If you’re a keen adventurer and can’t wait to get away from the hustle and bustle, knowing, some basic survival skills will definitely come in handy. And what better place to get these survival skills then some classic survival books. Over the years there have been countless books based around wilderness survival, from surviving economic crises to “preppers” handbooks. So how do you know which book is worth reading?
Here are three of our top picks for survival guides:
How to Stay Alive in the Woods: A Complete Guide to Food, Shelter, and Self-Preservation That Makes Starvation in the Wilderness Next to Impossible
By Bradford Angier
First published in 1956 under a different name, this book is quite old but contains great basic survival skills relevant to any era. The book is split into four parts: Sustenance, Warmth, Orientation, and Safety. So whether it’s deciding what plants to eat, how to build a shelter or send a signal for help, there’s no doubt this guide will be essential to surviving in the wild.
SAS Survival Handbook: The Ultimate Guide to Surviving Anywhere
By John “Lofty” Wiseman
Now in its third revision, this well-known survival guide which was first published in 1986 is now updated with the latest technology and knowledge. Setting it apart from others, this book takes survival a step further and looks at topics such as urban survival and terrorism. You’ll be stepped through phases including: Being Prepared, Making Camp, Food, First Aid, Disaster Survival, Self-Defense, Security and Climate, and Terrain. The best news is that the information in this book is sourced from one of the best in the business. The author, John Wiseman, was the youngest person ever to pass selection for the SAS. He then spent 26 years in the SAS, helped to set up counter-terrorist teams, and also trained the Green Berets.
The Modern Survival Manual: Surviving the Economic Collapse
By Fernando Ferfal Aguirre
Ever wondered what you would do if the economy collapsed? Well, there’s a book for that. The Modern Survival Manual is based on first-hand experience of the Economic Collapse in Argentina in 2001. There is no doubt that this guide is going to be vastly different to wilderness survival guides. However, you can never be too prepared. Because in reality what do you see yourself doing during an economic collapse? Do you see yourself sitting in the comfort of your own home surrounded by food? Well, it’s not as easy as that. During an economic crisis people still have to struggle to make money, and even while they are doing that, the threat of crime is extremely high. In this book, you’ll find out how to prepare your family, home, vehicle, and finances for an economic collapse. Along with this, you’ll also learn how to prepare for both food and power shortages and how to fight with a chair, pen or knife. These are just a few examples of what you will find in this extremely informative book.