Brightsurf Science News and Current Science News Events
 

View Larger Image

Primitive Technology


by David Wescott

List Price: $25.99
Price: $23.35
You Save: $2.64 (10%)
Available: Usually ships in 24 hours
Sales Rank: 50728
Studio: Gibbs Smith, Publisher
Binding: Paperback
Number Of Pages: 232
Publication Date: March 26, 2001
Publisher: Gibbs Smith, Publisher


EDITORIAL REVIEWS

Product Description
8 3/16 X 10 7/8 In, 232 Pp, 100 Black & White Photographs, 150 Line Drawings Have You Ever Longed To Return To A Past Where Humanity's Greatest Concern Was Survival, When Our Hands Created Life's Necessities, When The Land's Raw Provisions Were The Materials With Which We Created Warmth, Shelter, Food, and Tools--A Time Before We Lost Our Bond With The Wilderness? Primitive Technology Helps Build A Bridge Between The Ancient Past and Our Modern Lives, Putting Us In Touch Again With Nature and Ourselves. This Volume--A Selection of Articles Within The Bulletin of Primitive Technology--Portrays The History, Philosophise, and Personal Journeys of Authorities On Primitive Technology, Imparting Skills That Built The Success of Mankind. From Views On Primitive Technology and "New" Archaeology To Making Fire and Tools of Bone, This Book Is Informative and Enlightening< BR>


CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.5 based on 12 reviews)

The Elders Speak  
Long ago our knowlegdge was passed down from the elder generations. This book fills the void our society of alienation has created with detailed accounts of "how-to" knowledge. Tempered with instruction, the reader will find scientific analysis of all facets of "primitive" survival methodologies. By far, these are the best encyclopedic volumes of information that would otherwise be lost to us all. If you share any penchant for living with the earth, buy this book...immediately! You should also check out the society of primitve technology online. This group publishes bi-annual journals on primitive skills. I gave this a four because some of the instructions can be vague and for all intents and purposes should be used in conjunction with hands on interaction with a skilled mentor. Enjoy this awe-inspiring collection of knowledge!
August 19, 2008

Primitive Technology  
The book is an overview of a wide range of skills and lacks details on how on how to do them.
July 13, 2008

Communication  
It has occurred to me that a primitive technology for instant communication has existed for a long time: heliography. All you need it silver or gold metallurgy to make a decent mirror. A very simple way to precisely aim a beam of sunlight from a mirror exists, for the geomentrically unimpaired. With a large mirror, signalling from one mountain peak to another over distances of 50 miles is achievable.

I wonder if any ancient empires practiced this. The crusader kingdoms in Lebanon used fire beacons to indicate they had not yet been overrun by those pesky Arabs and Kurds, but there was no actual telegraphing of text. The earliest telegraph I know of was done in Sweden in the early 19th century, by semaphore assisted with telescopes. Sunny day and batteries not required, as long as there was daylight and a clear view.

One thing about this book... I went out right away, cut off a yucca spine, and started making string out of it. Yep, it really works (but is very labor intensive). Stone chipping was not so successful because you really need the right kind of stone. I've GOT TO TRY IT when I find a good stone!
May 07, 2008

overview  
This is a pretty good overview and introduction, with good illustrations. The field of primitive skills has more advanced techniques that are not covered in this book.
November 12, 2007

The two books offer a wealth of information!  
Loaded with history and skills, these two books are a must for any student of primitive living. Get both books, you wont regret it.
August 23, 2007


SIMILAR PRODUCTS

Primitive Technology II
by David Wescott

Primitive Wilderness Living & Survival Skills: Naked into the Wilderness
by John McPherson, Geri McPherson

SAS Survival Handbook: How to Survive in the Wild, in Any Climate, on Land or at Sea
by John Lofty Wiseman

Flintknapping: Making and Understanding Stone Tools
by John C. Whittaker

The Forager's Harvest: A Guide to Identifying, Harvesting, and Preparing Edible Wild Plants
by Samuel Thayer

© 2008 BrightSurf.com