John Wiseman

John 'Lofty' Wiseman is a British author and survival expert best known for writing the SAS Survival Handbook, first published in 1986. He served for 26 years in the Special Air Service (SAS), rising to the rank of Chief Survival Instructor. During his military career, Wiseman trained soldiers in survival techniques, parachuting, and combat. After retiring from the SAS in 1985, he began writing survival guides and manuals that would bring military survival knowledge to civilian readers. The SAS Survival Handbook has sold over 1 million copies worldwide and has been translated into multiple languages. Wiseman's other works include SAS Survival Guide: How to Survive Anywhere, on Land or at Sea and SAS Urban Survival Handbook. In addition to his writing, Wiseman has worked as a survival consultant for television productions and continues to teach survival skills through various programs and organizations. His methods emphasize practical, field-tested techniques and focus on both wilderness and urban survival scenarios.

Readers consistently praise Wiseman's clear, detailed instructions and comprehensive coverage of survival topics. The SAS Survival Handbook receives particular recognition for its illustrations and practical organization. What readers liked: - Step-by-step instructions with diagrams - Balance of basic and advanced techniques - Pocket-sized format of the guide versions - Real-world examples from Wiseman's military experience What readers disliked: - Some find the information too dense for beginners - Print size can be small and hard to read - Urban survival sections feel less developed than wilderness content - Recent editions contain redundant information Ratings: - Amazon: 4.7/5 from 8,000+ reviews - Goodreads: 4.5/5 from 12,000+ reviews One reader noted: "The illustrations alone make this worth buying - crystal clear and detailed." Another commented: "Great reference but overwhelming for novices. Start with simpler guides first." Many reviewers mention keeping copies in their emergency kits and vehicles, though some question the practicality of referencing a book during actual survival situations.

SAS Survival Handbook (1986) A comprehensive guide covering wilderness and emergency survival skills, based on Special Air Service training methods and techniques.

SAS Survival Guide: How to Survive Anywhere, on Land or at Sea (1999) A portable-format survival manual covering navigation, food gathering, shelter building, and emergency response protocols.

SAS Urban Survival Handbook (2008) A guide focused on survival techniques specifically adapted for urban environments, including security, self-defense, and emergency preparedness.

Ray Mears Former British Special Forces instructor who authored numerous survival guides and hosted TV shows on bushcraft and survival skills. His books combine practical wilderness skills with deep respect for indigenous knowledge and techniques.

Dave Canterbury Professional survival instructor and former U.S. Army soldier who wrote "Bushcraft 101" and "Advanced Bushcraft". His work focuses on wilderness living skills and practical survival techniques based on military and civilian experience.

Bear Grylls Former British SAS serviceman who wrote multiple survival guides including "Extreme Food" and "How to Stay Alive". His books draw from military training and extensive experience leading survival expeditions.

Les Stroud Canadian survival expert who wrote "Survive!" and "Will to Live" based on his real-world survival experiences. His books emphasize solo survival situations and practical techniques tested in actual field conditions.

Tom Brown Jr. Tracker and survival expert who wrote "Tom Brown's Field Guide to Wilderness Survival" and other guides. His books combine traditional Native American tracking and survival skills with modern wilderness techniques.