A topic on another thread the other day got me reaching for my copy of "The Art of Travel or Shifts and Contrivances Available in Wild Countries" by Francis Galton. My copy is a 1971 facsimile reprint of the 1872 book that is a revised reprint of a book first published in 1855.
Francis Galton (1822-1911) was a first cousin of Charles Darwin and a celebrated scientist, explorer, geographer and traveller in his day, although his later work on eugenics has marred his reputation as a scientist and relegated him to the backwaters of science history.
Galton got the idea for his book while exploring South western Africa in 1850-51. He realised that all travellers find their own solutions to common problems and that it would be helpful to share travellers' experiences- just as we do here on BushcraftUK- and he produced his book culled from the experiences of travellers and soldiers from all parts of the world. In the Victorian age of exploration, his book was invaluable.
What strikes me as I read is how many of the problems and solutions are the same ones as crop up regularly on the site. For example, he devotes nearly three pages on making tea! He deals with organising and equipping an expedition, transport, navigation, clothing, sleeping systems, bivouacking and camping, firearms, knots, making and mending kit and so on; its all there.
If you are a bushcrafter who hasn't come across this book, you are missing a treat.
Francis Galton " The Art of Travel (or Shifts and Contrivances Available in Wild Countries)" David and Charles 1971 ISBN 0 7153 5139 7. Also available on KIndle.
Francis Galton (1822-1911) was a first cousin of Charles Darwin and a celebrated scientist, explorer, geographer and traveller in his day, although his later work on eugenics has marred his reputation as a scientist and relegated him to the backwaters of science history.
Galton got the idea for his book while exploring South western Africa in 1850-51. He realised that all travellers find their own solutions to common problems and that it would be helpful to share travellers' experiences- just as we do here on BushcraftUK- and he produced his book culled from the experiences of travellers and soldiers from all parts of the world. In the Victorian age of exploration, his book was invaluable.
What strikes me as I read is how many of the problems and solutions are the same ones as crop up regularly on the site. For example, he devotes nearly three pages on making tea! He deals with organising and equipping an expedition, transport, navigation, clothing, sleeping systems, bivouacking and camping, firearms, knots, making and mending kit and so on; its all there.
If you are a bushcrafter who hasn't come across this book, you are missing a treat.
Francis Galton " The Art of Travel (or Shifts and Contrivances Available in Wild Countries)" David and Charles 1971 ISBN 0 7153 5139 7. Also available on KIndle.
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