The Little Book of Outdoor Wisdom: An Adventurer's Collection of Anecdotes and Advice

by John Long

There’s a reason we pause at the vista overlook and be quiet for a second. The wilderness, or simply being outside in the natural world, provides us with a psychological reboot. It declutters our minds, washes off the guff, gives us a chance to see and feel ourselves as expansively as the Tunnel Overlook in Yosemite Valley. But the process is different, and in some ways, more powerful than the benefits we get from sleep. The Little Book of Outdoor Wisdom is a collection of all-new essays from legendary climber and outdoor writer John Long, an exploration of what connects us fundamentally to the outdoors and of why we return again and again. Through evocative anecdotes and sketches, told in Long’s visceral yet poignant style, readers will rediscover their love for nature and glean a deeper appreciation for its rejuvenating effect.

194 pages, Hardcover

Published September 24, 2019

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

John Long is an American rock climber and author.

Reviews

[Jason Muckley · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Long's new book, "The Little Book of Outdoor Wisdom," is a series of essays on various adventure sports such as rock climbing, backpacking, kayaking, mountain biking and many more where the incremental experiences and situations you find yourself in throughout your life add up to outdoor wisdom.

Long shares his cumulative wisdom for others to learn from so that they don't make potentially disastrous mistakes in the wilderness. The book is an interesting read containing many key concepts for the beginning outdoorsman or outdoorswoman.

It was an enjoyable book that I'd recommend for any adventure sports junkie and the beginning wanting some advice for trips out in the backcountry.

I received this as an eBook from Rowman & Littlefield via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review of the title. I did not receive any compensation from either company. The opinions expressed herein are completely my own.

[Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, this is so not what I thought it meant! But it was extremely enlightening and probably loaded with great advice for those who want to tackle, and I mean REALLY tackling the Great Outdoors. I can see some use for us home gardeners, snow shovellers, and other not so outdoorsy types between the pages! My emergency kit at home is well stocked, but not as well as the one in the book... I agree with drinking water to stay hydrated, even beyond when I don't feel thirsty when working outdoors on hot or cold days. And I believe in down parkas for winters! I think a lot can be learned about living life large in the wilderness from this book. I'm not that brave, but enjoy the stories!
I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book of advice and anecdotes; mostly good advice. The author is down-to-earth and experienced and seems like a very nice guy. You may not need all this info, but it's very good indeed. Recommended for brave and not-brave for those contemplating outdoor adventures.

I really appreciate the NetGalley copy for review!!

[Josh Shively · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun collection of short outdoor adventure stories. It was easy to pick up and read when I just had a few minutes to pass.