Written by James Wesley, Rawles
Format: MP3

Description-

It would take only one unthinkable event to disrupt our way of life. If there is a terrorist attack, global pandemic, or sharp currency devaluation, you will be forced to fend for yourself in ways you've never imagined. Where would you get water? How would you communicate with relatives who live in other states? What would you use for fuel?
Survivalist expert James Wesley, Rawles, author of the bestselling novel Patriots and editor of SurvivalBlog.com, shares the essential tools and skills you will need for your family to survive, including:

Water--the Key Resource: Filtration, transport, storage, and treatment options.
Food Storage: How much to store, pack-it-yourself methods, storage space and rotation, countering vermin.
Fuel and Home Power: Home heating fuels, fuel storage, safety, backup generators.
Garden, Orchard Trees, and Small Livestock: Gardening basics, non-hybrid seeds, greenhouses; choosing the right livestock.
Medical Supplies and Training: Building a first aid kit, minor surgery, chronic health issues.
Communications: Following international news, staying in touch with loved ones.
Home Security: Your panic room, self-defense training, and tools.
When to Get Outta Dodge: Vehicle selection, kit packing lists, routes and planning.
Investing and Barter: Tangibles investing, building your barter stockpile.
And much more.

How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It is a must-have for every well-prepared family.

Mike (the Paladin) rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition



I'm interested in this topic and it's timely. Anything from natural disasters to man made disasters could conceivably bring about the need for a survival mentality or mind set for anywhere from weeks or months to years. In Nashville a few years ago we had a flood that left major parts of the city under water. We all recall Hurricane Katrina. Only about 15 years ago Nashville was hit by an ice storm that left parts of the city without power for weeks in winter.

During that time I had to break out the kerosine heater...and then find kerosine. That was difficult.

Were the disaster to be a more major one or of wider scope (EMP, major earthquake, pandemic, etc.) things could rapidly become...well, greatly unpleasant.

All that said why did I not give this book a higher rating? Well first it's got a lot of things you find in most books about being prepared, getting training and so on. All good advice. It's a good solid book so it could get a 3 star rating.

I give it only 2 because in preparedness to survive where you are it falls down almost completely. The writer seems to assume that everyone can simply "get a retreat" to either live in all year round or have ready to "bug out to" in case of societal break down. He advises that if your local government (state or whatever) gets too oppressive you simply move. "Vote with your feet." The possibility that some of us simply don't have the kind of budget it would take to tie up a couple of hundred acres of fertile farmland at least 200 miles from the nearest city is just a "too bad for you" scenario here.

I wish I were a millionaire with the budget to buy a place out like that, stock it with a decades worth of food stuffs, heirloom seeds, and so on...but I'm not. Most people who pick this book up probably have jobs that require them to live where they are. They have family obligations they can't ignore or (like me) simply are on a fixed income and of more limited physical ability than I/they used to be.

So...pretty good book information wise. If you have a very good income and can either pick up and move way out of town or at least afford to keep an alternate home it may be just what you're looking for. I'll need to put some more practical options into action...like figure how to store food, water etc. in a smaller place than a farm house and how to survive by keeping my head down if looting starts untill at least the worst is past.

Think I'll keep reading.Chris rated it 3 of 5 stars

I saw this sitting on a center stand at the library, and thought it might be interesting. Rawles is a survivalist expert, former U.S. Army Intelligence officer, founder/editor of SurvivalBlog.com, and a preparedness consultant for some very wealthy clients. That alone told me that this book was no joke. Rawles does lean towards the stereotype of a cultish doomsday prophet, but he seriously knows his stuff, and if you can avoid being sucked down the eddy of fear-mongering and what sometimes feels...more

Jan 23, 2011 Nate Douglas rated it 4 of 5 stars

"But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." - I Timothy 5:8

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not one who believes we're on the verge of a great 2012 calamity or "The End of the World as We Know It". But there are a lot of different events that can interfere with normal American life. The dollar is continuing to fall, another foot is going to fall in the economy, there are lots of people in the...more Apr 05, 2013 Kevin Hanks rated it 4 of 5 stars

I will say one thing for this book: it very effectively scared me! Fear is an effective persuasion technique, and I'll admit I was persuaded on many of his recommendations. Whether or not that means I can or will purchase ammunition by the truckload or purchase a propane-powered pickup is another story. There is major takeaway that I took: the lifestyle he is recommending will take every spare dime you have and require you to change every aspect of your life. In other words, preparation for a collapse of modern civilization will become your life. If/when that happens, I have no doubt that people who prepare with this man's mindset will have a much greater chance of survival and come out ahead. My biggest complaint about this book was that I got done reading it without a clear goal or direction to go. It was as if there was TOO much information. Every chapter and recommendation sent dollar signs flashing past my eyes am I thought "wow I can't afford that... Or that ... Or that ...." After reading the book I was left thinking "we'll, what can I do?!"