I was just curious about what other people thought would be good text resources for survival purposes, excluding the zombie survival guide, cause that's just obvious. Here's mine:
Wilderness Survival
Army Survival Manual:
Though its a mediocre book, it covers a LOT of info. GIves you survival tips for desert, arctic, and everything in between. Probably one of the handiest books to keep on hand for those "oh crap" moments that you never expect.
Boy Scout Handbook:
Again, though it is a mediocre book, it is very handy. This is particularly helpful to teach things versus just listing things without explaining them very well.
How to Stay Alive in the Woods:
A nice book that gives some good detail about how to put up shelters and where to find food and how to keep warm. It is not the best book on the topic, but it does a very good job of informing the reader about everytihng he/she must know.
Primitive Living
Back to Basics:
This book I found at something like a flea market that was going on in our local mall and I am rather proud of it. It gives rather good explanations for how to build a house, how to be a blacksmith, etc, etc. Though an older book, a useful one nonetheless.
Primitive Food & Health Needs
Stalking the Wild Asparagus:
Does a great job at explaining how and where to find vegetables in the wild. A little kitchy sometimes, but well written and interesting.
Earl Mindel's Herb Bible:
Though a bit heavy handed for what one might need, it gives us some info about nutrition and helps us get an idea of where to fulfill these nutritional needs.
These books that I have listed are not the best that exist, they are just what I found helpful. Mostly I am interested to hear about what other people have found to be helpful. Anything?
All that needs to be said is this: FIRE = BAD |
anarcist's cookbook? i dunno how about u but im goinglooting some stores for chemicals
war's my game
destruction by no other name
meh- the cookbook is for people who wanna avoid their parole officer.... if a zombie abocalypse hits, a trip to your neighborhood friendly national guard station, or even firearms store, will do you better.
but, back to books- check out the "worst-case scenario survival" series of books- they have a general edition, as well as many specialized books for wilderness, ocean, arctic, etc (as well as their newest book, a zombie apocalypse edition!
)
also, if you have boy scout reading material, look for the wood badge handbook- a lot more practical stuf in there than the general one.
"just don't let them turn into skeletons; the last thing we need to deal with is a resitance to slashing weapons"
I've found that the most informative survival guide I've ever read is "The Zombie Survival Guide" by Max Brooks (the son of Mel Brooks). Now, I'm well aware that this book is found in the "Comedy" section of your local bookstore, but I assure you, that this is highly scientific and explores all details of survival in all levels of zombie infestation. After reading this book, I have become even more paranoid about the event of a zombie outbreak, because of it's sheer believability. I highly reccommend.
Other survival books on my shelf include:
The Worst-Case Scenario survival handbook - Excellent guide which explores how to do anything from wrestling an alligator to hotwiring a car.
The Bradford Angier Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants - I feel that such a guide would be very important when on the run, and your rations are running low.
How to Stay Alive in the Woods - Excellent survival guide. Tells you exactly what the title says.
I also have various Boy/Eagle Scout handbooks, as they tell you the basics of camping, etc. Lots of good stuff.
Here's a book I just picked up yesterday: Field Guide to the Apocalypse - Movie Survival Skills for the End of the World, by Meghann Marco. It's an easy read, i was able to knock it out in a few hours. It's mainly a humorous tongue-in-cheek guide to surviving several different bad future scenarios as envisioned in various sci fi and action movies - the false utopia (think Logan's run for an example), the high tech dystopia (i.e. blade Runner), and neo-medievalism (think mad max). Obviously the neo-medieval setting fits this site the best. It does actually include some useful info (surviving in harsh wastelands, making bio-diesel (and converting your ride to use it), constructing solar stills); it also has a few pages about zombies, but nothing that isn't covered much better in the ZSG. But the general scenarios and how deal with living without electricity and making your way in a de-populated world offer much to stimulate the mind of the zombie survivalist. And you never know, the ways described to determine if your spouse is trying to kill you and INSERT you with a replicant might come in handy...
The battle rages but they fight in vain
When all is done it must begin again
-"Freya", the Sword
hmmn i forgot all about this topic......
Well I have millarary hand, tatics and urbenwarfare books. I also have a origenal copy of the anarchist's cookbook and a writers guide to poisons. Also sevral chemistry physics and science books. I also have some foreign language books. and so if you dont have an interpiter when you decide to start rebuilding society you can talk with other people from other countreys.
Will you hold me back? If need be I will leave you behind...
yeah the new anarchist's cookbook is a rant of some gothic nerds who want to sound dangerous. the original (where can i get one? i dont have CC) shows ways to mix high explosives from ordinary household ingredients
plus in canada we have VERY fewer gun shops so improv weapons are a plus
war's my game
destruction by no other name
The SAS Survival Handbook
Si vis pacem, para bellum
Ooh. I want that now.
All that needs to be said is this: FIRE = BAD
I've had a chance to peruse the SAS survival handbook (there's a copy sitting around at my daughters' karate class). It is indeed amazingly detailed information on making do in any natural setting and any emergency. From just the other day I now know how to prepare all manner of insects for eating.
I plan on acquiring one of these for myself sometime in the near future...
The battle rages but they fight in vain
When all is done it must begin again
-"Freya", the Sword
Okay new stuff on an old thread...
Try the Poor Man's James Bond Vol I & II.
Kind like the Anarchists Cookbook, and it was easier to find, I think the AC is out of print now...
Doc