View Full Version : Ray Mears book
I know how rare these are, but if anyone has a copy of Ray Mears' ''The Survival Handbook'' (first printed 1990 i think) they would be willing to sell, I would be most appreciative.
I've heard it's a pretty good book, and numerous internet searches and second hand book shops have turned up nout.
Cheers,
Strider.
There seem to be two types of BCUK members: those who own Mears' first book (and aren't letting go of it!) and those who are chasing a copy.
I'm in the latter category and am also having no luck finding it :-(
MagiKelly
25-02-2004, 17:22
I think I have a copy but I am not selling it. I got it from RayMears.com and as far as i know they still sell it. I think it is the second edition but is more or less identical to the first edition that had the author as Raymond Mears.
I managed to get hold of one on e-bay a while back. I searched under Raymond Mears - there were very few bids! Most people probably search under Ray Mears.
There are very few differences between the first edition and the second - mostly it is a case of cosmetic editing and tidying up of the somewhat rustic style text (though why that was needed I don't know).
If you order the 2nd ed from Woodlore you'll get a signed copy!
If you order the 2nd ed from Woodlore you'll get a signed copy!
Are we talking about the same book? I was refering to 'The Survival Handbook' - A practical Guide to Woodcraft and Woodlore' ISBN 1856481808
I think so ... apart from the fact that it's now the 2nd ed. ISBN 0091878861
The original was published in 1992 by Rider & Co.
If you order the 2nd ed from Woodlore you'll get a signed copy!
Are we talking about the same book? I was refering to 'The Survival Handbook' - A practical Guide to Woodcraft and Woodlore' ISBN 1856481808
I think so ... apart from the fact that it's now the 2nd ed. ISBN 0091878861
The original was published in 1992 by Rider & Co.
If you order the 2nd ed from Woodlore you'll get a signed copy!
Are we talking about the same book? I was refering to 'The Survival Handbook' - A practical Guide to Woodcraft and Woodlore' ISBN 1856481808
I'm confused, this is the book I'm talking about:
http://free.one.picturehost.co.uk/book.jpg
It was published in 1990 by The Oxford Illustrated Press. It's not the same as 'The Outdoor Survival Handbook' which was first published, as you say, in 1992.
Ahhh, so there was a book that came before the Outdoor Survival Handbook! :-D I knew that there are two versions of that one, plus an americal version, but i didn't know about this one!
I'll have to keep an eye out for a copy! Looks like it leans heavily towards primitive skills!
Thanks!
Yeah, the Outdoor Survival Handbook is very common, especially now that it has been reprinted. You can get the original from second hand sites too.
The Survival Handbook, however, is very dificult to find and I believe it is considered to be Ray's best book because he was not so "commercial" about what he put into it.
I'm still looking for my copy...
p.s. I have my 1st Ed Outdoor Survival Handbook signed by Ray so :nana:
It certainly seems to be a more informative book particularly regarding edible plants etc. It's more for the dedicated bushcraft enthusiast rather than for the general reader.
We need to get a petition up to Ray to get it reprinted - either that or suggest he gets the copyright returned to him and put it up on the web for free!
Actually, with most books, the copyright returns to the author as soon as the publishers decide to no longer publish it ...
We need to get a petition up to Ray to get it reprinted - either that or suggest he gets the copyright returned to him and put it up on the web for free!
Think an email to woodlore is in order??
Considering how many people would like a copy, and the difficulty of obtaining one!!