Don Philpott

Campfire Cookbook: The Complete Guide to Eating Well in The Wild was originally published in 2005 as Campfire Cookbook: Recipes for the Outdoors. This new edition comes as a paperback and arrives in a zippered plastic case making it a terrific gift for someone interested in heading outdoors for a primitive car camp or learning about backpacking. It is NOT a book for the experienced backpacker or anyone interested in long distance backpacking.

The title is a misnomer as the book is so much more than a cookbook. The recipes don't begin until near the middle of the book. The reader is first introduced to Leave No Trace ethics, weather forecasting in the wild, important information about nutritional needs and food planning.

The second section covers setting up camp, different methods of camp cooking, and essential gear and equipment. It also includes information about finding food sources in the wild and hints to finding natural water.

The third section looks a little more closely at backpacking and provides a pack list for the beginner.
And finally the recipes show up!

Overall the book is a good first guide and includes fabulous color photos that make you want to get up and head for the woods! The book is guaranteed to provide the novice with many pleasurable hours of dreaming and planning. As a long-distance backpacker, I found that the book doesn’t cover the recent improvements in gear, clothing and cooking equipment. Anyone about to purchase gear would do well to visit a reputable outfitter for the latest products.

I want to thank Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced reader's copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
… (altro)