Small Holding: Book Review - Special Forces Survival Guide


I have picked up many "survival" books over the years. Usually I just wait until I find them at a thrift store or on sale somewhere these days as most are just a re-hash of the same ole same ole. Luckily I picked up this book in hardback at a local Barnes and Noble a few months back on sale for seven bucks and although it is very basic and contains a fair amount of material found in other survival books I think this one has some advantages over others that bear mentioning.

It is written, or compiled in this case, by Chris McNab and is very well done with easy to follow explanations or directions and tons of instructional drawings. No photographs or color plates in the edition I purchased which also has a very basic cover compared to the one pictured above so there must be a new printing. As I mentioned it contains a good amount of information covered in other books on the subject but seems to bring them all together in one volume like no others I have read.

I wouldn't claim this work to be an advanced study but I would recommend it to anyone wishing to learn some tricks or begin basic survival training or knowledge. The detailed drawings of various traps, deadfalls, triggers, knots and basic shelters alone make it well worth the cover price in my opinion. Some of the information pertaining to extreme weather clothing was a bit redundant but overall informational as was the section on continental weather patterns.

This book does try and bite off more than it should, like most survival guides, in that it does attempt to cover all types of survival conditions rather than focusing on one specific type. Not that I find desert or tropical survival uninteresting but it certainly isn't an area I plan on focusing on under the current circumstances. I much prefer survival books more tailored to my local climate at the moment. Other readers mileage may vary of course.

The section on improvised weaponry is a bit lacking and I remember little in regards to basic explosive manufacturing, which I would think a "Special Forces Guide" would cover to some extent. Still with these few criticisms I would not hesitate to recommend this book to any beginning or even advanced outdoors man (woman) or prepper.

If you happen to find this book wallowing in the bargain bin I recommend you jump on it.

Keep Prepping Everyone!!!!

Source: http://smallhold-pioneerpreppy.blogspot.com/2011/05/book-review-special-forces-survival.html

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