Extreme Food: What to Eat When Your Life Depends On It    by Bear Grylls Order:  USA  Can William Morrow, 2015 (2015) Softcover, CD, e-Book     Reviewed by Bob Walch This is not a book for the fainthearted or squeamish, but Bear Grylls' Extreme Food: What to Eat When Your Life Depends On It could be a life saver in some instances. A survival expert, the author knows all about living off the land when in the wild. Grylls has eaten some pretty gross things and lived to tell the tale. In fact, he admits that some of the things he writes about will more than likely turn the reader's stomach but if the person can get over his/her initial revulsion, consuming the revolting food source might make the difference between staying alive and perishing. 'This book is not about the safe, the comfortable or the easy option. I want it to teach you how to fend for yourself when it comes to dinner time in the wild, no matter where you are in the world,' writes Grylls. That being said, some of the more interesting menu items may not be critters you would expect to find in places where you live or usually venture into on wilderness trips. On the other hand, there's plenty here that you can find either in your backyard or rather close to home depending on where you live. As one would expect, the guide is divided into plants, fish and edibles found in lakes, rivers, swamps, and along the seashore and insects, reptiles, and other creepy crawlies. You'll find practical information on not only catching your prey but also preparing and preserving it. In many instances, eating it raw is the recommended approach. There are plenty of illustrations too, that show you how to make impromptu snares, fishing devices, and traps. Not everything you might encounter in the wild can be safely consumed; thus, there is information on what to avoid as well as what is edible. There is so much in this handy resource that perhaps the best way to approach it is to read it once quickly so you know what the contents are. There is no way most people will remember all of this. If you are planning a wilderness trip it might be wise to include the book along with your other gear. It isn't that bulky and then, if needed, you have it handy if the occasion should arise when you are suddenly forced to forage for your own food to stay alive. 'Some of the food in this book might turn your stomach. I make no apology for that,' writes the author. 'I always say that survival is rarely pretty, and that's especially true when it comes to survival food.' That's very true but when it comes to a situation where a person is tested to the extreme, one never knows what is possible or what the individual is capable of. If you are hungry enough, even a grasshopper or frog looks pretty tasty! Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more NonFiction books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews