What do you look for in a bushcraft book?

[andy_e]

The problem I as I see it now is that I now believe that you have no Bushcraft experience of your own and are using the goodwill on this site to make a quick buck writing yet another Bushcrafter's Guide using the collective knowledge here and from the looks of it without any intention of giving credit.

So, if you are actually writing that book I'd suggest you get this sorted with Tony and the Mods. It's a very small world especially in these circles and something like this could come back to bite you on the backside in the future.

 

[Tadpole]

I have done alot of research and thought that if i asked the people who would be buying whaqt they wanted in the book other then the information that i gathered from personnel experience and research. I do not believe in plagarism and when finally my book is published you will only find it in my own words. I have done alot of work for this book and wish to continue again i did not want anyone to do research for me i am quite happily able to do it, it was market research the thing that would give my book a chance out there.


Adam

I think your best bet is to get the mods to ban both of your current names. Ask Tony’s permission to open a new account, a fresh account, and an account where people will not treat you like a leper for ever. Wait a couple of weeks before signing back on, after all you don't miss anything from the site if you are not a member, as a non member you can still read the site. When you are signed on againn sit back, and most importantly shut up about your ‘book’ and listen to the people on the site for a couple of months. Do that and you will know what people think is missing from most book on “bushcraft”
I know what I feel is missing from 90% of the books I read. But it’s going to be different from what others feel.

 

[moved on agiles10]

I do have dislecksia and some words i do spell wrong, but why would that stop me from writing a book. I dont wish to make a quick buck i just wish to give the people who want to learn about bushcraft some information about it and i thought with the helpof this site i could do that. Yes i made a huge mistake and i am truely sorry. i did not wish for all this to happen.

 

[leon-1]

Right folks.

Thanks, it is appreciated.

Adam has been directed to Tony and he is making an effort as he has been in touch with me post a PM sent.

For the minute we're gonna be cutting Adam some slack and yes I am in a pretty good mood (no reason for it, I just am).

 

[Bernie Garland]

Right folks.

Thanks, it is appreciated.

Adam has been directed to Tony and he is making an effort as he has been in touch with me post a PM sent.

For the minute we're gonna be cutting Adam some slack and yes I am in a pretty good mood (no reason for it, I just am).

Must be the impending moot Leon, Getting everyone all laid back

Bernie

 

[moved on agiles10]

thank you leon, and sorry once again.

 

[andy_e]

Right folks.

Thanks, it is appreciated.

Adam has been directed to Tony and he is making an effort as he has been in touch with me post a PM sent.

For the minute we're gonna be cutting Adam some slack and yes I am in a pretty good mood (no reason for it, I just am).

Good enough for me, here's hoping Adam is genuine.

 

[leon-1]

Must be the impending moot Leon, Getting everyone all laid back

Bernie

Possibly Bernie, but the fact that my lift dropped out yesterday, for medical reasons, I should be starting to panic a little. Possibly the calm before the storm (it's feeling like we're gonna have a right screamer of a storm) and I love it when the rain's hammering down and the sky dances with streaks of blue and green.

 

[John Fenna]

Hey - check my spelling :yikes: - and I have written eight books (and working on another) not to count my magazine work, contributions to others books etc. I use a spell checker for my pro work and a pro English teacher to go through the manuscripts of all my books to check them for grammar, punctuation etc etc
Costs me - but saves me looking a prat!
Here I just let it rip and hope that people can read what I meant to say

 

[Glen]

I do have dislecksia and some words i do spell wrong, but why would that stop me from writing a book.

Well if you use a spell checker on your manuscript ( as Mr Fenna suggested ) not too much, if you don't your relying on a proof reader, who may know little or nothing of the subjects, to correct lots of things which is likely to end in some mistakes being left.

Though, if your profile is accurate, I think you'll have a harder job with convincing people, in a crowded market, that a 20 year old is going to have anywhere near as deep an understanding ( from a first hand point of view ) as many of the authors already published.

 

[Celt_Ginger]

If the Mods are in a good mood, is there any chance of any of them coming over to Northern Ireland and giving me a free lift to the moot?

 

[moved on agiles10]

ok thanks guys/girls. just like to end with how sorry i am with what has happen and hope that my account wont be banned.

Adam

 

[sam_acw]

Proof reading other people's work is fun! I've done a few things and even if you don't know the subject you can still deal with the grammar, spelling and punctuation (the last not being my strong point).
If a new bushcraft book were to be written I'd prefer to see one covering new ground - maybe different projects and tutorials rather than a 4th generation re-hash of Lofty Wiseman

 

[John Fenna]

If the Mods are in a good mood, is there any chance of any of them coming over to Northern Ireland and giving me a free lift to the moot?

 

[leon-1]

If the Mods are in a good mood, is there any chance of any of them coming over to Northern Ireland and giving me a free lift to the moot?

Mate If I could drive I would be willing, I love the countryside of NI. I loved the Sperrins and the Mournes along with upper and lower Loch Erne.

 

[durulz]

I look for pictures.
I'm a complete retard who still moves his lips when reading to himself and has to run his finger beneath the words.

 

[spamel]

I started writing a book a few years back. Then I realized I was regurgitating the same info as everybody else. I think it has all been written from a skills point of view unless you have anything radically new. Don't even try to write about kit, as soon as you do something new will come on the market and your info is outdated. Basically, the best thing to do is get out and just enjoy it.

 

[Ahjno]

I think I'd go with Spamel on this one. Except for the fact where Spam wants you to go out, I'd say: if you want to write a book: go for it. If you enjoy writing: write! As it can bring so much satisfaction. Whether or without the book being already out of date when published or containing stuff that's allready been covered in a large amount of other books.

'Attacking' someone on his spelling / is a no go IMHO on this forum, even if it's done by a (and by me well respected) regular Admitted: it irritates me as much as some others here (especially when I try to write without any faults and errors, as english isn't my native language and for some for whom english is their mother tongue, simply show sheer lazyness). But having a sister with dyslexia I've learnt to relevate it a bit more. Have to say I've got respect for you for even trying to write a book.

Now Leon already keeps an eye on this thread regarding having 2 usernames, etc. I'll answer your question:

What do I look for in a bushcraft book?
If it's a book that's meant to be a 'bible' ... I'm sorry to say that's IMO not possible. Or at least it'll take a lifetime (or more) to describe and discover all techniques.

If it's meant to be more ordinary, but not a beginners book, I'd like to see more about real bushcraft techniques, like flintknapping (though hard to learn from a book) or basketry and pottery. Although there's written about it, it's not as extended as for example firelighting.

More shelterbuilding would be nice too, but necessary (I just like shelters ).

I also would like to see it more aimed at our (temperate) climate. Though techniques from the jungle can be implemented and used here, I really don't care if a certain vine is toxic or not. As the chance I'll ever touch one is small. If I want to read about that, I'll do a search for literature for that specific environment).

I think it's not to bad to cover elementary basics on firelighting and water, etc. But don't spend too much time on it.

Pictures of every step you make would be good. With plain drawings of details that are essential for the end result, that are not clearily visible on the pictures.

Leave a section about first aid out.

Plants ... Think we better wait for the release of RM's fieldguide, as there should be more info (as in usefull field info) in than in his coffeetable book.

It would be nice to see a learning curve. As in you start as a complete novice and try to master the basics. A bit like: "How I mastered the basics in the art of bushcraft". This way you can tell from your own experiences and show people where the real handbooks fail, what worked out for you. You know, those little trade secrets

Hope this helps, all the best with writing, and let's hope Tony is in a good mood aswell

 

[John Fenna]

'Attacking' someone on his spelling / is a no go IMHO on this forum, even if it's done by a (and by me well respected) regular

As I was the one to suggest a spell checker, I guess you are meaning me.
It was not meant as an attack but a simple bit of advice from another who has problems with spelling (and grammar, and punctuation and syntax). My comment about the spell checker came after a plea to cut the guy some slack!
If anyone is serious about getting anything published all these areas have to be addressed or a publisher will be far from impressed and a "cold" manuscript will just be put on the slush pile!
If you go the "self" publishing route or "vanity" publishing way it is the buying public who will not be impressed and disregard your creation.
I still think that the market is pretty saturated and unless you can find a new angle (like BG did ) then a new book on Bushcraft will struggle.
As I said in my second post - I am the last to attack anyones spelling (though if I can see that something is misspelt it must be blatant and it does annoy me!) as my spelling is poor at the best of times.
I write because I enjoy it - I spell check my pro work because I need to!

 

[falling rain]

Adam. As other (more polite folks) have said there's probably not a lot new you could add to the plethora of books already out there. If you've got some amazing knowledge or skills or advice that's new then by all means go for it. Also remember Ray Mears, Mors Kochanski and all the other big guys of the Bushcraft world have been around for years and are well established and famous and above all very highly respected in the field of Bushcraft. No offence but................... who's Adam Giles? Where's he been? what's his experience?. If it's RM or Mors on the bookshelf in Borders then that's the one folks will pick up.
It's really comendable to write a book. I'd recommend a writing a book on a specific branch of Bushcraft. like tracking, or outdoors cooking techniques with some good recipes, seashore foraging (shellfish, seaweeds, sea loving plants, fishing techniques etc.
How about a book COMPLETELY about fire. All the big guys have done fire in their books but you could really go to town and cover EVERYTHING you can lay your hands on about the subject (remembering to credit information source where due) All the woods IN DETAIL for fire by friction and all the best combinations for hearth and drill Same with hand drill. Different fires for different situations, cooking, warmth etc but also environments. Which woods could be found in different situations (environments) What about fires in the colder regions? what woods are likely to be available. How would you build a fire on marshland? Cover firesteels, do a little 'history of' about them. Cover all the possible fungus that can be lit with sparks from the firesteel. Do a photo step by step fungus prep tutorial, and a charcloth tutorial. Some of this stuff has been covered on this forum but write and research it yourself and put your own original thoughts and slant on things............and go the extra mile and go into it deeper and in more detail than you've ever seen in any book before, but keep it interesting and relavant.
Anyway my advice for what it's worth is..........# 1 think of a subject (particular branch of bushcraft) that you're passionate about (and you'd need to be passionate or you won't write any book) like plants, (huge subject and an enormous challenge. Should keep you busy for the next ten years at least researching that one) fire, outdoors cooking techniques, sea environment, or whatever floats your boat and.............. # 2 Research and study your chosen subject till your sick of it...........# 3 then write everything you possibly can about it. If it's worth doing, you may as well make it a good job.
So the secret I reckon is not 'another bushcraft book, but a specialised book on a particular branch of bushcraft.

Anyway..........Good luck........................ and Welcome to the forum Adam