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Survive!: Essential Skills and Tactics to Get You Out of Anywhere--Alive!
You’re alone in the forest on a fine autumn day with nothing but a multitool. You’re stuck there for a week. Should you be more worried about finding a source of uncontaminated water or about a bear that might be in the area? Neither, says Les Stroud. The bear will most likely avoid you, and dehydration will affect you faster than parasites in untreated water. Your bigger worry should be shelter—the daytime might be nice, but it’s likely going to be cold at night. And that’s just the beginning.
The concept of Survivorman is simple: left in a remote location, Les must survive for seven days on his own without food, water or equipment. Now, he shares his expert knowledge in Survive!, a fully illustrated guide based on his experiences on six continents and filled with field-tested advice. Many books on survival are culled from Second World War–era training techniques that are out-of-date or just plain wrong. Survive! debunks these dated myths, exploring basic and advanced tactics that show you how to cope in any survival situation.
Brought to life with Les’s own anecdotes and the tales of others, Survive! is the perfect manual for anyone -- from beginner to armchair traveller to seasoned explorer -- who wants to meet nature’s dangers with confidence. As Les writes, “If you believe you can make it through the bad times, and you are not intimidated by the forces of nature, you will markedly increase your chances of survival.”
SURVIVE! includes detailed information on the following:
preparing for survival, mentally and physically fire-making techniques basic survival kit components finding, collecting and making water sources of food types of shelter384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
February 6, 2009
Les Stroud's Survive!
Wk.41; Bk.41
Meet Les Stroud also known as Survivorman! I've been kind of hooked on this guy for the past few weeks. I don't know what it is about survival and adventure in the great outdoors, but I am absolutely enamored with it all. I always have been; however, I'm never able to get out quite as much as I would like to, which is all my fault.
I've read my fair share of survival manuals/books hand and hand with "simple-living" texts. Some of the survivor books were gimmicky like Cody Lundin's 98.6 Degrees: The Art of Keeping Your Ass Alive, some of them were technical and saturated with information such as John Lofty Wiseman's SAS Survival Handbook: How to Survive in the Wild, in Any Climate, on Land, or at Sea, and others were purely fascinating such as the Foxfire Series. Les Stroud's book is a combination of all three.
Survive!'s lay out is almost a complete replica of Wiseman's SAS Survival Handbook. The colors of both book's pages are orange and black with the occasional "Author's Tip" that is interjected between paragraphs in a little orange box that provides information or short survival "true" stories such as:
When traveling, take particularly good care of your feet. If you have extra socks, change them regularly, and avoid walking in wet footgear. [Survive!, 224:]
However, Stroud's book doesn't provide nearly as many illustrations as Wiseman's, which I feel is a draw back. Wiseman's text is filled with in depth illustrations of knot tying, trap setting, first aid techniques, weather patterns, star formations, etc. Stroud opts to cut out a lot of the imagery (there are still quite a few photos). I think I understand why Stroud chose to keep the images to a minimum and that's because almost everything he covers in the book is actually filmed and available through his show Survivorman. The show works in tandem with the book, which actually makes both media even more enjoyable. I suggest tackling this book using the dvds of Stroud's show as a companion. It's really cool to read something he mentions in the book and think, "Hey, I saw that episode!"
When compared to Lundin's 98.6 Degrees, Stroud comes off as a little more reliable and a lot less cocky. Lundin's text is pretty matter-of-fact whereas Stroud's is very didactic. The one spot that 98.6 Degrees beats Survive! reverts back to, once again, imagery. Lundin presents colored photos, which is very helpful for obvious reasons. Stroud's photos are all black and white, which makes it difficult whenever he's discussing a photo (I'm thinking particularly of his wonderful lesson on using topographical maps and an orienteering compass).
The best thing about Survive! is that it's fairly realistic. Stroud doesn't spend time on anything that isn't a necessity to survival. For example, Wiseman's SAS Handbook gives in depth detail on hunting and dressing big game whereas Stroud teaches that if you're in a survival situation hunting big game isn't a good idea because it will exhaust you as well as endanger you. When it comes right down to it, Stroud brings survival back to basics and bare-minimums. Essentially, Survive! is an annotated version of the SAS Handbook.
Survive!'s chapters are also formulaic, which gives a great sense of cohesion. Each chapter ends with what I will call a "Region-Specific" section that covers the following regions: Arid, Deserts, and Canyons; Boreal and Other Temperate Forests; Arctic and Polar regions; On the Sea or Open Water; Jungles; Coastal Regions; and, finally, Mountains. This is a wonderful technique because it allows for easy references. So, let's say that I was planning on taking a trip to the Rockies and I wanted to know the dangers of such a region. All I would have to do is go to the end of the "Dangers and Hazards" chapter and check out the "Mountains" section. Very, very useful.
Next up:
J.M. Coetzee's Disgrace
Wk.42; Bk.42
Wk.41; Bk.41
Meet Les Stroud also known as Survivorman! I've been kind of hooked on this guy for the past few weeks. I don't know what it is about survival and adventure in the great outdoors, but I am absolutely enamored with it all. I always have been; however, I'm never able to get out quite as much as I would like to, which is all my fault.
I've read my fair share of survival manuals/books hand and hand with "simple-living" texts. Some of the survivor books were gimmicky like Cody Lundin's 98.6 Degrees: The Art of Keeping Your Ass Alive, some of them were technical and saturated with information such as John Lofty Wiseman's SAS Survival Handbook: How to Survive in the Wild, in Any Climate, on Land, or at Sea, and others were purely fascinating such as the Foxfire Series. Les Stroud's book is a combination of all three.
Survive!'s lay out is almost a complete replica of Wiseman's SAS Survival Handbook. The colors of both book's pages are orange and black with the occasional "Author's Tip" that is interjected between paragraphs in a little orange box that provides information or short survival "true" stories such as:
When traveling, take particularly good care of your feet. If you have extra socks, change them regularly, and avoid walking in wet footgear. [Survive!, 224:]
However, Stroud's book doesn't provide nearly as many illustrations as Wiseman's, which I feel is a draw back. Wiseman's text is filled with in depth illustrations of knot tying, trap setting, first aid techniques, weather patterns, star formations, etc. Stroud opts to cut out a lot of the imagery (there are still quite a few photos). I think I understand why Stroud chose to keep the images to a minimum and that's because almost everything he covers in the book is actually filmed and available through his show Survivorman. The show works in tandem with the book, which actually makes both media even more enjoyable. I suggest tackling this book using the dvds of Stroud's show as a companion. It's really cool to read something he mentions in the book and think, "Hey, I saw that episode!"
When compared to Lundin's 98.6 Degrees, Stroud comes off as a little more reliable and a lot less cocky. Lundin's text is pretty matter-of-fact whereas Stroud's is very didactic. The one spot that 98.6 Degrees beats Survive! reverts back to, once again, imagery. Lundin presents colored photos, which is very helpful for obvious reasons. Stroud's photos are all black and white, which makes it difficult whenever he's discussing a photo (I'm thinking particularly of his wonderful lesson on using topographical maps and an orienteering compass).
The best thing about Survive! is that it's fairly realistic. Stroud doesn't spend time on anything that isn't a necessity to survival. For example, Wiseman's SAS Handbook gives in depth detail on hunting and dressing big game whereas Stroud teaches that if you're in a survival situation hunting big game isn't a good idea because it will exhaust you as well as endanger you. When it comes right down to it, Stroud brings survival back to basics and bare-minimums. Essentially, Survive! is an annotated version of the SAS Handbook.
Survive!'s chapters are also formulaic, which gives a great sense of cohesion. Each chapter ends with what I will call a "Region-Specific" section that covers the following regions: Arid, Deserts, and Canyons; Boreal and Other Temperate Forests; Arctic and Polar regions; On the Sea or Open Water; Jungles; Coastal Regions; and, finally, Mountains. This is a wonderful technique because it allows for easy references. So, let's say that I was planning on taking a trip to the Rockies and I wanted to know the dangers of such a region. All I would have to do is go to the end of the "Dangers and Hazards" chapter and check out the "Mountains" section. Very, very useful.
Next up:
J.M. Coetzee's Disgrace
Wk.42; Bk.42
December 27, 2015
Great tips on everything under the spectrum of wilderness know-how and survival tips. I certainly never plan to be lost in the wilderness, but this gave me some good tips and ideas for the Appalachian trail hike I want to one day do.
July 31, 2013
Many of these books are a chore to read. They can be like textbooks, manuals, lectures, field guides, etc. Basically the sorts of books that 5% of the population enjoys reading, 10% of the population can be convinced to read, and most of the rest would have to be forced to read. This book was enjoyable. I suspect that some might consider it light, but a book that is fun to read, and is actually read, cover to cover, can offer a lot more benefit to more people than more 'solid' books sitting on bookshelves waiting to be read after an emergency occurs. BTW, I have those books, 5 or 6 of them. Some I will read front to back. Some I will scan so that WTSHTF, I will know where to look for the knowledge I need. So, I am bumping my rating of this book after writing this review.
March 30, 2019
Les Stroud, host of Survivorman, has written a brief and concise book in which he has described basic survival strategies for every region of the world. He emphasizes basics especially having a positive attitude and being able to creatively use what you have available to meet your survival needs.
With all the varied travel options frequently used today by every age group, it is not difficult to imagine a sudden survival situation arising on the ocean after a badly planned Seadoo or kayak rental, a plane crash anywhere in the world, a car breakdown in the desert or in a blizzard, or even an extended power outage in your own home.
The author easily convinces the reader to have a basic survival kit in each vehicle, in the home, and on the person when in the wilderness. He shows how to use the items creatively for short term survival. He recounts many instances of readers telling him that watching his program saved their lives when they were in an unanticipated emergency.
Many people think these circumstances cannot happen to them. But even a day on the ski slope can turn suddenly treacherous with a blizzard, whiteout conditions, chair lifts no longer operating, cell phone coverage lost or even worse, being lost out-of-bounds. A folded aluminum foil pot for melting snow, matches, a lightweight space blanket for insulation and one for sitting on, a multi tool and small folding knife, some protein bars ... and you can, in two hours, have a snow cave that is comfortably warm with a small fire inside (with a small air intake and chimney), keep dry, have adequate water and sleep and wait out the blizzard. Or you can stand around all night stomping your feet trying to keep warm and end up in exhausted sleep from which you never wake up. It is just a matter of being prepared.
We don't think things like this can happen to us, but if they do, our lives are made much easier applying the knowledge in this book.
The book is brief but well explained and with many excellent pictures.
I have been in a few of the situations that he has described and have survived them with the same knowledge that is in this book. But I learned by experience the hard way and by researching many books. This might be the only book you need to read on this topic.
With all the varied travel options frequently used today by every age group, it is not difficult to imagine a sudden survival situation arising on the ocean after a badly planned Seadoo or kayak rental, a plane crash anywhere in the world, a car breakdown in the desert or in a blizzard, or even an extended power outage in your own home.
The author easily convinces the reader to have a basic survival kit in each vehicle, in the home, and on the person when in the wilderness. He shows how to use the items creatively for short term survival. He recounts many instances of readers telling him that watching his program saved their lives when they were in an unanticipated emergency.
Many people think these circumstances cannot happen to them. But even a day on the ski slope can turn suddenly treacherous with a blizzard, whiteout conditions, chair lifts no longer operating, cell phone coverage lost or even worse, being lost out-of-bounds. A folded aluminum foil pot for melting snow, matches, a lightweight space blanket for insulation and one for sitting on, a multi tool and small folding knife, some protein bars ... and you can, in two hours, have a snow cave that is comfortably warm with a small fire inside (with a small air intake and chimney), keep dry, have adequate water and sleep and wait out the blizzard. Or you can stand around all night stomping your feet trying to keep warm and end up in exhausted sleep from which you never wake up. It is just a matter of being prepared.
We don't think things like this can happen to us, but if they do, our lives are made much easier applying the knowledge in this book.
The book is brief but well explained and with many excellent pictures.
I have been in a few of the situations that he has described and have survived them with the same knowledge that is in this book. But I learned by experience the hard way and by researching many books. This might be the only book you need to read on this topic.
July 14, 2010
Well, this is a tough book for me to review. It's not a novel or a story it's more like a manual, or handbook. If you are looking for excitement, you won't find it in this book, but I did find a lot of it interesting. One problem people might have with this book is that it is very specific and wouldn't appeal to a wide audience, but I guess if you own the book, or are reading it, you find survival appealing.
If you want to learn how to survive, or are taking a trip where survival might become a necessity, this is, hands down, the right book to read. Even if you are interested in the outdoors, or like camping, I would recommend this book. Les Stroud knows what he is doing, and explains it well. I mean, you don't get a T.V. show called Survivorman without knowing what you are talking about.
Anyway, I felt at times the book got repetitive, but I guess that can help you learn the information and recall it if you do ever find yourself in a survival situation.
Basically what this boils down to is: If you are outdoorsy and/or interested in survival, read this book. If you could care less about the stuff, skip it. (Although survival skills are not without their merit.)
If you want to learn how to survive, or are taking a trip where survival might become a necessity, this is, hands down, the right book to read. Even if you are interested in the outdoors, or like camping, I would recommend this book. Les Stroud knows what he is doing, and explains it well. I mean, you don't get a T.V. show called Survivorman without knowing what you are talking about.
Anyway, I felt at times the book got repetitive, but I guess that can help you learn the information and recall it if you do ever find yourself in a survival situation.
Basically what this boils down to is: If you are outdoorsy and/or interested in survival, read this book. If you could care less about the stuff, skip it. (Although survival skills are not without their merit.)
April 26, 2015
An easy read, filled with only relevant Information that you could actually use in a survival situation. None of the unrealistic practises that fill the pages of most of these type of books.
If you are an outdoorsman that's read 100 of these books, or a city slicker that's read none - pick this one up and have an entertaining read. It might just save your life.
If you are an outdoorsman that's read 100 of these books, or a city slicker that's read none - pick this one up and have an entertaining read. It might just save your life.
October 18, 2010
UPDATE: I brought this book with me on a trip out into the bush...and it did serve one really awesome purpose. The pages burn pretty well, and I used it to start a few fires. That's about all it was good for, although I'm not sure it's worth carrying cause it's too darn heavy.
*correction* my better half has just informed me that the pages burned horribly. Must have been thinking of a different survival book.
-old review-
This book is...okay. It's got a nice strong cover and includes a DVD. I mean, I guess I just don't really understand what this book is for--is this supposed to be a field guide....or is it informational? The DVD just pretty much showed Les in a summer setting for an hour and then a winter setting for an hour. I honestly didn't learn a whole lot from watching the DVD. Now if that DVD went into detail on maybe some plant identification, shelter/roof thatching maybe...more detail of the basic traps and snares and general USEFUL information for a survival situation, I might feel a little differently. I guess I basically feel like I got better and more useful information from Tom Brown's books, but I view survival from a completely different standpoint than Les. I just think the best way to include a dvd with a survival book is to SHOW what you're talking about in the book, and I didnt feel like he did that at all.
Also, I'm not sure what this guy's deal is, but he doesn't seem to have that magnetic connection to nature/the earth/wilderness that some of the other survival teachers seem to have, but Les's skills seem to do the job as he usually does survive...
If you're looking looking for a good general guide, I suppose this will do....but there are lots of better options out there. I can't imagine carrying this bulky book with me into the field. He gives good information on things like eating charcoal and making tools, but I'm not sure whether to trust some of the things he says simply because he'll often say something like "other people may say NEVER to eat X, but i'd say it's perfectly fine". Hmmm, do I trust the one guy who says to do it, or the 99 guys who tell me not to?
*correction* my better half has just informed me that the pages burned horribly. Must have been thinking of a different survival book.
-old review-
This book is...okay. It's got a nice strong cover and includes a DVD. I mean, I guess I just don't really understand what this book is for--is this supposed to be a field guide....or is it informational? The DVD just pretty much showed Les in a summer setting for an hour and then a winter setting for an hour. I honestly didn't learn a whole lot from watching the DVD. Now if that DVD went into detail on maybe some plant identification, shelter/roof thatching maybe...more detail of the basic traps and snares and general USEFUL information for a survival situation, I might feel a little differently. I guess I basically feel like I got better and more useful information from Tom Brown's books, but I view survival from a completely different standpoint than Les. I just think the best way to include a dvd with a survival book is to SHOW what you're talking about in the book, and I didnt feel like he did that at all.
Also, I'm not sure what this guy's deal is, but he doesn't seem to have that magnetic connection to nature/the earth/wilderness that some of the other survival teachers seem to have, but Les's skills seem to do the job as he usually does survive...
If you're looking looking for a good general guide, I suppose this will do....but there are lots of better options out there. I can't imagine carrying this bulky book with me into the field. He gives good information on things like eating charcoal and making tools, but I'm not sure whether to trust some of the things he says simply because he'll often say something like "other people may say NEVER to eat X, but i'd say it's perfectly fine". Hmmm, do I trust the one guy who says to do it, or the 99 guys who tell me not to?
September 26, 2017
From a perspective of planning and taking a trip in the wild then getting into a survival situation. Water, fire, shelter then food (includes fishing, trapping techniques and hunting). Tips for moving location (navigation and modes of transport). A bit about dangers and hazards. A chapter on weather and another on clothing. Last 3 chapters deal with first aid and survival skills.
May 23, 2025
DNF. I made it partway through chapter 5 on Water and just couldn’t take it anymore.
Ok. I have thoughts. I LOVE survival stories, but I just couldn’t deal with this book.
Some of the things I mention below are probably just from the book being older, but it says at the beginning it’s an updated book and the date is stamped 2020, so I find most of these issues kind of big deals.
In chapter 2- survival kits, I was a little amused by his advice to carry duplicates of most of the recommended items. It’s the opposite of the “be prepared but don’t carry your fears” advice you hear in ultralight backpacking, but clearly UL backpackers aren’t the target audience, so that’s fine.
He lost me in chapter 4- signaling, where he talks nonchalantly about setting signaling fires. He talks about a time when he tried setting a triangle fire (3 fires in a triangle), and that when the rescue plane carried him away he was surprised to see how small his fires looked from above. So he didn’t put out his fires before flying away? (These fires were on a frozen pond, maybe it was fine, I’m not sure.)
But then he goes on to say that in dire circumstances, he could live with himself even if he had to set a whole island on fire to get attention, and that environmental concerns could wait for later when it’s not an emergency. Excuse me? Maybe he assumes that no humans or homes will be in the path of his fires, but in light of all the recent wildfires in the last few years (including some set by people trying to set signaling fires for rescue!!) this seems like terrible advice.
In chapter 5 he talks about doing long distance trail runs and forcing his running team to stop for untreated water to prevent dehydration, because waterborne diseases and parasites don’t usually hurt you for 24+ hours? Again, excuse me?! Why in the world would you opt to drink unfiltered water in a non-emergency situation when you can pick up a $30 sawyer squeeze at Walmart, screw it onto your water bottle, and know that you won’t get sick?
Finally, throughout the first few chapters he talks about personal locator beacons but the descriptions seem pretty outdated. He says they’re one way communication devices, some of which could even send emails or texts, but only one way. The Garmin inreach is newish but not That new, and it definitely allows two-way texting.
Anyway. Didn’t finish. Don’t recommend.
Ok. I have thoughts. I LOVE survival stories, but I just couldn’t deal with this book.
Some of the things I mention below are probably just from the book being older, but it says at the beginning it’s an updated book and the date is stamped 2020, so I find most of these issues kind of big deals.
In chapter 2- survival kits, I was a little amused by his advice to carry duplicates of most of the recommended items. It’s the opposite of the “be prepared but don’t carry your fears” advice you hear in ultralight backpacking, but clearly UL backpackers aren’t the target audience, so that’s fine.
He lost me in chapter 4- signaling, where he talks nonchalantly about setting signaling fires. He talks about a time when he tried setting a triangle fire (3 fires in a triangle), and that when the rescue plane carried him away he was surprised to see how small his fires looked from above. So he didn’t put out his fires before flying away? (These fires were on a frozen pond, maybe it was fine, I’m not sure.)
But then he goes on to say that in dire circumstances, he could live with himself even if he had to set a whole island on fire to get attention, and that environmental concerns could wait for later when it’s not an emergency. Excuse me? Maybe he assumes that no humans or homes will be in the path of his fires, but in light of all the recent wildfires in the last few years (including some set by people trying to set signaling fires for rescue!!) this seems like terrible advice.
In chapter 5 he talks about doing long distance trail runs and forcing his running team to stop for untreated water to prevent dehydration, because waterborne diseases and parasites don’t usually hurt you for 24+ hours? Again, excuse me?! Why in the world would you opt to drink unfiltered water in a non-emergency situation when you can pick up a $30 sawyer squeeze at Walmart, screw it onto your water bottle, and know that you won’t get sick?
Finally, throughout the first few chapters he talks about personal locator beacons but the descriptions seem pretty outdated. He says they’re one way communication devices, some of which could even send emails or texts, but only one way. The Garmin inreach is newish but not That new, and it definitely allows two-way texting.
Anyway. Didn’t finish. Don’t recommend.
July 15, 2023
My second time reading this book. I could listen to Les talk about survival all day. I prefer the format of his other book a little more in terms of how the info is organized, but this is still great.
June 12, 2024
A well organized and thural breakdown of the elements for survival and how to prioritize the many tasks needed to stay alive.
March 20, 2025
Enjoyed the book in spite of its technical aspect and pace of information. A lot of it would not apply to me since I don’t think I will ever be in the vicinity of a tundra, the vast forest of Canada or a desert or the Amazon rainforest but lots of good things to help you think your way through a problem. You never know when you need this kind of information and that is the point.
July 29, 2025
No nonsense, straight to the point book that focuses more on doing the practical thing to escape the wilderness instead of all the usual camp craft so many survival books rely on. Best survival book I have read thus far.
November 17, 2013
Surprisingly devoid of usable information for a book of its size. Nearly 400 pages of pop survival, in which the "author", creator of the television show "Survivorman", briefly lists a bunch of bullet points outlining things that are mostly common sense. He leaps around between subjects, takes a jab at his competitor "Man vs Wild", and constantly contradicts himself, often saying you should do something and in the next sentence saying you shouldn't. He does this several times when it comes to water, he keeps recommending that you drink untreated water at regular intervals if you don't have anything else to drink, then briefly touches on the fact you could ingest untreatable stomach parasites, without naming any, then says it's possible that won't notice them for a few weeks anyway. He keeps recommending you eat charcoal if your stomach is bothering you, but never from poisonous wood sources, though he doesn't say anything about how to identify the poisonous sources.
I was looking forward to the chapter on dangers and hazards, but there was really nothing of value to read there. Again he lists a few creatures you should watch out for but doesn't detail anything, also saying that if you run into a large predator you should make as much noise as possible, but also move stealthily, look at them in the face but they could take eye contact as a challenge, etc. He lists a few more dangerous animals and then notes in parenthesis that he doesn't have to elaborate as if the fact that the animal is big should be explanation enough on how to deal with an encounter with it.
Similarly, in a section on food in the wilderness, the author says that you probably shouldn't eat any plants because they could be poisonous, but if you are going to, outlines a step by step guide on eating, which includes rubbing the plant on your skin and leaving it in your mouth for a few hours, while not even beginning to say anything about which kinds of plants you should be eating or not eating in the first place. To me, this felt like he just didn't feel like getting into all that, a sign that you should be looking for a more substantive text if you're actually looking for something that will help you survive.
Throughout the book, Stroud delights in throwing in quick recollections of his personal exploits, but none of these seem to have any lessons and they rarely go with whatever he was just talking about. Several of these he presents with the conviction that it was his "most dangerous survival moment" as if he forgot he's said this about two different moments already.
The few useful lessons in this book, such as a section on first aid, probably aren't enough that I would recommend it to anyone that genuinely wants to learn about survival. The author (or more accurately, ghostwriter) never goes into detail and the length of the text is mostly just rambling, endless bullet points, and repeating things he's already said. I would suggest something more academic, or better yet, an actual survival course.
I was looking forward to the chapter on dangers and hazards, but there was really nothing of value to read there. Again he lists a few creatures you should watch out for but doesn't detail anything, also saying that if you run into a large predator you should make as much noise as possible, but also move stealthily, look at them in the face but they could take eye contact as a challenge, etc. He lists a few more dangerous animals and then notes in parenthesis that he doesn't have to elaborate as if the fact that the animal is big should be explanation enough on how to deal with an encounter with it.
Similarly, in a section on food in the wilderness, the author says that you probably shouldn't eat any plants because they could be poisonous, but if you are going to, outlines a step by step guide on eating, which includes rubbing the plant on your skin and leaving it in your mouth for a few hours, while not even beginning to say anything about which kinds of plants you should be eating or not eating in the first place. To me, this felt like he just didn't feel like getting into all that, a sign that you should be looking for a more substantive text if you're actually looking for something that will help you survive.
Throughout the book, Stroud delights in throwing in quick recollections of his personal exploits, but none of these seem to have any lessons and they rarely go with whatever he was just talking about. Several of these he presents with the conviction that it was his "most dangerous survival moment" as if he forgot he's said this about two different moments already.
The few useful lessons in this book, such as a section on first aid, probably aren't enough that I would recommend it to anyone that genuinely wants to learn about survival. The author (or more accurately, ghostwriter) never goes into detail and the length of the text is mostly just rambling, endless bullet points, and repeating things he's already said. I would suggest something more academic, or better yet, an actual survival course.
July 12, 2015
From the sun-scorched sands of the Kalahari to the snake-infested jungles of the Amazon, Les Stroud has made a life of surviving in the harshest—and most remote—regions on Earth.
Now, the creator, producer, and host of the hit television program Survivorman transfers his decades of knowledge and experience to the pages of Survive!, a practical guide that gives everyday readers a no-nonsense look at the real world of survival.
Stroud offers readers the essential skills and tactics necessary to endure in any corner of the globe, along with a wealth of insider information born of his own experiences in the outdoors and unavailable in any other book. Readers will learn:
How to make a survival shelter and why a lean-to is largely a waste of time. Why survival kits are important, and why you should make your own. Where to find water and why drinking contaminated water is sometimes warranted. How to locate and trap small animals and why the notion of tracking and hunting large game is largely a pipe dream.Whether seasoned in the outdoor arts or new to adventuring, all readers will learn something from Survive!. Stroud's many colorful anecdotes and cut-to-the-chase philosophy not only make for an entertaining read, but also enhance anyone's ability to focus on the main goal when everything else has gone wrong—survival.
**
About the AuthorSurvival expert and filmmaker Les Stroud is the creator/producer/host/director of Survivorman and Les Stroud: Beyond Survival on the Discovery Channel. He has produced, hosted, and appeared in many television specials, including Shark Week, Surviving Alaska, and Off the Grid with Les Stroud.
November 7, 2012
In my opinion I thought the book Survive was an excellent read. Especially for people who are fascinated by all the outdoor survival shows, or just the outdoors in general. This book goes over all aspects of solo survival or group survival. It doesn’t just explain where you can find fresh water where ever you are, or how to administer a test to see if plants are edible or poisonous. It also goes over the psychological aspect of survival, which I think can be a great factor that determines if you stay alive or die trying.
Even though survival can be a matter of life or death, Les Stroud was able to make some parts of it funny. Like when he was describing a rhinos horn as being oh-so-big, or dedicating the last few pages to being emergency fire starters.
I liked this book because the outdoors are a personal interest of mine. I greatly enjoy watching the multiple survival shows that are available on the Discovery channel. Survivor man being one of my favorite, the host of which is the author of this book. So for me this book was enjoyable to read, and I even learned a few things along the way.
If you’re are the sort of person who enjoys the outdoors, as well as survival shows. Then this would be an excellent book for you to read. Whether just for fun, or to gain valuable knowledge on outdoor survival skills. I would strongly recommend this book.
Even though survival can be a matter of life or death, Les Stroud was able to make some parts of it funny. Like when he was describing a rhinos horn as being oh-so-big, or dedicating the last few pages to being emergency fire starters.
I liked this book because the outdoors are a personal interest of mine. I greatly enjoy watching the multiple survival shows that are available on the Discovery channel. Survivor man being one of my favorite, the host of which is the author of this book. So for me this book was enjoyable to read, and I even learned a few things along the way.
If you’re are the sort of person who enjoys the outdoors, as well as survival shows. Then this would be an excellent book for you to read. Whether just for fun, or to gain valuable knowledge on outdoor survival skills. I would strongly recommend this book.
June 17, 2014
Written simply and with usually sufficient explanations. Les Stroud was originally somewhat of a contrarian regarding survivalism and he seems to occasionally bask in this iconoclasm. A stock phrase peppered through the book is, "Most survivalists believe this, however that". If anything, it's refreshing to hear alternate viewpoints.
Many times the lines between survivalism (as in, being in a life-or-death situation and needing to get out immediately) and primitive living is muddied. Stroud is very clear that his teaching is meant for survival situations; one does not learn some of the deeply unrealistic and pastoral ideas of, say, making a water still for purifying water, or of doing much to acquire food at all (as starvation is extremely unlikely to kill someone in a survival situation).
There is a general need in this book, as in many survivalism books, to explain flora and fauna - the novice might be crestfallen at learning birch bark makes for the best torch without an idea of what a birch tree looks like. A similar need for fleshing out (pun intended) how to fix shoulder dislocations might be handy. Ultimately these are trivialities and "Survive!" is a straightforward, to-the-point book about the nuts and bolts of survivalism.
Many times the lines between survivalism (as in, being in a life-or-death situation and needing to get out immediately) and primitive living is muddied. Stroud is very clear that his teaching is meant for survival situations; one does not learn some of the deeply unrealistic and pastoral ideas of, say, making a water still for purifying water, or of doing much to acquire food at all (as starvation is extremely unlikely to kill someone in a survival situation).
There is a general need in this book, as in many survivalism books, to explain flora and fauna - the novice might be crestfallen at learning birch bark makes for the best torch without an idea of what a birch tree looks like. A similar need for fleshing out (pun intended) how to fix shoulder dislocations might be handy. Ultimately these are trivialities and "Survive!" is a straightforward, to-the-point book about the nuts and bolts of survivalism.
June 7, 2012
I have been a Les Stroud fan since first seeing him on his show "Survivor Man" so it was a no-brainer that I had to read this book when I saw it.
I found this book to be both entertaining and informative. Although this book focuses on how to prepare for survival in situations where you are traveling, I think it also covers basic knowledge anyone should know, just in case they find themselves in a survival situation. Here are a few takeaways I have from this book:
1) When going on a guided tour, there is a difference between TRUSTING your guide and RELYING on your guide. Basically read up and gain some knowledge of the area in which you are traveling. You never know if something may happen to your guide.
2) There are some cool websites out there in which you can type in your destination, the dates in which you are going to leave and be expected back, and your emergency contacts. If you don't check into the website within a given time frame, they will alert people. AMAZING!
3) In this book are some practical lists of things you should have in order to survive.
Anyway, I would definitely recommend this book and I will keep it handy for future reference.
I found this book to be both entertaining and informative. Although this book focuses on how to prepare for survival in situations where you are traveling, I think it also covers basic knowledge anyone should know, just in case they find themselves in a survival situation. Here are a few takeaways I have from this book:
1) When going on a guided tour, there is a difference between TRUSTING your guide and RELYING on your guide. Basically read up and gain some knowledge of the area in which you are traveling. You never know if something may happen to your guide.
2) There are some cool websites out there in which you can type in your destination, the dates in which you are going to leave and be expected back, and your emergency contacts. If you don't check into the website within a given time frame, they will alert people. AMAZING!
3) In this book are some practical lists of things you should have in order to survive.
Anyway, I would definitely recommend this book and I will keep it handy for future reference.
March 10, 2017
I really liked this book by Les Stroud. The setting of this book ranges from the arctic tundra to the desert. There is only one character in the book and that is Les Stroud himself. The conflict of the book is that he is stuck in a whole bunch of different survival situations. Another conflict is how to make food and also how to make his shelter.
I thought that the book was very cool. I liked how I can relate the book to his show on tv. Another thing I liked about the book is that he taught you how to make shelter how to get food and also how to even protect yourself from things such as snakes, tigers, and lions in survival situations. There are tons of reasons that you would want to read this book. One is that it can tell you how to survive in the wilderness. You may also like it if you want to learn more about how to survive in the wild and the wilderness in general.
If I could rate this book I would rate it a ten for many reasons. One reason is that it has a lot of good ideas to survive in the wild. Another reason is that it has lots of good details and it tells about things that have happened to him. I really liked this book.
I thought that the book was very cool. I liked how I can relate the book to his show on tv. Another thing I liked about the book is that he taught you how to make shelter how to get food and also how to even protect yourself from things such as snakes, tigers, and lions in survival situations. There are tons of reasons that you would want to read this book. One is that it can tell you how to survive in the wilderness. You may also like it if you want to learn more about how to survive in the wild and the wilderness in general.
If I could rate this book I would rate it a ten for many reasons. One reason is that it has a lot of good ideas to survive in the wild. Another reason is that it has lots of good details and it tells about things that have happened to him. I really liked this book.
August 23, 2014
I found this book to be "OK." I am a fan of Les Stroud and of Survivorman, so I was looking forward to this book. However, I was disappointed. Les seems to contradict himself a lot in this book. He'll tell you what the experts think, but then disagree with it and tell you what his experience had taught him. Which is just fine, but then he'll go back on what he said and then agree with the experts again. It gets really confusing, and makes this book very difficult to read.
Also, he seems to talk a little about everything, but never really goes into enough detail so you understand how to do what he is attempting to teach. That gets really frustrating.
Read the book is you want to get an overall glimpse of what survival takes, and if you're ok with researching 99% of the books subject matter on your own time to understand it better. But don't read this book expecting a step by step manual on how to survive. It's more of a list of suggestions. I would recommend instead Cody Lundin's 98.6 degrees.
Also, he seems to talk a little about everything, but never really goes into enough detail so you understand how to do what he is attempting to teach. That gets really frustrating.
Read the book is you want to get an overall glimpse of what survival takes, and if you're ok with researching 99% of the books subject matter on your own time to understand it better. But don't read this book expecting a step by step manual on how to survive. It's more of a list of suggestions. I would recommend instead Cody Lundin's 98.6 degrees.
February 15, 2016
Les Stroud is a survival expert who presents a lot of the important skills and experiences that he has acquired over his many years of wilderness exploration. I really enjoyed how accessible his information was, as well as how he broke down the many elements of survival into individual chapters. The information is concise and thorough, but it is not overwhelming. He doesn't list every single knot you can learn to tie, or all 50+ ways that you can trap an animal, but what he does offer are the most simple and practical methods to increase your chances of making it through any survival scenario. I also enjoy how Stroud's personalized sections didn't come off as arrogant or overly opinionated. Overall, an informative and enjoyable book.
August 25, 2014
Great book covering broad range of survival basics. Explains how to assess your situation, the importance of staying calm, how to use various components of survival kits, how to leverage all available resources, risks in different geo's and how to turn problems into opportunities. Makes you really appreciate the daily conveniences we take for granted - even just a glass of water.
Also you can tell author really respects nature digs becoming part of the wilderness. Not sure I could be alone for weeks at a time as he does regularly, but I would be drawing on his lessons and positive attitude if I ever was.
Also you can tell author really respects nature digs becoming part of the wilderness. Not sure I could be alone for weeks at a time as he does regularly, but I would be drawing on his lessons and positive attitude if I ever was.
April 20, 2009
I Love Survivorman, I loved the book. But It was obvious to me that he had written a first edition. And that he had written it himself. Really that's my only criticism. I guess I kept comparing it in my mind to the US Army Survival manual. Less's insights and anecdotes are what makes this a fun read, I don't plan on spending a lot of time in the Amazonian jungle and the tips for survival on an open water raft weren't really applicable to me, but I just love the Survivorman, so I would still recommend this to any fan or any survival buff.
January 12, 2012
Survive! is not exactly the type of book you read for fun ... but it was a fun read, if that makes any sense. It outlines a lot of good, no-nonsense tactics for surviving if you become trapped in a variety of harsh wilderness environments. I'm a fan of Les Stroud's television shows, and I think he and his editor did a good job of translating some of his sense of humor and easy-going persona to the book. I doubt that I'll ever have to use any of the information found in Survive! ... but I'm glad to have read it just in case.
November 11, 2017
Fantastic guide on general survival. It's hard to review a survival book unless you have used the material for yourself, but at the least it was entertaining and informative. Being a big fan of Les Stroud, I don't have a lot to compare it to but will say it is very practical. While there are fine examples of survival stories and situations, this manual is very much a how-to, and something that should be carried on person in case you are heading out of civilisation more than it is a front to back leisure read.
That being said, I still read it for leisure, and greatly enjoyed it.
That being said, I still read it for leisure, and greatly enjoyed it.
August 6, 2009
This book was interesting, even though most likely I won't have to survive on my own somewhere. You never know, though, I get lost easily. There was a ton of information in it, too much to retain in one reading, so I will probably read it a couple more times. It wouldn't be a bad book to bring along if you were going camping or hiking in the wild where you may get stuck somewhere. I liked it, it is probably not for everybody.
December 24, 2010
The perfect book to have on hand for when the zombie apocalypse strikes!
Love his show. This book is broken down into chapters that focus on one subject each such as: fire, food, or shelter. Most helpful are the suggestions for what to carry in a kit. Les has suggestions for two types of kits, a small carry-with-you-everywhere one and a larger prepared-for-the-worst one. I like his common sense approach.
Love his show. This book is broken down into chapters that focus on one subject each such as: fire, food, or shelter. Most helpful are the suggestions for what to carry in a kit. Les has suggestions for two types of kits, a small carry-with-you-everywhere one and a larger prepared-for-the-worst one. I like his common sense approach.
May 16, 2014
Just getting the kids to the park for the afternoon is a big deal for me, but I'm still fascinated with survival skills - probably from growing up reading the Clan of the Cave Bear series. This book was clear, concise, and packed with useful information. There are a few things I learned that I want to try with my kids this summer. The text on the emotional aspects of survival was particularly interesting to me as it can be applied to nearly any difficult situation.
June 2, 2011
This book is an instruction manual on how to survive. One would assume it was dry reading but I found it entertaining; there's some great macguyver stuff in there and real survival stories. It is also fully illustrated making the descriptions easier to understand. If you go camping take it with you like the author says it makes a great fire starter or toilet paper.
February 8, 2012
Excellent advice on survival from an expert, the creator of the Survivorman TV series. The information is well organized and presented in simple language so that anyone can grasp the concepts. There are numerous pictures and illustrations that present skills that are difficult to convey with words alone.
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