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Rating: 
Summary: One Of the greatest guides to the in and outs of backpacking
Review: A book written by a man who lived to solo backpack and brings us the feel of his many years of doing this<b> You will either love or hate his direct British writting style<b> This is a great book for the basics of backpacking and why things become so important<b> Being British his food ideas are boring which he admits and there are many great books on this subject<b> And even with some of the equipment becoming slowly dated he gives us such valuable insite as to why we choose things and what really is important when weight is such a serious consideration<b> I think this is a great guide for the new and a good reference for the experianced to remember the basics and joy of getting away with your pack <b>
Rating:
Summary: The Hikers Bible
Review: A complete guide to the equipment, technique, and philosophy of walking in the wilderness. This book is a good read (even if you don't go backpacking) for the amusing and insightful comments on topics ranging from ecology and gun control to "Industrial Devolution" and sex. Every one of my questions about hiking were answered in the 600+ pages of detail on everything--every piece of equipment, food items, weather, safety, etc., etc.--that I could imagine. Appendices include a checklist of equipment (the most comprehensive I have ever seen), suggested provisions for sample one-week and overnight trips, a list of walking organizations (by state), and a chapter of "Pleasant Quotes for Contemplative Walkers." "Now my soul hath elbow room." --Shakespeare (and me, after using this book)
Rating:
Summary: The Hikers Bible
Review: A complete guide to the equipment, technique, and philosophy of walking in the wilderness. This book is a good read (even if you don't go backpacking) for the amusing and insightful comments on topics ranging from ecology and gun control to "Industrial Devolution" and sex. Every one of my questions about hiking were answered in the 600+ pages of detail on everything--every piece of equipment, food items, weather, safety, etc., etc.--that I could imagine. Appendices include a checklist of equipment (the most comprehensive I have ever seen), suggested provisions for sample one-week and overnight trips, a list of walking organizations (by state), and a chapter of "Pleasant Quotes for Contemplative Walkers." "Now my soul hath elbow room." --Shakespeare (and me, after using this book)
Rating:
Summary: The best.
Review: About twenty years ago I read an earlier edition of this book, bought a backpack, and started walking. Mr. Fletcher makes it possible for anyone to feel confident on a solo backpacking trip. His book is unique among the many forgettable how to books. Some of the specifics about equipment are dated but core of the book is timeless. I have to use a cliche: this book changed my life. Buy it and go for a walk!
Rating:
Summary: The best of its kind.
Review: Colin Fletcher's book on hiking has been a classic for decades. Not only does he cover just about every aspect of life on the trail, he does it with an entertaining, anecdotal style that is a step above most other books of its type. The book is about due for an update, though. There have been so many changes in backpacking equipment over the years that Fletcher's discussions on stoves, tents, and water purification systems(to name a few) are just plain outdated. Too bad. Still, it's the most readable guide to backpacking out there, and his hints and tricks on wilderness travel remain as fresh and useful as ever.
Rating: 
Summary: An exhaustive, but aging, how-to guide to backpacking
Review: Colin Fletcher's book on hiking has been a classic for decades. Not only does he cover just about every aspect of life on the trail, he does it with an entertaining, anecdotal style that is a step above most other books of its type. The book is about due for an update, though. There have been so many changes in backpacking equipment over the years that Fletcher's discussions on stoves, tents, and water purification systems(to name a few) are just plain outdated. Too bad. Still, it's the most readable guide to backpacking out there, and his hints and tricks on wilderness travel remain as fresh and useful as ever.
Rating:
Summary: The best of its kind.
Review: I love this book. Fletcher's writing is solid and his motives are up-front. And like no other book on the subject, this one makes you want to spend your life walking. Take the intellect and spirit of this book, and the gear sense of Ray Jardine, and you'll really be getting somewhere.
Rating:
Summary: Old, but not outdated
Review: I was looking at this book in the bookstore, but I ended up buying "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Camping and Hiking." Although I knew that Fletcher's was probably the better book, I figured that the technological advances in backpacking equipment would make the 16-year old third edition less than completely useful. Well, to make a long story short, I ended up back in the bookstore to buy "Complete Walker." Most of the information is still essentially accurate, but even for areas where time has passed this book by, the book is still useful. Fletcher doesn't just give you his conclusions about what to take; he takes you through the process of gathering information and thinking that led to the conclusions. Essentially, he teaches you how to think and make your own choices, rather than presenting you with the received gospel. Fletcher has read all the catalogs and books and magazines, talked to a lot of backpackers, visited a lot of shops, contacted manufacturers, and heard from his readers, in addition to testing a lot of equipment himself. He passes all this information along to us, acknowledging that some of it might not be reliable, and he gives us his take on it, mixing in his real-life experiences and philosophy, making it much more than just a gear book.
Rating:
Summary: Old, but not outdated
Review: I was looking at this book in the bookstore, but I ended up buying "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Camping and Hiking." Although I knew that Fletcher's was probably the better book, I figured that the technological advances in backpacking equipment would make the 16-year old third edition less than completely useful. Well, to make a long story short, I ended up back in the bookstore to buy "Complete Walker." Most of the information is still essentially accurate, but even for areas where time has passed this book by, the book is still useful. Fletcher doesn't just give you his conclusions about what to take; he takes you through the process of gathering information and thinking that led to the conclusions. Essentially, he teaches you how to think and make your own choices, rather than presenting you with the received gospel. Fletcher has read all the catalogs and books and magazines, talked to a lot of backpackers, visited a lot of shops, contacted manufacturers, and heard from his readers, in addition to testing a lot of equipment himself. He passes all this information along to us, acknowledging that some of it might not be reliable, and he gives us his take on it, mixing in his real-life experiences and philosophy, making it much more than just a gear book.
Rating:
Summary: The Standard by which all are judged!
Review: It's a shame that one is only allowed 5 stars to rate this book. Colin Fletcher brings a sense of humor and humanity to the art and science (for lack of a better phrase) of backpacking, and is one of the most readable authors extant. I have just ordered the 4th edition of this book, and I'll be staking out the mailbox until it's arrival. This qualifys as basic equipment.
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