4-Wheel Freedom: The Art of Off-Road Driving

Having said that, I think it's a very good introduction and I knocked off one star for its only fault -- I found the organization a bit strange. If you read through the book cover-to-cover though, you'll know where to find what you need in the book. I'd give it four and a half stars if I could.

On Amazon's recommendation, I bought this book with The Off-Road 4-Wheel Drive Book by Jack Jackson, which is a very different animal. Jackson's book is for hard-core expeditions more than recreational off-roading. Many paragraphs start with sentences like, "As I forded a raging river during the rainy season in Pakistan, the engine suddenly stalled." If you're planning on crossing the Sahara, I'd recommend Jackson's book for you. Even if you're not, he does give good ideas for tough situations and you know you're getting advice that's been tested off-road in some of the worst conditions imaginable.

The bottom line: if you're just starting out, buy DeLong's book alone. If you find yourself venturing off-road more and more and you'd like to be more independent, buy Jackson's book as a follow-up.


An excellent addition to any personal library   April 9, 2003
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

recently purchased a Jeep with the intention of doing more 4x4 off-road exploration in the upcoming months. In my search for information I stumbled upon Brad DeLong's 4-Wheel Freedom: The Art of Off-Road Driving. This book clearly and confidently spelled out all that I needed to know to begin my adventures in a safe (individually as well as environmentally), respectful and confident manner. I was so pleased to find the author's compassion and sound respect for the environment and how he simply challenges his readers to have the integrity to do the same.

4x4 Wheel Freedom: The Art of Off-Road Driving is clearly organized into 14 chapters and several information filled appendices with resources for continued education. Packing Up - The Basic Toolbox, Rocks and Ravines - Basic Crawling, and Winches and Jacks - Up and Out are some examples of the chapters included. Each chapter presents basic knowledge and details on its theme and further clarifies the information with personal accounts that seem to wrap it all together for the reader.

This is an excellent addition to any personal library or bookshelf! Anyone who drives a vehicle with 4x4 and/or owns an SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) will find useful information in this text and will benefit from its application at sometime in their life as a driver. Brad Delong presents information for all - from those experienced in 4x4 adventures to those with even a small bit of interest in 4x4s.


Simplistic, but then it's meant for beginners   March 6, 2003
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I expected something different, so I don't blame the author, who has written a nice little treatise on 4 wheel driving for beginners. Absolute beginners. This book is a response to the recent popularity of SUV's, and to the fact that many folks have not a clue about what 4 wheel drive is or how to use it. It starts off at ground zero with the heartwarming little tale of a corporate lawyer and his management/executive wife buying their first SUV (awww...) and then taking it out for progressively friskier adventures until they get to really test themselves. Made me want to throw up, but then it's just not my style. If this is your style, if you honestly don't know which wheels get the power when one is stuck, if you have never used a high-lift jack, if you think a Land Rover is the functional equivalent of a Honda CR-V, then this is the book for you. The nutty title should have tipped me off, but I had my guard down and it slipped past me. It's foolish to think you can learn this stuff from a book, anyway...that right there is the BIG fallacy. Get out, get muddy and bust your knuckles and write your own book.


necessary reading   August 9, 2000
This is the one book to read before leaving the asphalt!With the knowledge gleaned from 4-wheel freedom one can venture off road with confidence,knowing the limitations of his or her vehicle,and understanding the basics of keeping safe.This is not a book for radical off-roading only,this book should be required standard equipment for all 4-wheel drive vehicles sold.The enviormental issues covered are good practices that can help to keep off-roading an acceptable form of recreation.This is one that deserves more than 5 stars.


Where was this book when I REALLY needed it?   February 22, 2000
Once upon a time (and for several years) I spent many less-than-happy hours (and sometimes days) slogging from one mud puddle to another in a Land Rover in Tanzania. We didn't have winches or high-lift jacks. I also didn't have the benefit of the expertise Brad's book provides. After swearing off off-roading in general and Land Rovers in particular, I find myself drawn once again to the places you just can't usually get to from here. 4-Wheel Freedom has done more than refresh my memory; it has saved me from my own ignorance and folly as I attempt to outfit and use my "new" 6X6 Pinzgauer. The book is extremely readable, is sensitive to environmental issues, and thorougly enjoyable. I also find it interesting that a neurosurgical spinal surgeon would find such joy in bone-crunching off-roading...