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16 Best Survival Books
There are many different types of survival books out there, and it can be hard to know which ones to choose. In this blog post, we will outline our top 16 favorite survival books and explain why we think they are worth reading. Whether you are a novice or an experienced outdoorsman, these books will help you to stay safe and thrive in any situation. So, without further ado, let's get started!
The Encyclopedia of Country Living
"For more than 50 years, this homesteading classic is the essential book of basic skills and country wisdom for living off the land, being prepared, and doing it yourself. Keep your family healthy, safe, and independent--no matter what's going on in the world."
1. The Encyclopedia of Country Living
The Encyclopedia of Country Living is the best-selling resource for the homesteading movement. With its origins in the back-to-the-land effort of the late 1960s, Carla Emery’s landmark book has grown into a comprehensive guide to building your sustainable country escape haven, while lowering your carbon footprint in the process.
The 40th-anniversary edition offers up-to-date and detailed information on the fundamentals of topics like homegrown food; raising chickens, goats, and pigs; beekeeping; food preservation; mail-order supply sourcing; foraging; and much, much more (even how to deliver a baby)—everything you need to lead a self-sufficient lifestyle in the 21st century.
Basic, thorough, and reliable, this book deserves a place in urban and rural homes alike. If you are interested in living a more sustainable lifestyle, this is the perfect resource for you.
Street Survival Skills
"Based on his experience, Fernando explains in this book different tips, tricks and tactics that work when everything else fails."-"Street Survival Skills" focuses on the practical side of preparedness: Awareness. Home and street security. Everyday carry. Blackouts. Survival kits and weapons."
2. Street Survival Skills
When it comes to urban survival, Fernando Aguirre knows what works and what doesn't. In his book "Street Survival Skills", he shares practical tips, tricks, and tactics that can help you stay alive when everything else fails.
From awareness and security to everyday carry items and weapons, Fernando teaches you basic survival skills and covers everything you need to know to survive in an urban environment. He also discusses how to respond to a terrorist or mass shooter, stop bleeding, and carry a casualty. And if you need to get out of town in a hurry, there's even a section on defensive driving.
With its focus on the practical side of preparedness, "Street Survival Skills" is an essential guide for anyone who wants to be ready for anything. So don't wait until it's too late - pick up a copy today!
When All Hell Breaks Loose
"A survival expert’s guide for every family to prepare and educate themselves about the skills and mentality necessary to survive a disaster anywhere."
3. When All Hell Breaks Loose
When All Hell Breaks Loose: Stuff You Need To Survive When Disaster Strikes is a book that every family should read to prepare for and educate themselves about survival psychology and the skills necessary to negotiate a disaster.
The book is written by survival expert Cody Lundin and is full of useful information on how to maximize a survival mindset, as well as first aid and hygiene skills. Lundin also addresses survival kit items for the home, office, and car. This is an essential book for anyone looking to be prepared for a catastrophe.
When Technology Fails
"Matthew Stein’s comprehensive guide to sustainable living skills gives you the tools you need to fend for yourself and your family in times of emergency or disaster."
4. When Technology Fails
When Technology Fails is a comprehensive primer on sustainable living skills, from food and water to shelter and energy to first-aid and crisis-management skills. Written by Matthew Stein, this book not only shows you how to live green in seemingly stable times but also how to live in the face of potential disasters, lasting days or years.
When survival books Technology Fails covers the gamut of skills necessary for self-reliance, making it a must-read for anyone interested in preparedness. Wilderness Survival Books Since wilderness survival skills are best learned through experience, reading wilderness survival books is one of the best ways to learn about the topic.
Search for the best outdoor survival skills and you will get a huge list of survival books to choose from.
Wild Edibles
"In this field guide to foraging wild edible plants, Sergei Boutenko explores the health benefits of wild-harvested food, explains how to safely identify trailside weeds, herbs, fruits, and greens that grow worldwide, and shares his delicious, nutrient-dense recipes."
5. Wild Edibles
Wild Edibles is the perfect field guide for foraging wild edible plants. Sergei Boutenko explores the health benefits of wild-harvested food, explains how to safely identify trailside weeds, herbs, fruits, and greens that grow worldwide, and shares his delicious, nutrient-dense recipes.
This practical guide to plant foraging gives hikers, backpackers, raw foodists, gardeners, chefs, foodies, DIYers, survivalists, and off-the-grid enthusiasts the tools to identify, harvest, and prepare wild edible plants.
The book outlines basic rules for safe wild-food foraging and discusses poisonous plants, plant identification protocol, gathering etiquette, and conservation. Boutenko explores in detail the many rewards of eating wild flora: environmental protection, sustainability, saving money, economic self-sufficiency.
Wild Edibles is a must-have guide for anyone interested in foraging for wild edible plants.
101 Skills You Need to Survive in the Woods
"The Foundation of All Survival Skills is “Feeder” Mind-Set
“Feeder” mind-set means being in control of a situation, proactive rather than reactive. It is an optimistic outlook that reframes any situation as a learning experience. Kevin Estela teaches survival skills from this feeder-based perspective, which is what separates his teaching style from other wilderness instructors."
6. 101 Skills You Need to Survive in the Woods
101 Skills You Need to Survive in the Woods: The Most Effective Wilderness Know-How on Fire-Making, Knife Work, Navigation, Shelter, Food and More is a book that every outdoors person needs in order to stay safe while in the wilderness.
This book provides the reader with all of the information they need to survive in any situation, whether it be getting lost alone or being in an extreme group setting. Craig Caudill, the author of this book, is an expert in outdoor survival and has spent decades gathering information on how to best survive in the wilderness. This book is a compilation of all of his knowledge, put together in a sensible and easy-to-follow manner. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced outdoorsman, this book will provide you with the skills and information you need to thrive in any situation.
Your Survival
"Everyone needs to be prepared for emergencies and this is a great survival starter book for your family. It has easy to follow instructions and examples of what you need to have on hand just in case you are in your home or if you have to leave to find shelter else where."
7. Your Survival
Your Survival is a handbook, video, and organizer combo that makes disaster preparedness simple, easy, and affordable. This comprehensive system provides checklists to help you stock an emergency food closet, understand your insurance policy, increase the chances your S.O.S. calls and emails will get through during a crisis, and protect your home against earthquakes, tornadoes, mudslides, terrorist attacks, and pandemics.
The Your Survival package comes with a 90-minute DVD featuring interviews with the nation's foremost disaster experts. You'll learn firsthand about the most common mistakes people make during a crisis, as well as the 10 most important items you should have on hand at all times. A Complete Guide to Your Survival also included providing step-by-step instructions on what to do before, during, and after a disaster.
With advice from survivors and experts alike, Your Survival is a vital investment for anyone interested in protecting their family and home. Order now and be prepared for whatever crisis you may face.
98.6 Degrees
"This is the ultimate book on how to stay alive based on the principal of keeping the body’s core temperature at a lively 98.6 degrees."
8. 98.6 Degrees
98.6 Degrees is a book about commonsense, modern survival skills for the backcountry, the backyard, or the highway. The book is written by Cody Lundin, who is the director of the Aboriginal Living Skills School in Prescott, Arizona. In his book, Lundin shares his brand of wilderness wisdom and survival instructor expertise.
The book is based on the principle of keeping the body's core temperature at a lively 98.6 degrees. Lundin argues that a human can live without food for weeks and without water for about three days or so. But if the body's core temperature dips much below or above the 98.6-degree mark, a person can die within hours.
Lundin delivers the message with wit, rebellious humor, and plenty of backcountry expertise. The book is also interspersed with helpful illustrations. For readers who want to see Lundin in action, he also appears on the Discovery Channel's "Dual Survival" television series.
Overall, 98.6 Degrees is an informative and entertaining guide that will help readers to stay safe and thrive in any situation.
Survival Handbook
"Written by Colin Towell, an ex-SAS Combat Survival Instructor, The Survival Handbook is bursting with survival tips, manual skills, camping essentials, and advice on how to improvise, survive, and get found - on land or at sea."
9. Survival Handbook
Novices in this field will particularly find this book helpful as it covers a broad range of topics, from building shelter to foraging for food. This comprehensive guide also includes information on first aid, navigation, and emergency signals.
The Survival Handbook is an essential read for anyone interested in learning more about survival skills. Experienced outdoorsmen will also find this book to be a valuable resource. SAS Survival Handbook is another excellent choice for those looking to build their survival knowledge base. The urban survival chapter is especially useful for city-dwellers who want to be prepared for any situation.
This book is a bestseller for a reason- it is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in survival. If you are looking for a comprehensive guide to surviving in the wilderness, this is the book for you.
Special Forces Survival Guide
"'Special Forces Survival Guide' gathers the lessons learned by the world's most admired military groups into one handy volume. Packed with tips, tricks, and techniques, plus more than 500 illustrations, 'Special Forces Survival Guide' will show you how to survive harsh terrain, severe weather, and life-threatening situations."
10. Special Forces Survival Guide
Special Forces Survival Guide is a book that provides tips, tricks, and instructions on how to survive in various difficult situations. The book is packed with information on how to find food and water, build shelter, start a fire, navigate without a compass, and signal for help. The book also covers first aid.
The skills presented in the book are field-tested and used by some of the best-trained soldiers in the world. These include the Navy SEALs, Army Rangers, Delta Force, Green Berets, Royal Marines, French Foreign Legion, and Australian SAS. The book is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn how to survive in tough conditions.
The Best Survival Books provide the reader with accurate information on a variety of topics that can help them stay alive in different situations. The book is easy to read and understand, making it a valuable resource for both novice and experienced outdoorsmen.
US Army Survival Manual
"The most proven and field tested military techniques, documented by the U.S military and used for official training, The U.S. Army Survival Manual provides step by step instruction and illustrations for surviving outdoors--survival skills every soldier, climber, hiker, and hunter should know."
11. US Army Survival Manual
US Army Survival Manual: FM 21-76 is one of the best survival books available today. This book provides comprehensive, step-by-step instructions on survival in any climate or terrain. The Army Survival Manual is an essential guide for anyone who wants to be prepared for any wilderness emergency.
The book is divided into sections covering all survival aspects, from Finding Water to Building Shelters. Each section contains detailed illustrations and easy-to-understand text, making learning survival skills a breeze. The Army Survival Manual also includes a section on First Aid, which is essential for any wilderness explorer.
If you are looking for a comprehensive guide to surviving in the wild, then the US Army Survival Manual: FM 21-76 is the book for you. This book will teach you everything you need to know to stay alive in any situation. Order your copy today!
How to Stay Alive in the Woods
"A practical and indispensable guide for anyone venturing into the outdoors and backcountry, this classic resource by wilderness expert Branford Angier is packed with illustrated core survival skills and timeless advice."
12. How to Stay Alive in the Woods
How to Stay Alive in the Woods is a must-read for anyone venturing into the great outdoors. This practical guide provides essential information on four key areas: sustenance, warmth, orientation, and safety. With clear instructions and detailed illustrations, the book shows how to catch game without a gun, identify edible plants, build a shelter Air Force Survival Handbook, and much more. Whether you are a novice or an experienced outdoorsman, How to Stay Alive in the Woods will help you stay safe and thrive in any situation. The Ultimate Survival Manual: 333 Skills That Will Get You Out Alive
With more than 1,400 full-color photographs and illustrations, The Ultimate Survival Manual is the definitive resource for survival skills. The book is organized by the environment, including desert, mountain, tundra, water, and urban settings, and provides step-by-step instructions for building shelter, finding food and water, signaling for help, and navigating your way to safety.
In addition to essential survival skills, the book also covers self-defense, first aid, and tools and equipment. Whether you are stranded in the wilderness or caught in the middle of a natural disaster, The Ultimate Survival Manual will help you get out alive.
The SAS Survival Handbook, Third Edition: The ultimate guide to surviving anywhere
The SAS Survival Handbook is the preeminent guide to surviving any situation, anywhere in the world.
First published in 1986, it has sold more than two million copies and has been translated into 20 languages. Now updated with the latest medical advice, technology, and equipment, this third edition is more comprehensive and practical than ever before. The Wilderness Survival Guide: Primitive Skills for Short-Term Survival and Long-Term Comfort
The book covers everything from basic first aid and self-defense to building shelter, finding food and water, navigating your way to safety, and much more. With clear, concise instructions and over 700 illustrations, the SAS Survival Handbook is an essential resource for anyone who wants to be prepared for the worst.
Extreme Wilderness Survival
"For the beginner and way beyond, Extreme Wilderness Survival has what every outdoorsman needs to stay safe in the woods: the right mind-set, skills, advanced tactics and gear choices based on real experiences."
13. Extreme Wilderness Survival
Extreme Wilderness Survival by Craig Caudill is one of the best survival books on the market. It is perfect for novice and experienced outdoorspeople, as it provides essential knowledge on staying safe and thriving in any situation. The book outlines different mindsets, skills, and gear choices based on real experiences, making it an invaluable resource for anyone who wants to be prepared for the worst. Whether you are looking to survive a short-term or long-term outdoor situation, with or without gear, this book will give you the tools you need to succeed.
The Unthinkable
"Discover how human beings react to danger—and what makes the difference between life and death"
14. The Unthinkable
The Unthinkable is a book about how human beings react to danger and what makes the difference between life and death. The book is written by award-winning journalist Amanda Ripley and looks at how people have reacted to some of history's biggest disasters. The book also looks at the science behind human responses to danger and how the brain works to keep us safe. The Unthinkable is a fascinating and informative read that will leave you with a greater understanding of how to react in a dangerous situation. The best bushcraft books will teach you how to survive in the wild, but this book will teach you how to survive in any situation.
Build the Perfect Survival Kit
"When an unexpected emergency situation rears its ugly head, will you be up to the challenge? "I wasn't prepared for that!" will no longer be a valid response with the survival-kit-building methods in this book from survival expert John McCann. This fully revised and expanded second edition includes all new information for building bug out bags, get-home bags and vehicle kits that are fully customized to meet your family's specific survival needs."
15. Build the Perfect Survival Kit
Build the Perfect Survival Kit is the best book for preparing you and your family for any emergency. This fully revised and expanded second edition includes all new information for building bug-out bags, get-home bags, and vehicle kits that are fully customized to meet your family's specific survival needs. Whether it's disposing of bodies following an apocalypse or brushing up on your emergency preparedness skills, this book has everything you need to know to be prepared for anything.
This book makes building the perfect kit a straightforward and manageable task--no matter what your activity. It is a must for anyone who ventures outside the home. Armed with the kit-building techniques found within, you will be prepared to survive!
The Survival Medicine Handbook
"Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton have put together a 700 page book that encompasses trauma care, first aid, chronic care, medical procedures, and much more. It’ll be an essential reference for anyone concerned about the uncertain future."
16. The Survival Medicine Handbook
The Survival Medicine Handbook is a comprehensive guide to medical preparedness for when help is not on the way. Written in plain English that anyone can understand, this book is essential for anyone concerned about the uncertain future. With over 700 pages of information on topics ranging from trauma care to chronic care, this book is a must-have for anyone interested in survival medicine.
FAQ
Who is the world's best survival expert?
Bear Grylls is one of the most knowledgeable people when it comes to survival, and he has become a great television tool for this topic. Arguably, Bear Grylls is well recognized in this field.
What is the most important survival kit? A good book.
No matter what situation you find yourself in, having a well-written and informative survival book can make all the difference. From learning how to build a shelter to foraging for food, the best survival books can teach you the skills you need to stay alive in any situation.
What is disaster survival?
Disaster survival is the art and science of preparing for and surviving catastrophic events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and floods. It is a complex and multi-faceted topic that covers everything from emergency preparedness to long-term recovery.
Conclusion
So there you have it, our list of the best survival books. We hope that this has helped you to narrow down your choices and find a few that you think are worth reading. Remember, knowledge is power when it comes to survival, so the more you know, the better prepared you will be.
