When it comes to learning bushcraft skills, it's not always the best idea to get these skills from a book. However, if you're going to start this way it's best to go with the most accurate source. Which is why we're here to give you our take on the 3 best bushcraft books available.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Bushcraft Books
- OUR TOP PICK: The Lost Ways
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Bushcraft 101
- Self Sufficient Life
Comparison Chart of the Best Bushcraft Books
Product | Rating | Price |
---|---|---|
The Lost Ways No products found. | Best Overall | |
Bushcraft 101 No products found. | Runner-up | |
Self Sufficient Life |
Review of the Best Bushcraft Books
We did our best to be as objective as possible when reviewing these products, as to not give the illusion that they're all perfect. Each of these books are fantastic in their own way for each person, but none of these books are perfect.
So please read the pros and cons to get the gist of what we thought.
Best Overall:
The Lost Ways
No products found.
Pros
Cons
This book from Survivopedia takes the traditions and habits of our forefathers from the pioneer days. And if you're going to go to a book for information about something that is a lifestyle and not just information, it's best to base that book off of the lifestyle of those who were successful at the skill.
From what we read from this book it's an extensive explanation of traps, preservation tactics, hunting skills, and much more. Fortunately this book doesn't give the same old song and dance of "if you want to get better at building traps and catching animals, build more traps and practice..." duh ,right?
Runner-up:
Bushcraft 101
No products found.
Pros
Cons
Our next suggestion is from the one and only Dave Canterbury of Dual Survival on the Discovery Channel. Now as an ex Sergeant in the United States Army, and with special training in wilderness survival, Dave is pretty qualified to give advice in the arena of bushcraft survival skills.
And his book does a fantastic job of illustrating tactics that will help you reunite with nature the way we were intended. The best part is that you know that you're getting reliable information from a no-bs source. Unless you just don't trust our military to properly train our troops.
Also the fact that Dave's book is available in paperback as well as digital makes it a huge help, as you probably won't be able to whip your phone out when you're in the backcountry. Plus, having something you can put your hands on is something that is a mental benefit to provide security in the woods.
The only complaints we have about this book is the thin amount of detail. We understand that it is a beginners book, but at the same time it seems a bit remedial in how it comes across. The good news is that he has a sequel to this one if you find you're ready to take the next step!
Pros
Cons
Now if you're looking to make self sufficiency a lifestyle, then this is your resource! From the appropriately named site, self-sufficient-life.com and author Edmund Morris, comes the best collection of books we could find on making a living off the land.
And even if it's not your heart's desire to devote yourself to nature and get a divorce from siri (wouldn't we all like that), these books are a wonderful resource to give you information you can use while backpacking or any outdoor activities.
From beekeeping to aquaponics these books/courses have everything you could want to get started on your journey to a self sufficient lifestyle.
One quam we have with how this information is put together is the fact that all the information is segregated in different books that have to be purchased individually. However, if all you want is to learn one specific piece of their homesteading puzzle then it's perfect!
All in all it's a great resource and worth testing out at least one of their courses.
Conclusion
And there you have it, we did our best to be as objective as possible with these selections, and not slap a stamp of approval on every one of them. After all nothing is perfect, and you should know what you're getting should you choose to spend your money on one or more of these 3 best books for bushcraft survival and homesteading!