In a single volume Ernest Thompson Seton, renowned naturalist, writer, artist, and founding leader of the Boy Scouts of America, presents one of the most comprehensive guides to the outdoors ever written. Originally published in 1922 as The Book of Woodcraft, this work represents the culmination of years of observation and experience in the wilderness. Within these pages lie instructions and anecdotes—some expected, some delightfully unanticipated—regarding literally hundreds of arts, crafts, skills, and games. Here one can learn to distinguish edible plants from poisonous ones; start a fire using only a jackknife; build a four-store birdhouse out of a wooden box; communicate in sign language; tie a variety of essential knots; identify trees, wildflowers, animals, birds, and constellations; and much, much more. Abundantly illustrated with the author's own handsome pen-and-ink drawings, this classic outdoor handbook is both a cherished piece of American history and a useful tool in preserving and communing with nature.

There is no Indian Bible written by an Indian, just as there was no Pentateuch written by Moses, no Tripitika by Buddha, no Dialogues by Socrates, no Gospels written by Christ. All these records were made long after by those who knew their Master in his lifetime, or at least received the traditions of his teachings from those who were privileged to hear his voice. The Indian teachings in the fields of art, handicraft, woodcraft, agriculture, social life, health, and joy, need no argument beyond presentation; they speak for themselves. They are what we need; and in offering them here, I do so realizing that the Redman is the apostle of outdoor life, his example and precept are what the world needs to-day above any other ethical teaching of which I have knowledge. But his spiritual message is more important, and less understood.

There is no Native American Bible, just as there was no Pentateuch written by Moses, no Tripitika by Buddha, no Dialogues by Socrates, no Gospels written by Christ. The Native American teachings in the fields of art, handicraft, woodcraft, agriculture, social life, health, and joy, need no argument beyond presentation; they speak for themselves. This book, originally published in 1937, offers these teachings under the author's belief that the example and precept are what the world needs above any other ethical teaching, and in particular, the spiritual message, which is more important, but supposedly less understood.

In the late 19th century, the impact of the Canadian wilderness on writers led to the formation of a new and uniquely Canadian genre, the realistic animal story. This collection of Ernest Thompson Seton's short stories reflects his talents as writer, naturalist, and artist.

An elegant and faithful reproduction of a classic. Celebrated naturalist Ernest Thompson Seton was born in County Durham in 1860 and won a scholarship to the Royal Academy in London. He grew up in Toronto and from an early age his overriding passion was observation of the natural world. He spent countless hours in the woods discovering plants and fungi and quietly observing creatures of all sizes and species. He kept meticulous notes and drawings, building “an accurate account of the creature’s ways, habits, changing whims, and emotions.” In his early 20s, Seton joined his brother on a homestead in Manitoba. He continued to dedicate himself to careful observation of animals in their element, and their relationships with humans, supporting himself through trapping and sales of his drawings and stories. Wild Animals I Have Known is a collection of short stories written by Seton about animals he encountered. It was published in 1898, selling out in three weeks and reprinted 28 times. It made Seton an instant celebrity and a popular lecturer. The book has been published in a dozen languages and has never been out of print, which speaks volumes about the popularity and appeal of this classic book. Wild Animals I Have Known opens with Seton’s most famous story, Lobo, The King of Currumpaw. It tells the true story of when Seton was hired by ranchers to trap Lobo, leader of a pack of wolves which over the years had killed dozens of sheep and cattle. The hunt was successful but the story tragic. Seton would later regret his actions, having recognized that the human desire to overcome the wild reveals the innate human desire to exist in harmony with nature. Lobo was key to Seton’s transformation into a conservationist, but while swearing off hunting he would defend his telling of nature’s brutality: “The fact that these stories are true is the reason why all are tragic. The life of a wild animal always has a tragic end.” Seton went on to write more than fifty books and hundreds of magazine articles, and delivered countless public lectures in the service of animal and habitat conservation. His stories established a moral connection between people and animals, and helped to change society’s consciousness about the treatment of animals and the natural environment. He lobbied for the creation of national parks and fought for protections for wildlife. Today he is remembered for Lobo but scarcely as one of the lead authors of wildlife conservation. The stories in Wild Animals I Have Known are illustrated with Seton’s original drawings as published in the first edition and bound in a fauxleather, embossed hardback binding — which will make this restored edition a fine gift. This lovely reproduction in the spirit of the original is an essential addition to personal and school libraries, all circulating collections and gift tables.