Tony Nester

Tony Nester is a survival instructor and author who has taught wilderness courses since 1989. He is the founder of Ancient Pathways, a school that provides survival training for Military Special Operations units and has served as a consultant for organizations including the US Marshals, FAA, and National Transportation & Safety Board. Nester also lent his expertise as a technical consultant for the film "Into the Wild." He has authored twelve books and three DVDs on survival, covering topics ranging from desert survival to practical wilderness skills.

Beyond his instructional work, Nester writes fiction under the pen name JT Sawyer, specializing in mantracking and post-apocalyptic novels. His survival expertise has been featured in publications such as the New York Times and Backpacker Magazine, as well as on networks including the Travel Channel, NBC, and Discovery Channel. With decades of hands-on experience, Nester remains a prominent figure in both survival training and outdoor education.
Practical Survival Books
# Title Year
1 Practical Survival Tips, Tricks, & Skills 2001
2 Desert Survival Tips, Tricks, & Skills 2003
3 The Modern Hunter-Gatherer 2009
4 When The Grid Goes Down 2012
5 Survival Gear You Can Live With 2013
6 A Vehicle Survival Kit You Can Live With 2013
7 Grand Canyon Survival Gear & Garb 2013
8 Bug Out Gear for Travelers 2013
9 Bushcraft Tips & Tools 2013
10 Life Under Open Skies 2014
11 Knife-Only Survival 2020
12 Surviving a Disaster 2021
13 The Ultimate Survival Handbook 2022