On The Wild Edge

[jonking]

#7113

Just this finished David Petersen’s book thus titled. I stumbled across it in the library while looking for “The Tiger” by John Valiant – recommend by Dave in last months TB.

Had not seen it listed before anywhere that I recall, but there it was a few titles away on the shelf. Anyway – they were both excellent reads. Having been cursed with the inability to express myself with much clarity through words – it’s nice to be able to hand my wife a book an say – “read this and you will understand what I’ve been trying to say”. Thing is she understands just fine, sometimes its me that needs the understanding. Thanks for telling and living the truth Dave, even though it’s more profitable to lie.

[Ralph]

#58272

Well said. And you lucky dog, my wife associates me with Looney Tunes. :D:D

[lyagooshka]

#62179

Just handed my wife “Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder” by Richard Louv. I had also given her “On the Wild Edge: In Search of a Natural Life” by David Petersen, but she was slower to pick that up since it didn’t have “children” in the title. In terms of explaining my [new found] passion to my wife, I am reminded of the old cadence “My girl’s a pretty girl, she is a city girl…” Her idea of roughing it is a hotel that only has basic cable. Oh well. Still working on getting the kids “into” the outdoors. I don’t want to force anything on them, but when you are competing with 500 channels, iPod, uPods, we all pods, facespace, my book, hormones, etc, sometimes you just wake up in the morning and kiss them on the forehead on the way out the door. Other days, you purposefully plan the weekend camping trip where you know there is no cell phone service and say “I had no idea this was so remote”. But good for you. I am sure part of my problem is that my ability to convey a point using the English language leaves much to be desired. At least your wife is giving it a chance. (Although who could resist Dave’s allure? 😉 ) In the mean time, I’ll keep working on it from my end. Maybe I’ll be able to wear her down little by little, like a stream to a stone. Who knows? Stranger things have happened. Be well.

Alex

😀

[David Coulter]

#62202

I have yet to read On the Wild Edge, but look forward to it. Last Child in the Woods is excellent and in my opinion should be ready by everyone, parent or not, teacher, or anybody who pays taxes to a school system. How that for a humble opinion?? dwc

[Todd Smith]

#36747

I have not read this one either, but since I thoroughly enjoyed Man Made of Elk, I probably need to give this one a look-see. Thanks! todd

[Etter1]

#37212

It’s been my favorite of Dave’s books.

“The Tiger” was also an excellent read.

[Col Mike]

#37254

My best advice is just buy all of Dave’s books–use his website–You won’t be disappointed. Have Linda reading Hearts blood now. Having the distaff involved makes it much easier when you say–honey I need that new bow.:D

Semper Fi

Mike

[Stephen Graf]

#37787

I read On the Wild Edge to the kids. It reads even better out loud than just to yourself.

We deny the little poopers (teenagers now…) the plug-in-drug as well as all the wireless-drugs. We’ll see what happens as they get older, but for now they don’t seem to miss them much.

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#38070

Like Mike said: Just buy all of Dave’s books! they are all great! Heartsblood is my favorite book about hunting. On The Wild Edge is one of my favorite books, period. I never get tired to pick up any of Dave’s books and read them over and over!:shock:

[David Petersen]

#38186

Gee whiz thanks guys! To have my stuff mentioned in the same vein as “The Tiger” is high praise, as that’s among my all-time favorite nonfiction books.

So that no one is confused to think “On the Wild Edge” is a hunting book–it’s not. While it does contain some hunting and talk of hunting, it’s basically a memoir about having chosen a simple, self-sufficient material lifestyle and a free-thinking intellectual approach to life and the ups and downs of this ongoing choice. In this book, thus, hunting plays a similar role as heating only with wood I get myself, building our cabin myself, etc. I wouldn’t want anyone to buy it and be disappointed, as it ain’t no “Man Made of Elk.” Thanks again for your (im)moral support. Dave

[Steve Sr.]

#38937

I don’t know if I can read that or not.

David has ALREADY made me feel like a wannabe in so many areas that I am not sure my poor old ego will handle knowing what else I have failed to accomplish in my life. 😳

Dang! I am REALLY out of the loop it seems. Here I thought, Dave, that you had retired to a world of shadowing elk full time and here you are putting out more books.

One of the few times in my life I’m happy to be w w ww ww ww……..incorrect. 😉

More things to add to my “want list”!

God Bless

Steve Sr.

[David Petersen]

#39316

Steve — Good to have you back … and Clay Hayes too. Two missing persons found! Stick around this time.

As it happens, “On the Wild Edge” has been out for a few years. After a long spell of no new books, I have one coming out next month, sort of a sequel to “A Man Made of Elk,” called “Going Trad.” And another one yet, a lot more serious in subject, “The Good Hunt,” mid to late summer. After that my bucket is empty of hunting topics but I’d like to do another book on elk natural history, management, politics, etc. We’ll see. Writing keeps me from going even more insane than already in winter. Rest of the year I’d rather be outdoors doing anything, even napping in the shade, than indoors doing anything. Well, almost anything. 😆

[Etter1]

#39584

My favorite part about that book is that you cut one of your cabin supports to the wrong length, and instead of fixing it, just cut the rest to match. 😀

When I read that, I said, “That’s exactly what I would have done too”

[tailfeather]

#39867

A new book soon? Fantastic! My bday is in July, I’ll ask my bride to order it.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#39989

David Petersen wrote: After a long spell of no new books, I have one coming out next month, sort of a sequel to “A Man Made of Elk,” called “Going Trad.” And another one yet, a lot more serious in subject, “The Good Hunt,” mid to late summer.

Music to my ears, Dave. Highly looking forward to both.

[Stephen Graf]

#42767

Dave,

Congrats on the new books! You took a break from writing, but it sounds like when you got back to it, you worked ’em out fast. That usually means real inspiration. Can’t wait to read them.

[Wolfshead]

#43271

Dave that is great news indeed!

I have been enjoying “on the Wild Edge” and “A Man Made of Elk”. I will be really looking forward to your two new additions.

[William Warren]

#13830

OK now I gotta read that one too.

Goosh,

You gotta just dive right in and take em where the gadgets don’t work. Soon they will be watching the fire “TV” and roasting marshmallows and laughing and talking and having fun. They might blow it off now but I guarantee they won’t ever forget it.

D

[lbman77]

#25697

Boy, am I glad I ran across this thread! From the sounds of Dave’s books, he’s leading the lifestyle I’ve only dreamt of! I did grow up putting wood in a stove, as well as the necessary gathering thereof. Not to mention having to be somewhat self sufficient, having grown up as one of the ” po folk”. But that was all in the city. Fishing with my granddad as a kid helped with my love of the outdoors, and I never wanted to leave the lakes we would frequent. Now that I’m a dad, I’m introducing my kids to the “wilds” and they have a blast, always asking to go again. I’ll be picking up some of your books Dave. Some day I’ll live my dream….some day.:lol:

[Author]

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