[.ca] The Happy Camper: An Essential Guide to Life Outdoors (ISBN 1550464507)

Best book on the subject in twenty years:
A great book. I have been canoeing for over a decade in Ontario and backpacking in British Columbia for another ten (when I lived there). I have read many books on the outdoors and I have to say this is the best I have read. Throughout I was impressed with the quality and utility information and the humorous way it was delivered. There is a lot of information in this book. I was pleasantly surprised how much of my own discoveries were there in the book including the wonderful VCS tarp, the 2 trip portage technique, and even the Knot Knot joke (which is still one of my favourites). The topics it covers are a panorama of wilderness skills but sometimes a little scant on its attempt at comprehensive coverage. I was hungry for more of Kevin Callan's tips and felt cheated when each chapter ended "too soon" :-)! There is also a bias towards canoeing, which is forgivable for an Ontario authour; a little more on backpacking would balance out the book. The style and layout is superb and easy to read. There was lots of boxes and bullets to guide one through the material. Most of the staged pictures are eye candy that do not really conveying information. This increases the cost and of the book but is forgivable as they complement the writing style (their dog Bailey stole most of the best pictures in my opinion). However, when the photos do try and convey information (e.g. knots, compass use, canoeing strokes) there are very clear and easy to follow. Overall, an excellent book. My only major compliant is that the book should be longer (hint hint Kevin). It fails as a standalone comprehensive introduction to the outdoors but has information and techniques that I have not found in other books. An excellent book for both novice and experienced trippers.