Paradise Below Zero any reviews

[jamesdevine]

Hi Guys,

Any read this. Full title Paradise Below Zero: The Classic Guide to Winter camping by Calvin Rutstrum.

The are no reviews on Amazon so I was wonder if anyone has read it and if it's worth buying. Also any other recommanded reads on this subject

Thanks
James

[Ed]

Can you post the ISBN for that please :-)

Cheers

Ed

[jamesdevine]

Hi Ed

ISBN 0816636826

[sargey]

http://outdoors-magazine.com/IMG/jpg/RHowto.jpg

there's an article on his life works over at http://outdoors-magazine.com/

cheers, and.

[bigjackbrass]

Wonderful book. I'm very fond of Rutstrum's style and attitudes, but most of his books take a more anecdotal approach than is the norm in current outdoor writing, so if you are after definitive kit lists and lots of very detailled specifics then he might not be your man. The descriptions are very evocative, though, and his experience suffuses every page. "Paradise" deals with the harshest North American conditions and you will find that there is no direct requirement for much of the information in the UK, alas.

If I recall correctly, at least one listing on Amazon misspells his name, so you might have to search by title or browse categories if you want to find the full range of his books in print. I have "North American Canoe Country," "Paradise Below Zero," "The New Way of the Wilderness" and "Once Upon a Wilderness." I believe that "The Wilderness Route Finder" is also still in print, but not in a matching edition.

[sargey]

i've only read new way of the wilderness. it was excellent.

thedirect link to that article is
http://outdoors-magazine.com/s_index.php?target=%2Fs_articl e.php%3Fid_article%3D128

[jamesdevine]

Thanks Guys

Thats exactly what I was looking for.

I am planning a trip to North America and Canada in the near future and winter just seems to good to miss.

I will I hope be spending time with some experienced people over there so the really the detail will be learnt on location so to speak.

But I wanted somthing to tied me over until then and game across Paradise Below Zero.

Next months order to Amazon. Nessmuk was this months

James

[bigjackbrass]

Have a look at "The Winter Wilderness Companion," by Garrett and Alexandra Conover. This is a more recent book but the authors favour a very traditional approach to winter camping and travel. I found this an especially handy read for my trip to Lapland last year, especially when I was pondering what to wear.

[jamesdevine]

Thanks Jack

I have been looking at this as well and it is also on the list. I am going to have to spend the weekend building a new book shelf.

I came across both books on this website http://www.empirecanvasworks.com/frontpage.html

It has good peice of kit as well especially the tents but thats another subject altogether.

Thanks again Jack really is appreciated.

James

[Schwert]

I also did a review on the Conover's Winter Wilderness Companion. It too is at the Outdoors-Magazine.

http://outdoors-magazine.com/s_article.php?id_article=129

Thanks Sargey for doing the link to my Rutstrum review.

Both Paradise Below Zero and the Conover's book are excellent reading. The Conover's are much more specific on the wilderness operation techniques and tools than was Rutstrum. Both are out of the high tech zone...Rutstum's because it was published before miracle fabrics etc and the Conover's because they believe in the older methods. For winter travel in Canada the Conover's is an excellent text and Rutstrum's works the classics.

[jamesdevine]

Thanks allot for the link to your another articule. I have read of it at lunch time.

I really enjoyed the Rutstrum articule it was exactly what I was looking for.

Thanks James

[Schwert]

Thanks James,

Rutstrum is my favorite of the outdoor writers of the 50's thru the 80's.

I will be editing my review later next week. I just received the 1952 edition of Way of the Wilderness, and it is a revised editon not just a reprint of the 1946 edition. Most of the text and illustrations look to be the same (cursory leaf through), but all the camper specific exams have been removed and a hunting and fishing chapter have been added. These new chapters look very much like the revisions that took place for the 1958 New Way rewrite. This edition also has a short note to Rutstrum by Whelen, a precursor to the intro in New Way possibly. I will be doing a more extensive comparison soon, but am glad to have found this at a somewhat affordable price. These editions are gold, and sell like them. The fellow had listed it on bookfinder but misspelled Rutstrum...so I am guessing it was missed by less serious hunters of this text. Came in near perfect shape in the canvas pouch.

You may be able to find some Rutstrum's in their original hardback or earlier softback editions in used bookstores. Paradise and New Way are fairly easily found over here. The new University of Minnesota editons are nice, but not classics. I search eBay frequently for Rutstrum and some can be had for less than $5.

[jamesdevine]

Well I finally got a copy of Paradise below Zero and I really love this book and this author. I will defenitly be getting his other books. Well worth the read for anyone hoping to enjoy the winter wilderness up north.

I'll have to see if I can get a copy of the Conover's book but as it seems to be out of print at present there might be a delay on that.

But Calvins book are well worth the read even if you don't fancy the cold and Schwets articules are also well worth a look.

James

[mmcniven]

Hi

I just bought a copy of The Winter Wilderness Companion," by Garrett and Alexandra Conover second hand in the classified section and can highly recommend it. I am part of the way through it and it is packed full of useful information on travelling for extended periods in the winter. If you are looking for any specific information from the book let me know and I will photocopy the relevant sections :wink:
I have also asked santa for a copy of Paradise below Zero so hopefully he will provide..... :-P

[jamesdevine]

Thanks mate but unless you can copy it all, which I won't ask you to I'll see if I can get one in the new year.

Hope santa is good to you this year as it would a real joy for you to sit by the fire on Christmas eve and read Paradise Below Zero. Would be even nicer in log cabin but we can dream.

:wave:

James

[bambodoggy]

Right, I've just ordered a copy of "Paradise Below Zero" having looked up and down this tread so it'd better be good!!!!!!!!! :lol: :lol:


I'm sure most of you will have already seen and/or read it, although it's not a winter camping guide or even close but what do you all think of:

"The Good Life, Up the Yukon without a paddle", by Dorian Amos ? ? ? Personally I thought it was the most funny and entertaining book I had read in years....not to mention inspiring.....

[jamesdevine]

I loved it and even more surprisingly my wife did as well. She even said it's sounds like a nice place to visit.

I have take all the broachers I have out of the draw and left them in strategic places throughout the house. Looking good at present keep you posted.

James

[tomtom]

how did you find Rutstrums writeing? i recently read nessmuks woodcraft and was not overly impressed with the derogitory comments about the English!! :nono:

am now looking for a copy of Rutstrums The New Way..

[jamesdevine]

Well I would put Nessmucks comments in to the context of the time as well the subject. There is the fact that he is commenting about a statement made by an Englishman about the Americans growing old to fast. But it's only a book and you take what you want from it.

Rutstrum is OK at least in this book anyway. He does make some comments about women and winter clothing that may not go down to well with some but his views a logical.

I enjoyed it and I do recommend it.

James

[Schwert]

I got a note from the Conover's a few weeks back and they are apparently working on another edition of their "Winter Wilderness Companion". I am not sure if it will be a reprint or a revised edition, but I believe it will be out early next year.

Also thanks again on the article comments. I am rereading Rutstrum's wilderness philosophy books once again. Somehow they make perfect winter reading.

[Abbe Osram]

Hi

I just finished "The Winter Wilderness Companion," and I too can recommend that book very very much, its one of the best books I have read on the subject of living in wintertime out in the woods and enjoy it. Tons of great tips and tricks for better equipment and how to build them yourself.

cheers
Abbe

[bambodoggy]

Guys,

I'm half way through "Paradise Below Zero" and am very much enjoying it so far....

The Auther mentions an "Air-sealed", or "Air-Tight" Stove that he uses in his wall tents......
I've seen the normal wall tent stoves you can get but haven't heard of an airtight or sealed stove....

Anyone know what they are and where I can see one and maybe buy one online or otherwise?

Many thanks in advance all..... :wave:

[woodrat]

rutstrum also one of my favs., you often see his books over here in used book stores for around 10 dollars or so.