What orienteering book?

[SeanC]

What's the best orienteering book around at the moment? There are one or two keen new members in my club who are looking for some light reading on how to do orienteering. The books on my bookshelf are rather old so it would be good to recommend a book with more up to date information and pictures.

I know there's lots of good webpages, but some people like books.

[Strider]

HI Sean

I think the SOA publication - Orienteering Techniques by Gareth Bryan-Jones - is a great little book (last edition published in 2006). Something for everyone in there....

Picked my copy up at the British in Culbin last year, but not quite sure where you'd get hold of one at the mo. No ISBN as far as I can see.

P.

[Scott]

not quite sure where you'd get hold of one at the mo

£3.50 inc. p&p from Glenmore Lodge.

[Godders]

Murder at the 13th control?

[Tatty]

Remeber reading this when I stayed at an orienteers house one weekend. Couldn't put it down so got very little sleep. Is it still in print?

[Mrs H]

I've got a copy

[PorkyFatBoy]

Is it still in print?

Yep, you can get if from CompassPoint for £3.50 for the colour version or £2.50 for the old black and white version (a credit cruch special, but it will be easier to see what the narrative is on about with colour maps)
http://www.compasspoint-online.co.uk/acatalog/Books___Maps___Outdoor_Library.html (down the bottom of the page)

I bought my old version from the BOFfice, so you may still be able to get it from there too.

Other book I like are Carol McNeil's "Orienteering - Skills of the game" and Peter Palmer's "The Complete Orienteering Manual" - which I picked up an unused copy on ebay.

[Mrs H]

I think she was asking about Murder at the 13the control Ravinous gave me a copy of the other book - it's in black and white (cheapskate) it looks boring but I might read it if you think it's good!

[Ravinous]

The black and white version of the book (light blue cover) is the first issue of the book. The 2006 edition is the 'modernised' and 'colour maps' second edition.
Certianly worth a read - written by Gareth Bryan-Jones. If you don't know who he is, you can read about him in FEB09 CompassSport Issue Know Your Class Leader section.

[SeanC]

My copy has arrived from Compass Point.

Haven't read it cover to cover but seems well written, packed with good advice.

Some things I like about it are
a) Very cheap - good value.
b) Full of good advice and maps.
c) There are no photos, just maps, so it shouldn't look dated in a few years time.

We talk about ways of encouraging people to join a club, well maybe clubs could give this out free to new members - it's so cheap it wont dent the finances. * Maybe that was the intention?

No disrespect to this book and the classic books from CarolMcNeil, Peter Palmer etc but I think there is a gap in the market for another orienteering book. "Orienteering Techniques" seems a great technical manual, and probably excellent for new orienteers moving from orange up to green standard. A more glossy (and of course more expensive) book with inspiring pictures and stories from a more recent age, as well as basic navigation advice for the beginner, could be a great way of motivating new orienteers and publicising the sport. I'm thinking that lots of people get introduced to sport through family or friends, so if that glossy book is left around the house.....

If you fancy a project, might be worth a thought?

* not suggesting it as a substitute for coaching of course.

[Angry Haggis]

I think Ian Bratt's book is excellent - it's so good that when I lost my first copy, I bought another...

It's very glossy and hasn't aged even though it was published in 2002.

Amazon Affiliate link - 'Orienteering' by Ian Bratt

(The contents and a few pages are viewable directly on the Amazon website.)

[SeanC]

Thanks Angry Haggis, that book looks just the job.

[simonbeck8848]

Glad someone mentioned Wilf Holloway, his books are a unique contribution to the O scene. They just make you want to put on your O shoes and get out there!

[ic]

Hooray! that really cheered me up!