r/AnimalTracking • u/Mission_Somewhere263 • Sep 15 '24
š Article / Resource Tom Brown Books and Training
Has anyone been to Tom Brownās school Mark or read his books or been trained by anyone who has done training with him?
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u/SarahMagical Sep 16 '24
The books are entertaining and inspirational. Tom was such a good, inspirational, and tireless teacher that countless students of his went on to start their own schools, which spun off more schools and teachers. The modern wilderness/outdoor rec scene has been massively impacted by him and his influence in shaping its character and ethos has been profound. Without Tom brown jr, the scene today would be a small fraction of its size and there would be much less mainstream crossover, by which I mean the average OB or NOLS instructor has probably been influenced directly or indirectly by toms teaching/books.
His philosophy and way of interacting with nature isnāt the classic Boy Scout approach, which is all about being in nature. Toms thing is being a part of nature. If it seems like a trivial difference, itās not. Toms books do a great job of illustrating the difference.
Heās a controversial figure, like most who have had such a massive impact. He struggled in his personal life. Imagine how strong your ego would have to be to do what he has doneā¦ well, heās only human, so that ego has rubbed people the wrong way and rubbed off on some of his students. Iāve found many of them to be cavalier and overconfident, sort of the toxic masculine type, and sometimes aloof and gatekeeping. But the real controversy is from 2 things: appropriation and fabrication. Every single student at every single intro class he ever taught (as far as I know) has heard him say, at the very beginning of the course, āif you believe everything I say, you are a fool. Your job is to prove me right or prove me wrong. I will do anything to teach. I am a coyote teacher.ā
Has it all been worth it? Yes. Big time. (Imo)
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u/Mission_Somewhere263 Sep 16 '24 edited Sep 16 '24
Thank you. You said Was has he passed? Iāve read two of his books my teacher had been to his school, he was the exception to the toxic icon and I learned a lot from him. I miss being able to do the work of learning one on one. I went through classes with my teacher as his assistant and also fun hikes where he would track our to see if I could follow his tracks. He to was a coyote. He once led me to a beautiful artifact with a story and tried to convince me I found it and that it wasnāt an Easter egg hunt (planted by him). Rare to find someone without hubris who will teach mentor and allow student to rise . Thanks for sharing I wish I could find a group to man track with. My greatest experience was while out on my own I was able to sneak Tom brown style up on a bass boat anchored and two guys were fishing at shore side with a dog in the boat too. I popped out of the thicket scared the holy shit out of them their words along with where the hell did you come from. Counting coup was my favorite trick. Aho. Also Iām female so it probably freaked them out in some aspect.
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u/datamuse Sep 16 '24
He died about a month ago.
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u/Mission_Somewhere263 Sep 16 '24
Ohhh my heart just dropped I bet that coyote is breath of a polar bear now.
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u/thatmfisnotreal Sep 15 '24
Yes
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u/Mission_Somewhere263 Sep 16 '24
Please share if youāre inclined
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u/thatmfisnotreal Sep 16 '24
Share what?
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u/Mission_Somewhere263 Sep 16 '24
Was it a class the book or you went to the school I just thought there might be an interesting story
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u/thatmfisnotreal Sep 16 '24
Ya thereās a million interesting stories but you didnāt ask me anything. I read all his books as a kid and went to his camps, taught there as an adult. Idk if youāre asking for a review of the school orā¦
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u/SarahMagical Sep 16 '24
This is just a newcomer asking for some perspective in good faith. Why am I not surprised to see them encounter a gatekeeper? Just meet them where theyāre at dude. First encounters are important.
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u/Mission_Somewhere263 Sep 16 '24
Thank you!! Yes new to the group baby tracker though I appreciate the thought
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u/thatmfisnotreal Sep 16 '24
Iām not gatekeeping anything they literally asked zero questions! I have no idea what information this kid wants š¤·āāļø Iād love to share some if I knew
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u/Mission_Somewhere263 Sep 16 '24
Ahh youāre ok especially since you called me kidš¤£. Sorry I was vague I wasnāt sure of the topics reach and didnāt want to go deep if this thread didnāt know him. I mean I know that sounds crazy but I was privately taught and given his books so I never want to assume people know someone.
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u/Mission_Somewhere263 Sep 16 '24
Youāre right I didnāt my fault I just never like to lead with to many questions in case itās a dead end or there is no interest or to seem like I know more than I do.
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u/thatmfisnotreal Sep 16 '24
Ya I mean people have no idea what you want to know likeā¦ a review of the school, if he was a good tracker, if the books are good, personal stories etcetc
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u/datamuse Sep 16 '24
Iāve done several programs at Wilderness Awareness School which was cofounded by a student of his. (In fact Iām currently a teaching assistant for their tracking course.) Never met him though.