Reader Reviews

Rating: 1 / 5

I was very disappointed in this book. Luckily, I didn't buy it but had checked it out from the library.

For starters, the book is in major need of copy editing. There are lots of awkward sentences and grammatical errors that an editor would catch, thereby improving the quality of the text.

I found the resource list at the end of the book to be unusually sparse, based on the many, many excellent sources for lightweight gear that could be shared.

The alleged lightweight theme was defeated by her many recommendations for heavy gear that are "worth the extra weight." In fact, by the end of the book, her list of recommended gear weighed about the same as mine when I first got interested in converting to lightweight backpacking. A 4.5 lb pack? A 1 lb water filter? 3 headlights and flashlights? Multiple firestarters? An Ursack Major at 15 oz? On and on.

The author also recommends several gear items that are no longer available. This is not helpful for a book meant to be a guide.

Ultimately, I consider this book one person's rather limited list of gear recommendations, no better, and certainly worse, than many individual gear lists on this site. She does state her recommendations are based on her own preferences and experience, but the content is not enough to be worthy of a whole book promoted as a guide for others to follow. The information would be better suited posted on a website.

If there ever is a second edition of this book, I hope an editor is heavily involved.