Favorite books on the outdoors

[jhawk]

Currently reading "My First Summer in the Sierra" by John Muir. It's just one of those essential books for me that helps shift my focus back to a life filled with wonder over natural beauty. It's just fascinating reading about how they did their long hikes back then, still sharing stories around fires at night, etc.

The technologies have all changed a great deal, but the core parts of camping have remained unchanged for hundreds of years. It helps remind me that I don't need anything more than all the free beauty that's all around me, and that it is always worth protecting for that reason.

Sorry to get all hippie-ish! It's just been a fascinating and enjoyable way to end my nights. Love all these recommendations!

[tstark]

What great suggestions from everyone!

Also, try Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Walden, and if you are looking to discourage yourself of the idea of getting out to the woods, look for the book version of Deliverance.

[Scubahhh]

Edward Abbey; anything by or abut Colin Fletcher; Nicholas Howe, "Not Without Peril"

[Just Bill]

There are a wealth of free books now that have passed into the public domain.
Horace Kephart, George W. Sears, John Muir, etc.

One I really enjoyed was the "leatherstocking tales" Which is the "Last of the Mohicans" series of books that track the main character and are written by James Fennimore Cooper. (five total I think) That whole series is free.

Bill Mason, Fletcher, and Ray Jardine are all classic books too regarding how to stuff.

A more modern book on long distance hiking that is a fine tale- https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Odys...ecoming+odyssa
great book onsale for $2 about a great person who does much for our trails.

And I can't help but not recommend this particularly crappy book-
https://www.amazon.com/Lying-Trail-W...g+on+the+trail

[twentyfour]

I really enjoyed "Deep Survival" by Laurence Gonzales. It's about the brain science / psychology of survival. I read it 5+ years ago and I still harken back on some of his themes/lessons when dealing with daily life. It's a very compelling book - he does a great job weaving together storytelling and science.

[JoshuaTrees]

I did a quick scan through the thread and didn't see this one mentioned, sorry if it's a repeat............Edit just noticed it a few posts up.

"not without peril" a series of tragic stories in the white Mountains in chronological order only goes up to 1996 last I checked. Helps you understand how the relatively small white Mountains of NH got such a fierce reputation.

"true summit" About Annapurna

Others I saw mentioned that I would second

"Touching the void." So awesome
"Endurance." Still blows my mind to think of what we are capable of.
"Between a rock and a hard place." Book version of 127 hours covers about twice the content of the movie.

[Justapner]

One of my favorites with poetic prose is mark twain in Hawaii, obviously by mark twain.


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[mcspin50]

Do you like dogs? Me too.
Two of my favorite books about dogs are "The Art of Racing in the Rain: A Novel" by Garth Stein, and "A Dog's Purpose: A Novel for Humans" by W. Bruce Cameron. Both are written from the dog's point of view.

[Gqgeek81]

Ray Jardine's Beyond Backpacking is almost obligatory.
Andrew Skurka's Ultimate Gear Guide is very good.
Mike Clelland's stuff is also very good.

If you paddle at all, then Cliff Jacobson's Expedition Canoeing is excellent.

If you're into wild edibles then Samuel Thayer is really good. He takes a very interesting approach to things.

[Caminante]

I just started "On Trails: An Exploration" by Robert Moor. The first few pages are interesting, at least. It popped up in my Kindle recommendations and I was looking for something to read.