Notes from JWR:

Welcome to all of the first-time readers of SurvivalBlog, who’ve found the blog because of all the buzz about my latest novel, “Survivors”. The archives of SurvivalBlog are immense, so you might feel overwhelmed and wondering where to begin. It is probably best if you read SurvivalBlog’s About page and then my Quick Start Guide page. — Today we present another entry for Round 37 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding …


Low Maintenance Animals That Work For You: Chickens, Rabbits, and Goats

When I began to plan my families survival food stores, it quickly became apparent that if/when we lose our suburban grocery store lifestyle, my stores are only going to last a limited time.  I also realized that there is a point at which more food is pointless without more trucks to move it and more people to drive them and more mouths to feed requiring more food.  I live in Phoenix, in the suburbs, in the middle of one of the harshest deserts in the world, where any TEOTWAWKI scenario will be a G.O.O.D. situation.  Relocation now is a desirable …


Letter Re: An Interesting Off-Road Vehicle Instructional Video

Mr. Rawles, I just purchased the Kindle version of “Survivors” and can’t wait to start!  But that’s not what I’m writing about.  There’s a very interesting video titled Kelly McCann’s Crucible High-Risk Environment Training Volume Four: Mission-Essential Off-Road Driving, published by Paladin Press.  In a nutshell, the video is geared towards security contractors operating overseas, but contains valuable information for anyone (emergency responders, sheriff’s deputies, etc.) who may need to use off-road vehicles under emergency circumstances (like preppers) without destroying their rig. The video starts off by explaining the various setups you may find on commercially available SUVs (solid axle …


Economics and Investing:

William J. sent this: Texan investor hedging with $1 million in nickels. Does this sound familiar?) A Swedish newspaper reports: Germany has rush-ordered the printing of new D-Marks. (Thanks to J.B.G. for the link.) Darin H. mentioned this: Gerald Celente: The Crash will happen sometime this month Rhonda T. flagged this: “EU preparing bank rescues amid Greece doubts. Here is a key quote: “All roads now point to a mid-November crunch.” Italy downgrade deepens contagion fears over euro debt crisis. (Thanks to Al H. for the link.)


Odds ‘n Sods:

News from formerly pleasant Oxfordshire, England: Mob takes emergency water supplies during Banbury shortages.    o o o Today is the last day of the three day sale: Ready Made Resources is also having a 25% off sale on Mountain House foods where they are offering a free copy of “Survivors” when you order two cases Mountain House foods. Note that this offer can be multiplied — i.e. you will receive five copies of the novel if you order 10 cases of Mountain House foods.    o o o The Los Angeles Times reports: Emails show top Justice Department officials …



Today is Book Bomb Day!

This is the release day for my novel “Survivors: A Novel of the Coming Collapse”. (October 4th, 2011.) Thank you for waiting to order your copies until today. Keep an eye on the book’s Amazon Sales Rank, as the day progresses. This should be fun! Here is some information on the novel, without any spoilers: Much of the novel is set in the Four Corners Region of the American Southwest. “Survivors” is unusual for a novel sequel. Unlike most sequels, instead of extending the “Patriots” saga further into the future, it is contemporaneous with the action in the first book. …


Economics and Investing:

Things are looking more like my novels with every passing day. Here are the latest headlines… Stocks tank as Greece admits it won’t hit targets. Mentioned over at Don’t Tread On Me: 2011 US Mint Silver Set To Have Bigger Sales Than ’86 to ’92, combined! Are Hedge Fund Managers Dumping Gold Assets To Raise Cash? Four (4) Market Signs Signaling A Recession John R. kindly sent me a whole bunch ‘o links: The Dollar and Reserve Currency (Martin Armstrong)  Debt Men Talking (Richard Webb)   Batten Down The Hatches, A Big Storm’s Coming (Dave Cohen) The FINal Countdown (over …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Shortages Lead Doctors To Ration Critical Drugs. (A hat tip to Brian D. for the link.)    o o o Couple recovering from home bear attack. Important safety tip: Keep a loaded gun handy at all times, for both two-legged and four-legged predators! (Thanks to F.J. for the link.)    o o o Fed Plan to Consolidate Power Over Nation’s Power Highway Has States Nervous    o o o A bit more truth comes out: ATF Fast and Furious: New documents show Attorney General Eric Holder was briefed in July 2010. Meanwhile, we read: Whitehouse Document Dump Raises Possibility of …



Notes from JWR:

Tomorrow (October 4th) is Book Bomb Day for my latest novel “Survivors”. Please wait until midnight, Pacific time to place your order. The book is already ranked #170 in overall sales rank and #23 in Amazon’s “Action Adventure” books category. I’m hopeful that it will get in to the Top 20, overall, and the Top Three in the Action Adventure category. (There is some weighty competition, with authors like CJ Lyons, Stieg Larsson, George R.R. Martin, K.C. May, and Brett Battles.) At least my book won’t be competing against multiple “Twilight” vampire novels, like “Patriots” was, on its release day. …


Pat’s Product Reviews: SOG Knives – SEAL Knife 2000 and SEAL Pup

Pat’s Product Review: SOG  Knives – SEAL Knife 2000 & SEAL Pup SOG Knives makes some of the best cutlery around, bar none! I’ve been using their knives for many years, and have never been let down by any of ’em, including their multi-tools. My youngest daughter, who is a Combat Medic in the US Army, carries a SOG folding knife everyday – that says a lot! I’ve had several SurvivalBlog readers write and ask me to do a review on the SOG Seal Team and SOG SEAL Pup fixed blade knives, and I’m happy to oblige.   The SOG SEAL …


Letter Re: Lessons From Wayward Motorists

Mr. Rawles: Here is a quote from a recent news story: “A 67-year-old man found alive days after his car plunged 200 feet off a mountain road built a makeshift camp, ate leaves and drank water from a nearby creek to survive, his daughter said.” Interesting. “Non Life Threatening Injuries”!  Lessons learned: (1) Leave a trail of breadcrumbs? Let folks know where you’re going, your route, and when to expect a check-in. This lesson is oft repeated in stories of fatalities. (2) Put some water in your car’s backseat. Hook the seat belt to it so it doesn’t become a missile. Plan …


Economics and Investing:

World is heading for ‘Great Stagnation’, says Goldman “It’s Going to Get a Lot Worse”: ECRI’s Achuthan Says New Recession Unavoidable. (Thanks to Alan W. for the link.) J.B.G. sent this: Protectionism beckons as leaders push world into Depression Erik B. spotted this article: Greece to Miss Deficit Targets Imposed by Lenders as Part of Bailout Texas Bank Is Closed; U.S. 2011 Failures at 74. (Link courtesy of G.G.)


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader C.D.V. kindly sent me a map of the most rural counties in the U.S., compiled by Purdue University. This map is a great tool to help in selecting retreat locales. By the way, you can right-click to zoom in on the map. Do you notice a correlation with my designated American Redoubt states? Interesting. (And BTW, here is the source page and there is an accompanying Rural-Metropolitan Levels map, and here is the key for the second map. And it is also interesting to correlate that data with the Frontier designation of some counties.    o o o The …