What we’ve discovered in our six years of leading men and women veterans and active duty service members into the wilderness is that most participants are philosophers and deep thinkers. We believe this is because military service has exposed many to deep reflections of life, death, and the meaning of existence. The level of conversation is refreshing in a modern age where most people barely look up from their screens to acknowledge those around them.
In an effort to continue the greater discussions had on our trips, we have come up with a list of suggested readings from HFV staff and board members. We encourage participants to be lifelong learners and readers of literature. That’s what makes the HFV experience unique to other outdoor programs by providing a place of comfort and natural beauty for discussions of literature and philosophy that give context and meaning to the wilderness experience.
This perspective shift accentuates the healing salve of nature and wilderness, and it helps participants cope with and ultimately heal from the wounds of war. We plan to add to this list as time goes on and invite participants and website visitors to submit any suggestions in the comments below. Happy trails and great reading!
Nonfiction
- “Desert Solitaire,” by Ed Abbey
- “The Eight Wilderness Discovery Books” by John Muir
- “Walking it Off” by Doug Peacock
- “Grizzly Years” by Doug Peacock
- “Tribe” by Sebastian Junger
- “Evil Hours,” by David J. Morris
- “War and the Soul,” by Edward Tick
- “Warrior’s Return,” by Edward Tick
- “Vets for Vets,” by Jerry Alpern
- “The Evil Hours: A Biography of PTSD,” by David J. Morris
- “The Body Keeps The Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma,” by Bessel Van Der Kolk
- “Home of the Brave,” by Donna Bryson
- “What it’s like to go to War,” by Karl Marlantes
- “Man’s Search for Meaning,” by Viktor Frankl
Fiction
- “The Monkey Wrench Gang” by Ed Abbey
- “The Yellow Birds,” by Kevin Powers
- “Redeployment,” by Phil Klay