What do you think?
Rate this book
The Way of the Scout: A Native American Path to Finding Spiritual Meaning in a Physical World
Presents twelve episodes illustrating the expert skills in tracking that the author learned from an Apache expert, demonstrating how the Native American art of survival can bring the spiritual rewards of higher consciousness and inner peace. Reprint.
281 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 1995
15 people are currently reading
313 people want to read
About the author
Tom Brown Jr.
30 books217 followersTom Brown Jr. was an American naturalist, tracker, survivalist, and author from New Jersey, where he ran the Tom Brown Jr. Tracker School.
In his books, Brown wrote that, from the age of seven, he and his childhood friend Rick were trained in tracking and wilderness survival by Rick's grandfather, "Stalking Wolf" (whom Brown stated was Lipan Apache). Brown wrote that Stalking Wolf died when Brown was 17, and that Rick was killed in an accident in Europe shortly thereafter.
Brown spent the next ten years working odd jobs to support his wilderness adventures. He then set out to find other people in New Jersey who were interested in his experiences. Initially Brown met with little success, but was eventually called on to help locate a crime suspect. Though the case won him national attention, he and authorities in the Ramsey, N.J. area were subsequently sued for 5 million dollars for charging the wrong person. Despite this controversy, he was able to build on this exposure to develop a profession as a full-time tracker, advertising his services for locating lost persons, dangerous animals, and fugitives from the law. According to People magazine, "He stalks men and animals, mostly in New Jersey."
In his books, Brown wrote that, from the age of seven, he and his childhood friend Rick were trained in tracking and wilderness survival by Rick's grandfather, "Stalking Wolf" (whom Brown stated was Lipan Apache). Brown wrote that Stalking Wolf died when Brown was 17, and that Rick was killed in an accident in Europe shortly thereafter.
Brown spent the next ten years working odd jobs to support his wilderness adventures. He then set out to find other people in New Jersey who were interested in his experiences. Initially Brown met with little success, but was eventually called on to help locate a crime suspect. Though the case won him national attention, he and authorities in the Ramsey, N.J. area were subsequently sued for 5 million dollars for charging the wrong person. Despite this controversy, he was able to build on this exposure to develop a profession as a full-time tracker, advertising his services for locating lost persons, dangerous animals, and fugitives from the law. According to People magazine, "He stalks men and animals, mostly in New Jersey."
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 30, 2017
Over a decade ago, a current neighbor handed me this book. The way he made a living was always unclear but I had a strong impression he was involved in clandestine operations. So when I read this book I could understand its appeal to him. Indeed I even found myself absorbed in the stories about raids on a local factory and even an army base. I was intrigued at how one might be able to become invisible, even in plain sight; how one could track and stalk all manner of wild, savvy creatures; how much time, effort, and dedication would be required top learn and master all the necessary skills.
That having been said, as I read, I became more and more dubious about the authenticity of the author's stories. They could be true, but I can't be certain. Tom Brown, sensing the reader's caution, even states that part of the scout's way is to sow doubt in his targets (referred to as psychological tactics). I enjoyed this book but mostly because I did not suspend my disbelief, treating it more as light fiction.
That having been said, as I read, I became more and more dubious about the authenticity of the author's stories. They could be true, but I can't be certain. Tom Brown, sensing the reader's caution, even states that part of the scout's way is to sow doubt in his targets (referred to as psychological tactics). I enjoyed this book but mostly because I did not suspend my disbelief, treating it more as light fiction.
April 27, 2014
Tom Brown quickly earned my respect and fondness, as he described a way of life in tune with the wild. Having myself grown up in a small city, I pined for a life in the wilderness. But now I fear I am too citified to live as Mr. Brown. It would be nice to know that if I were abandoned in the wilds that I could easily survive or even thrive on my own with little more than a pocket knife.
Mr. Brown's easily formed friendship with a badger was particularly appealing to me. From time to time, I have had animals befriend me, often wild animals. It is an experience that is profound and not easily forgotten.
To be able to live in harmony with the natural environment is mostly lost in our outdoor culture here in the West, focused more on how to kill and eat other beings.Tom Brown doesn't completely skip that aspect, but the focus is more about a balanced relationship with the wild environment. We've all met people that seem to be able to befriend every person they meet. Mr. Brown does this in the pine barrens of New Jersey, befriending the natural environment and animals that surround him. The enigmatic Grandfather was key to his insights and ability to do so.
Misanthropy does not always engage a reader to a character in a story, often depending on the reader's own wishes and experiences. I immediately felt an affinity for the lead character in this story, as I have felt alienated so often by America's frequently bizarre society.
The writing is simple, not waxing poetic and at times prosaic,but the story is where the substantial experience awaits. Mr. Brown is a straight forward no nonsense kind of man, and this shines brightly through the writing. It is what he says, rather than how he says it, that is important.
Mr. Brown's easily formed friendship with a badger was particularly appealing to me. From time to time, I have had animals befriend me, often wild animals. It is an experience that is profound and not easily forgotten.
To be able to live in harmony with the natural environment is mostly lost in our outdoor culture here in the West, focused more on how to kill and eat other beings.Tom Brown doesn't completely skip that aspect, but the focus is more about a balanced relationship with the wild environment. We've all met people that seem to be able to befriend every person they meet. Mr. Brown does this in the pine barrens of New Jersey, befriending the natural environment and animals that surround him. The enigmatic Grandfather was key to his insights and ability to do so.
Misanthropy does not always engage a reader to a character in a story, often depending on the reader's own wishes and experiences. I immediately felt an affinity for the lead character in this story, as I have felt alienated so often by America's frequently bizarre society.
The writing is simple, not waxing poetic and at times prosaic,but the story is where the substantial experience awaits. Mr. Brown is a straight forward no nonsense kind of man, and this shines brightly through the writing. It is what he says, rather than how he says it, that is important.
March 15, 2021
I have read and re-read tom Brown's books. I am waiting to attend one of his classes in the Pine Barrens! If everyone would learn to live the way Grandfather and other grounded indigenous people demonstrate - wounds that heal, respect for all life, seeing the sacred in every drop of water, going days without water or food, hearing water when it is underground, not merely thanking but actually only harvesting in a way that improves the environment ...and so much more...we would live heaven on earth.
June 16, 2010
Halfway through the book I did some research on Tom Brown Jr. only to find that he is more than likey not trustworthy with his facts. It was extremely hard reading the last half of the book after my research because it seemed too obvious to me that he had made up a lot of the story. I had also purchased his first book, "The Tracker" that I will more than likely return. I do however, plan to read more on survival and tracking.
May 3, 2023
I find that there are an incredible number of people out demanding proof, any kind of proof, that there is a world out there beyond the vanilla reality that most of us refer to as the usual, the common.
Whether it is some kind of occult phenomenon, cryptids, or just a world outside of our regular world, it seems that it is harder and harder to find proof that such a world is even possible. Being that an ever-increasing amount of people are moving into cities, for most it is almost impossible to think of a life where you are not completely surrounded by and encompassed within the safety of ‘the other’.
What this book does magnificently is that it shows you that there is a whole world out there to explore that is beyond the human, humanity. It shows you that there is a whole hidden world out there beyond the laws and rules of civilization. It does this by showing you that by developing certain skills, skills that do not need to be thought of as supernatural in any way, you can quite literally disappear into a world that exists alongside this one; a hidden world right under our civilized noses. In this new world you become invisible to the civilized and the common. In this world, after developing the correct skills, you can become invisible and acquire powers that will allow you to do things that the average person would think of as magic.
And yet, all of this is not magic at all in a sense because it is a practical and quite physical approach to reality; it is a tangible and explainable set of very physical skills taken to their limit. This is a wonderful book that outlines some of the incredible life experiences that Tom Brown Jr. has been a part of thanks to his training as an Apache scout.
To disappear like a shadow, to see the unseen, to thrive where others perish, this is all possible and the author of this book shares the many stories that detail the possibilities of someone who has become a master in techniques that have been forgotten by many.
So many wonders for example if there could be some unknown being existing alongside the human world. Most argue that such a being could not possibly exist because we humans are everywhere, and our technology surpasses everything. In other words, if such a thing was real then we would know about it. This book gives solid examples of how such a being and such a world beyond this world is possible, right here, right now.
Open up your senses and look around. In that corner, around that bend, in that shadow, something might be hiding, and this book shows you just how that can happen.
Whether it is some kind of occult phenomenon, cryptids, or just a world outside of our regular world, it seems that it is harder and harder to find proof that such a world is even possible. Being that an ever-increasing amount of people are moving into cities, for most it is almost impossible to think of a life where you are not completely surrounded by and encompassed within the safety of ‘the other’.
What this book does magnificently is that it shows you that there is a whole world out there to explore that is beyond the human, humanity. It shows you that there is a whole hidden world out there beyond the laws and rules of civilization. It does this by showing you that by developing certain skills, skills that do not need to be thought of as supernatural in any way, you can quite literally disappear into a world that exists alongside this one; a hidden world right under our civilized noses. In this new world you become invisible to the civilized and the common. In this world, after developing the correct skills, you can become invisible and acquire powers that will allow you to do things that the average person would think of as magic.
And yet, all of this is not magic at all in a sense because it is a practical and quite physical approach to reality; it is a tangible and explainable set of very physical skills taken to their limit. This is a wonderful book that outlines some of the incredible life experiences that Tom Brown Jr. has been a part of thanks to his training as an Apache scout.
To disappear like a shadow, to see the unseen, to thrive where others perish, this is all possible and the author of this book shares the many stories that detail the possibilities of someone who has become a master in techniques that have been forgotten by many.
So many wonders for example if there could be some unknown being existing alongside the human world. Most argue that such a being could not possibly exist because we humans are everywhere, and our technology surpasses everything. In other words, if such a thing was real then we would know about it. This book gives solid examples of how such a being and such a world beyond this world is possible, right here, right now.
Open up your senses and look around. In that corner, around that bend, in that shadow, something might be hiding, and this book shows you just how that can happen.
June 18, 2025
I was attracted to this book from the perspective of a martial artist, hoping to understand how Brown's nature craft could improve my practice. Instead, this became my initiation into the world of wilderness training for personal growth and the cultivation of spirituality.
April 28, 2021
Hey, I've read 3 of Tom Brown's books, starting with 'The Tracker', I'm excited to see/ read, 'Way of the Scout'!
November 15, 2010
So good! The title could have been "F***ing With People." Most of the stories in this book are about harmless fun and testing one's scouting skills, although on occasion they cross over into more malevolent territory.
Whereas Tom Brown Jr's first book, "The Tracker," is a continuous life journey, this book is more anecdotal; a collection of separate adventures assembled in chronological order. At first, I wasn't crazy about it, but as the stories progress and Brown's skills as a scout improve, the stories become more and more fascinating. By the end of the book, I was on the edge of my seat.
I am in awe of Brown's tracking/scout skills, and although he is sometimes criticized for being a braggart, I can't say I wouldn't feel the same way he does if I had his abilities. Every day is an adventure for a scout, but there are times where you can sense his boredom and frustration due to the fact that he has no peers who can compete on his level.
Whereas Tom Brown Jr's first book, "The Tracker," is a continuous life journey, this book is more anecdotal; a collection of separate adventures assembled in chronological order. At first, I wasn't crazy about it, but as the stories progress and Brown's skills as a scout improve, the stories become more and more fascinating. By the end of the book, I was on the edge of my seat.
I am in awe of Brown's tracking/scout skills, and although he is sometimes criticized for being a braggart, I can't say I wouldn't feel the same way he does if I had his abilities. Every day is an adventure for a scout, but there are times where you can sense his boredom and frustration due to the fact that he has no peers who can compete on his level.
October 4, 2008
That screwy Tom Brown's at it again, and this time Rick and Grandfather are along for the ride. Getting into trouble and causing mayhem all over Southern New Jerseys INFAMOUS Pine Barrens. This rag tag crew will have you yucking it up and reeling in awe at they're super modern adventures of boys playing in the woods. The only thing required to read, is a warm loving heart.
ba dooom Bah
ba dooom Bah
May 19, 2009
Another classic by Tom, filled with adventure and yet very spiritual and informative. Its the tale of tom becoming a native american scout, and the adventures and raids he goes upon to make himself a better person and to achieve a greater sense of himself and how he is part of this natural world. if your a tom brown fan, definitely a good read
April 11, 2008
This book wasn't Tom Brown Jr's best but it does have some captivating moments. I found myself trudging through stuff and nodding off a little (thats not entirely fair because I am borderline narcoleptic). It's definitely worth reading though.
February 20, 2021
Not a book I would normally read, but my husband likes Tom Brown, and so I gave it a read. It was interesting to me and some parts were pretty cool- educational, like if I'm ever stuck hiking in the pine barrens of jersey, I'll think of him and his survival knowledge... and wish he was with me.
March 9, 2013
Next to his book, Grandfather, this is my (second) favourite of all his books. This book is easier to get into than the others, I think. The way he writes can be hard to engage in - but the content is powerful - and in this book, it's especially funny! He'll have you laughing from front to back :)
November 29, 2007
my favorite tom brown jr book... but you can't start here... start w/ the tracker or grandfather...
December 11, 2007
Best one of his.
January 28, 2008
Amazing...I want to be a scout!
September 24, 2008
wow - something to aspire to? scouts are amazing. i was glued to this book for a few days. i didn't like reading that tom brown jr. helped train military though.
October 16, 2008
Come for the adventure; stay for the new outlook on life.
July 24, 2011
Interesting stories. Unimaginative, repetitive and vague writing style.
July 9, 2011
This book is full of amazing stories. It really makes you think differently about the world in which we live.
November 9, 2011
New Jersey self discovery through survival training.
October 9, 2013
My favourite of his books, he seemed to get into his stride retelling the tales of his youth. Much improved as a writer, a page turner.
August 21, 2012
Utterly amazing that someone could actually learn to do that. I almost can't imagine it.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews