A Wild Way to Eat

Vinalhaven, Maine: Hurricane Island Outward Bound School, 1967. First edition of this foraging guide produced by American naturalist Euell Gibbons for his students at Hurricane Island Outward Bound School. A proponent of the “Back to Nature” movement, Gibbons was a natural foods champion and author of the bestseller Stalking the Wild Asparagus (1962). As his Outward Bound students prepare to enter the wilderness for three days, Gibbons urges them to consider “whether or not you have what it takes to live alone and provide for your needs under primitive conditions.” He provides illustrations, descriptions, and tasting notes for the edible wild plants and (truncated) sea creatures his students are likely to encounter on the Maine coast. Sea urchin roe has “a pleasant, grainy texture and a flavor slightly resembling scrambled eggs” when steamed, while Dwarf Cornel is “Delicious? No! Possible? Yes!” OCLC locates eight holdings. A near-fine copy of a fascinating document of American environmental and culinary education. Side-stapled volume, measuring 4.25 x 7.5 inches: [6], 40. Original pictorial wrappers, black and white line drawings throughout text. Neat ownership stamp to title page. (Inventory #: 1003949)