In the spirit of Jimbo's latest book report I offer Deep Survival, by Laurence Gonzales.

It's a page turner, detailing numerous survival situations. The jacket says it all: "Who Lives. Who Dies. And Why."

Gonzales digs deep into the pyschology of survival, interviews miliary personnel, and other professionals who are trained to survive situations that can kill you. He also spotlights ordinary folk who survived extraordinary situations.

Lots of mountain climbing, lost at sea, hiking, even river survival stories.

It's not a how-to manual, but rather examines the common characteristics survivors, and non-survivors, share.  In the end I found it not only entertaining but thought provoking and educational.

The Beaver

I just finished this one. Among the best I've ever read about survival - not for the fieldcraft (there are lots of books that tell you how to make fire), but for the insights on how the mind and body react to stress, and how that can be a far greater determining factor in a survival situation.

I'd reccommend this book to anyone, whether they like to hang out in the woods or not.

I agree.

Part way though this one and it's very interesting. Many thought provoking insights, not just hair raising tales.

Some very well trained and experienced people become too comfortable with the risks, situations, training, and die,,,or how the mind can be too focused and miss obvious stuff.

Half way through this book and all I can say is one word....DEEP.  Not quite what I expected, but interesting physiology/insight into how our brains operate under various stresses...

I've waited awhile on the library "wait list" to get this one.  Sounded like it should be standard reading for some of the bushwhackers on this website.  My name should be at the top of the library list in a week or so.  I look forward to the read!

Jimbo   8-)  

If anyone wants to read this book, I'll bring it to Copia.  No charge as I got it for a couple bucks used.  When you're done, just pass it to another...

The Beaver has identified a real winner with this book!  

"Deep Survival" is an absolutely fascinating study of the mental make-up of individuals who survive some of the most abominable wilderness (and other) situations imaginable (hiking, flying, boating, mountains, jungle, oceans, etc. & so on).  If you expose yourself to wilderness dangers or, if you simply enjoy reading about those who do, this is a must-read.  Gonzales dives deep into the psychology & physiology of both those who survive well and those who do not survive.  His examples are memorable & insightful, including his account of his own father's remarkable ordeal... which is clearly the inspiration for this book.

I've never been in situations as drastic as those described in this book.  However, several of my adventures might easily have taken such turns for the worse.   Full digestion of the real messages of this book can only improve my odds of survival should some future canoe country adventure of mine truly go bad.

Thanks, again, to The Beaver for recommending this fascinating & easy-to-read study!

Jimbo   8-)