Christopher Nyerges has taught survival and self-reliance skills since 1974. He has authored more than a dozen books, and thousands of his articles have appeared in newspapers and magazines. He resides in Southern California. His website is www.SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com. Zoologist Jim Kavanagh has made a career out of introducing novices to plants, animals, the sciences and world cultures. In addition to creating over 500 simplified nature guides, he has also authored guides to languages, cities and outdoor skills.

An avid traveler and backpacker, Kavanagh's path has taken him around the world to many remote destinations including the upper Amazon, Africa, Australia, and the Arctic Circle (and this is just the As). He is also the author of a series of state-specific guides to common species and natural attractions and a children's book on evolution.