Everyone should have some level of survival skills. Learn how to get out of any difficult situation with these Bushcraft Books, the best survival guides available.
How to build a shelter and a fire, what are the edible plants available, how to find your way home with the stars, how to treat an injury, and how to survive a zombie apocalypse.
Everything you need to know to survive in the wilderness is in these books, among the best bushcraft books available in 2021.
Disclosure: Some of our articles contain affiliate links (as an Amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases).
12 Best Bushcraft Books
Bushcraft 101: A Field Guide to the Art of Wilderness Survival
Dave Canterbury, 2014
Number 1 Survival Book for Beginners
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New York Times listed Bushcraft 101 in the Best Selling Sports Books of 2014.
The book is packed with information, it covers a wide range of topics related to survival in the wilderness, from trapping small game and fishing to pack, the tools needed, ropes, and cordage.
There is also a chapter about edible plants, even tho there are no specific indications on how to identify them. You might bring a detailed book on plants and mushrooms identification with you.
Bushcraft 101 is an ideal book for beginners, covering the basics of all the possible scenarios, written in a very simplistic language, easily understandable by those not well versed in outdoor pertinent terms.
Some readers notice that the pages are not waterproof, you can solve this issue by keeping it in one outdoor book cover like this one.
The Bushcraft Boxed Set: Bushcraft 101; Advanced Bushcraft; The Bushcraft Field Guide to Trapping, Gathering, & Cooking in the Wild; Bushcraft First Aid
Dave Canterbury, 2017
The Perfect Gift for Bushcraft Enthusiasts
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If you want to dig more into survival books or look for a perfect gift for bushcraft enthusiasts, this collection of books from wilderness expert Dave Canterbury is the perfect choice.
The box contains the Bushcraft 101 we mentioned before, Advanced Bushcraft, The Bushcraft Guide to Trapping, Gathering, and Cooking in the Wild, and Bushcraft First Aid.
A useful practical set of books for beginners and intermediate, small enough to be carried with you in your wild adventures.
Filled with great illustrations, easy to read and comprehend for everyone, making the book ideal for young readers as well.
How to Eat in the Woods: A Complete Guide to Foraging, Trapping, Fishing, and Finding Sustenance in the Wild
Bradford Angier, 2016
Best survival book about finding food in the wild
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Getting into more detailed survival books, How to eat in the Woods is an essential guide on how to survive if you get lost in the wilderness or want to explore the amazing nature surrounding us.
Filled with wonderful pictures, Bradford Angier will help you to find water and food, and for the more adventurous spirits, you can even learn what bugs you can eat or how to make a pine needle tea.
Fun to read and, last but not least, it has a strong hardcover and a high-quality texture.
Survivor Kid: A Practical Guide to Wilderness Survival
Denise Long, 2011
Best survival book for kids
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The instructions given by this book are simple and basics, but enough for a kid to find shelter, water, and food if unexpected happens.
It is also a great book to practice and play with your kids while camping, hiking, or in your backyard.
Survivor Kid explains many practical skills they can practice and remember, possibly not the part about how to survive a mountain lion attack…
From 9 years old
Be Ready When the Sh*t Goes Down: A Survival Guide to the Apocalypse
by Forrest Griffin, 2011
The funniest bushcraft book available
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As the title suggests, this is a truly hilarious and funny book.
Besides the laugh, it gives a lot of practical information on how to be prepared for any event including Ragnarök, the Viking apocalypse.
Sometimes a bit vulgar and goofy, so maybe not the ideal gift for kids, but perfect to have fun with your friends.
If you are into survival books this is absolutely a must-have!
The Complete Guide to Edible Wild Plants
by Department of the Army, 2009
Best for survivalist travelers
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If you are looking for geographically specific edible plants, this book is not for you but if you are a traveler is an amazing companion.
This is a guide about the edible plants around the world, some readers said the pictures are not detailed enough and the list is sorted alphabetically and not by location.
Still is a very informative book.
The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead
by Max Brooks. 2003
Best for surviving a zombie attack
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Do you think you can survive a zombie apocalypse just because you have watched a couple of Hollywood movies? Wrong.
Zombies are not that stupid as they appear on the screen, to understand their physiology and behavior and prepare to defend yourself you need to read this book.
Perfect gift for survival skills lovers and zombie lovers.
The Ultimate Guide to Navigating without a Compass: How to Find Your Way Using the Sun, Stars, and Other Natural Methods
by Christopher Nyerges, 2020
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If you have read the above books you know how to survive in the wilderness but most of us, at some point, want to get back home.
The Ultimate Guide to Navigating without a Compass will teach you how to find your way without your GPS.
Written in a very simple and intuitive way, one of the books on this topic.
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Survival Hacks: Over 200 Ways to Use Everyday Items for Wilderness Survival
by Creek Stewart, 2016
Best for preparing your adventure
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Creek Stewart is an expert survival instructor and, among the many books he wrote, this is probably the best.
The ultimate guide on prepping/survival, not a lot of pictures, that’s why is very cheap.
Gives a lot of ideas on how to use everyday items in order to survive and what to experiment in the wild, like making an ice ball to magnify the sun’s rays to start a fire.
When the Grid Goes Down: Disaster Preparations and Survival Gear For Making Your Home Self-Reliant
by Tony Nester, 2013
Best for everyday use
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Short but superb book, When the Grid Goes Down is divided into sections, each one has a summary and a suggested supplies list.
The chapters are:
- Water,
- Food
- First Aid,
- Home Security & Personal Defense
- Heating,
- Cooling & Energy Needs
- Hygiene & Sanitation
Not for skilled survivalists, more for beginners or everyday people who want to have some knowledge about what to do when the grid goes down.
The Prepper’s Medical Handbook
by William Forgey, 2020
Best for medical advices
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Dr. Forgey, wilderness medicine expert, and survivalist has spent considerable time in the wilderness.
Very informative and well organized, anyone should be able to follow the instructions given in the book in case of dire events.
It really covers every topic you can think of, from dental emergencies to poisoning, bone trauma, and even bioterrorism.
Tiny Survival Guide: A Life Insurance Policy in Your Pocket
by Craig Caudill, 2019
Best pocket survival guide
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This pocket-sized manual can be kept in your wallet and yet gives you a lot of information.
Since it is enclosed with two magnetic cards better keep it away from your credit card.
It cannot replace an entire book but it is an ingenious information pamphlet to carry with you in every situation.
