Letter Re: A Book Shopping Experience

Mr. Rawles: I just picked up your latest novel “Survivors” today at my local Barnes and Noble store.  Surprisingly, they had it prominently displayed on their “New Arrivals” display table!  Some time back, I had them order “Patriots” for me.  You would have thought I asked them to give me their only kidney.  How times have changed.    I dearly love the disgusted, displeased look on the tattooed, goth, über-liberal checkout girl’s face when I make my purchases.  It’s why I still buy my reading material in the store.    Love your work and the blog.  Thanks for your efforts! …


Economics and Investing:

US’s Geithner warns Europe crisis a global threat. (Thanks to Alex B for the link.) Peter Schiff: U.S. Dollar is the Monetary Titanic A sign of our nation’s doom? Nearly Half of U.S. Lives in Household Receiving Government Benefit G.G. flagged this: Americans have no choice but to get more frugal Why We Are Just Half-Way Through The Global Economic Crisis   The Metals Trade: Why I’m Still Really Bullish On Silver Items from The Economatrix: Leaders Push World to Depression Underwater Mortgages Could Sink US Without a Trace Banksters Expect Global Meltdown Within 12 Months Bank of America Website …


Odds ‘n Sods:

F.J. spotted this: Better Sterno Alternative    o o o Idaho Bowhunter Reportedly Kills Charging Wolf. Moral of this story: Don’t mess with an Idaho Granny that packs a .44 Magnum.    o o o David O. wrote to mention a “Horse of a Different Color”: Oilfield Camouflage. With oilfield workers up in “The Oil Patch” in North Dakota now often making $300 to $500 a day, I suppose some of them have a budget for this… In related news: Double your salary in the middle of nowhere, North Dakota    o o o Rex B. sent this: ATF officials …



Notes from JWR:

Yesterday (October 5th) I heard from my publisher that they are blazing through the first 35,000 copies of my novel “Survivors” so quickly that they’ve already had to order a second press run of 15,000 copies. That second printing was ordered just the day after the book was released. No doubt a good part of the strong demand can be directly attributed to SurvivalBlog readers. I can’t thank you enough, folks! Some folks have written to mention that they want to buy copies of “Survivors” by the case (for resale or for gifts). Be advised that they come 20 copies …


Fear Versus Preparation, by Theresa P.

Having worked as a counselor in various positions, I have had the opportunity to view the system from many angles. What I am seeing scares me and should scare you too, not the type of fear that freezes you or drops you into a strong state of denial but the fear that motivates you to take close inventory of what is important in your life and causes you to initiate a plan to protect yourself and those you love. I must have looked like an odd duck when I worked as a drug and alcohol counselor. My co-workers were left …


Letter Re: Observations on a Prepper Family’s Move to The American Redoubt

James: My husband and I fell in love with a section of [what is now called] the American Redoubt long before I discovered SurvivalBlog.  We dreamed of retiring in that part of the country as so many of his co-workers have done.  We even went looking for property years ago in the hopes that we would have a place to go to in our old age.  We couldn’t afford any at that time, but the idea stayed in the back of our minds.  Our dream was put on hold when he suddenly passed away, but after he died I got  …


Letter Re: A Disaster Survival Strategy for Urbanites?

Hi Jim, I just finished reading “Patriots” and can’t wait to being reading “Survivors”. I live in the Queens borough of New York City with my family in an apartment building and was wondering if there were any specific guidelines relating to survival in a city such as New York? We do have the ability to G.O.O.D. but I am concerned about a situation where we would have to hunker down at home. I am just beginning to educate myself about survival techniques and strategies. Thank you in advance for any guidance, Sincerely, – Derrick A. JWR Replies: I do …


Economics and Investing:

US Mint Bullion Sales: Silver Eagles Reach Record 6,422,000 [Troy Ounces] U.S. “close to faltering,” Fed ready to act: Bernanke . (JWR Notes: Keep in mind that “Action” in Helicopter Ben’s lexicon means either borrowing other people’s money, or creating money out of thin air.) IMF official retracts statement on bond purchases. (Thanks to K.A.F. for the link.) Morgan Tries to Quell Rumors About Its Holdings Tom Friedman: China’s Currency Manipulation Good & Bad for America S.G. sent this: Think Occupy Wall St. is a phase? You don’t get it Commentary from Randall W. Forsyth: The Bear Market Is Made …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Another Self Reliance Expo will be held this weekend (October 7-8) in Salt Lake City. The last one (in Denver) was great. Don’t miss it.    o o o I noticed some interesting discussion threads in progress over at the PreparedSociety.com forums.    o o o Freeze Dry Guy has announced an October special: 60 Serving Real Meat “Bug Out” Buckets with Freeze Dried Beef and Chicken. They are offering a special pre-order price of $109, with free shipping in CONUS, and a $20 “Survival Bucks” bonus.    o o o Steve M. sent this gem: Don’t Rob A Convenience Store …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“You know what’s wrong with karate, Jerry? It’s based on the ridiculous assumption that the other guy will fight fair.”  – James Garner, as the television private detective character Jim Rockford, The Rockford Files episode “Backlash of the Hunter “, 1974. (Screenplay by Stephen J. Cannell and Roy Huggins.)


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.)