The Art of Camping: The History and Practice of Sleeping Under the Stars

(Paperback)

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Description

The only book you'll need to pack when you next head off to sleep under the stars Could there be another way of life Can I survive with less stuff Should I run for the hills These are all good questions that people have asked before, throughout history, and which have inspired people to set up camp. But now camping is part of the drive for self-sufficiency, a reaction against mass tourism, a chance to connect with the land, to experience a community, to leave no trace . . . From packing to pitching, with hikes into the deep history of the subject and encounters with the great campers and camping movements of the past, this is a witty and philosophical blend of 'how to', history and personal anecdotes - a must for every camper.

Reviews

Does for camping what Roger Deakin did for wild swimming * Independent *

A delightful combination of history and memoir with a generous dollop of guidance thrown on top . . . read this gem of a book

* Economist *
An elegant ode to the joys of camping. All sorts of tips on campsite etiquette, lore, equipment, and best practice, and his advice is convincing and honest. He is a lovely writer and his history is enlivened with tremendous flashes of wit * Daily Telegraph *
Teaming witty anecdotes with a potted history of what sleeping under the stars means sociologically, De Abaitua makes learning how to create a tented home away from home fun * Elle *

De Abaitua will soon have you believing in this consistently engaging and enjoyable book. It's a fine writer indeed who can seem authoritative, approachable and just great fun

* Metro *

Author Bio

Matthew De Abaitua is editor-at-large of the Idler and a committed camper. His Twitter feed and popular website, cathandmathcamping.com, provide amusing and useful information on where and how to camp in Britain. He is also the compere of the Free University of Glastonbury and the author of the novel The Red Men, which was shortlisted for the Arthur C. Clarke Award and is currently being made into a film by Shynola. Matthew lives with his wife Cath and young family in Sussex.