I recently won a copy of this book in a magazine competition so I thought I'd give you a review.
Ill nail my colours to the mast upfront. I have always been very sceptical of the survivalist movement: whilst many of the skills encompassed in survivalism overlap with bushcraft, I have issues with the political mindset and the attitude and paranoia of many of the people that practice it. Furthermore, as a UK resident, the worst we get here is flooding and storm damage we are very lucky to be free from huge earthquakes, tsunamis, major forest fires, catastrophic bushfires a la Australia, huge mudslides, civil war, wide-spread disease and malnutrition (although, the opposite could be argued on this one!). The ideas of having to store a months worth of food and water in my garage, along with a spare toilet and various other immediately-available survival items cached in key places, are pretty alien to me. Am I too comfortable and complacent in my own existence? Am I missing the point?
Recent events across the world (Japan, North Africa, New Zealand, etc), however, have focussed my mind and made me wonder whether I have dismissed the preparedness issue too quickly. So, I was quite pleased to win this book and get the opportunity to reassess my own attitudes.
The author, Jerry Ahern, specialises in fire-arms related writing and science fiction literature, having written a series called 'Survivalist' about living in a future apocalypse. And, I think these previous literary endeavours are a good signpost as to what this book is all about and what the author feels are important. We know where he's coming from.
The author writes in a generally clear and concise style, is easy to read and has a good sense of humour (I think it's humour, anyway ). The book kicks off with a review of the threats to our cosy existence, including epidemic disease, weather, volcanos, earthquakes, etc. Many of these dont apply to the UK reader but may be useful background in case you are caught out in another part of the world.
We then have chapters on preparedness, communications, generators, food, vehicles, etc.
Unfortunately, most likely because of the authors own personal interests, much of the book reads like an NRA propaganda leaflet. There are numerous comments and sections based on how vulnerable you are without a pistol or rifle of some sort and I find it hard to believe that the US is as dangerous as the book makes out. Its a wonder anyone leaves their houses. You should see what Mr Ahern keeps beside his bed! Including samurai swords, pistols, semi-automatic weapons, etc.
There is a whole chapter on Survival Weapons which are primarily geared to shooting people rather than animals. Folding-stock semi-automatic rifles with iron sights are not designed for killing game for the pot ask anyone who hunts.
Now, remembering that I live in the UK where we have a somewhat different attitude to firearms (I hope), I find this quite shocking. The ideas of concealed-carry and multiple firearms around the home makes me wonder about the mindset of the survivalist and this obsession with firearms. Anyway, I know, different country, different laws, 'cold, dead hands' and all that
I thought it was a shame as he does cover some really interesting ideas elsewhere in the book, such as family memorabilia, generators and batteries, morale and medication. However, recommending the US SF Medical Handbook over a standard St Johns style basic first aid book seems somewhat extreme. The SF medical handbook is designed for those with more than a basic medical knowledge and is, frankly, a poor choice for ordinary people.
There is some good information in this book and some things that I really hadnt considered before, so in that respect, it has made me think a bit more about how I would deal with a disaster and what I have in and around the house that might prove to be useful. However, much of the stuff in this book comes from the no s**t, Sherlock school and is basic common sense for all but the most ardent mouth-breather, let alone someone with a bit of bushcraft knowledge.
Unfortunately (?) for UK readers, a lot of the kit described in the book is unavailable over here but equivalents could probably be found. There are also some very odd bits of equipment like Tomahawks and the Blackhawk Small Pry both being kit for kits sake, with little civilian (or, frankly, military!) use.
I reckon you could distil a much smaller and more useful pocket book from this by cutting out the firearms, the really obvious stuff and the bits about Radical Islamic Fundamentalists wanting us dead or enslaved and other such far-right leaning comments. I guess the author has his audience in mind. But, if you feel you have to scare your audience into turning their homes into bunkers and filling their cupboards with a Guns and Ammo wish list, then either you have failed to make a balanced argument or you are the Daily Mail.
If you are the sort of person that would treat this book as gospel, then you will ignore everything critical I have said about it and just buy it anyway. If you really are concerned about disaster preparedness but want a less extreme and more balanced read, pick up Cody Lundins When All Hell Breaks Loose (dont worry its a far better read than it sounds).
In summary, this book is very US-oriented in style, attitude and resources. It manages to spend a lot of time stating the obvious but little time exploring some of the genuinely more interesting ideas posed. Finally, too much about guns and protecting your family from er whoever Fox News doesnt like this month.
PS Having spent 17 years in the military, I have both a relatively detailed knowledge of - and a healthy respect for - firearms of all types. I believe they have a place in the world but this is not under your bed with a box full of tactical knives and a Samurai sword.
Ill nail my colours to the mast upfront. I have always been very sceptical of the survivalist movement: whilst many of the skills encompassed in survivalism overlap with bushcraft, I have issues with the political mindset and the attitude and paranoia of many of the people that practice it. Furthermore, as a UK resident, the worst we get here is flooding and storm damage we are very lucky to be free from huge earthquakes, tsunamis, major forest fires, catastrophic bushfires a la Australia, huge mudslides, civil war, wide-spread disease and malnutrition (although, the opposite could be argued on this one!). The ideas of having to store a months worth of food and water in my garage, along with a spare toilet and various other immediately-available survival items cached in key places, are pretty alien to me. Am I too comfortable and complacent in my own existence? Am I missing the point?
Recent events across the world (Japan, North Africa, New Zealand, etc), however, have focussed my mind and made me wonder whether I have dismissed the preparedness issue too quickly. So, I was quite pleased to win this book and get the opportunity to reassess my own attitudes.
The author, Jerry Ahern, specialises in fire-arms related writing and science fiction literature, having written a series called 'Survivalist' about living in a future apocalypse. And, I think these previous literary endeavours are a good signpost as to what this book is all about and what the author feels are important. We know where he's coming from.
The author writes in a generally clear and concise style, is easy to read and has a good sense of humour (I think it's humour, anyway ). The book kicks off with a review of the threats to our cosy existence, including epidemic disease, weather, volcanos, earthquakes, etc. Many of these dont apply to the UK reader but may be useful background in case you are caught out in another part of the world.
We then have chapters on preparedness, communications, generators, food, vehicles, etc.
Unfortunately, most likely because of the authors own personal interests, much of the book reads like an NRA propaganda leaflet. There are numerous comments and sections based on how vulnerable you are without a pistol or rifle of some sort and I find it hard to believe that the US is as dangerous as the book makes out. Its a wonder anyone leaves their houses. You should see what Mr Ahern keeps beside his bed! Including samurai swords, pistols, semi-automatic weapons, etc.
There is a whole chapter on Survival Weapons which are primarily geared to shooting people rather than animals. Folding-stock semi-automatic rifles with iron sights are not designed for killing game for the pot ask anyone who hunts.
Now, remembering that I live in the UK where we have a somewhat different attitude to firearms (I hope), I find this quite shocking. The ideas of concealed-carry and multiple firearms around the home makes me wonder about the mindset of the survivalist and this obsession with firearms. Anyway, I know, different country, different laws, 'cold, dead hands' and all that
I thought it was a shame as he does cover some really interesting ideas elsewhere in the book, such as family memorabilia, generators and batteries, morale and medication. However, recommending the US SF Medical Handbook over a standard St Johns style basic first aid book seems somewhat extreme. The SF medical handbook is designed for those with more than a basic medical knowledge and is, frankly, a poor choice for ordinary people.
There is some good information in this book and some things that I really hadnt considered before, so in that respect, it has made me think a bit more about how I would deal with a disaster and what I have in and around the house that might prove to be useful. However, much of the stuff in this book comes from the no s**t, Sherlock school and is basic common sense for all but the most ardent mouth-breather, let alone someone with a bit of bushcraft knowledge.
Unfortunately (?) for UK readers, a lot of the kit described in the book is unavailable over here but equivalents could probably be found. There are also some very odd bits of equipment like Tomahawks and the Blackhawk Small Pry both being kit for kits sake, with little civilian (or, frankly, military!) use.
I reckon you could distil a much smaller and more useful pocket book from this by cutting out the firearms, the really obvious stuff and the bits about Radical Islamic Fundamentalists wanting us dead or enslaved and other such far-right leaning comments. I guess the author has his audience in mind. But, if you feel you have to scare your audience into turning their homes into bunkers and filling their cupboards with a Guns and Ammo wish list, then either you have failed to make a balanced argument or you are the Daily Mail.
If you are the sort of person that would treat this book as gospel, then you will ignore everything critical I have said about it and just buy it anyway. If you really are concerned about disaster preparedness but want a less extreme and more balanced read, pick up Cody Lundins When All Hell Breaks Loose (dont worry its a far better read than it sounds).
In summary, this book is very US-oriented in style, attitude and resources. It manages to spend a lot of time stating the obvious but little time exploring some of the genuinely more interesting ideas posed. Finally, too much about guns and protecting your family from er whoever Fox News doesnt like this month.
PS Having spent 17 years in the military, I have both a relatively detailed knowledge of - and a healthy respect for - firearms of all types. I believe they have a place in the world but this is not under your bed with a box full of tactical knives and a Samurai sword.
