The Book of Camp-Lore & Woodcraft

This is Godine's fourth "handy book" by Dan Beard, the founder of the American Scouting movement, who believed that having boys build things with their hands was not only a detriment to making mischief, but also the basis for building great lives. In this belief, Beard was indefatigable, and every Scout worth his merit badge was expected to read his classic tract on camp-lore and woodcraft, which included instructions on how to build a good fire, cook venison, prepare for a camping trip, and use an axe and a saw.

When we published the first book in this series (The American Boy's Handy Book), we thought it might appeal to a few hundred aging Scouts who fondly remembered "the old days." How wrong we were! With over 600,000 copies in print, the book is still selling strong. As Beard directed in 1930, "So, Boys of the Open, throw aside your new rackets, your croquet mallets, and your boiled shirts. Pull on your buckskin leggings, give a war whoop and be what God intended you should be; healthy wholesome boys. This great Republic belongs to you and so does this book." To which we can only say, "Amen!"