Interwoven into the author's discussions of old-style camping is his critique of the synthetic type: "If one buys or makes gear, it should be done from renewable resources, or recyclable materials, such as wool, cotton, wood, army surplus, and tin cans. If the resources are not renewable, one should be honest about it and take responsibility for the impact they create." Sections on furnishing the camper, canvas shelters, fires, camp activity, and walking a trail provide tips on cooking over an open fire, story telling, canoe-camping, and selecting a campsite based on the four w's: wind, water, wood, and widowmakers (tall trees subject to lightning). Throughout the book are large b&w photos and quotations like the following: "It is not he who praises Nature, but he who lies continually on her breast and is satisfied who is actually united to her." No index. Westcott is author of Primitive Technology: A Book of Earth Skills . Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)