WASHINGTON, Mo., Nov. 17, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) - "In only a couple of generations, most of us have totally lost touch with nature," writes Mitch Martin. His new book, The Boy Who Lived In A Tree (now available through AuthorHouse) entertains as it teaches some of the forgotten techniques of basic survival.
The book begins as young David Christian traverses the woods of 1830s Missouri in search of his uncle's cabin near the Buffalo River in north central Arkansas. At 12 years old, he faces the world alone. His father's tragic death occurred shortly after his mother's. The unscrupulous caregivers assigned to him by the authorities promptly move in and lay claim to the family possessions with little regard for David. Joined only by his dog Smokey, he escapes.
David knows how to survive in the wilderness. He collects edible nuts, makes meals out of raccoons and builds fires on damp nights by using dry nesting material, a flint and steel. Despite all his efforts, he is unprepared for the harsh winter that quickly approaches. David and Smokey become trapped by a snowstorm and take shelter in a large, hollow tree. The two travelers struggle through bitter cold and lack of nourishment, but live to see spring. Victory is short but sweet, however, as they are quickly captured by Indians.
In captivating detail, Martin describes the common sense and skills necessary to survive without the luxury of convenience stores and shopping malls. As readers follow David's hardships and witness his perseverance, they discover fascinating facts about how the pioneers lived and learn a few tips in the process.
"I have been fortunate my entire life to be able to hunt and fish and enjoy the great outdoors," he writes. "I hope my book will inspire young readers to become more interested and aware of nature and to truly appreciate, understand and protect what little we have left."
Martin descends from some of the earliest pioneers of the Ozarks. He grew up on a small farm near the Buffalo National River. From a young age he learned valuable outdoor skills from his family, including his Uncle Charley Crow, a descendant of the Choctaw Indians. Martin graduated from Southwest Missouri State University with a degree in wildlife conservation and earned a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He is the co-founder of a successful financial services firm in Washington, Mo., where he lives with his wife, Candi. Martin's unique life experiences add depth and realism to The Boy Who Lived in a Tree, his first published book.
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