Writing Contest Winners for Round 49

Today we are announcing the winners of Round 49 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. First Prize goes to TX ER DOC, for So, You Bought Fish Antibiotics. Now What?, posted on November 20, 2013. He will receive: A.) Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course. (A $1,195 value.) B.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795, and C.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried …




New Writing Contest Prizes

To expand the already more than $8,400 worth of prizes, five more companies have very generously announced that they are donating prizes for Round 50 (et sequitur) of the writing contest: 1.) KellyKettleUSA.com is donating both an AquaBrick water filtration kit and a Stainless Medium Scout Kelly Kettle Complete Kit with a combined retail value of $304. 2.) APEX Gun Parts is donating a $250 purchase credit. 3.) EP Lowers, makers of 80% complete fiber composite polymer lowers for the AR-15 rifles is donating a $250 gift certificate. 4.) Autrey’s Armory — specialists in AR-15, M4s, parts and accessories — …




JWR is Looking for a Beta-Light Mapreader or Torch (or Two)

For my own use here at the ranch I’m looking to purchase a fresh and bright (less than three year old) original tritium Beta-Light map reader. I can use one with or without an integral compass. If you are confused about what I’m seeking, see this photo. I’d also consider buying one or two Beta-Light Torches (flashlights). They should be marked with any of these NSNs: Map Readers: NSN: 6605-99-186-9075 NSN: 6605-99-458-1598 NSN: 6605-99-593-2157 Torches (tritium flashlights): NSN: 6260-99-965-3582 I can pay cash (Bitcoin, PayPal, PMO, greenbacks, or whatever,) or I’m willing to work out some great trades from the …




Book Bomb Day for Expatriates!

October 1st is Book Bomb Day for my latest novel, Expatriates: A Novel of the Coming Global Collapse. The book is available from most major bookstores. It can also be ordered from Amazon.com, BN.com, and many other online sellers. There are also Kindle book and audio book editions now available. By now, I suppose that everyone has heard about the printing error at E.P. Dutton that resulted in 50,000 copies of the First Edition, First Printing of Expatriates having the hardcover spines (underneath the dust jacket) printed: “John Wesley, Rawles.” The news media will undoubtedly be reporting this glitch. (I’ve …




Writing Contest Prize Winners

We’ve completed the judging for Round 48 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest, which ended yesterday. First prize goes to Tennessean for his lengthy and detailed article Protection from Radioactive Fallout, posted on September 12, 2013. He will receive: A.) Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course. (A $1,195 value.) B.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795, and C.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze …




Expatriates Release Day Tomorrow

You might as well call me “James Wesley, Wrong”, since a printing error at E.P. Dutton resulted in several thousand copies of the First Edition, First Printing of Expatriates having the hardcover spines (underneath the dust jacket) emblazoned: “John Wesley, Rawles.“ Here is how the correct dust jacket spine looks: And here is how the misprinted hardback spine (underneath the dust jacket) looks: This error wasn’t discovered until Friday night (September 27th), when our family friend “Enola Gay” (the editor of the outstanding Paratus Familia blog) happened to look under the dust jacket of the copy that I’d given her. …




Letter Re: Question on Preparedness Course

Jim: I’m planning to get the “Rawles Gets You Ready Preparedness Course.” Does it have any details on the shelf lives of foods like beans, rice, canned goods, and vitamins? Thanks So Much, – K.S. JWR Replies: Yes, and in fact the shelf life appendix (in tabular format) is quite extensive, spanning 15 pages. You can of course print out a hard copy, for your reference binder.




Update on Mulligan Mint

On Monday, August 5, 2013, I posted a piece titled “Calling It Quits With Mulligan Mint.” It was pointed out to me that it included a factual error, so I’ve truncated that post. I’d like to give everyone an update on what has transpired since then. First, the Good News: 1. I have been impressed that the staff of Mulligan Mint has overcome all of the hurdles of transitioning from a fledgling company that simply struck outside vendor-supplied .999 fine dimensioned blank planchets into a company that now consistently turns raw .999 fine silver into finished coins, in quantity. They have …




Writing Contest Winners and New Prizes

We’ve completed the judging for Round 47 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. But first, I’d like to announce that two new prizes have been added to the prize package for Round 48, et sequitur. These are: A $300 Gift Certificate from Freeze Dry Guy. This addition brings the value of just the First Prize package to $3,990! and, A full set of all 22 of the books published by PrepperPress.com. This is more than a $200 value. This addition brings the value of just the Second Prize package to $3,020! Many thanks to these companies for their generosity. They …




Letter Re: Preparedness Course Question

Mr. Rawles: If I get the downloadable “Rawles Gets You Ready Preparedness Course” can I print out a copy for my reference binder? Is that considered okay? (I have a giant binder with 4″ rings that my husband got in the Navy that we use for all our prepping references, except for recipes.) With My Regards, – Sheila C. JWR Replies: Yes, since you are legitimately downloading it, you are certainly welcome to print out a reference copy for your own use.




Letter Re: Preparedness Course Question

Mr. Rawles: If I get the downloadable “Rawles Gets You Ready Preparedness Course” can I print out a copy for my reference binder? Is that considered okay? (I have a giant binder with 4″ rings that my husband got in the Navy that we use for all our prepping references, except for recipes.) With My Regards, – Sheila C. JWR Replies: Yes, since you are legitimately downloading it, you are welcome to print out a reference copy for your own use.







Notes of Clarification for SurvivalBlog Readers, by Pat Cascio

First of all, I want to clear-up a misconception: Jim Rawles and I are not one in the same person – we are two different people. I hear from SurvivalBlog readers all the time, asking me if I’m really Jim Rawles – I am NOT! Jim had his blog site up and running for several years before I came on board, as the Field Gear Editor. I know this won’t satisfy some of you, but you can believe what you want – Jim and I are not the same person. I live in Western Oregon, and Jim lives – well, …




Letter Re: Preparedness Course Question

Jim: Is your “Rawles Gets You Ready Preparedness Course” currently available online the same course that was sold in print form in 2006, or is it an updated version? Thanks, – Joe R. JWR Replies: The course content is essentially unchanged from the 2006 edition. Only the price (dramatically less) and the delivery method (download only) have changed.




Sample Chapter From My Upcoming Novel “Expatriates”

Introductory Note: My upcoming novel opens with a prominent disclaimer that includes: “This is a work of fiction.  All of the events described are imaginary, taking place in the future, and do not represent the world as we know it in the present day. It does not reflect the current geopolitical situation, governmental policies, or the strategic posture of any nation. It is not intended to be commentary on the policies, leadership, goals, strategies, or plans of any nation. This novel is not intended to be predictive of the territorial aspirations tactics of any nation or any planned use of …