The Boy scout Handbook is a great source for info, it has pretty much all the basic info needed. The older ones are definitely better though, I have ones from the 5th (1950's), 6th(1960's) , 9th (1980's), and 11th editions(2000+), I think anything from the 9th edition and earlier have lot more useful information. The later version seem to eliminate a lot of older, but essential information such as plant and animal identification and firemaking skills, in exchange for bigger color pictures and a safer "environmentally friendly", attitude.