Survival in the wild isn’t as easy or glamorous as it’s portrayed in movies. It requires more than physical endurance or blind courage. You’ll need to be equipped with the knowledge and the ability to apply it in unexpected and often harsh situations.

If you’re here to deepen your understanding or simply ensure you’re prepared for your next outdoor adventure, you’ve come to the right place.

Maybe you’ve watched a few YouTube videos on how to start a fire, build a shelter, or find drinkable water. However, the knowledge you find there is often incomplete, leaving you to piece together bits from various tutorials, hoping to make sense of it all. Instead of relying on fragmented information, it’s better to learn from a book that provides a comprehensive and well-structured approach.

We’ve sifted through numerous reviews and feedback from readers to provide you with a comprehensive guide to the best books on survival. These are not just popular titles but also those praised for their practicality, real-life application, and their ability to foster the mindset needed to thrive in survival situations.

1. How to Stay Alive in the Woods by Bradford Angier

Written by Bradford Angier, a wilderness expert with a lifetime of experience, “How to Stay Alive in the Woods“ offers an in-depth guide on surviving with minimal resources.

This book is broken down into four essential sections: Sustenance, Warmth, Orientation, and Safety, and covers a wide array of survival tactics such as foraging, building shelter, finding water, and protecting oneself from natural threats. While some readers found the information slightly dated (favoring tried-and-true methods), it remains relevant to those focused on primitive survival skills, with a touch of Angier’s personal wit that many found charming.

Angier’s strength lies in his old-school, no-nonsense approach to survival. Unlike modern guides that rely on gadgets, this book prepares you to live off the land without any modern conveniences. One reviewer emphasized how helpful it was to learn about techniques like using natural materials to build shelters and identifying edible plants​.

Readers appreciated how it catered to long-term survival scenarios, making it a perfect companion for those venturing far into the wilderness or those preparing for sustained off-the-grid living.

If you’re looking for a survival book focused on short-term emergencies or modern technology, this might not be the best fit. Some reviewers felt that the language and concepts were a bit outdated for today’s world, and that it assumes a level of skill that beginners may lack​. It’s also not ideal if you expect to use high-tech tools like GPS or advanced modern materials, as it sticks to traditional survival skills.

2. 98.6 Degrees: The Art of Keeping Your Ass Alive by Cody Lundin

Cody Lundin’s 98.6 Degrees takes a unique approach to survival. As the book suggests, this book is all about keeping yourself alive until help arrives, focusing primarily on maintaining body temperature—keeping it at a life-sustaining 98.6 degrees.

Unlike other survival guides, this book zeroes in on one key factor: thermal regulation. Reviewers praised the book’s accessible and sometimes humorous/controversial tone, as well as Lundin’s straightforward advice about assembling a survival kit that actually works​.

Lundin’s book is perfect for those who want to understand the core principles of survival without being overwhelmed by too much technical jargon. His emphasis on staying warm (or cool) and hydrated, rather than chasing wild edibles or building extravagant shelters, offers a realistic perspective for those more likely to be caught in short-term emergencies rather than long-term survival situations​.

If you’re looking for advanced survival techniques or long-term living strategies, 98.6 Degrees may feel too elementary. The book focuses on surviving until rescue, making it less useful for those interested in full self-sufficiency or homesteading​.

3. Bushcraft 101 by Dave Canterbury

Bushcraft 101 focuses on wilderness survival through the lens of traditional bushcraft techniques. Written by Dave Canterbury, an expert woodsman, this book covers foundational skills, such as setting up camp, trapping, and foraging. Reviewers highlight its accessible format, perfect for beginners. However, some felt that the lack of detailed illustrations left certain concepts, like knot-tying and trap-setting, difficult to grasp.

For those new to survival, this book provides a rock-solid foundation. Its focus on essential skills—navigating without modern tools, creating simple but effective shelters, and preparing for long-term outdoor living—gives beginners the confidence to step into the wild. One reviewer emphasized the book’s practicality for those venturing into the woods for the first time, calling it a “scout handbook” for adults​.

If you’re an experienced woodsman, this book might feel too basic. Some advanced practitioners felt that Bushcraft 101 skims over important details, especially in areas like trapping and foraging. Without more in-depth illustrations, those unfamiliar with certain techniques may find it difficult to put the advice into practice.

4. SAS Survival Handbook by John “Lofty” Wiseman

The SAS Survival Handbook, written by John “Lofty” Wiseman, a former Special Air Service (SAS) soldier, is widely regarded as the quintessential guide to outdoor survival. 

Unlike the other book mentioned here, this book covers not only how to survive in the woods but also in different environments. With Wiseman’s experience as an SAS soldier, it teaches readers essential skills such as first aid, campcraft, navigation, and staying calm in a variety of environments.

What sets this handbook apart is its comprehensive nature. It covers a wide range of scenarios and doesn’t just offer surface-level tips; it delves deeply into practical techniques, crucial for beginners, such as building layered shelters in snowy conditions and constructing fires in challenging environments

The book also emphasizes mental preparedness as much as physical survival, teaching readers how to manage fear and think clearly under pressure. One reviewer even mentioned using the book’s advice to successfully prepare for Hurricane Irma, which they credited with saving their life.

Additionally, the instructions on preparing a comprehensive survival kit—covering food, clothing, and essential tools—make this book highly practical for anyone venturing into unfamiliar or extreme environments.

If you’re already familiar with basic survival tactics, this book may seem repetitive. Some reviewers noted that while the book covers a vast amount of material, it doesn’t delve deeply into specialized topics for those with advanced knowledge. If you’re looking for highly specific advice (e.g., advanced trapping techniques or detailed information on edible plant identification), you may need more targeted resources.

5. The Ultimate Survival Manual by Rich Johnson

Written by experts from Outdoor Life magazine, The Ultimate Survival Manual offers a broad overview of survival in different settings: wilderness, urban, and disaster scenarios. Covering 333 skills, it’s designed as a go-to reference for surviving everything from natural disasters to wilderness accidents.

Readers loved the practical, easily understandable tips for real-world scenarios, including altitude sickness, wading through swamps, and urban crises. It’s filled with large, clear illustrations, making it suitable even for beginners​.

What sets this manual apart is its versatility, similar to the SAS Survival Handbook. From wilderness adventures to urban disasters, this book covers a wide array of situations, making it a reliable companion for anyone, anywhere. The mix of wilderness, urban, and disaster survival tips ensures you are ready for anything—whether you’re trying to fend off a mountain lion or survive a hurricane. One reviewer even mentioned using some of the urban crisis tips for home defense​.

One standout feature of the book is its guidance on assembling an emergency kit, something critical whether you’re at home or on an outdoor trip. One reviewer noted that they built a well-stocked go-bag for their family after reading the book. The tips on finding food and surviving in harsh climates, like deserts or high altitudes, make it highly practical for those heading into extreme environments​.

If you’re looking for in-depth survival techniques or specialized wilderness skills, this book might feel too broad. This book’s strength is in its overview, it doesn’t go deep into specific topics like navigation or advanced outdoor survival. Experienced survivalists may find it lacks the detailed, technical advice they’re seeking​.

Conclusion

Each of these books provides essential knowledge for surviving in the wilderness, whether you’re a beginner just starting or an experienced outdoor enthusiast. While they all emphasize different survival aspects, the common thread is practicality. For anyone serious about developing their skills and preparing for whatever nature throws their way, these books are indispensable tools.