Recapturing A Memory Part 2: Master Backwoodsman by Bradford Angier

This is a bit of a sequel of sorts to a previous entry. I called it "Recapturing A Memory." Retelling of the first knife my Mother ever bought me then I lost and my search for a replacement for my collection. You can find the article here.

I can't quite remember when I fell in love with the outdoors. But I can remember when I first received a book on the subject. It was the first book I ever read, and that was a feat back in the day let me tell you, that taught outdoor skills. Both survival and bushcraft. As well as just old fashioned "Woodsmanship" as I call it.

Much like the previously mentioned pocket knife I had no idea what the name of this book was. I had lost it years ago. Not sure when or where, but all I knew is that I did. All I did know was the cover. A guy, circa mid to late 1970's in a pair of shorts, shirt and a headband with a big external frame backpack on. A number of years ago I tried without much success over at the ETS Forums for anyone who might know the title. Years went by and nothing. Then finally two weeks ago. Someone mentioned a title that seemed like it could be it. I searched and low and behold it was.

"The Master Backwoodsman" by Bradford Angier. (No, that's not him on the cover)

Some of my older readers might be familiar with him. He is, or was (Wikipedia Article Here.) the author of over 30 books. And according to the back of the book jacket (1978) he was "America's number 1 outdoorsman." Originally from the East Coast of Boston as a journalist who set off for self-sufficient living along the Peace River of British Columbia, Canada. Shortly after he compiled all of his knowledge and experience into his first book "Living Off The Land."

To the 21st Century outdoorsman the book reads like a survival manual, when in truth it is not. It is perhaps the last book written in the 20th Century which teaches you how to camp and survive in the backwoods because.....that's how things were in Bradford's day. No GPS unit. No flashlights. No ATV's. There is an amusing paragraph or two about the "Metal Match." We know it now a a simple ferrocerium rod that so many companies sell. The book even features an equally amusing entry about Aerial Photography for maps. It's your Grandfather or even Great-Grandfather's style of backcountry camping. One picture sums up this man.

Bradford back in the day with his Irish Wolfhound as a pack animal. It harkens back to what I often call "The Days of Canvas, Cotton and Leather." Field & Stream even went so far as to call him "THE Master Backwoodsman." Skills long forgotten are in this book. How to properly use a canoe and even how to outfit yourself for a whole year in the woods by yourself. Not to mention a chapter dedicated solely to pack trains with mules and horses. It's just a delightful book with some forgotten skills. Especially regarding cooking bear and beaver.

Having read it all last night I was amazed at how simple everything was for the outdoorsman prior to advanced technology coming into play. You had to be 110% sure of yourself and memorize vital things by heart if you wanted to venture into the back country. It also paints a very romantic picture of how the outdoors once were. It certainly appeals to the romantic outdoorsman, I can tell you that. It's worth buying and reading just for that sake. Not to mention the invaluable old school methods you can rely on when you are out of batteries.

It's available, used copies of various quality, at Amazon.com.