Customer Reviews: Read 60 more reviews...
 A Living Outdoor Legend May 6, 2008
Tom Brown, Jr. is the greatest nature writer, outdoorsman, environmentalist of all time, bar none!
Move over Henry David and Ralph Waldo, Brown's insights into the Earth and our connection to it are destined to become classics of American literature (presuming, of course, that human society lasts long enough, a highly dubious proposition). What Emerson and Thoreau only dreamed of, Brown accomplished, and lucky for us all, Brown is willing to teach. Welcome to the incredible world of Tom Brown, Jr. where every day is an exicting journey of adventure, discovery and insight.
By now, Brown's story is familiar: at the age of seven he met an Apache Elder named Stalking Wolf (a psuedonym used by Brown for legal and personal reasons), who spent sixty years wandering the entire Western Hemisphere. Along the way, Grandfather, as Brown affectionately refers to Stalking Wolf, gathered an incredible fount of physical and spiritual knowledge that remains unequaled in either Western, or Eastern writings (Yes, move over Yoga and Buddhism, for which I have great respect, but Grandfather blows them all away). To Brown, Stalking Wolf imparted this incredible knowledge.
This book takes us through the years Tom spent learning from Grandfather. Tom illustrates and explains Grandfather's teaching method known as "Coyote Teaching" - something akin to the Socratic Method, but worse! He shows us how Grandfather used Coyote Teaching to inspire and prod Tom and his friend Rick, into seeking deeper and deeper insights into life, and also to impart the physical skills of tracking, stalking and survival for which the Apaches were unequaled. Concepts introduced include the "concentric rings", i.e. being able to read the actions and reactions people and animals generate as they travel through the forest, stalking, the ability to travel silently and unseen through the landscape, and a hint of the spirituality to come (no, there is no religion here, or anywhere else for that matter in Brown's books. Just practical techniques for going further in your beliefs whatever they may be). This book is chock full of stories of adventure, discovery and learning.
The Tracker is mainly autobiographical and only forms an introduction to Brown and Grandtather's teachings. This is not my personal favorite, but don't get me wrong, it is a wonderful book and I highly recommend it to everyone. However, it's only the beginning. To obtain a true sense of Grandfather's teachings one must go further and read Brown's other books. I hope The Tracker inspires you to do so.
One final word: for lovers of mystery and detective novels this is the book for you! Brown introduces you to the arts that enable one to become a real life Sherlock Holmes, something even Conan Doyle couldn't do. Welcome to a lifetime of learning, discovery, and insight!
awesome book! March 29, 2008
Wildernes survival tales... super exciting. It does read like a movie but maybe it's all true. I've heard some people say Tom Brown is a tall tale teller, but his tales sure are fun and he has a school in NJ so....
being part of nature February 27, 2008
I liked this book. It's about being invisible in nature--like the rest of nature, people can blend in to the point of being invisible enough to be able to reach out and touch a wild animal. It's also about special relationships with a grandfather. It would be a great book to read to kids.
The Tracker September 30, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is a "don't miss" book for anyone who wants to observe anything in nature. Tom Brown is a legend in the worlds of search and rescue, tracking, and survival. Brown is one with nature and he brings you along on his exhilerating journey from boy to man of nature. In this, his first of many outstanding books, you accompany him as he learns his skills from his Indian grandfather.
FYI. Brown continues to share his skills with new through advanced students at workshops. A friend who has attended his classes, swears Brown is everthing you will see here and much more. It is a fascinating story.
A journey through the eyes of a Lipan Apache holy man. June 26, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
All of Tom's books are required reading for anyone seeking to sustain our lives in honest practice of a set of propositions not predicated on left brain hegemony. Brown offers the story of his mentorship under the tutiledge of this Lipan Apache Holy Man, Elder, and Sage, showing us how to reaquaint ourselves with a wisdom tradition long lost to Eurocentric peoples. This journey takes place on multiple levels and within various contexts purporting to awaken spiritual awareness and an ancient way of knowing. For modern man or women this awakening may provide a jolt or be met with suspicion or even derision. But for those capable of going deeper into these mysteries, the rewards can be life changing.
This is the first book in Tom Brown's series on a way-of-knowing that was practiced by First Peoples long before rationalism took hold as a religion of the mind. If you are seeking a way to go deeper into the core of your being recognizing that your culture no longer speaks to your soul, then these propositions may provide healing water. Enter at the risk of transforming your life and braking the chains that bind you to a cultural cage.
Great book.
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