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MeatEater's Campfire Stories: Close Calls
* 6 hours *
Gather around for campfire stories with the MeatEater crew as they share 16 harrowing true tales of survival, grit, and misfortune in the great outdoors - an immersive audio experience from the host of the long-running Netflix series and top-rated wilderness podcast.
In 'MEATEATER'S CAMPFIRE STORIES: CLOSE CALLS,' Steven Rinella invites seasoned hunters, anglers, adventurers, and outdoor professionals to share their tales of perilous adventures in the natural world, from run-ins with black bears and grizzlies to bad falls and severe hypothermia.
With humor and heart, the storytellers, describe how they survived disastrous encounters with weather, wildlife - and even a criminal cartel. Whether set in urban forests or atop remote Alaskan peaks, the tales in 'MEATEATER'S CAMPFIRE STORIES: CLOSE CALLS' are rich with lessons on how to stay safe in nature, delivered in a conversational tone that conjures the feeling of sitting around a campfire sharing adventure stories with friends.
'MEATEATER'S CAMPFIRE STORIES: CLOSE CALLS features tales from MeatEater crew members Steve Rinella, Janis Putelis, Brody Henderson, Garret Smith, Seth Morris, Maggie Smith, and Edbo Genet with additional stories by Andy Bergin, Buck Bowden, Chad Converse, Jerry Dunlop, Greg Fonts, Jake Grzyb, Sam Lawry, Greg Litzinger, Joe and Joey Norwicki, Alex Reynaud, Thad Robison, Bobbie Scopa and Avery Shawler.
❃ Author Bio:
Steven Rinella is an outdoorsman, writer, wild foods enthusiast, and television and podcast personality who is a passionate advocate for conservation and protection of public lands. The host of the television show and podcast 'MeatEater', his most recent book is the 'New York Times' best-seller 'The MeatEater Guide to Wilderness Skills and Survival'. His writing has appeared in many publications, including 'Outside' 'Field & Stream', and 'The New Yorker'. Rinella lives in Bozeman, Montana, with his wife and their three kids.
©2021 Penguin Random House Audio (P)2021 Penguin Random House Audio
Gather around for campfire stories with the MeatEater crew as they share 16 harrowing true tales of survival, grit, and misfortune in the great outdoors - an immersive audio experience from the host of the long-running Netflix series and top-rated wilderness podcast.
In 'MEATEATER'S CAMPFIRE STORIES: CLOSE CALLS,' Steven Rinella invites seasoned hunters, anglers, adventurers, and outdoor professionals to share their tales of perilous adventures in the natural world, from run-ins with black bears and grizzlies to bad falls and severe hypothermia.
With humor and heart, the storytellers, describe how they survived disastrous encounters with weather, wildlife - and even a criminal cartel. Whether set in urban forests or atop remote Alaskan peaks, the tales in 'MEATEATER'S CAMPFIRE STORIES: CLOSE CALLS' are rich with lessons on how to stay safe in nature, delivered in a conversational tone that conjures the feeling of sitting around a campfire sharing adventure stories with friends.
'MEATEATER'S CAMPFIRE STORIES: CLOSE CALLS features tales from MeatEater crew members Steve Rinella, Janis Putelis, Brody Henderson, Garret Smith, Seth Morris, Maggie Smith, and Edbo Genet with additional stories by Andy Bergin, Buck Bowden, Chad Converse, Jerry Dunlop, Greg Fonts, Jake Grzyb, Sam Lawry, Greg Litzinger, Joe and Joey Norwicki, Alex Reynaud, Thad Robison, Bobbie Scopa and Avery Shawler.
❃ Author Bio:
Steven Rinella is an outdoorsman, writer, wild foods enthusiast, and television and podcast personality who is a passionate advocate for conservation and protection of public lands. The host of the television show and podcast 'MeatEater', his most recent book is the 'New York Times' best-seller 'The MeatEater Guide to Wilderness Skills and Survival'. His writing has appeared in many publications, including 'Outside' 'Field & Stream', and 'The New Yorker'. Rinella lives in Bozeman, Montana, with his wife and their three kids.
©2021 Penguin Random House Audio (P)2021 Penguin Random House Audio
6 pages, Audible Audio
First published July 20, 2021
27 people are currently reading
592 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
July 23, 2021
Some exceptional and deeply affecting stories (A cold swim & 60’ fall were two of my favorites)… and a few stories that have a tone closer to “frat brother wearing Patagonia describes a totally sick weekend at the lake house where they almost died of alcohol poisoning.” Dropping a couple off the low end of the bell curve would have helped the audiobook as a whole.
November 25, 2025
We listened to this on a camping trip/road trip...the whole family loved it. Some profanity, but I think you'd forgive the narrators when you hear the harrowing situations they were in. 😆
July 22, 2021
To get a preview check out Ep. 282 @13:35 of the Meateater podcast. Absolutely gripping stories, brought to tears a few times. Got choked up to say the least - this book is going to save some lives. Be careful out on the water & in the woods!
March 11, 2022
Number 41 on the menu at the pizza joint I worked at was a Meateater’s Wallup – beef, sausage, ham, and bacon. That food is not what’s referenced by this book’s title. The meat in this story is us humans and the eaters are animals, primarily bears – grizzly and polar. But the stories told also close calls where survival hung in the balance and could have easily broken bad.
Each story is told in the word of a survivor often sharing their fears and reflections on what went wrong. All took place in the wilds and most in Alaska or northern Canada. Actually, the later part of book moves away from bears and covers a more diverse set of close calls. Stories of hypothermia, flipped watercraft, hunting accidents, and hiking falls are all told by the lucky survival. Many of the near victims were well prepared for their emergency but luck also played a role.
The last story was of a solo hiker who fell and, up until then, I didn’t think it likely I would find myself in these situations but it was a good reminder to always be prepared.
Okay as a quick read and a reminder that the best laid plans may fail.
Each story is told in the word of a survivor often sharing their fears and reflections on what went wrong. All took place in the wilds and most in Alaska or northern Canada. Actually, the later part of book moves away from bears and covers a more diverse set of close calls. Stories of hypothermia, flipped watercraft, hunting accidents, and hiking falls are all told by the lucky survival. Many of the near victims were well prepared for their emergency but luck also played a role.
The last story was of a solo hiker who fell and, up until then, I didn’t think it likely I would find myself in these situations but it was a good reminder to always be prepared.
Okay as a quick read and a reminder that the best laid plans may fail.
January 31, 2022
We listened through this whole audiobook driving to and from a backpacking trip, and it's full of absolute horror stories for anyone who enjoys the outdoors.
Over the years, I've tried out a few collections of true stories in the vein of rescue and survival, but I think this is the first one that's held my interest all the way through. The collection would have benefited from dropping a few of the less interesting stories, but almost all were gripping, educational, emotionally moving, or all of the above. Great brain fodder for a drive out to the woods.
Over the years, I've tried out a few collections of true stories in the vein of rescue and survival, but I think this is the first one that's held my interest all the way through. The collection would have benefited from dropping a few of the less interesting stories, but almost all were gripping, educational, emotionally moving, or all of the above. Great brain fodder for a drive out to the woods.
September 2, 2024
The audio for this is so good. I loved the short stories. This was perfect for a drive into the mountains. Anything Steve reads/writes is gold, so I knew when he hand picked these stories it would be a fun listen.
Thanks to PRH audio for the audio copy!
Thanks to PRH audio for the audio copy!
August 25, 2021
good stories about how fragile life really is, and how quick thinks can go bad in the back country. I think its just an audio book...
December 3, 2021
Slammed through this -- incredible stories of survival and resilience from wild spaces.
November 10, 2025
A compilation of harrowing stories of accidents and close encounters with nature and death told by the people they happened to. Great as an audio book, has some language.
September 27, 2021
Well that was fun~ sort of.. The good news is that they all survive. This was recommended in a blog I read and we were going camping. We were able to download it and enjoyed listening to the grisly and often painful details. Highly recommend~
January 9, 2023
Seldom listened to anything with quite this power to pick up my pace while walking! Bears, you know?
October 19, 2021
Now this was a fun book. I picked this up because of a recommendation and I was consumed with it for a few days. The stories are so good, they're told really well. Most are told from a first person perspective and occasionally you'll get others weighing in with their accounts of what happened. It made me reflect on some of the close calls in my life and it also reminds you of what's important in life. It's an outstanding collection of stories and I'd highly recommend it.
July 1, 2022
Totally dug it!
The stories, the storytelling, the moderating, the collection, the attitudes and personalities!
Also it helped me to respect hunters and the hunting community a lot. I didn't realize how many stupid biases I had until this book started to unravel them.
The stories, the storytelling, the moderating, the collection, the attitudes and personalities!
Also it helped me to respect hunters and the hunting community a lot. I didn't realize how many stupid biases I had until this book started to unravel them.
October 6, 2024
I am so thankful to @prhaudio for providing my husband and I some amazing audiobooks that we could both enjoy while we drive through the nothingness towards the pretty.
My husband has been a fan of @stevenrinella for years. I myself have made a recipe or two from his collections and let me tell you, stuffed venison meatloaf never tasted better! So, when I saw he had all these collections of stories, I knew we had some great storytelling ahead. I was right.
We started with the Close Calls, and at one point my husband jokingly said he hoped this didn't scare me! I already had to live through a close call of his, so these stories didn't scare me, but instead gave me some amazing tales of how ingenuity, and luck, can help with survival. I'd like to think I learned a thing or two. Especially about tourniquet tying.
The Discoveries...collection has a number of moving stories that go beyond the hunting/fishing stories to deeper lessons of humanity that being outdoors can provide. Humor, hope, and friendship all added to these tales. I do, however, feel like there were some discoveries that I can go without!
I really enjoyed how Rinella shared his own experiences and then had the others share their stories. We both noticed that the stories were shared in such a way that felt like you wouldn't necessarily need to be an expert to understand what these various outdoorspeople were sharing. The wide variety of experiences gave it such an appeal as to keep from feeling like a narrow focus. We both enjoyed these two and look forward to our drive back when we can keep listening to more!
My husband has been a fan of @stevenrinella for years. I myself have made a recipe or two from his collections and let me tell you, stuffed venison meatloaf never tasted better! So, when I saw he had all these collections of stories, I knew we had some great storytelling ahead. I was right.
We started with the Close Calls, and at one point my husband jokingly said he hoped this didn't scare me! I already had to live through a close call of his, so these stories didn't scare me, but instead gave me some amazing tales of how ingenuity, and luck, can help with survival. I'd like to think I learned a thing or two. Especially about tourniquet tying.
The Discoveries...collection has a number of moving stories that go beyond the hunting/fishing stories to deeper lessons of humanity that being outdoors can provide. Humor, hope, and friendship all added to these tales. I do, however, feel like there were some discoveries that I can go without!
I really enjoyed how Rinella shared his own experiences and then had the others share their stories. We both noticed that the stories were shared in such a way that felt like you wouldn't necessarily need to be an expert to understand what these various outdoorspeople were sharing. The wide variety of experiences gave it such an appeal as to keep from feeling like a narrow focus. We both enjoyed these two and look forward to our drive back when we can keep listening to more!
December 30, 2022
Are you in the mood for true life survival stories told by the grittiest and most seasoned adventurers, hunters and outdoorsman? This audio only book contains 16 stories, each narrated by the person that it happened to. The immersive audio experience means that the stories are accompanied with sound effects. At times the sound effects can be downright creepy; theycaused me to suddenly turn around when I hear a bear snuffling behind me. But at other times they just became distracting.
This was a book pick for our Kelly Family book club. We enjoyed talking over the cool as a cucumber recounting of most of these expert wilderness people. And then shared our own near-miss experiences in the wild.
Little did we know that my brother who chose this book would have his own near death survival experience just weeks later on a Grand Canyon river rafting trip, in which his raft tipped over, spilling all of it's contents and occupants into the rapids. Although there were injuries and rescues, one man didn't survive.
I hadn't been aware of the MeatEater's franchise/Netflix show until after this book. We watched a few episodes after returning from Kona about their escapades spear fishing and boar hunting on the big island.
The only downside to having some of these fellows narrate their own stories is that they tended to downplay the seriousness of the events; some (especially the grizzly bear guys) were so understated in their delivery. I missed the storytelling skills, dramatization, and build up my own father would have brought to the table.
This was a book pick for our Kelly Family book club. We enjoyed talking over the cool as a cucumber recounting of most of these expert wilderness people. And then shared our own near-miss experiences in the wild.
Little did we know that my brother who chose this book would have his own near death survival experience just weeks later on a Grand Canyon river rafting trip, in which his raft tipped over, spilling all of it's contents and occupants into the rapids. Although there were injuries and rescues, one man didn't survive.
I hadn't been aware of the MeatEater's franchise/Netflix show until after this book. We watched a few episodes after returning from Kona about their escapades spear fishing and boar hunting on the big island.
The only downside to having some of these fellows narrate their own stories is that they tended to downplay the seriousness of the events; some (especially the grizzly bear guys) were so understated in their delivery. I missed the storytelling skills, dramatization, and build up my own father would have brought to the table.
May 24, 2023
I always enjoy watching and listening to the MeatEater crew share their experiences in wild places. Their knowledge and passion for conservation always comes through in a way that is laid back, approachable, and often humorous.
But boy howdy, did this one put me all the way on the edge of my seat. The only thing laid back about it was the fact that it was stylistically an unscripted first-person reminiscence rather than the audio recording of pre-written text. If anything, that made each of these short memoir pieces even more harrowing. It especially got tough to listen to whenever the narrators began to get emotional as they recalled how close they came to death, planned what they were going to say in one last phone call to their loved ones, etc. The desperation to survive that was central to every single story made the audiobook minutes fly past without my awareness that the time was gone.
The immersive elements of campfire sounds in the background, ambient musical score, and sound design that lined up with the events happening in the story were nice little touches.
Last thing and then I'll go: It struck me how often those telling their stories said things like, "The life-saving measure that I desperately needed to take just so happened to make itself available just when I needed it most." Guys and gals, that was God making sure you got through that alive.
But boy howdy, did this one put me all the way on the edge of my seat. The only thing laid back about it was the fact that it was stylistically an unscripted first-person reminiscence rather than the audio recording of pre-written text. If anything, that made each of these short memoir pieces even more harrowing. It especially got tough to listen to whenever the narrators began to get emotional as they recalled how close they came to death, planned what they were going to say in one last phone call to their loved ones, etc. The desperation to survive that was central to every single story made the audiobook minutes fly past without my awareness that the time was gone.
The immersive elements of campfire sounds in the background, ambient musical score, and sound design that lined up with the events happening in the story were nice little touches.
Last thing and then I'll go: It struck me how often those telling their stories said things like, "The life-saving measure that I desperately needed to take just so happened to make itself available just when I needed it most." Guys and gals, that was God making sure you got through that alive.
September 13, 2021
Listened to this one on my way to summit one of the Adirondacks 46's, you know, to set the mood...
Note that only one of the stories in the collection feature Steve Rinella and his crew, the rest are collected from listeners of the Meateater podcast and are read by the protagonists themselves. This alone adds a lot to the power of the stories, as you can hear their voices tremble, choke up, and catch their breath.
Now, as far as stories go some are pretty vanilla: falling off the side of a cliff, hypothermia, etc..
However, there are a few that are excellent and that will send chills down to your bones ("The elk poacher", for instance). Steve does a pretty great job providing context to some of the physiological responses the protagonist experienced as well as the science behind it.
Overall, highly recommended!
Note that only one of the stories in the collection feature Steve Rinella and his crew, the rest are collected from listeners of the Meateater podcast and are read by the protagonists themselves. This alone adds a lot to the power of the stories, as you can hear their voices tremble, choke up, and catch their breath.
Now, as far as stories go some are pretty vanilla: falling off the side of a cliff, hypothermia, etc..
However, there are a few that are excellent and that will send chills down to your bones ("The elk poacher", for instance). Steve does a pretty great job providing context to some of the physiological responses the protagonist experienced as well as the science behind it.
Overall, highly recommended!
October 10, 2024
Some of the best near death stories ever told, this audiobook is fantastic. Told by the survivors themselves I love the reminder to love but respect the wild. The story of a son who saved his father from a hunting accident because he knew how to make a tourniquet from the podcast was emotional. A hiker in Idaho who took a fall and was rescued after the 20th phone call finally went through had me on edge the whole time. There is a story of a bird hunter in a cornfield who spooked a buck and got ramed so quickly he thought he had been shot that was so crazy. There are some crazy close calls with bears and a hypothermia story that is amazing. I love how Steven promotes nature in an awe inspiring way. Great read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2022
My partner and I listened to this audiobook over the past couple of weekends. We listened to it while we were driving around the backroads. I do not often read books on this topic. It was my partner's pick. With that in mind, I did enjoy the stories in the book. I appreciated Steve Rinella allowed the individuals to narrate their own stories. A few of the stories had me on the edge of my seat with tension. My only complaint regarding this audiobook is the sound effects they included. I often found it was hard to hear the narrator. It was also distracting. I wish they left it a traditional audiobook.
August 7, 2021
If you love wilderness stories or tales of close calls this is the book for you! Thanks to PRHAudio for this complimentary audio listen! This book made me strangely want to get out doors even though it was about the terrors of accidents happening. The people in the book were all incredibly equiped for their journey and it's most likely what kept them alive. I feel like I need to gain some of that knowledge in the crazy off chance I am out in the wild and need to know how to survive. Multiple narrators and sound effects made the audio even more powerful.
September 20, 2024
I love a good survival story to make my commute just a little more stressful. This was a good collection but a little more focused on hunting than would be my preference- but still good stories of people surviving close calls in the outdoors. This book is the second one this year to make me question what I think I understand about what makes something an audiobook - it’s essentially a series of interviews with a little narration in between. What makes something an audiobook? Where it’s published? The file format? I’ll investigate.
November 7, 2022
I listened to the audiobook.
I asked friends for audiobooks that are so good that you MUST listen instead of read. This is one that was suggested. It started off very strong (bear sound effects, feeling of being stuck in the cold wind) but then it became more just talking and kind of lost its appeal with me by the end. Still some amazing stories, and a good insight to a different lifestyle for me. I'm a city person that doesn't hunt and barely camps.
I asked friends for audiobooks that are so good that you MUST listen instead of read. This is one that was suggested. It started off very strong (bear sound effects, feeling of being stuck in the cold wind) but then it became more just talking and kind of lost its appeal with me by the end. Still some amazing stories, and a good insight to a different lifestyle for me. I'm a city person that doesn't hunt and barely camps.
December 9, 2022
We loved this! As a family of campers and myself having done some fishing and hunting, this audiobook was fantastic. There are some cringe-inducing moments and the story-telling was top notch. All the segments are independent of each other. We listened to a bunch of the segments on a recent road trip. Note that there are a couple of spots with language, so beware if there are “little ears” listening.
January 24, 2023
Incredibly detailed stories of dramatic events that have, and quite possibly will occur again in some form, in the great outdoors. My appreciation and respect for nature and wildlife as a whole grew tremendously from hearing the stories of close encounters others had. Made me reflect on particular moments of my own that i had and made me say, “wow, i got lucky there.”
I recommend the audio book version as it is shared by the very person who experienced the event.
I recommend the audio book version as it is shared by the very person who experienced the event.
October 19, 2024
A outdoors podcaster finds a bunch of people with interesting stories about the outdoors, and has each one tell their story.
Some are near death experiences, some are just wild things that happened when finishing or hunting. I'm not much of an outdoors person myself, but listening to what should have been a series on a podcasts, but without commercials, was entertaining and certainly outside my preferred genres.
Some are near death experiences, some are just wild things that happened when finishing or hunting. I'm not much of an outdoors person myself, but listening to what should have been a series on a podcasts, but without commercials, was entertaining and certainly outside my preferred genres.
January 15, 2025
Format: Audiobook
I really enjoyed the production quality of this audiobook, the sound of a campfire crackling between each chapter, the sounds of nature included in relevant stories and the fact that the narrators are telling first person accounts of their own close calls in the outdoors all added depth to this book. I also enjoyed the variety of locations, outdoor pursuits and mishaps in this short collection of stories.
I really enjoyed the production quality of this audiobook, the sound of a campfire crackling between each chapter, the sounds of nature included in relevant stories and the fact that the narrators are telling first person accounts of their own close calls in the outdoors all added depth to this book. I also enjoyed the variety of locations, outdoor pursuits and mishaps in this short collection of stories.
February 4, 2025
I listened to the audiobook.
I asked friends for audiobooks that are so good that you MUST listen instead of read. This is one that was suggested. It started off very strong (bear sound effects, feeling of being stuck in the cold wind) but then it became more just talking and kind of lost its appeal with me by the end. Still some amazing stories, and a good insight to a different lifestyle for me. I'm a city person that doesn't hunt and barely camps.
I asked friends for audiobooks that are so good that you MUST listen instead of read. This is one that was suggested. It started off very strong (bear sound effects, feeling of being stuck in the cold wind) but then it became more just talking and kind of lost its appeal with me by the end. Still some amazing stories, and a good insight to a different lifestyle for me. I'm a city person that doesn't hunt and barely camps.
August 13, 2025
*** Possible Spoilers ***
This book consists of a series of anecdotes told by people who had close calls usually in the wilderness. Each story is unique and quite interesting but there is no sustained plot as there would be in a novel. It's a good book for audio format as you can listen while doing stuff like chores or driving. The individual stories are interesting but it would be possible to abandon the book after any individual tale without missing much.
This book consists of a series of anecdotes told by people who had close calls usually in the wilderness. Each story is unique and quite interesting but there is no sustained plot as there would be in a novel. It's a good book for audio format as you can listen while doing stuff like chores or driving. The individual stories are interesting but it would be possible to abandon the book after any individual tale without missing much.
August 12, 2021
Great audiobook, makes you think how fragile life is while hearing what people had been through. Makes you kind of stop and think preparing for the outdoors in a way that you know you already should, but often lack the clarity or time. Make sure to pack the first-aid kit and extra trail-mix rather than your new shoes or apple watch.
Will definitely listen to any follow ons!
Will definitely listen to any follow ons!
September 26, 2022
Audiobook (highly recommend as the people involved tell their own stories)
Wow. Incredible stories, but also terrifying. A very eye-opening reminder of how fragile life is. It makes me want to make my family take a first aid/survival refresher course, myself included. I especially enjoyed hearing the stories where you can see God's hand/comfort. I can't wait to read the next one.
Wow. Incredible stories, but also terrifying. A very eye-opening reminder of how fragile life is. It makes me want to make my family take a first aid/survival refresher course, myself included. I especially enjoyed hearing the stories where you can see God's hand/comfort. I can't wait to read the next one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews