A series I've really been enjoying is by SM Stirling. He really wrecks the Earth with a scenario in which not only electricity dies, but so too does steam power and gunpowder; basically the modern world is thrust in to the dark ages by an unknown force.

It is fascinating as it include survivalism through scavenging and improvisation, and great detail into human nature, leadership, and group dynamics.

Although the shtf scenario is not possible, it is similar to an emp or cme event once the bullets are all used up and people must adapt further. Warning: there is more mysticism as the series unfolds so any religious-sensitives might want to avoid. I'm not judging you for it, just warning you ahead of time.

Anyhoo, this quote is from wiki;

The Emberverse series
Main article: The Emberverse series

Dies the Fire (2004) shows the effects on the planet—a world Nantucket left—of something called "The Change". Electricity, guns, explosives, internal combustion engines, and steam power no longer work. The series mostly deals with the Willamette Valley area of Oregon, with some description of the United Kingdom. After describing how people in those places survive the loss of 600 years of technological progress, the primary focus of this series turns to a conflict between a Portland-based neo-feudal dictatorship created by a sociopathic history professor, and the free communities of the Willamette Valley, most notably the Wiccan Clan Mackenzie and a group led by a former Marine, the Bearkillers.

Dies the Fire (2004-07-01)
The Protector's War (2005-09-06)
A Meeting at Corvallis (2006-09-05)

A second series, set 22 years after the Change, is in progress:

The Sunrise Lands (2007-09-04)
The Scourge of God (2008-09-02)
The Sword of the Lady (2009)
The High King of Montival (2010)
The Tears of the Sun (2011)
Lord of Mountains (September 2012?)
The Given Sacrifice (2013?)

Dang,

Maybe this series of books is where that new TV series Revolution (NBC) got its idea from??? Sounds interesting.

Mountainman.

Howdy Folks,

Just finished a hasty review of a new book to our bookshelf. And I believe many of those who cruise these pages would find the information useful.

Fieldbook For Canadian Scouting by Scouts Canada ISBN: 978-1-926557-51-9

This book has many good ideas and covers topics like:

Navigation
Knots
First Aid
Swimming
Canoeing
Hiking
Backpacking
Shelter Building
Gear Selection
Cooking
Winter Camping
Winter Traveling
Biking

If you are really new into prepping this book would be a very good choice for first book.

Happy Hunting!!

Mountainman.

On a lighter note but a book with good tips that i believe this author took from preppers lol is:

- Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks.

Howdy Again,

I know it is summer time, time to practice skills not to be sitting idly by on the beach reading a book. I can`t wait to get out myself.

Here is another interesting book you may want to borrow from the library if they have it.

TERROR THREAT - International & Homegrown Terrorists and Their Threat to Canada by Dwight Hamilton & Kostas Rimsa

Excellent read. Scary at times.

Mountainman.

Howdy,

It has been a few days since we last visited here.

I have been re-introduced to Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Dafoe. My son was reading it a few weeks ago. I have found an online version to read at http://www.online-literature.com/defoe/crusoe/

The part of this classic that caught my attention was the part about taking 4 years before he had grown enough grain to be able to indulge and make a loaf of bread, because he knew he had enough seed for next season's planting to get more grain. Now that is persistence and self-discipline.

The answers many of us seek are clearly available in the past. Viking settlements, old forts or old classics to read while waiting for TEOTWAWKI. 🙂

So, what's in your library??

Mountainman.

Small Engine Repair
Do It Yourself Biodiesel
Build Your Own Electric Bicycle
Fruit Tree Primer
HAM Radio For Dummies and another HAM radio book
Put ‘Em Up Guide To Preserving
Idiot’s Guide To Solar Power For Your Home
Urban Homesteading (2 books)
MultiMachine: An Open Source Machine Tool
Krav Maga Book & Video series plus a number of other books & videos on self defence and unarmed combat.
Knitting For Dummies
Sewing For Dummies

I actually have about 5 times this many on various subjects I just don’t feel like taking the time to look around & copy down all the titles

The Encyclopedia of Country Living
SAS Handbook
Creating an Oasis with Greywater
Seed to Seed (Ashworth)
The Vegetable Gardeners Bible (Smith)
Bushcraft (Kochanski)
Root Cellaring (Bubel)
Square Foot Gardening (Bartholemew)
The Gardener's Guide to Propagation (Rosenfeld)
The Small Scale Poultry Flock (Green)
Total Resistance (von Dach)
Hawke's Special Forces Survival Handbook (Hawke)
Handbook of Knots and Knot Tying (Budworth)
A Guide to Canning, Freezing, Curing & Smoking Meat, Fish and Game (Eastman)
Build the Perfect Bug Out Bag (Stewart)
Wilderness Evasion (Chesbro)
LDS Preparedness Manual
How to Be Self-Sufficient with the Unexpected Happens
The Texas Manual on Rainwater Harvesting
Various home-schooling books, medical reference/nursing books, carpentry/tooling/building books, several Bibles, e-books/downloads, notes and collections of tid-bits...

Thank you all for your lists-I can see I need to hit the book store for prepper books. I am going for ones that will help me prepare, but also for skills I may want to learn after (like knitting).
What I'd like to hear though, is what books (fiction) would be the ones that you would like to take turns reading by candlelight with your family on long winter evenings?

Just finished reading Alas Babylon by Pat Frank. It was mentioned earlier in the fiction lists of post-apocalypse titles.

Takes place in the 1950's after America and Russia trade nuclear missiles. It is well-written with believable characters and scenarios. It is also interesting how the war starts with conflict between Russia/Syria/Iran vs America/Turkey/Nato.... very ominous on this day.

It gives some good ideas about what will become immediately needed and what will be needed down the road; it looks pretty accurate even 50 years later.

Starting Earth Abides next I believe.

i have a book of battlefield medicine from the 18th century its well worth the read as if tshtf my eqipment and working enviroment will be alot closer to those conditions then it is today

Starting Earth Abides next I believe.

I read Earth Abides years ago. Its still one of my favourites. Lots of good new titles to look for in this thread. I have to say I am impressed.

Howdy All,

Just learned of a new book, Dare to Prepare. I have not read it, only learned about it yesterday. Anyone out their want to give their opinion, feedback or book report?? Is it worth adding to my collection??

Mountainman.

PS - Good to see this topic is starting to grow legs and has become useful.

Is that the "Dare to Prepare" by Holly Dremman Deyo-selling for $406.16 (used) on Amazon Ca? I'd have to see an amazing review to spend that much.

I see at Dayo Enterprises one can get it for US$ 44.95 thank goodness.