How to Build a Fire: And Other Handy Things Your Grandfather Knew

A Ballantine Books Trade Paperback Original

Copyright © 2010 by Erin Bried
Illustrations copyright © 2010 by Simon M. Sullivan

All rights reserved.

Published in the United States by Ballantine Books, an imprint of The Random House Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc., New York.

B
ALLANTINE
and colophon are registered trademarks of The Random House Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc., New York.

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA

Bried, Erin.
How to build a fire : and other handy things your grandfather knew /
Erin Bried.
p. cm.
eISBN: 978-0-345-52510-9
1. Men—Life skills guides. I. Title.
HQ1090.B744 2010
646.70081—dc22         2010037682

www.ballantinebooks.com

v3.1

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Contents
•  •  •

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Introduction

Meet the Grandfathers

1 • Pioneering

Grow Up:
How to plant a tree

Aim True:
How to split firewood

Stay Warm:
How to build a fire

Stay Afloat:
How to paddle a canoe

Get Hooked:
How to catch a freshwater fish

Get Roped:
How to tie a bowline knot

Know Your Kingdom:
How to read animal tracks

2 • Fixing

Get Screwed:
How to assemble a good tool kit

Get Hammered:
How to drive a nail

Make Room:
How to hang drywall

Make Your Mark:
How to paint a room

Get Naked:
How to Strip Wooden Furniture

Tidy Up:
How to clean your house

Tame Your Turf:
How to mow a lawn

Roll Out:
How to change a flat tire

Get Greasy:
How to change the oil

Talk Shop:
How to communicate with a mechanic

Hit the Road:
How to pack a car

3 • Leading

Soldier On:
How to be brave

Bring Home the Bacon:
How to support your family

Switch Hats:
How to leave work at work

Dry Tears:
How to comfort a loved one

Do the Right Thing:
How to be a role model

Be Critical:
How to think about politics

Keep Safe:
How to protect your home

Cope Well:
How to handle bad news

Pull Yourself Up:
How to bounce back after failure

Give Everything:
How to work hard

4 • Prospering

Power Up:
How to buy a suit

Earn More:
How to get a raise

Pocket Cash:
How to save money

Work Well:
How to navigate office politics

Command a Room:
How to give a speech

Aim High:
How to set goals

Go Places:
How to buy a car

Find Shelter:
How to buy a house

Set Your Terms:
How to negotiate a better deal

Keep Your Shirt:
How to make a friendly wager

5 • Thriving

Get Smooth:
How to get the perfect shave

Go Grizzly:
How to grow a beard

Curl Up:
How to wax a mustache

Look Trim:
How to get a haircut

Drive ’em Wild:
How to wear cologne

Be Proud:
How to find self-confidence

Stay Cool:
How to control your temper

Do It:
How to find self-discipline

6 • Bonding

Get a Grip:
How to shake hands

Meet Up:
How to introduce people

Pal Around:
How to be a good friend

Jump In:
How to join a pickup game

Circle Up:
How to ask for help

Stay Mum:
How to know when to keep quiet

Say Sorry:
How to apologize

Lead the Pack:
How to teach your dog to sit and stay

7 • Playing

Tee Up:
How to drive a golf ball

Go Long:
How to throw a perfect spiral

Grease Palms:
How to break in a baseball mitt

Sink It:
How to shoot a free throw

Stick It:
How to shoot pool

Make Aces:
How to hit a tennis serve

Play Fair:
How to be a good sport

Cheer On:
How to be a good fan

Make a Splash:
How to do a backflip

Control Your Balls:
How to play bocce

8 • Dressing

Be Dapper:
How to tie four tie knots

Mind the Details:
How to wear cuff links

Top It Off:
How to wear a hat

Look Sharp:
How to dress for a date

Clean Up:
How to do laundry

Go to Press:
How to iron a shirt

Thread the Needle:
How to sew a button

Put Your Best Foot Forward:
How to shine shoes

9 • Loving

Channel Romeo:
How to write a love letter

Go Courting:
How to plan a date

Win Hearts:
How to buy flowers

Be a Gentleman:
How to be chivalrous

Find the One:
How to know when to take the plunge

Make Love Last:
How to kindle romance

Rockabye Baby:
How to hold a newborn

Scoop Poop:
How to change a diaper

Tuck In:
How to banish monsters under the bed

10 • Cooking

Be Butch:
How to buy meat

Get Fired Up:
How to grill a steak

Smoke It:
How to make beef jerky

Head the Table:
How to carve a roasted bird

Live Strong:
How to eat healthy

Meet Joe:
How to make a good cup of coffee

Pump Iron:
How to season a cast-iron skillet

Give Sweet Rewards:
How to make ice cream

Pour a Draft:
How to make root beer

11 • Hosting

Celebrate Good Times:
How to throw a party

Mix It Up:
How to tend bar

Clink Glasses:
How to make a toast

Come Again:
How to be a gracious guest

Get Laughs:
How to tell a clean joke

Blow Hard:
How to play the harmonica

Puff Up:
How to smoke a pipe

Spot It:
How to play draw dominoes

Take the Lead:
How to gently guide your dance partner (without saying a word)

Acknowledgments

About the Author