fire-starters. Overall the book is highly-detailed in each technique and the only problem I had was wanting to find materials to start a fire myself!
A large part of the book emphasizes choosing tinder, easily combustible material used to start a fire. Many of the examples Daniel Hume uses applies to backcountry camping, which is the type of camping where you must be prepared to deal with any type of weather or emergency using only what's in your backpack. As explained by Daniel Hume, "The term 'tinder' is a large umbrella under which all sorts of materials may be included, but they all have a common purpose: They capture, sustain, and transfer that first tiny quantity of heat, whether it comes in the form of a spark or an ember, to the next stage of fuel." (pg. 15). I found this particular explanation helpful as it is easy to forget the difference between tinder, which is used to ignite kindling, which in turn is used to ignite the bulk material (like firewood).
Further emphasis is placed on finding dry materials. In general his advice is to find the most available, most fibrous, and driest materials. The most helpful tips from Hume were to use vertical branches when choosing firewood, as "The best of these will be those that are most vertical because rain runs off quickly and does not have a chance to soak in" (pg. 226).
Daniel Hume then involves the more industrial aspects of fire-making, mentioning briefly the story of Rudolf Diesel, the inventor of the diesel machine. Hume briefly mentions that "In fact, Rudolf Diesel—the engineer and father of the engine named after him—was inspired when he attended a presentation given by German scientist and engineer Carl von Linde," (pg.133). Further detail into this history such as how Diesel was inspired by the Carnot cycle of the steam engine would have added more complexity to the novel.
Finally the interplay of nature with man, and the respect required by nature is a unique addition to this book. Hume truly personifies fire by citing the famous phrase "Fire is a good servant but a bad master". The purpose of the proverb is to say that use must use fire wisely in a way that will not hurt you. In addition, he speaks to the fragility of fire when he says "If you move sticks around too much in the early stages, you will spread the heart of the fire too thinly and it will die. Keep the embers together. Fires must be encouraged to grow with the right techniques. Furthermore, if a person is ever in doubt of making a fire due to high winds, "Do not risk lighting a fire if you’re in any doubt; look for a more sheltered spot or create a windbreak." (pg. 238).
Hume makes an effective argument to learning proper fire-making by noting the warmth, delight and contentedness of having a campfire, but also noting its fickleness when lacking a good, dry tinder or its danger when experiencing high winds. Overall, this book is good for adventure lovers, and is most relevant to fire making in a camping setting, specifically backcountry where limited resources are available to a camper. I was left wanting to try these techniques in my own country, but will have to do some research first to understand what natural elements are available to me.
A large part of the book emphasizes choosing tinder, easily combustible material used to start a fire. Many of the examples Daniel Hume uses applies to backcountry camping, which is the type of camping where you must be prepared to deal with any type of weather or emergency using only what's in your backpack. As explained by Daniel Hume, "The term 'tinder' is a large umbrella under which all sorts of materials may be included, but they all have a common purpose: They capture, sustain, and transfer that first tiny quantity of heat, whether it comes in the form of a spark or an ember, to the next stage of fuel." (pg. 15). I found this particular explanation helpful as it is easy to forget the difference between tinder, which is used to ignite kindling, which in turn is used to ignite the bulk material (like firewood).
Further emphasis is placed on finding dry materials. In general his advice is to find the most available, most fibrous, and driest materials. The most helpful tips from Hume were to use vertical branches when choosing firewood, as "The best of these will be those that are most vertical because rain runs off quickly and does not have a chance to soak in" (pg. 226).
Daniel Hume then involves the more industrial aspects of fire-making, mentioning briefly the story of Rudolf Diesel, the inventor of the diesel machine. Hume briefly mentions that "In fact, Rudolf Diesel—the engineer and father of the engine named after him—was inspired when he attended a presentation given by German scientist and engineer Carl von Linde," (pg.133). Further detail into this history such as how Diesel was inspired by the Carnot cycle of the steam engine would have added more complexity to the novel.
Finally the interplay of nature with man, and the respect required by nature is a unique addition to this book. Hume truly personifies fire by citing the famous phrase "Fire is a good servant but a bad master". The purpose of the proverb is to say that use must use fire wisely in a way that will not hurt you. In addition, he speaks to the fragility of fire when he says "If you move sticks around too much in the early stages, you will spread the heart of the fire too thinly and it will die. Keep the embers together. Fires must be encouraged to grow with the right techniques. Furthermore, if a person is ever in doubt of making a fire due to high winds, "Do not risk lighting a fire if you’re in any doubt; look for a more sheltered spot or create a windbreak." (pg. 238).
Hume makes an effective argument to learning proper fire-making by noting the warmth, delight and contentedness of having a campfire, but also noting its fickleness when lacking a good, dry tinder or its danger when experiencing high winds. Overall, this book is good for adventure lovers, and is most relevant to fire making in a camping setting, specifically backcountry where limited resources are available to a camper. I was left wanting to try these techniques in my own country, but will have to do some research first to understand what natural elements are available to me.
December 29, 2017
Met dank aan A.W. Bruna Uitgevers voor dit recensie-exemplaar
Kort inhoud
David Hume is expert in bushcraft aan de ‘School of Wilderness’ in Woodlore. Om te overleven in de wildernis is het vermogen om snel vuur te maken heel belangrijk. In dit boek gaat hij op zoek naar de oorsprong van het vuur maken. Hij neemt de lezer mee naar verschillende volkeren, van Azië tot in Latijns-Amerika, waar men nog vuur op traditionele wijze maakt, zoals met een handboor, vuurboog, vuurploeg, een vuurzaag of een vuurkoord. Hij zal omschrijven hoe de ontmoeting met de volkeren was, want sommige van hen hadden nog nooit een blanke man gezien en dan is er natuurlijk nog de taalbarrière. Hierna zal hij gedetailleerd uitleggen hoe je zelf op de manieren van deze volkeren vuur kunt aanmaken, hij legt uit welke houtsoort men het best gebruikt en welke techniek men dient toe te passen.
Naast de technische uitleg zal David ook teruggaan naar oude mythen en sagen over vuur, van waar komt de interesse van de mens in vuur? Waarom hebben we vuur zo hard nodig? ….
Conclusie
De uitgave van dit boek is mooi en kwaliteitsvol: in hardcover en bevat veel foto’s en tekeningen.
De auteur heeft een goede opbouw aan zijn boek gegeven, verschillende hoofdstukken die telkens bestaan uit zijn eigen ervaringen en bezoeken aan de verschillende volkeren, opgevolgd door de technische uitleg van hoe men op die bepaalde manier vuur kan maken en ter verduidelijking wordt hier gebruik gemaakt van verschillende tekeningen en ook foto’s. Tussen de verschillende hoofdstukken zal de auteur af en toe legendes aanhalen en de geschiedenis over het vuur.
De auteur heeft een leuke schrijfstijl, hij vertelt hoe hij de dingen heeft gezien en beleefd. Bepaalde termen in het boek werden niet vertaald naar het Nederlands maar dit stoorde niet. Persoonlijk vond ik de foto’s een meerwaarde aan dit boek, op deze manier kon ik het me echt voorstellen. Ook de vele tekeningen verduidelijkten veel en waren kwalitatief hoogstaand.
Ik vond de inhoud nogal wat verwarrend omdat het boek zowel technisch is als verhalend. Het is precies alsof het boek voor twee verschillende doelgroepen is geschreven. Enerzijds de scouts die graag kampvuurtjes maken en de echte avonturiers die graag in de wildernis willen overleven, anderzijds de mensen die wel graag informatie lezen over andere volkeren en culturen. De avonturiers zullen dan vooral belangstelling hebben voor ‘het maken’ van vuur en zullen geen interesse hebben in de geschiedenis met zijn mythen en sagen en de andere groep zal dan minder interesse hebben in de technieken om vuur te maken.
Ik zou het boek aanraden aan iemand die scouting doet of die in de vrije natuur wenst te kamperen. Van mij krijgt dit boek 3 sterren.
Kort inhoud
David Hume is expert in bushcraft aan de ‘School of Wilderness’ in Woodlore. Om te overleven in de wildernis is het vermogen om snel vuur te maken heel belangrijk. In dit boek gaat hij op zoek naar de oorsprong van het vuur maken. Hij neemt de lezer mee naar verschillende volkeren, van Azië tot in Latijns-Amerika, waar men nog vuur op traditionele wijze maakt, zoals met een handboor, vuurboog, vuurploeg, een vuurzaag of een vuurkoord. Hij zal omschrijven hoe de ontmoeting met de volkeren was, want sommige van hen hadden nog nooit een blanke man gezien en dan is er natuurlijk nog de taalbarrière. Hierna zal hij gedetailleerd uitleggen hoe je zelf op de manieren van deze volkeren vuur kunt aanmaken, hij legt uit welke houtsoort men het best gebruikt en welke techniek men dient toe te passen.
Naast de technische uitleg zal David ook teruggaan naar oude mythen en sagen over vuur, van waar komt de interesse van de mens in vuur? Waarom hebben we vuur zo hard nodig? ….
Conclusie
De uitgave van dit boek is mooi en kwaliteitsvol: in hardcover en bevat veel foto’s en tekeningen.
De auteur heeft een goede opbouw aan zijn boek gegeven, verschillende hoofdstukken die telkens bestaan uit zijn eigen ervaringen en bezoeken aan de verschillende volkeren, opgevolgd door de technische uitleg van hoe men op die bepaalde manier vuur kan maken en ter verduidelijking wordt hier gebruik gemaakt van verschillende tekeningen en ook foto’s. Tussen de verschillende hoofdstukken zal de auteur af en toe legendes aanhalen en de geschiedenis over het vuur.
De auteur heeft een leuke schrijfstijl, hij vertelt hoe hij de dingen heeft gezien en beleefd. Bepaalde termen in het boek werden niet vertaald naar het Nederlands maar dit stoorde niet. Persoonlijk vond ik de foto’s een meerwaarde aan dit boek, op deze manier kon ik het me echt voorstellen. Ook de vele tekeningen verduidelijkten veel en waren kwalitatief hoogstaand.
Ik vond de inhoud nogal wat verwarrend omdat het boek zowel technisch is als verhalend. Het is precies alsof het boek voor twee verschillende doelgroepen is geschreven. Enerzijds de scouts die graag kampvuurtjes maken en de echte avonturiers die graag in de wildernis willen overleven, anderzijds de mensen die wel graag informatie lezen over andere volkeren en culturen. De avonturiers zullen dan vooral belangstelling hebben voor ‘het maken’ van vuur en zullen geen interesse hebben in de geschiedenis met zijn mythen en sagen en de andere groep zal dan minder interesse hebben in de technieken om vuur te maken.
Ik zou het boek aanraden aan iemand die scouting doet of die in de vrije natuur wenst te kamperen. Van mij krijgt dit boek 3 sterren.
April 28, 2021
An interesting book, lots of good content that could merit 4*. What earns this book only 3* are the poor layout designs of the tools and techniques - it falls down on the “how-to” aspect because of the unclear illustrations and processes. Each fire lighting technique spans multiple pages, with a mix of photographs and sketches showing the method, none of which are wholly satisfying.
To succeed as a fire-lighting technique manual, it should be printed in a larger page format, and each method should have a clear appendix entry of 2 facing pages of the step-by-step process with larger, clearer accompanying images to succeed.
As it is, it is more interesting for the stories by the author about learning and studying the techniques - I can’t see carrying this down to the fire pit and having it at hand as a reference book more than once. You’d be flipping pages and squinting to see if your setup was a close approximation to the one described.
Another example of odd layout choices is identifying appropriate woods for techniques long, comma separated sentences instead of tables / bullets.
Here is how suitable drill woods are presented in the chapter on hand drills:
“Alder, aspen, balsam fir, bamboo, baobab, buckeye, buddleia, burdock, cedar...” etc
Compare to listing like this:
- alder
- aspen
- balsam fir
- bamboo
- baobab
- buddleia
- burdock
- cedar
- etc.
Sure it takes a bit more space but there’s a reason for bulleted lists - they’re easier to read to access relevant information. It took me a while to find relevant woods using the long sentence. I can easily find (and even check locally accessible ones off) in a table or bullet format.
To succeed as a fire-lighting technique manual, it should be printed in a larger page format, and each method should have a clear appendix entry of 2 facing pages of the step-by-step process with larger, clearer accompanying images to succeed.
As it is, it is more interesting for the stories by the author about learning and studying the techniques - I can’t see carrying this down to the fire pit and having it at hand as a reference book more than once. You’d be flipping pages and squinting to see if your setup was a close approximation to the one described.
Another example of odd layout choices is identifying appropriate woods for techniques long, comma separated sentences instead of tables / bullets.
Here is how suitable drill woods are presented in the chapter on hand drills:
“Alder, aspen, balsam fir, bamboo, baobab, buckeye, buddleia, burdock, cedar...” etc
Compare to listing like this:
- alder
- aspen
- balsam fir
- bamboo
- baobab
- buddleia
- burdock
- cedar
- etc.
Sure it takes a bit more space but there’s a reason for bulleted lists - they’re easier to read to access relevant information. It took me a while to find relevant woods using the long sentence. I can easily find (and even check locally accessible ones off) in a table or bullet format.
February 5, 2018
I received this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
A book that not only goes over different techniques to make a fire, but also personal anecdotes and other interesting information (from all over the world) about each technique. I do have to say that I have personally tried some of these techniques, the bow drill for one, to no avail. So I hope that maybe this book will help me figure it out once and for all.
Fantastic illustrations that show you step by step what is needed and well written detailed instructions as well. While I know many people will end up leaping right into the technique part of the book (what I wanted to do), the stories and histories are well worth the read and I'm glad I did. There are definitely some fire making ways I want to try out, and there are some that even I feel might not be worth the time.
If you're interested in bushcraft, backpacking, or camping out read this book. Skills and fun conversation topics abound.
A book that not only goes over different techniques to make a fire, but also personal anecdotes and other interesting information (from all over the world) about each technique. I do have to say that I have personally tried some of these techniques, the bow drill for one, to no avail. So I hope that maybe this book will help me figure it out once and for all.
Fantastic illustrations that show you step by step what is needed and well written detailed instructions as well. While I know many people will end up leaping right into the technique part of the book (what I wanted to do), the stories and histories are well worth the read and I'm glad I did. There are definitely some fire making ways I want to try out, and there are some that even I feel might not be worth the time.
If you're interested in bushcraft, backpacking, or camping out read this book. Skills and fun conversation topics abound.
March 12, 2018
From Netgalley for Review:
Have you ever made a firebow, it is a very accomplishing feeling but also something I personally never want to do again. That might make me a bad outdoorsy naturalist, but it is an exhausting process...luckily I have never had to undergo it in a survival setting and always make sure to have a firestarter with me when I go out on a hike, but what if I goof? I should really learn more ways to make a fire!
Reading a book on all different methods of making fire, with stories of how indigenous people all over the world are still using these techniques was both fascinating and useful. I really hope to try some of these other methods out at some point and could not help but find myself immensely intrigued by the fire piston. I think my heart will always belong to the spark striking method after discovering it by accident as a young child (as so many do.) This is honestly one of the most fascinating books I have read in a very long time.
Have you ever made a firebow, it is a very accomplishing feeling but also something I personally never want to do again. That might make me a bad outdoorsy naturalist, but it is an exhausting process...luckily I have never had to undergo it in a survival setting and always make sure to have a firestarter with me when I go out on a hike, but what if I goof? I should really learn more ways to make a fire!
Reading a book on all different methods of making fire, with stories of how indigenous people all over the world are still using these techniques was both fascinating and useful. I really hope to try some of these other methods out at some point and could not help but find myself immensely intrigued by the fire piston. I think my heart will always belong to the spark striking method after discovering it by accident as a young child (as so many do.) This is honestly one of the most fascinating books I have read in a very long time.
February 5, 2018
Fire Making is not your typical instruction booklet. Daniel Hume personalizes the lessons by expounding on his history with the subject as well as defining the usefulness of different materials. He did not just say use this bit or part or material but instead teaches you the why, how and benefits or values of the tinder prior to filling your mind with how to achieve ignition. The organization of Fire Making is simple, step by step, and advances through the different techniques in such a way as to not discourage the beginner. The tales of Daniel Hume's travels and actual usage of the different fire building tactics add depth and value to the lesson he has thoughtfully shared. Disclosure: I was allowed to read a copy of this book for free as a member of NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review. The opinions I have expressed are my own and I was not influenced to give a positive review.
May 17, 2018
**Thank you NetGalley, you made my eldest son happy!**
I grabbed this one to read to my oldest. He's into survival skills. And this guy was all about how he figured out fire making on his own. Where he had help. And how he struggled and triumphed.
It was all pretty amazing. And the places he visited, all the different kinds of fire making in human history. He really tries to go old school in different areas of the world. It's all different, depending on where you are, the moisture, the fuel, the starters.
Best of all, his stories. This author is a great story teller. My son and I enjoyed this one.
I grabbed this one to read to my oldest. He's into survival skills. And this guy was all about how he figured out fire making on his own. Where he had help. And how he struggled and triumphed.
It was all pretty amazing. And the places he visited, all the different kinds of fire making in human history. He really tries to go old school in different areas of the world. It's all different, depending on where you are, the moisture, the fuel, the starters.
Best of all, his stories. This author is a great story teller. My son and I enjoyed this one.
February 14, 2018
If you have a fascination with fire, this is definitely a book for you to check out. Each chapter starts with an interesting, related story followed by details of that specific way to make fire. It is detailed enough to be useful, but still basic enough to be memorable and easy to read. Even if you think you know all there is about fires and making them, I would bet something in this book will be new to you, and therefore, worth reading.
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 18, 2020
This book was a delight to read. The short chapters and excellent pictures and illustrations made it so that it can be consumed a little at a time. The author is an expressive writer and does a good job illustrating his adventures. The technical elements were described in detail and act as a solid record of techniques which otherwise may have passed away.
May 11, 2018
A useful guide a guide on how to make a fire.Easy to understand techniques interesting anecdotes for campers hikers boyscouts etc.this would make a valuable addition to their library,#netgalley #the experiment,
May 6, 2025
Heel informatief boek hoe je met verschillende materialen vuur kunt maken. En later in het boek hoe je een vuur opbouwt en onderhoudt.
October 3, 2021
This is a really neat book. It explains how to start a campfire using different methods (not involving matches or lighters) and goes into some of the cultural significance of fires in some areas of the world.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews