Old English Outdoors Books and Writers

[DavidEnoch]

In the States, Nessmuk ( George Washington Sears), Kephart, Whelen, and Rutstrum are some of the more revered writers of outdoors literature. After getting into Bushcraft, I have been able to obtain some old copies of some of those books.

Who are some of the writers in England of outdoors literature that parallel these American writers? I am sure there are more neat books that I can add to my library.

Thanks,

David Enoch

 

[Minotaur]

Would be interested to know this as well.

Only one that springs to mind is Baden Powell, and the Scout book movement.

Must be others, but like you said, I can list a lot of Americans.....

 

[offgridman]

I'm not sure if he wrote much about his life, but one Englishman who lived the outdoor life was Millican Dalton, self styled "Professor of Adventure". He lived as an outdoorsman in Cumbria in the early 20th century. Lake district fans will probably already have heard of him. There's probable a bit written about him.
As for the most famous outdoor pioneer, how about Archie Belaney. A chap from Hastings who created a new pioneer life for himself in Canada, and by adopting the identity
"Grey Owl" was a true pioneering conservationist, and also wrote about his experiences living in the Canadian wilds.

 

[w00dsmoke]

I'm not sure how to link to previous posts so I've cut n pasted this. Hope this helps.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Finally got around to updating the list and back on track

Feel free to print out and keep a copy for future reference for your expanding inspiration and library! Enjoy



Roger Deakin-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Deakin
Alastair Dunnet-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alastair_Dunnett
While primarily a trip report it's full of stories of life on the western isles, the lasting effects of the clearances, the death of the herring trade, etc.
It's written with a great passion for the outdoors and I'd have enjoyed reading it even if it wasn't based in the area I camp most often.
Charles Darwin- Biologist and Founder of evolutionism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Darwin
Seton Gordon-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seton_Gordon
famous writer/naturalist, concentrated on the wildlife/culture within the Highlands of Scotland
Richard Mabey-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Deakin
Author, Naturalist
Baden Powell-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baden_Powell
Founder of Scouting movement
Tom Weir-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Weir
Glasgow born climber, naturalist, author and broadcaster, concentrated on Scottish rural/wilderness culture and landscape. A great advocate of wilderness for people and wildlife.
David Stephens- was central belt based Scottish wildlife writer and promoter of wilderness for the sake of wildlife-Uk subject
Mike Tomkies-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Tomkies
ex London journalist turned wilderness/wildlife writer, lived as a hermit in two separate locations in Mhoidart for much of his life and wrote about living with and about wildlife in Spain, Canada and Scotland all while living in the wildest, remotest place he could find with just the most basic of needs met and no more. A modern day hermit, struggling with city life/modern cultural values and finding solace within wild places and wildlife.
Jim Crumley- ex journalist, current author, Trossachs based, broadcaster and wilderness philosopher/poet, advocate of wilderness and writes deeply about the relationship we have with it, a little about the man here;
http://www.treesforlife.org.uk/ilove...eleb_more.html
and further down the page
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yell,_Shetland
Arthur Ransome -author
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Ransome



Abroad

D C Beard -
he founded the Boy Scouts program in the early 1900's. And he also wrote a number of books, including Shelters Shacks and Shanties.
Archibald Belaney-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archibald_Belaney
John Muir-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Muir
a Dunbar boy made good, the man behind national parks in the USA, a wilderness advocate for wilderness sake.
Horace Kephart-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horace_Kephart
US writer, campaigner
Aldo Leopold-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldo_Leopold
US advocate for wilderness conservation,wildlife surveyor, author, founder of wilderness society.
Gene Logsdon - he wrote for Rodale Press/Organic Gardening for years. He also wrote a book called Practical Skills: A revival of forgotten Crafts, Techniques, and Traditions. It is all from a "small farmer" perspective, but you can learn a lot from it.
Joseph Cornell- Educator
(He)seems to feel that teaching environmental activities should be free flowing and less prescriptive.
George Washington Carver-US
http://www.nps.gov/archive/gwca/expanded/gwc.htm
Joseph Cornell- US Educator
(He)seems to feel that teaching environmental activities should be free flowing and less prescriptive.
Henry David Thoreau-US philosopher, pacifist and naturalist
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_David_Thoreau
Guy Grieve- Edinburgh journalist who went to Alaska to build a cabin and write about it and to escape from his personal angst with his lifestyle and values.
Edward Paul Abbey-Campaigner, Author, advocate of wild land, very interesting essays and fantastic novels.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Abbey
Sigurd F. Olson- advocate for widlerness, author, scientist and environmentalist
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigurd_Olson
Jack London- Author who speaks for himself...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_London
Christopher McCandless-young romantic philosopher made famous from the film "Into the wild", controversial placing him here, however, his convictions were admirable whether you agreed with them or not.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_McCandless
Hehaka Sapa or Black Elk-sad historical account of native american values through his life account
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Elk
Steven Van Matre-founder of Earth Education, author and advocator of a specific style of environmental education
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Van_Matre
Grey Owl (Archibald Belaney) who "..perpetrated one of the 20th Century's most convincing hoaxes..."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grey_Owl
Nessmuk-needs no introduction for most on here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nessmuk
Jim dale Vickery (also known as Jim Huot-Vickery)
An ex-ranger from the 'North Woods' of the US. He wrote an excellent book 'Wilderness Visionaries' about Thoreau, Olsen, Rutsrum. Muir and Leopold. He also wrote 'Winter Sign' and 'Open Spaces'.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Winter-Sign-.../dp/0816629692
Robert MacFarlane-British author He wrote the worthy bestseller 'The Wild Places'.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Macfarlane
Bill Mason. Canadian canoeman who wrote Path of the Paddle and Song of the Paddle. These are supposedly technical guides, but his love of the wilderness shines through every page.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Mason
Ryokan-Japanese 18th century zen monk who wrote amazing poetry about the relationship between himself and nature
http://falcon.tamucc.edu/~sencerz/ryokan.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryōkan
Bernard Montessier French yachtsman, environmentalist etc
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_Moitessier
Norman Mclean-US author and scholar
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Mclean
John Gierach-US author and fly fisherman
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gierach
Gierach is a gifted writer, a little sentimental, but gifted. You can really see the hard work put into his books. To write that thriftily require a lot of dedication and the final product is all the more quality for the effort.
Arne Næss-, norweigan philosopher, partly responsible for the ecosophy movement.
Derrick Jensen-, american author and anarcho-primitivist. Read the classical Endgame.
John Zerzan-, american author and primitivist philospher. Future primitive is an interesting read.
Jim Vickory-
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wilderness-V...8648672&sr=1-1
Writer, story teller
Bob Wyatt- fly fisherman and author
www.trouthunting.com
If you fly fish and have not read ‘Trout hunting’, then you may be one of the guys Mike seems to have a problem with. If we only had a living outdoors man with the same enquiring mind coupled with his non-pretention, a classic and entertaining book of wood lore would result.
You can read some of his articles here...(in above link)
Stewart Edward White-US travel author
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stewart_Edward_White
Calvin Rutstrum-US
http://people.mnhs.org/authors/biog_...onID=Ruts3 38
Calvin Rutstrum wrote some wonderful contemplative pieces as well as superb practical guides. Back Country is one that's worth hunting for
Craig Childs-
In particular "The Way Out"
Check out some of his shorter works here. http://www.houseofrain.com/
John Haines-
The Stars, the snow. The fire, Its a great book written by a poet from alaska .about his time spent as a trapper in a cabin.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stars-Snow-F...8512878&sr=1-1
Dick Proenneke-needs no introduction...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Proenneke
__________________

 

[DavidW]

I'm not sure how to link to previous posts so I've cut n pasted ,,,,,,,[/url]
__________________

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1) for M$ OS PC - right click the mouse, on pop up select 'copy short cut'

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Then right-click or control-click to paste the link in your message.

Or copy link to entire thread by mousing over the thread title name.

 

[w00dsmoke]

Thanks for that!

 

[Atesca]

How about going all the way back? Daniel Defoe wrote Robinson Crusoe, inspired by the real-life adventures of Alexander Selkirk, who's got to count as one of the first modern bushcrafters in my book...

 

[DavidW]

I saw a hour long tv show a couple of years ago about Selkirk on History channel or Discovery Channel. One was left thinking he would have been better off had he stayed on the island.

More info.

Selkirk's camp found
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081029105803.htm

Books:

Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe and Alexander Selkirk (Paperback)
by Stevey Bruce ,Daniel Defoe ,Stu Bruce(Authors)

Marooned: The Strange but True Adventures of Alexander Selkirk, the Real Robinson Crusoe
by Robert Kraske (Author), Robert Andrew Parker (Illustrator)

Selkirk's Island: The True and Strange Adventures of the Real Robinson Crusoe (Hardcover)
by Diana Souhami

Another book with a small section of bushcraft interest is:

No Surrender - my thirty year war
by Hiroo Onoda

Onoda was a Japanese soldier who remainded in the Philipine jungles and continued to fight the war until surrendering in 1974. There is a chapter in his book called Jungle Life, which runs about 45 pages out of 219 pages. It details how he preserved and stored food and ammo, made shelter and shoes and clothes and how he made fire, etc.

It was about 1974 also when I flew into Guam just after a typhon had hit the island, to take over crewing the submarine I was assigned to and we heard on the news about another Japanese soldier who had come out of the jungle on Guam, walked right into Aganya and turned himself in.

One major difference between the two was that the soldier on Guam had simply remained in the jungle but he was no longer fighting the war and had known for years that the war was over, I recall finding some information on the internet about his survival techniques.

Onoda however was different in that he was still actively fighting the war. He occassionally killed people, and burned crops during his thirty years in the jungle. He however was not alone during that entire time. Originally there were 3 of them, one became sick and died. The other soldier after many years abandoned Onoda and surrendered several years earlier.

One thing which seemed odd to me when I was first searching on the internet for information about Onoda was the large numbers of google links I found to Christian devotional text which used him as an example of perserverance to duty. I found him as the two sides of a coin. On one hand , yes, a great example of tenacity to duty. But on the other hand. For gosh sakes , wake up and smell the coffee, the war is or was or had been over for several years.

Both men were rather Rip VanWinkle types. Emerging from the jungle thirty years out of step with modern society and Onoda more than the soldier from Guam still clinging to the warrior attitude of the Japanese soldier of the 1940s and became a hero to the right wing in Japan who want to revive Japan's military and deny things like the Rape of Nanking and other things. I believe both men attempted to make a living , after trying other things, teaching survival courses.

( btw - not bushcraft related but a really wonderful dvd about The Rape of Naking is a dvd put out by ThinkFilms titled "Nanking" - Jurgen Prochnow, Woody Harrelson, Mariel Hemingway and other actors play the parts of Westerners who were in Nanking at the time and saved the lives of many people. They simply read diary entries of the real people. This is interspaced with interviews of the now elderly Chinese people who were but children at the time. Not an easy film to watch at times but one of the most compelling , intense films I have ever watched. )

 

[DavidEnoch]

Thanks for the suggestions. I will start looking for some new reading materials.

David Enoch

 

[Blackdrop]

No women!

Here's some:

Jay Griffiths, her book 'Wild' is really great, she writes it as she feels it. Also produced a really interesting and relevant book on 'time'.

Rebecca Solnit on walking (a history) and getting lost (a memoir).

Alexandra David-Neel: liked to carry a revolver on her jaunts to the Himalayas...

This is not a lady, but what about John Hargrave and the Kibbo Kift Kindred (which morphed into the Woodcraft Folk).

I'm not sure how to link to previous posts so I've cut n pasted this. Hope this helps.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Finally got around to updating the list and back on track

Feel free to print out and keep a copy for future reference for your expanding inspiration and library! Enjoy



Roger Deakin-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Deakin
Alastair Dunnet-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alastair_Dunnett
While primarily a trip report it's full of stories of life on the western isles, the lasting effects of the clearances, the death of the herring trade, etc.
It's written with a great passion for the outdoors and I'd have enjoyed reading it even if it wasn't based in the area I camp most often.
Charles Darwin- Biologist and Founder of evolutionism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Darwin
Seton Gordon-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seton_Gordon
famous writer/naturalist, concentrated on the wildlife/culture within the Highlands of Scotland
Richard Mabey-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Deakin
Author, Naturalist
Baden Powell-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baden_Powell
Founder of Scouting movement
Tom Weir-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Weir
Glasgow born climber, naturalist, author and broadcaster, concentrated on Scottish rural/wilderness culture and landscape. A great advocate of wilderness for people and wildlife.
David Stephens- was central belt based Scottish wildlife writer and promoter of wilderness for the sake of wildlife-Uk subject
Mike Tomkies-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Tomkies
ex London journalist turned wilderness/wildlife writer, lived as a hermit in two separate locations in Mhoidart for much of his life and wrote about living with and about wildlife in Spain, Canada and Scotland all while living in the wildest, remotest place he could find with just the most basic of needs met and no more. A modern day hermit, struggling with city life/modern cultural values and finding solace within wild places and wildlife.
Jim Crumley- ex journalist, current author, Trossachs based, broadcaster and wilderness philosopher/poet, advocate of wilderness and writes deeply about the relationship we have with it, a little about the man here;
http://www.treesforlife.org.uk/ilove...eleb_more.html
and further down the page
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yell,_Shetland
Arthur Ransome -author
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Ransome



Abroad

D C Beard -
he founded the Boy Scouts program in the early 1900's. And he also wrote a number of books, including Shelters Shacks and Shanties.
Archibald Belaney-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archibald_Belaney
John Muir-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Muir
a Dunbar boy made good, the man behind national parks in the USA, a wilderness advocate for wilderness sake.
Horace Kephart-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horace_Kephart
US writer, campaigner
Aldo Leopold-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldo_Leopold
US advocate for wilderness conservation,wildlife surveyor, author, founder of wilderness society.
Gene Logsdon - he wrote for Rodale Press/Organic Gardening for years. He also wrote a book called Practical Skills: A revival of forgotten Crafts, Techniques, and Traditions. It is all from a "small farmer" perspective, but you can learn a lot from it.
Joseph Cornell- Educator
(He)seems to feel that teaching environmental activities should be free flowing and less prescriptive.
George Washington Carver-US
http://www.nps.gov/archive/gwca/expanded/gwc.htm
Joseph Cornell- US Educator
(He)seems to feel that teaching environmental activities should be free flowing and less prescriptive.
Henry David Thoreau-US philosopher, pacifist and naturalist
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_David_Thoreau
Guy Grieve- Edinburgh journalist who went to Alaska to build a cabin and write about it and to escape from his personal angst with his lifestyle and values.
Edward Paul Abbey-Campaigner, Author, advocate of wild land, very interesting essays and fantastic novels.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Abbey
Sigurd F. Olson- advocate for widlerness, author, scientist and environmentalist
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigurd_Olson
Jack London- Author who speaks for himself...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_London
Christopher McCandless-young romantic philosopher made famous from the film "Into the wild", controversial placing him here, however, his convictions were admirable whether you agreed with them or not.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_McCandless
Hehaka Sapa or Black Elk-sad historical account of native american values through his life account
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Elk
Steven Van Matre-founder of Earth Education, author and advocator of a specific style of environmental education
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Van_Matre
Grey Owl (Archibald Belaney) who "..perpetrated one of the 20th Century's most convincing hoaxes..."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grey_Owl
Nessmuk-needs no introduction for most on here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nessmuk
Jim dale Vickery (also known as Jim Huot-Vickery)
An ex-ranger from the 'North Woods' of the US. He wrote an excellent book 'Wilderness Visionaries' about Thoreau, Olsen, Rutsrum. Muir and Leopold. He also wrote 'Winter Sign' and 'Open Spaces'.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Winter-Sign-.../dp/0816629692
Robert MacFarlane-British author He wrote the worthy bestseller 'The Wild Places'.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Macfarlane
Bill Mason. Canadian canoeman who wrote Path of the Paddle and Song of the Paddle. These are supposedly technical guides, but his love of the wilderness shines through every page.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Mason
Ryokan-Japanese 18th century zen monk who wrote amazing poetry about the relationship between himself and nature
http://falcon.tamucc.edu/~sencerz/ryokan.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryōkan
Bernard Montessier French yachtsman, environmentalist etc
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_Moitessier
Norman Mclean-US author and scholar
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Mclean
John Gierach-US author and fly fisherman
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gierach
Gierach is a gifted writer, a little sentimental, but gifted. You can really see the hard work put into his books. To write that thriftily require a lot of dedication and the final product is all the more quality for the effort.
Arne Næss-, norweigan philosopher, partly responsible for the ecosophy movement.
Derrick Jensen-, american author and anarcho-primitivist. Read the classical Endgame.
John Zerzan-, american author and primitivist philospher. Future primitive is an interesting read.
Jim Vickory-
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wilderness-V...8648672&sr=1-1
Writer, story teller
Bob Wyatt- fly fisherman and author
www.trouthunting.com
If you fly fish and have not read ‘Trout hunting’, then you may be one of the guys Mike seems to have a problem with. If we only had a living outdoors man with the same enquiring mind coupled with his non-pretention, a classic and entertaining book of wood lore would result.
You can read some of his articles here...(in above link)
Stewart Edward White-US travel author
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stewart_Edward_White
Calvin Rutstrum-US
http://people.mnhs.org/authors/biog_...onID=Ruts3 38
Calvin Rutstrum wrote some wonderful contemplative pieces as well as superb practical guides. Back Country is one that's worth hunting for
Craig Childs-
In particular "The Way Out"
Check out some of his shorter works here. http://www.houseofrain.com/
John Haines-
The Stars, the snow. The fire, Its a great book written by a poet from alaska .about his time spent as a trapper in a cabin.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stars-Snow-F...8512878&sr=1-1
Dick Proenneke-needs no introduction...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Proenneke
__________________

 

[DavidW]

I came upon this book today on a website for motorcycle gear, a book which I assume is a British author. Sir Francis Galton. Originally published in 1855, "The Art of Rough Travel " , 175pp with b/w illustrations. Perhaps it is also available from european websites.

http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/The-Art-of-Rough-Travel-p-19545.html

It described as a book for self sufficient living in the bush, from the preculiar to the practical , with how-to sections which are dated, useful or amusing.

 

[DavidW]

In reference to the above book by Sir Francis Galton, who I have since learned was a cousin of Charles Darwin and the originator of the term 'eugenics' - see wikipedia - I have found an ebook on Project Gutenberg of a similar titled "The Art of Travel "

http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/14681

Where in you will find tips on shelter, making fire, tools , firearms etc to advice on judging local culture first before deciding to use flogging as a means of instilling dicipline.

 

[Tengu]

Wainwright, the walker? (His books are very readable, and the pics good?

 

[jimford]

Don't forget the American Victorian Ernest Thompson Seton's 'The Book of Woodcraft' and other books. I'm amazed that it hasn't even been mentioned so far - it's probably one of the original bushcrafting books!

Also - the great Victorian poacher turned gamekeeper and journalist Richard Jefferies. His books are wonderfully written and full of details of Victorian country matters.

 

[hammock monkey]

any of the old poachers tales books are great, lots of excellent animal behaviour stories in there too.

The Mike Tomkies books are fantastic, highly recommended

 

[markheolddu]

What about the Romany books by G. Bramwell Evens .
Loved his books as a kid.

 

[trail2]

And now, for something completely different Try
"My India" by Jim Corbett.
Read the Romany books to my boys when they were small.
I used to scour old book stores for copies every time I went home.
Jon R.