Book Review

Naked into the Wilderness: Primitive Wilderness Living & Survival Skills

by John & Geri McPherson

Published by Prairie Wolf
P.O. Box 96, Randolph, KS 66554
Cover price: 24.95
ISBN 0-89745-997-0

If you were dropped deep into the woods, days from the nearest civilization, with nothing but the knife in your pocket and the clothes on you back, could you survive? With the information in this book, chances are you would not only survive, but prosper.

John and Geri McPherson have researched, re-learned and recreated primitive survival skills that served native Americans and aboriginal man in many other areas for millennia. This includes basic skills such as starting a fire and making cordage (rope or string) with what you can find at hand to making pottery and tools.

Not for the vegetarian, Naked Into the Wilderness starts with a section on tanning buckskin, using nothing but the animals brain, water and lots of elbow grease. Later, we are given detailed instructions on how to dress out and butcher a deer, and are shown how to use everything from the animal, including the ligaments. Chapters also address cooking without pots and pans (yes, there's more to it than skewing a piece of meet on a stick) and making baskets, bowls and other containers.

Let's face it, when we reach the end of the world as we know it (TEOTWAWKI), We would like to see plans to bring as many of our modern tools with him as possible. Guns, plastic containers, knives, propane or Coleman stoves. But when he runs out of bullets, this books gives detailed directions on making bows and arrows. And should he loose all his knives, it talks about cutting different rocks to create knife-like edges, much as the Indians made arrow heads. And when the stove sputters to a stop, this books will tell you how to boils stew and make bread with an open fire.

The best thing about this books is that the authors have tried these techniques, and what you are reading is proven to work for them. It isn't something they have read, or gotten from an interview -- it's field tested. It is also liberally illustrated with photos that lead you step by step and show you what to do.

What keeps Naked into the Wilderness from being a complete guide is a lack of information on gathering and eating wild fruits and vegetables. So buy a field guide to complement this book, and you'll be in fine shape.

Now I don't believe we will all be able to slink off into the wilderness when we reach TEOTWAWKI. There are just too may of us in urban settings and there just isn't that much wilderness left. But if you are in or near a wilderness area, or your plans for survival include returning to the land, or if you simply wish to learn some of these skills, this is the book for you. I found it to contain a wealth of information and knowledge. Highly recommended.