I have always been a huge fan of Tom Sheppards work. This man is rightfully considered a legend in the Overlander and Expedition community based on his tremendous wealth of knowledge complied from his over 100,000 miles driving some of the most challenging terrain on earth. Knowledge that he has not only acquired, but has tirelessly shared with the rest of us through his excellent books. While the book most often talked about is his Vehicle Dependent Expedition Guide (VDEG)…considered by most to be the Overlander’s Bible… there is a older and equally excellent companion volume called “Four-by-four driving” (4x4D). While VDEG will tell you everything you need to know about planning and executing an overland trip, 4x4D will tell you everything you need to know about the vehicle you should choose for such a journey and how to drive and/or recover that vehicle.

Now, I have reviewed previous editions of this book before and have pointed out the huge worth of this well written and informative tome; so I will try not to be overly repetitive and stick to the additions and improvements in the latest edition.

Even if you hear “how to drive a 4x4” or similar and think “I already know all about that”….chances are Mr Sheppards book will change your mind. 4x4D goes into incredible detail about all aspects of 4x4 driving; including techniques, technology, and operation. Amazingly, he is able to do this without becoming boring or bogging down. It is a joy to read.

I will admit that I have not yet read the fourth edition cover to cover (as I have with the earlier editions and will eventually do with this one as well)…I have done my normal comparison to the previous version to see what has been changed or updated. It is these areas specifically that I wish to address. What I have seen is that the major areas of update have been in chapters 2 (four wheel drive systems) and 5 (Recovery).

Let’s look at bit at chapter 5 first:

A little background on yours truly might help put the following comments into perspective. Some of you may already know that I spent a little over 20 years as an enlisted solider in the US Army. While my primary job was as a mechanic, I was specialized in Recovery and BDAR (Battlefield Damage Assessment and Repair). Recovery and what amounts to roadside fixes/expedients were not only my bread and butter, but a passion that I spent many years refining. I was involved in updating and implementing new training plans as well as revising policy and procedures. SO, when I see Recovery instruction/advice, I take it with a very big grain of salt and I tend to be very critical of what passes for cannon out in the world today. Please do not even get me started on those horrifying videos on YouTube and such…it’s wonder so many survive the events filmed (and you nut-jobs stay away from me with your incorrectly used kinetic straps)

With that all said, I have always felt that the Recovery section in 4x4D is very sound. The advice is general enough to be adapted to a wide variety of scenarios, while being detailed enough to inform you the what and why things are happening as they do. Mr. Sheppard emphasizes the right mindset and using a calm approach to Recovery. This is a important and often overlooked point. Safety is first and foremost and this is emphasized appropriately in the book. It is so easy to forget the safety aspect when you are in the middle of extracting yourself from a difficult situation, but the consequences can be dire. This becomes even more relevant if you are traveling in remote areas where outside help may not be an option.

So what is new in the Recovery section? First off, I noticed the section on lifting was reworked and expanded a bit. Good, solid information, but nothing unexpected. The section on winching, however, is significantly expanded and revised. No kidding, I think this is the best reference on winching and winches I have encountered. Very well written and detailed, covering all significant aspects of winches and their use.

For me, the Recovery chapter in this book is one of the biggest selling points. Like the rest of the book, it is detailed and to the point. Buzzwords and hype are left out, leaving a solid and useful reference.

Now we come to chapter 2; Four wheel drive systems.
This is perhaps the most relevant and informative section of the book. There is no doubt that 4x4 vehicles have evolved over the years and that with each new generation, more and more technology has been added. In most cases, this technology has made off-road driving safer and less skill intensive than the previous generations. Have you ever wondered why a Discovery 4 will outperform a Defender 110 in most off road situations (with all else being equal)? Well, this section is for you. It explains in great detail not only the basic concepts behind 4x4, but explains in easy to understand terms how the different 4x4 systems actually go about their jobs. It does a excellent job of cutting through all the “techno speak” various publicists and salesmen throw your way and helps you understand just what it is you are buying. For this edition, more love is paid to the “Softroaders”, explaining how the four wheel drive systems actually work in crossover type vehicles. Seriously, even if you think you know all this stuff, read this chapter…it may surprise you. If you have ever owned a Freelander or Forester and the like, you know that they are capable of some amazing feats both on and off the pavement. Mr Sheppard does an incredible job of showing you why.

As a closing note I would like to say a few words about the overall quality of the physical book itself. I had always noticed that the books from [http://www.desertwinds.co.uk] (aka Tom Sheppard) are of the highest quality. No cheap paper or half-fast (you know what I mean) bindings to be found. Just holding one of these books screams “Quality”. Now I have noticed (after having it pointed out to me…) that even the print is of the highest quality. I am told this book uses the Brit monochrome default of grey on grey instead of the more common black on white… a subtle difference that I do not fully understand; I just know it looks great and is easy on my aging eyes! But this is no surprise to anyone familiar with Mr Sheppard and his work…he always stresses that the details are important. So it seems he is still putting his money where his mouth is.

Excellent update to an already excellent book. I highly recommend it.