The Hardy Boys Handbook: Seven Stories of Survival

by Franklin W. Dixon, Sheila Link, Leslie H. Morrill (Illustrator)

Seven stories illustrate valuable lessons in surviving specific mishaps and include discussions of the survival techniques used by the Hardy Boys

143 pages, Library Binding

First published August 1, 1980

About the author

Franklin W. Dixon is the pen name used by a variety of different authors who were part of a team that wrote The Hardy Boys novels for the Stratemeyer Syndicate (now owned by Simon & Schuster). Dixon was also the writer attributed for the Ted Scott Flying Stories series, published by Grosset & Dunlap.
Canadian author Leslie McFarlane is believed to have written the first sixteen Hardy Boys books, but worked to a detailed plot and character outline for each story. The outlines are believed to have originated with Edward Stratemeyer, with later books outlined by his daughters Edna C. Squier and Harriet Stratemeyer Adams. Edward and Harriet also edited all books in the series through the mid-1960s. Other writers of the original books include MacFarlane's wife Amy, John Button, Andrew E. Svenson, and Adams herself; most of the outlines were done by Adams and Svenson. A number of other writers and editors were recruited to revise the outlines and update the texts in line with a more modern sensibility, starting in the late 1950s.
The principal author for the Ted Scott books was John W. Duffield.

Reviews

[Sara Veldhuizen Stealy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this for the first time since childhood and, as another reviewer noted, it’s actually not bad at providing survival tips and emphasizing the need to stay calm in an emergency. But holy jeez, after about the third story I could not stop cracking up at how these two numbskulls can’t even take a leak without getting themselves into a life-threatening situation — and then suddenly they’re freaking Outback Men of the Year. Where are their parents? Why are these kids not on leashes? Why do they look 12 in the illustrations? Do they ever go to school? Many questions, no answers, but I know how to make a solar still!

[Tania · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frank and Joe Hardy, aka The Hardy Boys, take a survival class in the first chapter of this survival guide. The other chapters are 7 stories of them using their newfound survival skills to get themselves out of terrible jams. Each story takes place in a different location, with the boys experiencing a different outdoor activity, different terrain, and a different use of their handy dandy survival kits.

I don't mind that they are bumbling into situations that maybe could be avoided (maybe not some, but the desert situation was a real misstep on their part - of course I imagine them as college-age boys so I do cut them some slack). As a child I loved reading about their adventures over and over, imagining myself in situations that I needed to extract myself from and admiring their heroic efforts. As an adult it's not that different for me - I still thoroughly enjoyed the book, I think it has merit as a survival guide with great advice, and I appreciate the various illustrations spread throughout the chapters being relevant to surviving in the wilderness. I've always been aware of the importance of having access to what you might need in emergency - I think reading this book at a young age contributed to that. Children could do worse than to learn to STOP (Stop, Think, Observe, Plan) or to know the difference between where to shelter in an earthquake and where to shelter in a flood. The Hardy Boys are fairly wholesome, and entirely entertaining.

[Ethan Hulbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is actually a really great guide and seriously educational on survival tactics and how to be prepared. I mean - yes, it is a little dated now, but still! I used to read this over and over and imagine I was surviving similar situations, and it probably helped contribute a fair amount to my situational awareness and preparedness today as an adult.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a traditional Hardy Boys mystery book. No mysteries are involved here except why the Hardys are constantly needing to be rescued from dangerous situations. It has surprisingly decent information, though.

I had never heard of Charms candy until reading this.