Special Forces Survival Guide: Desert, Arctic, Mountain, Jungle, Urban

Review of the author's Encyclopedia of Survival Techniques (2000): This could prove to be a mighty handy volume. Recommended. --Library Journal

Written by a former member of the British Territorial Army, Special Forces Survival Guide arms readers with the survival techniques used by special forces units around the world. Trained to take on the toughest missions in the most challenging environments, these warriors must be able to master any situation, including escaping danger, evading capture and surviving with little or no gear.

Stilwell's detailed instructions and the photos of Special Forces soldiers applying survival skills in a variety of situations guide readers to building shelters, finding water and surviving in disaster scenarios, making arrows, encountering dangerous animals and navigating by the stars. Using these tips, tricks and skills, readers develop the confidence to venture farther on outdoor adventures and trek into unknown terrain.

The book is divided into chapters according to environment -- desert, arctic, mountain, jungle, urban -- with each providing guidance tailored to their inherent challenges. Some examples:

Arctic Survival

• How to dry boots (take hot stones from the fire and put them inside the boot)
Building an arctic fishing net under the ice, using a pole, net and three ice holes Determining when to travel (watch seabird flight, study clouds to see when they are over water)

Mountain Survival

• How to brake when falling
Building a stone shelter How to survive an avalanche

Jungle Survival

• Insects you can eat and how to avoid poisonous insects
How to extract water from vines, roots, palm trees and banana trees Navigating in the jungle without a compass and map

Urban Survival

• How to detect you are being followed and how to evade
Using urban transport safely in a hostile environment How to defend yourself from attack in an urban area.

Authoritative, easy-to-use and fully illustrated, this is an essential up-to-date how-to guide for anyone entering a hazardous environment or with an interest in survival tactics.

Alexander Stilwell specializes in military history and current affairs and spent six years in the British Territorial Army, where he was trained in survival skills, first aid procedures, and escape and evasion techniques. He lives in London.