Survival
(October 2006)
Enjoy this collection of writings and stories about nature, the wilderness and survival compiled by Reader Advisor Paul Mathews.
To order any of these titles, contact the library by email, mail or phone. You may also request these titles online through our OPAC. Happy Reading!
Aboman's Guide to Survival and Self-Reliance: Practical Skills for Interesting Times by Joseph A. Bigley.
Advice on how to deal with challenges presented by unexpected equipment breakdowns, weather disasters, and other such events. The manual contains information on preparing for emergencies, troubleshooting household problems, and maintaining health through alternative medicine and herbal remedies. Also highlights wilderness survival skills. RC 56439.
Another Country: Journeying toward the Cherokee Mountains by Christopher Camuto.
Reflections on the history, ecology, and myths of the southern Appalachian region. Recounts exploratory trips through the wilderness on foot and by canoe. Describes local Cherokee culture, which emphasizes living in harmony with nature, and discusses the reintroduction of the red wolf into the area. RC 46135.
The Appalachian Trail Reader edited by David Emblidge.
A collection of travel diaries and registers, historical accounts, and other writings that portray the 2,140-mile recreational footpath running from Georgia to Maine. Traces the wilderness trail northward, depicting its history, geology, scenery, wildlife, and lore. RC 45920.
The Edges of the Civilized World: A Journey in Nature and Culture by Alison Hawthorne Deming.
Examines the concept of civilization in relation to the environment and culture. Observes that tourism development often destroys natural resources and can hinder economic cooperation among nations. Reflects on a way of life that could reconcile the rift between societies' advancement and the need to preserve the wilderness. RC 47960.
Fodor's Escape to Nature: Without Roughing It edited by Constance Jones.
Guide to 250 secluded resorts, inns, and lodges in the United States and Canada where guests can enjoy the outdoors in comfort and luxury. Offers a variety of natural settings and accommodations in all price categories and provides information on facilities, recreation, services, and rates. Includes special tips. RC 59715.
In Our Nature: Stories of Wildness selected and introduced by Donna Seaman.
Fourteen tales exploring inner human conflict between natural instincts and the veneer of civilization by such writers as Rick Bass, Linda Hogan, Margaret Atwood, E.L. Doctorow, Lorrie Moore, and Rick DeMarinis. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. RC 55584.
Reclaiming the Last Wild Places: A New Agenda for Biodiversity by Roger L. DiSilvestro.
An environmentalist traces the history of conservation and federal land management since the nineteenth century. Criticizes the historic practice of drawing boundaries around pockets of wilderness. Proposes a practical approach to protecting wild places and species for the sake of future human civilization. RC 43075.
Sahara: A Natural History by Marq de Villiers and Sheila Hirtle.
Description of the world's largest desert landscape and its inhabitants. Discusses the geography, natural cycles, and resilient life-forms of the sandy wilderness stretching across the broadest part of Africa. Covers the history of the Sahara's indigenous people--Berbers, Moors, and Tuareg--and the ancient kingdom of past civilizations. RC 58292.
Survivors: True Tales of Endurance edited by John B. Letterman.
Twenty-three writings selected by the editor as the most "exciting, moving, and inspiring pieces ever written about human courage and perseverance" from the sixteenth to twentieth centuries. Primarily firsthand accounts, they include the Essex whaling ship wreck, astronaut James Lovell's harrowing adventure aboard Apollo 13, and Senator John McCain's POW experiences. RC 58169.
A Wilderness within: The Life of Sigurd F. Olson by David Backes.
Authorized biography of the American environmental writer and activist based on his papers and diaries. Describes the man who was a national parks advocate in the mid-twentieth century. Focuses on understanding Olson's character and the development of his ideas on conservation issues. RC 48148.
Wind in the Rock by Ann Zwinger.
A naturalist-writer and interpreter of the wilderness explores the canyon country of southeastern Utah through a series of journeys by boat, on foot, and horseback. Recounts the area's history, evokes the dramatic landscape, and describes the plants, animals, and insects that survive in the harsh climate. RC 12983.