Category: Book, Movie, and Web Reviews

Hugh, When reading the thread on bug-out boats, I was reminded anew of one of my favorite novels: The Riddle of the Sands. Here’s more about the author: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Erskine_Childers http://www.eldritchpress.org/rec/rs.html You can also get a copy of the book from Gutenberg. As it so happens the book is outside of copyright and so it was one of the first books to be published on the Internet, leading to a nasty lawsuit. The Riddle of The Sands is considered required reading for all serious sailors, particularly those favoring wooden-hulled boats. – R.C.

A SurvivalBlog reader wrote in to recommend three novels by Ken Gallender: Jernigan’s War and Porter’s Run (a sequel to Jernigan’s War). Based on a collapse of society with the United States under siege from an invading army and biological warfare, they provide an excellent entertaining adventure. o o o Reader P.M. wrote in: “One of my all time favorite movies is ‘Ride With The Devil,’ a Civil War era film about bushwackers and jayhawkers. It is a side of the war that is seldom discussed, and never from the Southern perspective. The production values are excellent, as is the …

Prepper Recon.com recently had Dr. Kirk Elliot of McAlveny Financial on their podcast. Titled Market Meltdown-Weathering the Storm, Dr. Elliot gives the listener an update on the massive market upheaval we currently see and some tips on how to prepare to survive it in this two part Podcast. Additionally, Dr. Elliot gives some tips on becoming financially fit in 2016. Each Podcast is roughly 27 minutes long and is well worth the time spent listening to it. Head on over to Prepper Recon.com and get both parts: Market Meltdown-Weathering the Storm with Dr. Kirk Elliot – Part 1 Market Meltdown-Weathering …

Child of War Son of Angels by Curtis Whitfield Tong was recommended by SurvivalBlog reader M.G. It’s a child’s memoir of horror and reconciliation while imprisoned in World War II-torn Philippines. o o o SurvivalBlog reader P.B. recommended both In the Absence of God and Bridging the Abyss. Both works deal with different people approaching crises from different world view perspectives. Moderns and Post-moderns find themselves without any objective basis for forming moral judgments or hope of justice. o o o Reader E.L. writes in: Taylor Caldwell’s The Devil’s Advocate, a novel first published in 1952 is distopian fiction right …

SurvivalBlog reader T.A. sent in this recommendation: On a recent trip to a used book store in a tiny little Tennessee town, we found a wonderful treasure. Here it is for SB readers interested in a helpful resource: Root Cellaring: The Simple No-Processing Way to Store Fruits and Vegetables by Mike and Nancy Bubel. Our copy was printed in 1979 and purchased for $5, but there appears to be an updated version from 1991. From the 1979 edition, a quote from Ella Heide whose cellar was built in 1901: “The root cellar was the most crucial link in the subsistence …

J.M. wrote in: I recently re-read Leon Uris’ Exodus and can highly recommend it. o o o SurvivalBlog reader R.S. suggested “The Big Short”, which released Dec 23, is an amazing, funny, horrifying, and astounding “true story” look behind the curtain of the banking sub-prime mortgage fiasco. While rated a hard R, it is definitely worth seeing without the kids. It uses almost a documentary style taking complicated banker lingo and mindset, then translating into concise, understandable concepts (those are the horrifying parts) what actually happened inside the financial industry between 2005 and 2008. Highly recommend, but WARNING, it will …

First, a price increase is coming to your favorite bookseller. One of the premier book printing and distributing companies in the world has announced a 10% price increase in their print-on-demand and handling fees effective February 8, 2016. Additionally, products shipping from the UK will see freight charges increase by 3-4%. The freight charges will be determined based on service level at the time of order. This printing increase is on top of the 5% rate increase announced by UPS effective December 28, 2015 and a similar price increase by FedEx effective in January 2016. The USPS has a full menu …

D.S. suggested that this book should be on every prepper/survivalists bookshelf. Know how to cook with wood. o o o Reader H.L. suggested the movie The Good Lie. It’s about the Lost Boys of Sudan. Several of the Lost Boys are in the movie. It tells their story of the long walk and becoming boy soldiers. It’s a story that few Americans know. o o o Do you have a favorite book, movie, or video that would be of interest to SurvivalBlog readers? Please send it via e-mail. Thanks!

Hugh, I wanted to recommend a book that I just read called “Deadly Minutes vs Precious Seconds, a Primer on Armed Church Security from an Oklahoma Perspective” by Billy E Kuempe and available on Amazon Kindle. It is a well written treatise on how to set up a church-sponsored, armed security team, focusing on selecting the right team members and dealing with some of the interpersonal problems that arise. I think that it not only would be valuable for anyone looking to set up or improve on their security, but it also has value for those who look to set …

There has been a few short mentions on SurvivalBlog.com and other websites about the DVD and companion book, Driven From Our Homes that is being sold by Infidel Body Armor. I have been dealing directly with IBA owner, Chad Cooper, since he started the company, and I’ve tested many of his products extensively. To be sure, IBA doesn’t produce any junk! It’s simple as that. When Chad contacted me about his new DVD and companion book, I couldn’t wait to get it. Before it arrived, Chad was kind enough to give me access to their website so I could watch …

Anyone who is serious about family preparedness recognizes the importance of having hard copy (EMP-proof) references on hand. In addition to the binders of reference articles, recipes, and technical manuals that I often mention in SurvivalBlog, I strongly recommend that you buy some particularly useful published reference books. These books include: First Aid — (American Red Cross Handbook) Responding To Emergencies Strategic Relocation–North American Guide to Safe Places by Joel and Andrew Skousen Where There Is No Doctor: A Village Health Care Handbook by David Werner Where There Is No Dentist by Murray Dickson The Encyclopedia of Country Living (Tenth …

Books Jules Verne Collection: 33 Works Going Home: A Novel by A. American Movies The Searchers (John Wayne) The Train Instructional Video: Milling Machine Set: Fundamentals of Milling Machine Operation & Advanced Aspects of Milling Machine Operation

Reader S.B. suggested The Uglies This is a book series that would be of interest to both young and old survival blog readers. They are an easy read, originally targeted towards teens and young adults. It’s a book about ultimate government control and the fight by a small group of young people to escape it. The government raises your children. Once you have your mandatory surgery, everyone is the same (socialist utopia). You are assigned a job. No money is used. You are assigned your lifestyle based on popularity points (think youtube and facebook). You are not allowed to leave …

Books Raising Sheep the Modern Way. Updated and Revised Edition by Paula Simmons Ducks and Geese in Your Backyard: A Beginner’s Guide by Rick and Gail Luttmann Fiction Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand Movies Metropolis The best science fiction film of the silent era. The Prince of Egypt (animated)–Suitable for children