Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 22 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The contest prizes include: First Prize: Two transferable Front Sight  “Gray” Four Day Training Course Certificates. This is an up to $4,000 value! Second Prize: A three day course certificate from OnPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. Third Prize: A copy of my “Rawles Gets You Ready” preparedness course, from Arbogast Publishing Round 22 ends on May 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that articles that relate practical “how to” skills for …


Good Fences Make Good Neighbors: Reinforcing Your Retreat for Long Term Survival on the Cheap, by Q.T.

We’ve all heard that particular proverb. For those of us reading this venue, we all have a specific mindset that probably keeps that at the forefront of our minds. We have our space. We have our preps. We have spent time and effort placing a lot of emphasis on keeping ourselves one step ahead. So how do we keep out everyone else?. Better yet… how do we keep prying eyes out? Still best, how do we create our sanctuary without drawing any attention to ourselves whatsoever? We can build a fence, but a fence can be cut. Fences cost money. …


Letter Re: How to Spot a Front Sight Graduate

Jim, I get e-mails from Front Sight students all the time reporting to me how they often draw a crowd at shooting ranges as people marvel at their marksmanship, speed, and gun handling. The question they are always asked is, “Where did you learn how to shoot like that?” Of course they respond with “Front Sight!” Well here is a twist on that experience from someone who recently e-mailed me: Dr. Piazza, I just wanted to send you this e-mail and let you know about an experience I had several months ago. I work part time at a shooting range …


Economics and Investing:

I heard about this piece over at the Dr. Housing Bubble blog: Marketing Consumerism in the Boom and Bust Economy: Four Advertisements Showing the Shift in Consumer Buying Habits: Pizza, Airlines, Real Estate, Toxic Assets, and the Simpsons. The bit about Homer Simpson’s home equity line of credit (HELOC) was priceless. Eric H. flagged this one: Chinese re-embracing Marx and Mao in face of economic woes. Eric’s comment: “So much for all those ‘relax, they are becoming more like us and our differences are disappearing’ stories we were told in the past decade or so.” HPD alerted us to a …


Odds ‘n Sods:

DD forwarded this link, from MSN: Five foods that are cheaper to grow    o o o From Cheryl: Ammo Shortages Have Police Scrambling for Sufficient Rounds    o o o More news for the Whack ‘n Stack tally: Armed Ohio couple stops home robbers    o o o M.O.B. sent this: Feinstein will not pursue assault weapons ban for now. Is this supposed to give me a warm, fuzzy feeling? Rather, it strikes me more like a “Hitler plans to stop his army’s advance at The Sudetenland For Now” sorta news story.



Notes from JWR:

I’ve just signed a publishing contract with Penguin Books to complete a manuscript for a non-fiction paperback that will be titled “How to Survive The End of the World as We Know It.” Rather than the 12- to 18-month production cycle that is typical for most books from major New York publishing houses, this book will be a “instant book” with a release date possibly as early as August of Aught Nine. There are also now two big New York publishers that have expressed interest in publishing a mass-market edition of “Patriots“. I’ll post more details as they become available. …


Letter Re: Home-Made Super Cat Alcohol Stoves

Dear Mr. Rawles, First, I would like to commend you on your “Patriots” novel. It is a “must read” for any American who believes in our Constitution and Bill of Rights. I bought the book a few months ago and have read it twice so far. The “crunch” scenario outlined is self-evident today, and a very real possibility. I have never been of the “survivalist” mindset, however with the NWO now upon us – and my becoming ‘awake” as to the threat of the NWO and TEOTWAWKI – I am starting my preparations in earnest. Your book, and others, are …


Two Letters Re: Knob Creek Report on Ammunition, Magazines, and Parts

Jim, I also have been a regular attendee of the Knob Creek gun show in Fort Knox, Kentucky for the past 8 years and would like to add a little more insight. I always attend the October show and occasionally attend the April show. Times being as they are I made an extra effort to attend last week and bring some first timers with me. The shock started Friday morning when the booths opened at 9:00am. My first encounter was Hi-Tech Ammunition (St. Louis) table. They were already out of all rifle and pistol powder. Only remaining was some military …


Economics and Investing:

From reader H.P.D. Mish’s Global Economic Trend Analysis: Treasury to Delay Reporting Bank Stress Test Results G.G. sent this: Businesses Gird for Depression Also from G.G.: IMF gold sale may push down prices below $800 Items from The Economatrix: Wed. Stocks End With Modest Gain CEOs Expect More Job Cuts Through End of Year Coupons.com Sees 190% Increase Over Last Year Cereal and baby food top the list Few US Cities Escape Recession’s Reach Treasury to Offer Limited Aid to Certain Insurers (Only if the insurers own banks or savings & loans) New Jobless Claims Fall More Than Expected to …


Odds ‘n Sods:

For the past month, I’ve been monitoring a great new open-source intelligence blog that is available to the public. Be sure to bookmark it!    o o o Dale Williams, the host of a popular conservative talk radio show in Salt Lake City has started to put his show archives online at Free West Radio. (One of JWR’s interviews is archived there.)    o o o Cheryl sent this: TWIC–A Backdoor Real ID Card    o o o Reader MMJ recommended this article on solar ovens



Note from JWR:

I am pleased to report that yesterday’s Book Bomb Day (April 8th) for “Patriots: A Novel Survival in the Coming Collapse” resulted in more than 2,000 book orders from Amazon.com, and drove the novel’s Amazon sales Bestsellers rank up to #6 (overall), #1 in Thrillers, and #1 in Contemporary Fiction. BTW, the #6 rank is respectable, considering that 3 of the 5 books ranked higher than “Patriots” are mega-sellers that are being driven by the very popular Twilight movie. It even edged out Oprah’s current touchy-feely favorite. Oh, and speaking of timely books, The Ultimate Depression Survival Guide: Protect Your …


Letter Re: Mining Claims as Retreat Locales

Dear Jim, My closest neighbor works in our local Bureau of Land Management (BLM) office. He told me that the lady in the cubical next to his handles mining claims. She has told him that there has been a significant increase in new mining claims. What she is confused about is that where many of the claims have been made, there is no evidence of any minerals. She told my neighbor that she researched to law and there is no requirement to prove that there are minerals to be mined at a claim site. My neighbor feels that people who …


Two Letters Re: Backpackers of the Apocalypse: Selecting and Ultra-Lighting Your Bug-Out Bag

Hello Mr. Rawles, Thanks again for this blog; it’s my nightly reading before bedtime. Regarding the letter from John the Midwestern Hiker, here are some other possibilities/opinions about bug-out bags. Naturally, edit as you see fit, should any of this merit mentioning…. Because I live in a large metropolitan area in the eastern US, I try to remain prepared for just such a bug-out event. I know approximately how much time I would need and how much fuel I would need in order to arrive in “Free America”–my fuel tank is never less than 3/4ths full. I have at least …