The Book of Camp-Lore & Woodcraft

This is just plain cool. I like how it isn't dumbed down at all--and that it actually requires thought to do the stuff. This is the kind of teaching that actually helps you end up doing more than just what the 'lesson' was on. I highly recommend this any kid, girl or boy, who actually wants to get a real experience in the outdoors--or become competent enough to feel confident on their own in emergencies or just for fun. Of course, I highly recommend it for adults, too. There is a beauty here that tv and smart phones and ipods and whatnot just can't touch. And a real usefulness for the future that they lack.If you want a picture by picture, tell you every step of the way, and do your thinking for you--this isn't for you. This is for the independent minded--meaning it teaches you things and gives you awesome ideas for things but then it requires you to work things out for yourself. Which, if you are willing to work for it, makes for a lot of real fun.So much of everything is so dumbed down that it is outright boring--it is so refreshing to find an outdoor book that requires you to experience thinking. What you work for, you tend to enjoy more.I remember how much fun I had with Richard Graves' Bushcraft as a kid. Man, I would have absolutely loved this one back then. It sure is a delight to me now!

Pick up this book and the others by authors. Teach your kids simple summers. Low Tec.

I'm really glad there are a few companies publishing these older books at a reasonable price, in this case Nonpareil Books, Godine publisher. The books is nice looking, 7.5 x 5.5 and just under an inch thick. Easy to take on trips unlike some of the oversized books I've seen. The more I learn about Mr. Beard the more I'm a fan. The last book I read of his, 'The American Boy's Handybook' (a must have for those who like the era and literature, and almost twice as thick,) was just great. Mr. Beard also illustrates the books himself. I think it's rare to see such a gifted outdoorsman / teacher etc. with such fine drawing skills. This book and his other ones are also a joy to read. His style is fun and lively and he must have been a character in person because his personality comes through in his writing. I believe he was a friend of another of America's wittier scribes as well, Mark Twain. Mr. Beards books don't suffer the same dry/boring fate of many other instructional tombs. I'll be buying these while they're still around, definitely recommended.

Covers a wide variety of basic outdoors knowledge that isn't so common as in days past. Assumes familiarity with hand tools, and a willingness to tackle basic, sometimes tedious tasks that most of us haven't attempted in a few generations. Not always "politically correct", but if indeed TSHF really arrives, this will be a very useful part of your library.

I purchased 3 books by DC Beard. I have 6 grandchildren under the age of 10. I was looking for for fun things for them to do that did not involve computers, ipads,Etc; between the three books there was something for all of their interests.

very durable and useful, has every thing you want to do in nature, if I need to do anything from traps and snares to making a big boat or many many different ways how to store food, cook food, chop down trees, it is fantastic!

Great book! Just drives home the fact that 100 years ago boys boys needed to be driven outside into the wild, today even more.

Very good book an easy read with lots of information

Loads of ideas for activities in nature. Some not so much geared towards young children however.