Dead Reckoning - by Emma Walker (Paperback)

About the Book

It's easier to stay alive if you know what's out there. That's the philosophy behind Dead Reckoning, an honest, unflinching, sometimes-thrilling collection of close calls and catastrophes in the Great Outdoors. Emma Walker's narrative nonfiction covers outdoor activities ran...

Book Synopsis

It's easier to stay alive if you know what's out there. That's the philosophy behind Dead Reckoning, an honest, unflinching, sometimes-thrilling collection of close calls and catastrophes in the Great Outdoors. Emma Walker's narrative nonfiction covers outdoor activities ranging from hiking to sea kayaking to backcountry skiing, all in accessible, easy-to-understand terms. At the end of each chapter, she distills lessons learned for staying safe in the outdoors--all with a relatable (and occasionally vulnerable) twist.

Review Quotes

"Hands-down the most entertained and intrigued I've been while reading about all the ways I could die doing my favorite things in the outdoors. This book should be required reading for anyone who ties on a pair of hiking boots or passes through the entrance of a national park."--Brendan Leonard, author of The Art of Getting Lost, founder of Semi-Rad

"Dead Reckoning teaches critical lessons about staying safe in the backcountry with empathy and compassion. Reading about accidents is heavy, but there's so much we can learn from them. This book helps make meaning from tragedy. Whether you're an experienced adventurer or brand new to the trail, its thoughtful analysis will leave you better prepared to stay safe outside."--Caroline Gleich, professional athlete, activist, and contributor to Falcon Guides' Women Who Hike

"In Dead Reckoning, Emma Walker tells self-effacing stories she's blended with researched vignettes of others' mishaps, followed-up by crisp de-briefings. It's a unique, entertaining how- to for avoiding trouble and tragedy in the backcountry, from Hawaiian tropics to Alaskan tundra and everywhere in between on mountains, rivers, and seas."

--Roman Dial, author of The Adventurer's Son

"It's not enough for Emma to tell you to "Pay Attention!" She tells you in detail WHEN to pay attention in lots of fascinating circumstances, and then elaborates on WHY and even HOW to listen and watch for the myriad things that could kill you."

--Lynne Wolfe, editor of The Avalanche Review

About the Author

Emma was born and raised in Golden, Colorado, and has spent her adult years traveling and living around the American West and Alaska. She has worked as a camp counselor, raft guide, and avalanche educator, and holds a master's degree in outdoor and environmental education. Emma works as a freelance writer from her home in Boise, Idaho.