Here are JWR’s Recommendations of the Week for various media and tools of interest to SurvivalBlog readers. The focus is usually on emergency communications gear, bug out bag gear, books and movies–often with a tie-in to disaster preparedness, and links to “how to” self-sufficiency videos. There are also often links to sources for both storage food and storage containers. You will also note an emphasis on history books and historical movies. This week the focus is on the 10th anniversary of the release of my nonfiction book How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It. (See the Books section.)
Books:
I just noticed: It is the 10th anniversary, this month of my best-selling nonfiction book, Still in print, and now in its umpteenth printing, after a decade: How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It: Tactics, Techniques, and Technologies for Uncertain Times. There is a concise video review available, from The Survival Bookshelf.
o o o
Blog reader C.M. wrote to recommend a book that I’ve mentioned before: Survival Poaching by Ragnar Benson. Sadly, with Paladin Press now out of business, the prices on many of their titles are rising, on the secondary market
o o o
For those considering attending college, the latest iteration has been released: Official SAT Study Guide 2020 Edition.
o o o
The Bucket List: 1000 Adventures Big & Small
Movies and Television:
Ran (StudioCanal Collection) on BluRay. This was Akira Kurosawa’s career-topping film.
o o o
The Old Rifle. A Russian television series about Operation Barbarossa, as seen through the eyes of the locals who were invaded by Germany. I’ve only seen the first two episodes, but so far, itt seems quite good. It has a Die Hard vibe to it. In this case: Die Hard, in an abandoned monastery. Warning: There is lots of intense combat.
Instructional Videos & Vlogs:
Reader Tim J. suggested this over at the Gridlessness vlog: Home Made Cellar: Suspended Slab on a Culvert.
JWR’s Comment: That much weight held by just the culvert pipe has me worried. Personally, I’d add a few steel vertical beams around the perimeter, especially on either side of the doorways. But of course I’ve always been a conservative “Belt and Suspenders” type of fella.
o o o
How To Build A Two Cinder Block Rocket Stove – Part 1. (He made this an 11-part series.)
o o o
Clint Smith’s EDC Recommendations
Web Pages:
Reader G.P. sent this: How to Prepare and Cook Acorns — A Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing and Cooking with Acorns
o o o
Reader Mark P. mentioned: The Hacker News.
o o o
Brandon Smith’s Alt-Market.com often has some very insightful essays: Red Flag Gun Laws Are Rooted In Communist Methods Of Oppression
Gear & Grub:
Reader SOG wrote to mention this removable DIY firearms camouflage: Gunskins.
o o o
AmazonBasics AA 1.5 Volt Performance Alkaline Batteries – Pack of 48
o o o
o o o
Mountain House Scrambled Eggs with Bacon
o o o
Organic Valley, Milk Boxes, Shelf Stable
o o o
Big Size Food Storage Container Airtight with Handle Large 48.6 Cup
As professional structural engineer, I can recommend the home made cellar video as a guide on what NOT to do. Somebody needs to intervene in this case on behalf of the children. Please, if you’re going to build an underground anything, do not risk lives, hire a professional builder and an engineer.
The first prepper book I read was yours, Mr. Rawles. I read it in one sitting, and when I told friends about it, Barnes and Noble had to order more copies!!!
Excellent book. I hope more people would read it and follow the advice.
I have copies of both your non-fiction books, and have tried to “educate” younger relatives with NO success. So, they and much of the rest of my OLD textbooks/OLD history books, various prepping books, etc. are going to a young family that will put them to good use. My other thousands or so books, will make some used book seller very happy someday, when relatives have to dispose of them.
Jim you will be happy to know that Dr Peter Pry recommended your book to a whole conference. I like the Tools book too!
Regarding the culvert root cellar video, I’m with JWR on this one. I heard it said many times during what passed for a career in construction that “steel is cheaper than engineering” and it doesn’t look to me like they had much of either……..
Considering their intent to pile dirt on top of the roof, if it was me, I’d want something more supporting the edge of that roof around the outside and I’d want something heavier bridging across that span but maybe that’s just me.
I lost all my books in my divorce part of my punishment I suppose. I would love to get new ones but after she was done with me I’m lucky to have beans and bread. Fortunately I still have a lot of information in my memory, unfortunately when I pass so does it. Good news is that makes me worth more alive then dead to some any way.love your writing and post keep up the good work.
As a previous author for Paladin Press I can tell you that I miss them very much. I had two books in the works that are now mothballed!
BGF ,,what would it to take to bring them to life (books) ????
This is gonna be a must have.
I have the following books: How To Survive The End of The World As We know It; Tools for Survival; Patriots; Survivors; Expatriates; Founders; Liberators.
I would love to get them signed by the Author. But I don’t live anywhere near Idaho.
I wish the author would show up at a gun show or speaking engagement somewhere in the middle of the country sometime, hint, hint, 🙂
What drove Paladin out of business? I don’t think I ever heard, and I bought several books from them over the years. I would have thought someone would have bought their assets and carried forward.
If memory serves me right they got sued and the settlement restricted the types of books they could sell. I think the digital era was just the final nail. I have many books from them. Wish I could have gotten more.
I ordered literally a box of books from either Paladin or Loopmanics around my junior year of HS. Great stuff including one by a guy named John McCann on private investigations, I think I still have it. It was on my office bookshelf when I was a police detective. McCann now runs survival courses and sells survival gear out of upstate NY.
Real Avid cleaning reviews are poor with many failures noted. A gi surplus kit with a few upgrades(boresnake,carbon remover,chamber swabs and a case remover) would be far better and about the same cost. Knowledge of how to clean,lubricate,service and repair would be even better.