DO YOUR BEST

Tips and guidelines for Scouts and would-be Scouts from TV presenter Grylls, the Chief Ambassador of World Scouting.

British adventurer Grylls packs this compact handbook with pep talks and practicalities in roughly equal measure. So, thickly interspersed with general instructions for erecting a tent, building a fire (with a blank page to rip out for kindling), foraging in the wild (“Grasshoppers. Only eat the body, not the legs, wings and antennae”), and dozens of other outdoorsy camping and survival topics, readers will find prompts to maintain that can-do attitude and rousing, inspirational slogans from (naturally) “Be prepared” to “Most of all, don’t count the days. Make the days count.” The author emphasizes that “Scouts is open to all,” skipping mention in the brief outline of Scouting history of the movement’s long struggles with inclusivity in terms of race, sexual orientation, and gender. Still, for intrepid and armchair explorers alike, he has plenty to offer, from navigation tricks and no fewer than 13 ways to use the standard-issue kerchief in emergencies to the values of team play, sustainable living, worthy role models, and leaving one’s comfort zone. “After all,” he writes, “adventure is a state of mind.” The monochrome illustrations include plentiful diagrams as well as human figures who are diverse in both skin tone and gender.

Hefty helpings of useful bits and motivational advice for enjoying the great outdoors.