Participating in Nature: Thomas J. Elpel's Field Guide to Primitive Living Skills

Participating in Nature: Thomas J. Elpel's Field Guide to Primitive Living Skills
by Thomas J. Elpel

Participating in Nature: Thomas J. Elpel's Field Guide to Primitive Living Skills
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Book Summary Information

Author: Thomas J. Elpel
Edition: Paperback
Published: 2002-11-01
ISBN: 1892784122
Number of pages: 200
Publisher: HOPS Press

Book Reviews of Participating in Nature: Thomas J. Elpel's Field Guide to Primitive Living Skills

Book Review: More inspiration than information
Summary: 2 Stars

Reviews on amazon.com suggested there was much more value in this book than what I found. Several of the techniques were quite poorly described, and the almost complete lack of clear photographs or diagrams make certain sections of the book nearly useless ( for example, anyone trying to learn to construct a Paiute deadfall will be sorely disappointed ). The book is quite liberally padded with Elpel's ineffective flowery descriptions and ideas which have nothing to do with learning wilderness survival techniques, though some with little experience in nature may find his writing inspires them to get out and and get their hands dirty. Elpel's somewhat pretentious writing style and techniques show him to be a Tom Brown disciple, so don't get this book if you don't like seeing the pronoun "I" in every third sentence or if you don't like being preached at by the author. Overall, this book could only be recommended to someone who never plans to practice survival techniques, or someone who wants a complete wilderness survival library, since there is a handful of good information and ideas I have not seen in print elsewhere. The most disappointing part of the book was when Elpel claims to be the only author to describe how to safely harvest roadkill, but neglects to offer more than the obvious warning that a section of the animal will have bone fragments in it. There are many books available which are far better and some of these are considerably cheaper.

Summary of Participating in Nature: Thomas J. Elpel's Field Guide to Primitive Living Skills

Discover nature by using it! Learn to meet your needs for clothing, shelter, fire, water and food from natural resources. Tom's guide gives you a direct, hands-on experience of the world around you. With this book you will discover the thrill of staying warm and comfortable without even a blanket! Experience the magic of starting a fire by friction. Butcher your own deer and braintan its hide to make warm buckskin clothing. Learn about edible plants of the Rocky Mountain region, plus processing techniques and "primitive gourmet" skills like making wild strawberry ashcake pies or stir-fry cooking without a pan.

This book is the source for in depth coverage of tire sandals, bedroll packs and pack frames, felting with wool, quick bows and bone arrowheads, sinews, hide glue, trapping, fishing by hand, water purification, birch bark canisters, willow baskets, primitive pottery, wooden containers, cordage, twig deer, stalking skills, simple stone knives, flint & steel, bowdrill and handdrill fire-starting.

Participating in Nature includes dozens of innovative skills and an incredible 350 pictures and illustrations plus a thoughtful philosophy. Tom does extensive experiential research. He places an emphasis on publishing new information that is not found in any other source.

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