JWR’s Recommendations of the Week:

Here are JWR’s Recommendations of the Week for various media and tools of interest to SurvivalBlog readers. The focus is usually on emergency communications gear, bug out bag gear, books and movies–often with a tie-in to disaster preparedness, and links to “how to” self-sufficiency videos. There are also links to sources for both storage food and storage containers. You will also note an emphasis on history books and historical movies. This week the focus is on Fall and Winter Gardening. (See the Books section.)

Books:

Reader E.M. wrote to recommend the book American Nations, by Colin Woodard. Here is how E.M. describes the book:

“It was a New Republic ‘Best Book of 2011.’ Yes, I understand that the New Republic has a very liberal bent, so my recommendation comes with caution, but the author explains how the US developed so differently based on the culture that was established by the earliest arrivals in each area, and how those areas actually represent 11 “nations” today. The book explains, for example, why “Yankeedom,” as he calls it, and the “Left Coast” have so much in common, and why “Greater Appalachia” and “The Far West” do, too.

I consider myself to be a serious student of history, but I learned many interesting aspects about the development of this country’s various regions from this book. The author’s liberal bent is very obvious, but it only proves the point that many, if not most, historians are not truly neutral and their views should not be accepted without serious scrutiny, particularly when author begins to describe present day issues and attitudes.”

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DIY Hydroponics: 12 Easy and Affordable Ways to Build Your Own Hydroponic System (Urban Homesteading)

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Fall and Winter Gardening: 25 Organic Vegetables to Plant and Grow for Late Season Food

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Ball of Collusion: The Plot to Rig an Election and Destroy a Presidency

Movies & Television:

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.  (Available on Blu-ray, DVD, or Amazon Prime streaming.)

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Chasing Happiness. This is a biographical documentary film about the meteoric rise of the Jonas Brothers.  Warning:  Has some foul language. Available free for those with Amazon Prime streaming.

Instructional Videos & Vlogs:

Over at Full30.com: Three Best Budget AR Rifle Scopes! – TGC Reviews

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Matt Risinger: Hidden Door House

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Reader Tim J. like this video form  Canadian Prepper:  I’m Coming to Your House When SHTF

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From some north Idaho newbie homesteaders: Wet It And Set It! (Deer Fencing, Part 2)

Web Sites and Blogs:

Reader Paul E. suggested The Money Changer. Paul says:  “A family-owned metals trading business. There is a lot of info in the site and the owner is Christian.”

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Gun Nuts Media

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Alt-market.com

Gear & Grub:

I finally retired my almost 30-year-old chainsaw chaps with a pair of these: Forester Chainsaw Safety Chaps with Pocket, Apron Style, (Regular 37″, Real Tree Camo). I’ve been very happy with these chaps.  Their only shortcoming was the small size of the outside pocket. You see, I habitually carry at the minimum a CAT tourniquet, a bandana, a tape measure, a pocketknife, two small files (one of them rat-tail), a plastic felling wedge, and a Stihl combination tool with me whenever I’m out in the woods with my chainsaw. Simply adding a drawstring dump pouch to the belt of the chaps gave me more than enough cargo capacity for all those items.

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25000mAh Solar Charger ADDTOP Portable Solar Power Bank with Dual 2.1A Outputs Waterproof External Battery Pack Compatible Most Smart Phones, Tablets and More

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I really shouldn’t covet…  Throwflame. Well, perhaps if some uncle wills me Three Grand out of the blue, then I’ll get one.

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Mountain House Rice & Chicken

Make a Suggestion

Want to suggest Recommendations of your own? Then please send them to JWR. (Either via e-mail of via our Contact form.) Thanks!




6 Comments

  1. On the “American Nations” by Colin Woodard, there is something to be said for reading most anything, especially presenting a differing view than one’s you are used to. There is always the possibility you may learn something you did not know before, after all, the acquiring of knowledge is one of life’s greatest pleasures, as well as necessities. You will undoubtedly be able to come to a more realistic conclusion for any issue brought forth when you consider opposing views which reflect on the other persons experience.
    It’s how we ended up with our Constitution, by considering the views of many smart people with varieties of experiences. And the most overlooked reason to learn from opposing views is to learn how your enemy thinks and how they will act. Know thy enemy….

  2. I am listening to the Nutcracker Suite as I read SB. There is one recommendation.

    The other is a book by Steven Gundry, The Longevity Paradox. So far, what he is saying makes semse to me. I could be wrong and change my mind later.

    Carry on

  3. Used to read Money Changer regularly,Franklin was devastated by the passing of his wife that dramatically changed him. I made some of my best pm purchases with his advise and am patiently waiting for the gold/silver ratio to revert to near normal. Market manipulation is obvious,when it reverts things could be very ugly.

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