This is my favorite of the Native American how-to books in my library, a book with all of the practical-use items that you would need to survive in the wilderness.

In Native American Crafts & Skills, David Montgomery has managed to bring together a mixture of traditional and modern Native American crafts in a handbook that will spark the creativity in any crafter.

As a primer for basic survival skills and wilderness living, this book offers a solid introduction. If you were lost in the wilderness with it, you could survive at a reasonable level of comfort by following the author's instructions. You might even find the pit house to be just as comfortable as any other home and much cheaper to heat.

Montgomery organizes the material into the following chapters: "Shelters," "Tools," "Weapons," "Hunting, Trapping, & Trapping," "Tanning," "Clothing, " "Cooking & Eating Utensils," "Foods," "Transportation," "Pouches, Scabbards, & Assorted Gear," "Jewelry & Ornaments," "Bead & Quill Work" and "Musical Instruments & Games."

The book is heavily illustrated, with more than 200 penciled drawings and sketches by the author. Some are more useful than others, and I found a couple that were downright difficult to decipher. Fortunately, I could understand his written steps in the procedure well enough to do without the sketches.

The horseman will likely find the saddle section intriguing. The author has included designs for men, women and young boys. Of the three, the women's is, by far, the most complicated. It appears that comfort and a secure ride were much more important for the women than the men and boys. I am intrigued by the original design of this saddle and plan to try to make one this winter. It would be an interesting parade, living history or reenacting saddle. It would also be a wonderful project for youth riding groups.

Native American Crafts & Skills is informative, inspiring and just plain fun. I would especially recommend this book for crafters, persons that work with youth groups, and those that need a basic working knowledge of wilderness living skills. It has wide breadth of subject and easy-to-follow instructions.