Eric K. (mangywhitebushman) reviewed on 11/18/2010

Helpful Score: 1

I may have gone into the reading with the wrong expectations. I've been an avid outdoorsman since I was knee high to a tadpole. I expected to either get some new insight on gear and theory or perhaps some perspective on instructing new backpackers and hikers. Although there is plenty of information in the book that is use full, I feel the author's opinion flooded most factual information. I would not recommend this book for a beginner because of the way it was written. I don't care how much the author likes to have coffee on his camping trips. And while your system may be capable of drinking water directly from a spring or stream without filtration, it is poor conduct to include that in your book. I don't even see the point in having it in there. After that particular part I was very disheartened, but I tried to gag through it. I found myself page flipping, not reading but scanning for facts, just facts. I do validate having an author's opinion in the book, after all it is your book, but don't write it as gospel AND admit that you are unwilling to even try new equipment. I'm sure most experienced campers think that they're outfit is superior to most, although we would all make some upgrades, but I seriously tired of hearing about the authors gear by the second chapter. I passed this book onto my girlfriend to read, since I tend to be overly critical about most things, she felt the same way I did. Neither one of us was able to finish the book, and I'm a reader, a serious reader, I don't use TV and I'm never without a book kind of reader. I am very pleased with one thing about the book....it came from the library, if not it would have been shredded and used in the litter box, then burned and the ashes fed to the publisher. I don't know how Stackpole Books was talked into printing this book, but usually when a book is printed in China it came out of the author's pocket. I've only read one other book that's made me this sick and it was a work of fiction too.

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