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John Wiseman
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SAS Survival Guide (Collins Gem) Paperback – 1 Mar. 1999

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 158 ratings
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The bestselling guide to how to survive in a wide range of hazardous situations, written by an ex-SAS survival expert.

Have you thought about how you would deal with surviving on nothing but the plants you could forage? Do you wonder how you would manage if you were lost and had to set up an improvised camp? Can you tie knots or make basic weather forecasts? All of the above and much, much more are covered in the Gem SAS Survival Guide.

Using clear line drawings and colour illustrations, ex-SAS soldier John Lofty Wiseman explains the survival techniques that will help you anywhere from the mountains to the ocean and the deserts to the jungle.

A condensed version of the bestselling SAS Survival Handbook, this is the most comprehensive and portable guide to surviving everything that nature can throw at you.

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  1. Print length
    384 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Collins
  4. Publication date
    1 Mar. 1999
  5. Dimensions
    8.89 x 2.54 x 12.7 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    0004723023
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0004723020
  8. See all details
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Product description

Amazon Review

What would you do if you were in the middle of a tropical rain forest and one of your party was bitten by a bug or a snake? Do you know how to choose a knife or how and when to abandon ship? The Collins Gem SAS Survival Guide has the answer to these--and many, many other--essential survival questions for anybody wanting to trade the supermarket for the scrub and get back to nature.

The pocket-size guide covers everything from the essential survival kit and pouch to disaster strategies for those who find themselves facing natural disasters such as hurricanes, avalanches, floods, tornadoes, active volcanoes, floods, lightening and earthquakes. And just in case nature proves too much for such precautions, there is an extremely comprehensive section on health and first aid.

Illustrated throughout with numerous black-and-white line drawings and colour photographs for identifying wild plants and animals, this is a well-produced, compact and comprehensive guide for all would-be explorers.

About the Author

John ‘Lofty’ Wiseman served for 26 years with the SAS and was their Chief Survival Instructor. He remains the foremost authority on SAS training techniques for civilians. His knowledge, skills and experience are unrivalled and he is deeply respected in survival circles.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Collins; New edition (1 Mar. 1999)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0004723023
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0004723020
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.89 x 2.54 x 12.7 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 158 ratings

About the author

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John Wiseman

John Wiseman

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Seven time New York Times bestselling author John Weisman is one of a select company of authors to have their books on both the Times nonfiction and fiction bestseller lists. He pioneered coverage of Naval Special Warfare when he co-authored the No. 1 NY Times bestseller "Rogue Warrior," then conceived, created, developed, and wrote eight best-selling Rogue sequels.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Seymour Hersh called his 2004 novel "Jack in the Box" 'The insider's insider spy novel.'

Bestselling author Joseph Wambaugh says of Weisman, "Nobody writes better about the dark, dirty, and dangerous world of the CIA..."

Former CIA case officer and bestselling author Robert Baer says, "John Weisman takes the reader into the very heart of CIA and its special operations."

John's latest special operations novel based on true events was "KBL - KILL BIN LADEN." Sourced and reported as if it were nonfiction, the book was released in November 2011 to universally laudatory reviews.

Bing West, America's foremost writer on war-fighting called "KBL" "An extraordinary look inside Special Operations Fores at the team level." The Iron Mountain Daily News wrote, "Weisman has penned an account that, though technically a work of fiction, resonates with credibility."

And despite two alleged "nonfiction" accounts of Operation Neptune Spear, there are more than a few Special Operations Forces warriors who describe Weisman's "KBL: Kill Bin Laden" as the book that comes closest to holistically capturing the political and military gestalt surrounding the historic Abbottabad raid.

John Weisman lives on Florida's Gulf Coast.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
158 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book informative and handy. They mention it contains information to keep them alive until rescued. Readers also mention it's a great size to fit into a pocket or backpack for use in the field.

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Information contentPocket size
7 customers mention ‘Information content’7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's information useful. They mention it's a great pocket reference guide and a must for outdoor enthusiasts. Readers also say the book contains information to keep them alive until rescued.

"Firstly the book is a great little pocket reference guide, obviously it's not like having Bear Grylls in your pocket but it's got the basics in a..." Read more

"...11cm x 9cm and 2 cm thick.as other reviews show, contains information to keep you alive until rescued - what to take with you in a survival kit..." Read more

"Excellent readNice & handy" Read more

"really handy survival book nice and small can fit in your shirt pocket just about !" Read more

5 customers mention ‘Pocket size’5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book great for a pocket or backpack for use in the field. They say it's easy to carry and not bulky.

"It's a great size to fit into a pocket or backpack for use in the field. 11cm x 9cm and 2 cm thick...." Read more

"...And easy to carry. And not bulky in any way. I have the full size version myself. Any one who spends any length of time in out doors pursuits...." Read more

"really handy survival book nice and small can fit in your shirt pocket just about !" Read more

"...Packed full of tips in a good handy size." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

Seif
5.0 out of 5 stars Can't get better than that
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 December 2023
Verified Purchase
I had one as a kid, before I could speak English well and I had loved it. I wanted to offer it to my nephew but I had lost my copy, so I had to buy a new one and I wanted this very model.

This is a lot better than the knowledge taught in the French commando training ground in Guyana (CEFE).
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Rkell
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 April 2015
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I have written a review already on the Kindle version of The SAS survival Guide (John ''Lofty'' Wiseman version) so I'll just focus on this product in itself here. The fact I have bought this book in two formats shows what a fantastic thing it is and the hard copy will not break or run out of batteries (though I will be referencing the Kindle version at home as the 'print' is much easier on the eyes). The book itself is the Collins Gem version and they have done a cracking job of it, the cover has a shiny sheen to it which would be water resistant to a point, the same is true of the pages themselves which means they wont 'brown' with age like most paperbacks. It is a little bigger than a tobacco tin so very easy to stick in the bottom of a rucksack though the content hasn't been cut down to fit in the smaller book.
Now, this was a second hand copy and some people don't like second hand books, I usually wouldn't entertain the prospect without seeing the condition of the book myself but I took the chance on this occasion. The company who supplied it (World Of Books) said it was in very good condition and they were right, it looks pretty much unused. It arrived very quickly and for the price of a penny and £2.50 postage it's a very good deal all round and this is a book that deserves a little use.
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Mrs Jeanette Williams
5.0 out of 5 stars arrived and seemed almost like new (bar the inscription on the first page)
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 January 2021
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Firstly the book is a great little pocket reference guide, obviously it's not like having Bear Grylls in your pocket but it's got the basics in a fairly concise format with good illustrations, plus the older version like this one has a much more durable feel to the cover than later versions on top of the great cover art featured, while still being page for page identical to the current edition far as I'm aware.

I got this as a gift for a friend, I thought it was a little steep for a used copy at first but after seeing the condition it was definitely worth it compared to what you pay for a new copy with the ghastly camo cover.
added my own inscription alongside the original, wrapped it and off it went to my friend who loved it.
in a bizarre coincidence he actually sent me another vintage survival guide book from another author/publisher as my gift which was rather surreal.
One person found this helpful
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Gaby
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 June 2021
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Exactly the same as the other SAS survival guide book no different apart from colour of page’s other book a bit brighter both books fit in pocket no need to buy both books they have the same things and same discrimination
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British Commentator
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and pocket sized.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 April 2020
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It's a great size to fit into a pocket or backpack for use in the field. 11cm x 9cm and 2 cm thick.
as other reviews show, contains information to keep you alive until rescued - what to take with you in a survival kit, rescue signals, bushcraft and first aid.
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Andy
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 November 2014
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I already own this. It was bought as gift for a similar minded family member. It's a great book if you have any out door type interests of any kind. The pocket edition is what it says it is. And easy to carry. And not bulky in any way. I have the full size version myself. Any one who spends any length of time in out doors pursuits. Hiking. Orienteering. Camping. Etc. Can reap benefits from this. Highly recommended.
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Peter Rofe
4.0 out of 5 stars Value for money
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 June 2021
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Excellent read
Nice & handy
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Karl Devitt
5.0 out of 5 stars Must have
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 June 2021
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A must have book for the collection. Definitely a survivalist perspective
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Top reviews from other countries

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Lordmathews
5.0 out of 5 stars Love it
Reviewed in the United States on 8 November 2023
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Very helpful
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VZ
5.0 out of 5 stars Very useful for all
Reviewed in Canada on 22 December 2018
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Interesteeng and useful book, strongly recommend it for autdoors adventures amators
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Jack
5.0 out of 5 stars Estremamente utile.
Reviewed in Italy on 16 June 2017
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Lo cercavo. Trovato. Molto ma molto utile.
Tutti dovrebbero averlo in tasca. Il formato pocket è l'ideale, soprattutto per chi ha un certo stile di vita.
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Aginthelaw
5.0 out of 5 stars Ties all your boy's scout badges together in 1 spot
Reviewed in the United States on 4 February 2013
Verified Purchase
Very thorough treatise on common sense survival skills. Whipped out the book during hurricane sandy, and took the kids out back for practice in survival skills. With my p-35 can opener & alcohol swabs, a compass, & pocket knife, my 7 & 10 year old were starting fires & learning map reading & location as well as first aid & water collecting, just from the awesome pics & easy to follow instructions. When you're in an emergency situation, you're cold, injured, tired, you'll only remember the most basic of skills. You'll remember something of this book if you're ever in this situation, & it might be the one thing you need to survive.
However, on the 3rd day with no electricity, the kids forced me to take them to the shelter across the street where they could charge their phones, computers, video games, iPads, play basketball with their classmates, & get hot food, so they kind of lost interest in the book. But they know where the book is just in case.
Who should buy this book? A guy like me who wants a compact guide to pack in any go bag, someone getting a start in survival skills, or someone who wants to remember all the survival stuff they learned in a 20 year military career, but need a single source to get started. It's right here
One person found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Just the right size
Reviewed in the United States on 18 February 2014
Verified Purchase
This is perfect to keep in your kit (whether you call it a bug out bag, 72 hour kit, inch bag, etc.). No matter how much you know, in a panic situation it is nice to have something in writing to reinforce what you already know. It is also great to calm the nerves to help you get over the initial panic of being lost, blasted by a disaster; man made or nature. This one stays in my bag (Yep, I've got the full size one to read at home.
2 people found this helpful
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