Three Against the Wilderness (Classics West)

Wonderful book. While I had read a story written many years ago by the author I had never read the whole book. The author wrote many articles for nature magazines back in the 50-70's I believe. He was an environmentalist long before it became popular to be such. It's simply a great book. IF you like true stories of adventure and nature then this is one for your library. You won't be sorry.

I remember reading articles by Eric Collier in the old Outdoor Life magazine of the fifties, and have never forgotten the adventures of this homesteading family and especially Mr. Colliers exploits with his old .303 ross rifle with a rivet for a front sight. This is one book I should have read long ago. As it turns out, the old memories were refreshed and came alive once more as I read Mr.Colliers book. The book was received in excellent condition and was a great read. I highly recommend it to any who are interested in the troubles and triumphs of a young frontier family who made the best of a very challenging life. Believe me, Mr. Collier is no dumb "country bumpkin" and has a control of the English language that will keep you engrossed to the end and wanting more.

This is not some mind blowing book about this or that, instead, it's just a story about a man and his wife, battling to survive in the Canadian wilderness in the early twentieth century. It's also a story about BEAVER . These creatures are so important to sustainability of forests in N. America, and the author backs this up within the story. I really enjoyed this book, a story about a time and way of life that is gone and may never come again. You could tell that the people in the book are or were good folks, salt of the earth types, and through this story they have a message to the selfish trash producing weirdos of the 21st century, a message that I am sure will be ignored by all.

I first found this book in the school library when I was in 8th grade, and devoured it. I bought my own copy when I was a young adult, and have probably read it 6 times over 30 years. The story is one of courage, ingenuity, fortitude and a love of nature. Eric Collier and his wife Lillian built a cabin in what was then wilderness in British Columbia, Canada. Their son, Veasy, was born and raised there, helping his father trap and hunt. The three of them helped restore the beaver population that had been trapped out before their time, which in turn helped restore ponds and marshes to the area. The return of water brought back the wildlife and the balance of nature was restored. Below is a link to several interviews with Veasy, who is now retired and living in a town near where his parents homesteaded. I was a little disappointed that he claims that some of the stories in the book to be exaggerated or fictionalized. Perhaps they were, but I choose to believe that he was just too small to remember how things really happened. EricCollier dot wordpress dot com (change the "dots" into periods and remove the spaces) This book should be included in the collection of anyone who enjoys outdoor adventure, pioneer stories, or nature. It's right up there with Cache Lake Country (by James J. Rowlands) and Crusoe of Lonesome Lake (by Leland Stowe.

I first read this book about 53 years ago I figure. I realise now it painted for me the stark consequences of raping and over-exploitation of the natural environment. Eric Collier came to wild British Columbia after the beavers had been hunted to extermination and the devastating cascade of events that followed. Driven by the desire to see the land and the extraordinary wildlife return to its previous abundance, as described by an Indian elder who had seen it all, he began by restoring a couple of beaver ponds himself by hand. The uplifting and exciting sequence he set in train reversed that spiral of degradation and Nature stepped in to give him a hand. With his wife and son he restored the whole region to life and abundance again. His writing skills ensured I traveled the journey with him and I felt the joy of his achievement. What a story-teller! What a story - and it's true! What a lesson I learned from this book! I have been a conservationist ever since I first read it. I have met others who have read this old book back then, and it affected them in the same profound way. It is a treasure!

Read review by author's son who says his father embellished the story alot. I don't like that the book description doesn't say this. Would not buy.

The favorable reviews are all correct. Great descriptive writing, story-telling, historical novel and supportive of conservation! Before reading on Kindle I get a sample. But more helpful are the reviews in learning if the book is for me. Not only that but other readers often give book titles and names of authors they liked that were of the same vein and caliber! Great tool, thanks Kindle! I love all the aforementioned subjects and qualities and was not disappointed. Highly recommended!

Great book about the Canadian wilds of British Columbia. It is a great book about one family's gift of rehabilitating a wild area where the beaver had all been trapped out. Very informative and inspiring. It was one of several books that had my family buy property west of Williams Lake, B.C. in 1968 and it was where i built my first log house. It's been over 46 years now and I'm still building log homes.

searched for this book for so many years. yesterday i received it and i'm allmost halfway through. so well written!

A fantastic book of life in the wilderness a simpler time when family was first and one would receive goods in trade rather than cash. Hardships were a common occurrence but one would overcome them and be better for the experience. I could read this book again and again.

I first read this book as a Readers Digest Condensed book over 50 years ago, borrowed from the County Library. I was watching BBC Country File and they were talking about re-establishing and seeing Beavers in this country, so I was reminded. So I looked for the book on-line. The book is as good as I remember, detailing life in the wild and it's hardships, dangers and joys. How re-introducing the beavers re-vitalised the area - resolved water and drainage issues and how many other wildlife types came back to the area. Beyond Conservation (which is standing still) to re-growth and revitalisation. Highly recommended.

Can tell it was written in a different era. I loved the rich detail & flow of the story.

Touching and very interesting story of one family trying to bring back the beaver and it's environment. I would like to see all against the re-introduction of the beaver read it. Adults and children will enjoy this book!