Christmas is coming....

so what's on your Christmas list?

I've asked for a Ray Mears Bushcraft Knife (plus I'd rather like to go on one of the courses!).

Andy

Hello,
i would like Chris Ryans new survival book
JAKE

Jake,
First of all good thing you’d like to read such books but I would like to make you aware what I think of Ryan’s book.
I had a quick look in it while I was shopping and was not impressed with it for the following reasons:
Diagrams are used when it’s simple to explain, and there is a lack of diagrams/photos when (IMO) they are needed.
He writes no more than two lines about plants. That is no where near enough. You could write half a page about plants and still not include everything.
Of the plants there is only one photo… and that is one that acts as a natural Viagra.

In my opinion your better of getting Lofty Wiseman book, SURVIVAL, Ray Mear or one of the books recommended on this site.

Reinhardt

I agree, and the diagrams are just taken out of the Lofty Wiseman book.

Reinhardt,

whilst I agree that the Mears book is good, I found that it really needed pictures instead of diagrams/drawings, especially for the fruits. I went picking Sloes this autumn and couldn't identify them by the drawing in the Mears book. I ended up checking the web for pictures.

Andy
(now I have to wait a year for the Sloe gin to mature.... )

Pteron,
Your right there. An awful lot if not most try to get away with simple diagrams of plants.
I heard from several people that they do not find Ray a brilliant writer. I couldn't comment on that as I have only seen one of his books: "Bushcraft". What I've seen of that book didnt make me want to buy it. (considering the fact that there is a difference between bushcraft and survival).

I am still looking for a pocket guide for edible plants etc, bushes, trees, roots for N Europe enviroment.
Any recommendations?

Hi there
A quick search on Amazon.com is helpful. I puchased the one linked below. Its pocketsize with good colour drawing of over 180 plants and fungi. Descriptions include when to find the plant, where it grows, how they can be cooked, and what parts are good to eat. Most importantly it gives warnings about poisonous plants, or parts of edible plants which are poisonous. There is also a little map of europe for each plant showing thier growing range.
Altogether a good book for its size and weight and not a bad price.
http://tinyurl.com/v8es

Hope this is useful
Joblot

joblot,

thanks for that, I've put it on my wishlist!

Andy

A book that was recommended to me by Casual Hero
is "Food for Free" by Richard Mabey, published by Collins.

It has diagrams, photos and recipes!

They have a pocket Guide and a 'normal' size. I have the pocket size, and its very good. It orientated towards food obviously <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> as opposed to general uses.

Have you looked at the Riverside Cottage guy's books (Richard something?)? I haven't but heard they're good for plants for food.

Hmmm yes Xmas. In my neck of the woods when you officially state that you don't belive in Santa Claus all you get are pants and socks. I don't have anyone that would buy me gifts I want, so I set my self a special xmas fund. I don't want much, just functional items.

This is my wish list:
1) Marines Polartec Watch Cap
2) Some Smart Wool Socks
3) Waterproof Pants
4) Gaiters
5) Dog Bark Dictionary so my retarded pooch understands me.
6)SAS Survival Guide

That would be it. But I'm also doing something different this year. Instead of blowing money on gifts for my friends that will never be used much I'm buying everyone somethign they are missing from their capming and survival gear. So they are getting flashlight, knives, mugs, headlaps, etc etc... It's a double edged sword. They get to have functional gifts and I get a piece of mind that nobody will ask me to borrow my stuff again. <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Matt

Do you mean Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall? I enjoy his programmes, the one with the forraged puffball filled with rabbit, pigeon and field mushrooms was superb!

Andy

Yep, thats the one. i saw that episode too... <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I don't thinkI've ever seen puff balls that size before!

Do you know if his books are any good?

Except for the yellow scarf, your retarded pooch looks like my retarded pooch. Let me know the publisher if you get that dictionary, so I can get one myself. I need to get DIB to understand that it's not alright to sneak up behind my computer chair and start barking. She's shaved a couple of years off my life expectancy already with that stunt. <img src="images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Ed

Hey Ed,

http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/productview.jhtml?sku=TK100RED

Here you go. It acctually works. But I don't know if you want to find out the truth. My friends dog is constantly frustrated 9according to this little gadget) which leads to lengthy doggie shrink visits and that is very costly.

Matt

Subtle hints indicate that I may be able to let you know if his books are good after Christmas....

Andy

It's going to be here way too soon! I want some good waterproof trousers and a course <img src="images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />