Category Archives: Book, Movie, and Web Reviews

Typeay’s Book Review: The Red Cliffs of Zerhoun, by Matt Bracken

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The Red Cliffs of Zerhoun

So, how does one categorize The Red Cliffs of Zerhoun?

In my opinion, you simply can’t.

Anyone taking a cursory glance at Amazon’s current fiction novel listings will confirm what many folks may have already surmised. The past few years have seen an explosion of what is commonly now referred to as “dystopian fiction”.

In the typical dystopian tome, a lone protagonist or group sets out on a quest for survival in what was once the world as he, or she, knew it.

I will cut right to the chase.  Matt Bracken’s latest novel is not a work of dystopian fiction.


JWR’s Recommendations of the Week:

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Books:

Act of War, by Brad Thor

Lost Rights, by James Bovard

Movies:

O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Lone Survivor

Instructional Videos:

How to roll start your manual transmission car or truck

How to Hang a Gate

Online Sermon Videos:

“His Own Received Him Not” – Message by Chuck Baldwin on Apr. 9, 2017

An Introduction to Reformed Theology (James White)

Podcasts:

Daily Audio Bible

The Hardcore History Series

Blogs:

The Independent (Archer Garrett)

Gear:

3M Performance Plus Duct Tape, Olive Drab, 48 mm x 54.8 meter roll. This is the real deal mil-spec stuff, and one of these big fat rolls lasts a long time. I noticed that the 3M brand’s formulation seems to have the best longevity. (Some other brands seems to “go … Continue reading →


JWR’s Recommendations of the Week:

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Note: Since today is Patriot Day, most of today’s recommendations follow that that theme.

Books:

Warsaw 1944: An Insurgent’s Journal of the Uprising

Tactics of Christian Resistance by Dr. Gary North

Lexington to Concord

Movies:

April Morning

The Patriot (Note: When I last checked it was also available free for Amazon Prime members,)

Television:

Resistance: Untold Stories of Jewish Partisans

Battle for Warsaw

Instructional Videos:

How to Make Thermite

How to shoot an AR handgun (ala SIG brace, Shockwave Blade, etc)

Online Sermon Videos:

When Resistance Is Obligatory – by Chuck Baldwin on Jul. 31, 2016

Defying Tyrants is Obedience to God – by Jeff Durbin

Podcasts:

The Art of Manliness Podcast #220: Tyrants — A History of Power, Injustice, and Terror

The … Continue reading →


JWR’s Recommendations of the Week:

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Library

Books:

A well-written book was just recently released aimed at prepping newbies: Self-Sufficient Home, by Nancy Hoffman. (It’s not recommended for advanced preppers, but it’s a great one to hand to your newbie neighbors and friends.)

The Edgemaster’s Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing, Using, and Maintaining Fixed-Blade and Folding Knives (I haven’t yet read this book, but it was written by Len McDougall, who authored the highly-rated book The Self-Suffcient Manifesto, so I can safely assume that this new one is well-written.)

Movies:

London Has Fallen (This movie has a high quotient for “suspension of disbelief”, but it is very entertaining. There are a few brutal sequences, so it is definitely not one for the kids.)

Jason Bourne (Billed as the final installment in the Bourne film series, this latest one answers a few questions and of course delivers … Continue reading →


JWR’s Recommendations of the Week:

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Books:

The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit

Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis

Movies:

The First World War: The Complete Series. (Now that 100 years has gone by, it is time to reflect on how The Great War changed our world, and set the stage for later conflicts.)

Doomsday Preppers: Season 1 Note: While still not quite rivaling Netflix, many movies and television shows are now available through Amazon Prime)

Instructional Videos:

Secret Room in My House

Very Cheap and Easy Secret Room/Safe

10 Secret Hiding Places Already in Your Home

Podcasts:

Econ Talk (Russ Roberts)

School Sucks Project: The Philosophy of Stoicism (With Bill Buppert)

Blogs:

At Bill Buppert’s ZeroGov blog, don’t miss this essay: … Continue reading →


JWR’s Recommendations of the Week:

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Books:

The Backyard Homestead Book of Building Projects: 76 Useful Things You Can Build to Create Customized Working Spaces and Storage Facilities, Equip the … Animals, and Make Practical Outdoor Furniture

The Complete Guide to Sharpening

@WAR: The Rise of the Military-Internet Complex, by Shane Harris

Movies:

The Road (starring Viggo Mortensen. It is a favorite with both preppers and survivalists.)

Captain Fantastic (also starring Viggo Mortensen). This movie is marred by copious foul language, brief nudity, and absurd politics. But it makes a compelling case for home schooling and self-sufficiency. It is rated R, and is definitely NOT for kids! (It is now available through Amazon Prime)

BTW, here is a sad addendum: Viggo’s father, V. Peter Mortensen, passed way in early March. Our condolences to the family.

Instructional Videos:

From “Russian Daycare”: AMAZING CAMPING … Continue reading →


JWR’s Recommendations of the Week:

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Books:

The Homeowner’s Advocate: Tips From A Contractor for Dealing With Contractors (The Advocate Series Book 1)

How Not to Die: Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease

Movies:

Army of Crime (a slightly fictionalized account of Armenians and other minorities in the French Resistance during World War II.)

Dazzle: The Hidden Story of Camouflage (Documentary) (available through Amazon Prime)

Television:

Shogun

The War – A Documentary Film By Ken Burns and Lynn Novick

Music:

Tom Petty: Full Moon Fever

Mark Isham: Vapor Drawings

Instructional Videos:

A great video: 900 Watt Van Conversion full walkthrough (full time stealth travel home) JWR’s Comment: Their dog, I noticed, is of course a Rhodesian Ridgeback.

DIY Perimeter Trip Wire Alarm (These smoke grenade fuze heads are Continue reading →


JWR’s Recommendations of the Week:

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Books:

Winter in the Wilderness: A Field Guide to Primitive Survival Skills

The Whole30: The 30-Day Guide to Total Health and Food Freedom

Movies:

Anthropoid (2016) the true story of a Czech resistance cell during World War II, and their assassination of General Reinhard Heydrich, the main architect behind the “Final Solution”. Now available on Amazon Prime.

The Cowboys (John Wayne)

Music:

The Essential Paul Simon

Complete Pop Instrumental Hits Of The Sixties

Instructional Videos:

All of the following have some applicability to equipping G.O.O.D. vehicles…

DIY Stealth Campervan: Full Tour

Stealth Camper Van 2.0 Tour – Carries Motorcycle Inside! Tiny House

Van Life – Complete Van Tour of a Stealth Mini Campervan Build, Under $500

Astro Camper Van Build 5 – Sofa Bed Build

Continue reading →


JWR’s Recommendations of the Week:

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Books:

The Defined King James Version Bible, Large Print

The Art of Invisibility: The World’s Most Famous Hacker Teaches You How to Be Safe in the Age of Big Brother and Big Data

Movies:

Gone with the Wind

USS Indianapolis: Men Of Courage

Television:

Lonesome Dove

Band of Brothers

Music:

Wanted! The Outlaws (1976-1996 20th Anniversary)

O Brother, Where Art Thou? (Movie Soundtrack)

Instructional Videos:

Bushcraft Fun in the Bush, Camp Projects

The Backyard Machine Shop – Machine Rescue Series

Online Sermon Videos:

Grace Baptist Church, Fremont, California (Pastor Michael Phillips)

Sovereign Grace Baptist Church of Silicon Valley (Dr. Paul Nelson, et al.)

Podcasts:

The Bump That Bumps the Bump in the Night … Continue reading →


JWR’s Recommendations of the Week:

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Books:

Photovoltaic Design and Installation For Dummies

How to Be Invisible: Protect Your Home, Your Children, Your Assets, and Your Life, by J.J. Luna

Movies:

The Reckoning: Remembering the Dutch Resistance

The Marx Brothers Collection (Includes: A Night at The Opera/A Day at The Races/A Night in Casablanca/Room Service/At the Circus/Go West/The Big Store)

Television:

Hunted (CBS Network.) The network’s publicists proclaim it: “The World’s most elaborate game of Hide and Seek.” This justifiably popular series includes some useful tradecraft and was recommended by J.J.S. of Radio Free Redoubt. It airs on Wednesday evenings.

Best of American Pickers: Mike And Frank’s Picks

Music:

The Very Best of Jean-Luc Ponty

Kate Wolf: Give Yourself To Love (Volumes 1&2 – Live In Concert)

Instructional … Continue reading →


JWR’s Recommendations of the Week:

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Books:

What to Expect When You’re Expecting

The Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker Cookbook: Easy Recipes for Fast & Healthy Meals

Movies:

God’s Not Dead

Galaxy Quest

Music:

Lau: Lightweights & Gentlemen

Leo Kottke: Six And Twelve String Guitar

Instructional Videos:

DIY How to add Paracord to your MFT Battlelink Stock

Podcasts:

Radio Free Redoubt: Episode 17-06: Do Not Oppress the Sojourner – and – HUNTED: Analysis and Review. (Also available via iTunes.)

The Survival Podcast: Episode-799- Greenhouse Thoughts, Construction, Usage and Considerations

Blogs:

Total Survivalist Blog

Brushbeater

Gear:

Rothco Flyers Helmet Shoulder Bag, Olive Drab (These are great for organizing and transporting sets of web gear for your defensive guns.)

… Continue reading →


Book Review: Krav Maga Tactical Survival, by D.R.

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Published by Tuttle Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-8048-4765-0
5 parts, 224 pages with index

Between active shooters, the rise in violent crime, and the outbreak of “undocumented shoppers”, many Americans are taking an interest in learning how to protect themselves and their loved ones. This takes many forms, as some people devote their time and money to storing up resources and equipment, others to training with armed and unarmed combatives, and some to both. Any serious practitioner in unarmed combatives will likely have heard of the discipline of Krav Maga. Since Imi Lichtenfeld started training the Israeli military in “contact combat” in 1944, Krav Maga has become increasingly popular among the international community. With instructors all over the world spreading the word of reality-based self-defense, it’s not hard to imagine why that is the case. One such instructor is Gershon ben Keren, a 5th degree black belt in … Continue reading →


JWR’s Recommendations of the Week:

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Books:

Survival Hacks: Over 200 Ways to Use Everyday Items for Wilderness Survival, by Creek Stewart

Desperate Sons: Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, John Hancock, and the Secret Bands of Radicals Who Led the Colonies to War

The Seventh Plague: A Sigma Force Novel, by James Rollins

Movies:

Last of the Dogmen

The African Queen

Television:

Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles

Band Of Brothers

Music:

O Brother, Where Art Thou? Movie Soundtrack

Marty Robbins: All-Time Greatest Hits

Instructional Videos:

Bushcraft Dump Pouch (Make Your Own)

Canadian Prepper: After the Collapse: Surviving in Canada- (SHTF Canada- West Coast/BC)–Part of a video series

Online Sermon Videos:

Calvary Chapel Kaneohe in Hawaii (Pastor JD Farag. His ongoing Prophecy … Continue reading →


JWR’s Recommendations of the Week:

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Books:

All Wrapped Up In Paracord: Knife and Tool Wraps, Survival Bracelets, And More Projects With Parachute Cord

The Forgotten 500: The Untold Story of the Men Who Risked All for the Greatest Rescue Mission of World War II

Movies:

Braveheart

Akira Kurosawa: Four Samurai Classics (Seven Samurai / The Hidden Fortress / Yojimbo / Sanjuro) (The Criterion Collection)

Television:

The Pacific

The Civil War (Ken Burns Documentary)

Music:

The Very Best of Ralph Stanley

Jonas Kaufmann: Mozart, Schubert, Beethoven & Wagner

Instructional Videos:

Build Your Own Copper Coil Alcohol Burner Stove

Wall Tent Platform Build JWR’s Comment: Be sure to use plenty of foundation bricks (more than shown) and use your level frequently during the platform construction.

… Continue reading →


Letter Re: Intellectual Survival

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HJL,

This is a great article and a tremendous gap in most survival discussions!

We prepare not to just survive but to thrive in the aftermath of a disaster, and I assume we all have or are trying to have children.

Imagine how dark the world will become if we let the light of western civilization sputter and die on our watch. If we are to make a difference, if we are to keep our values and our philosophy alive, we need books.

My parents invested in a complete collection of the Harvard Classics. One summer, recovering from a football related injury, I read the complete collection. This was 35 years ago.

While I knew what values my parents lived day to day, I didn’t KNOW these values. To put it in other words, I had an intellectual conversion on par with what a man experiences when he comes to … Continue reading →