On Wednesday night, the book-club got together and discussed the first book of this session, “Emergency: This Book Will Save Your Life” by Neil Strauss.
It was a great meeting. Everyone dug the book and found it inspirational.
The basic premise is this. Neil Strauss was a music writer for the New York Times. Around the time everyone was freaking out with all that Y2K business, Neil started wondering what would happen if everything really did shut down. What would happen to him if civilization crashed? He realized early on that if anything bad happened in America, he would be stuck here with no exit strategy and no real life skills. He had grown up in an apartment in the city and didn’t know how to provide for himself in any way.
This book documents his really interesting journey to become self reliant. What starts as a venture to get a duel citizenship, so that he can leave the country “when shit hits the fan”, turns into a more fully realized plan involving learning how to track, kill, prepare, and eat animals, make his own weapons, learn how to shoot a gun, advanced first aid training, and lots of other skills. He meets many interesting and bizarre people along the way.
Strauss’s voice in the writing is great. The descriptions of his adventures are easy and fun to read and the information is useful.
This made for a great discussion in book club. I think it helped everyone realize how much we depend on the system. We take for granted our running water, electricity, plastic wrapped pieces of meat that we pick up in the grocery store, and all the other conveniences that come along with being part of a civilization. It also inspired us to start developing our own skills and back up plans.
I was personally less inspired by his efforts to get a dual citizenship and buy a home outside of the US. I figure, if the shit hits the fan, I live pretty close to Canada and really, the US is really big. There’s bound to be somewhere to hide. However, I am pretty interested in developing some of my outdoor and survival skills.
Namely:
Starting to go on edible plant nature walks in my area with a guide to learn what wild plants to eat in the Pacific NW.
Learn how to start a fire without matches or a lighter.
Learn how to build an efficient water filter system on my own.
Perhaps raise my own goats or chickens. The benefits would be having fresh milk and cheese, learning how to breed animals, and learning how to slaughter and prepare animals.
Along with the milk thing, it would be cool to learn how to make cheese.
A better understanding of using, cleaning, and owning guns. (crazy, I know.)
Oh! And I want to start buying survival, plant identification, and other useful books. Because if things go wonky and the Internet goes down, having real books on useful information would be invaluable.
Generally speaking, I think that I’d be a really good survivalist. I’m determined, inventive, and I’ve got a wide variety of skills. I can cook, sew, grow food, shoot a rifle, and I’m pretty sure that I could manage to clean and butcher animals if the need arose. I’m also pretty sure that my book club would make an excellent survivalist team. (which is a pretty funny statement really.) Between all of us, I think we’d have the skills necessary to survive. I think we should just all move to a big cabin in the woods somewhere and get started.
Maybe all this sounds paranoid. Strauss asked himself many times over the course of the book if he was going too far and if he was just being overly paranoid, but he came to the conclusion that even if nothing ever went wrong, gaining all this extra knowledge gave him a sense of personal strength and confidence that can only come from knowing that you can take care of yourself, which I think is pretty darn cool.
I’d highly recommend this book. It was a fun read and it will really make you think. It offers itself to great discussion, is full of useful facts, and is just a great story.
Go for it. This book could save your life.
February 21, 2015 at 11:30 am
Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your site is fantastic, as well as the content!
February 21, 2015 at 11:34 am
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with a few pics to drive the message home a bit, but instead of that, this is great blog. A great read. I’ll definitely be back.
February 21, 2015 at 11:36 am
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article. I will be sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I’ll definitely comeback.
February 21, 2015 at 11:41 am
Generally I don’t learn post on blogs, however I wish to say that this write-up very pressured me to try and do it! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thank you, very nice post.
February 21, 2015 at 11:49 am
fantastic submit, very informative. I’m wondering why the other experts of this sector do not realize this. You should continue your writing. I’m confident, you have a huge readers’ base already!
February 21, 2015 at 11:51 am
I get pleasure from, cause I discovered exactly what I used to be taking a look for. You’ve ended my four day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye
February 21, 2015 at 12:21 pm
It really is near unattainable to encounter well-qualified men or women on this issue, but you look like you fully grasp what exactly you’re revealing! Excellent
February 21, 2015 at 1:00 pm
I like what you guys are up too. Such clever work and reporting! Keep up the superb works guys I¡¦ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my web site 🙂
February 21, 2015 at 1:59 pm
Needed to put you that bit of remark in order to give many thanks over again with your stunning ideas you’ve provided at this time. This is really tremendously open-handed of people like you to present publicly what numerous people could possibly have distributed for an ebook to generate some money on their own, mostly now that you could possibly have tried it if you ever desired. These ideas in addition acted to be a good way to realize that most people have the same zeal the same as my personal own to figure out a whole lot more with regard to this issue. Certainly there are many more pleasant opportunities ahead for many who view your website.
February 21, 2015 at 2:10 pm
Wow! Thank you! I permanently wanted to write on my website something like that. Can I take a fragment of your post to my blog?
February 21, 2015 at 2:29 pm
My brother recommended I might like this blog. He was totally right. This post truly made my day. You can not imagine just how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!
February 21, 2015 at 2:48 pm
Good write-up, I am regular visitor of one¡¦s website, maintain up the excellent operate, and It’s going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.
February 21, 2015 at 3:10 pm
I am glad for writing to make you understand of the remarkable experience my child gained going through yuor web blog. She picked up some details, not to mention how it is like to possess a wonderful teaching spirit to make other people completely understand specific problematic matters. You truly did more than our own expected results. Thanks for imparting the warm and helpful, trustworthy, revealing and as well as fun tips about this topic to Gloria.
February 21, 2015 at 3:23 pm
Hiya, I’m really glad I’ve found this information. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossips and net and this is really annoying. A good website with interesting content, this is what I need. Thank you for keeping this site, I’ll be visiting it. Do you do newsletters? Can not find it.
February 21, 2015 at 3:58 pm
I would like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this web site. I am hoping the same high-grade website post from you in the upcoming also. Actually your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my own blog now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings rapidly. Your write up is a great example of it.
February 21, 2015 at 3:59 pm
It really is practically unthinkable to see well-informed people on this theme, nonetheless you come across as like you are familiar with those things you’re revealing! Bless You
February 21, 2015 at 4:09 pm
I simply needed to say thanks yet again. I’m not certain the things I would have implemented in the absence of the actual opinions contributed by you on such topic. It truly was an absolute frustrating issue in my opinion, but being able to see the expert style you processed the issue took me to cry over gladness. I am just grateful for the help and thus believe you are aware of a great job you happen to be doing teaching some other people via your web page. I know that you have never got to know any of us.
February 21, 2015 at 4:15 pm
I just wish to reveal to you that I’m just new to online blogging and incredibly liked your work. More than likely I am inclined to store your site post . You truly have stunning article subject. Like it for discussing with us your internet article.
February 21, 2015 at 4:54 pm
Good blog! I really love how it is simple on my eyes and the data are well written. I am wondering how I might be notified when a new post has been made. I’ve subscribed to your RSS which must do the trick! Have a nice day!
February 21, 2015 at 5:40 pm
I’ll immediately take hold of your rss feed as I can not find your e-mail subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Kindly allow me understand so that I may just subscribe. Thanks.|
February 21, 2015 at 6:08 pm
wonderful post, very informative. I ponder why the other experts of this sector do not realize this. You should proceed your writing. I’m sure, you’ve a great readers’ base already!
February 21, 2015 at 6:09 pm
Hello there, I found your site by way of Google even as looking for a similar subject, your site came up, it appears good. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
February 21, 2015 at 6:11 pm
Wow, wonderful blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your site is excellent, as well as the content!
February 21, 2015 at 6:15 pm
hello there and thank you for your information – I have definitely picked up anything new from right here. I did however expertise several technical issues using this site, since I experienced to reload the web site lots of times previous to I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your web hosting is OK? Not that I’m complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will very frequently affect your placement in google and could damage your high-quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords. Well I am adding this RSS to my email and can look out for much more of your respective exciting content. Ensure that you update this again very soon..
February 21, 2015 at 6:16 pm
I have been examinating out a few of your articles and i can claim pretty clever stuff. I will make sure to bookmark your blog.
February 21, 2015 at 6:16 pm
Great blog here! Additionally your website so much up very fast! What host are you the use of? Can I get your affiliate link for your host? I want my website loaded up as fast as yours lol
February 21, 2015 at 6:21 pm
Thank you for the good writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it. Look advanced to more added agreeable from you! However, how could we communicate?
February 21, 2015 at 6:21 pm
Just wish to say your article is as amazing. The clarity in your post is just excellent and i can assume you’re an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the enjoyable work.
February 21, 2015 at 6:22 pm
I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get got an impatience over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again as exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this hike.
February 21, 2015 at 6:29 pm
I needed to create you that very small note to give thanks again for these awesome concepts you have shared at this time. This is quite generous with people like you to offer extensively just what a few people might have supplied as an e-book in making some cash on their own, even more so considering that you could possibly have done it in the event you considered necessary. Those points likewise acted to be the easy way to recognize that other individuals have the identical fervor similar to my personal own to know a lot more regarding this matter. Certainly there are a lot more fun times ahead for those who looked over your website.
February 21, 2015 at 6:34 pm
I am now not sure where you are getting your info, however great topic. I must spend some time studying much more or understanding more. Thanks for excellent info I used to be in search of this info for my mission.
February 21, 2015 at 6:43 pm
Valuable info. Lucky me I found your web site accidentally, and I’m surprised why this coincidence did not happened in advance! I bookmarked it.
February 21, 2015 at 6:44 pm
I simply wished to appreciate you once again. I do not know the things that I could possibly have handled in the absence of those strategies documented by you directly on such problem. This was an absolute depressing situation for me, however , viewing the well-written fashion you managed that made me to leap for fulfillment. I’m thankful for your information and as well , pray you are aware of a great job that you are undertaking instructing men and women via your site. More than likely you have never got to know any of us.
February 21, 2015 at 6:59 pm
Thank you for sharing excellent informations. Your web site is very cool. I’m impressed by the details that you¡¦ve on this blog. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for extra articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found just the info I already searched everywhere and simply could not come across. What an ideal web site.
February 21, 2015 at 7:03 pm
Fantastic beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your web site, how can i subscribe for a blog site? The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear idea
February 21, 2015 at 7:14 pm
My spouse and I stumbled over here by a different page and thought I might check things out. I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to looking into your web page yet again.|
February 21, 2015 at 7:33 pm
Nice weblog here! Also your website lots up very fast! What web host are you the use of? Can I get your affiliate hyperlink for your host? I want my web site loaded up as fast as yours lol
February 21, 2015 at 7:35 pm
It really is near close to impossible to find well-advised individual on this subject, nonetheless you come across as like you fully understand exactly what you’re indicating! Gratitude
February 21, 2015 at 8:07 pm
I don’t even know the way I finished up here, but I believed this submit used to be good. I don’t recognise who you might be but definitely you are going to a famous blogger if you happen to are not already. Cheers!|
February 21, 2015 at 8:28 pm
hey there and thank you for your information – I have definitely picked up something new from right here. I did however expertise several technical points using this site, since I experienced to reload the site lots of times previous to I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your hosting is OK? Not that I’m complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will sometimes affect your placement in google and can damage your quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords. Well I’m adding this RSS to my email and can look out for a lot more of your respective exciting content. Make sure you update this again soon..
February 21, 2015 at 8:42 pm
Hello my friend! I want to say that this post is awesome, nice written and include approximately all vital infos. I would like to peer more posts like this .|
February 21, 2015 at 8:46 pm
Thanks a lot for giving everyone remarkably wonderful chance to read critical reviews from this blog. It is usually very beneficial and also packed with amusement for me and my office mates to search your blog at the very least thrice in one week to read the fresh items you have got. And lastly, we’re always impressed for the superb information you give. Some 3 areas in this post are honestly the most efficient I’ve ever had.
February 21, 2015 at 8:46 pm
Thank you, I have just been searching for information about this topic for a long time and yours is the greatest I’ve discovered so far. However, what concerning the conclusion? Are you certain about the source?
February 21, 2015 at 9:02 pm
hello there and thank you for your information – I have certainly picked up anything new from right here. I did however expertise several technical points using this web site, since I experienced to reload the web site many times previous to I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your web hosting is OK? Not that I am complaining, but slow loading instances times will often affect your placement in google and could damage your high quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords. Well I’m adding this RSS to my e-mail and can look out for a lot more of your respective intriguing content. Make sure you update this again very soon..
February 21, 2015 at 9:14 pm
Very well written information. It will be useful to anyone who employess it, as well as yours truly :). Keep up the good work – can’r wait to read more posts.
February 21, 2015 at 9:20 pm
Greetings! Very useful advice in this particular post! It’s the little changes that produce the most significant changes. Thanks for sharing!
February 21, 2015 at 9:30 pm
Of course, what a splendid website and enlightening posts, I definitely will bookmark your site.All the Best!
February 21, 2015 at 10:32 pm
Admiring the hard work you put into your site and in depth information you present. It’s nice to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same old rehashed information. Wonderful read! I’ve saved your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.|
February 21, 2015 at 10:32 pm
Thanks for another informative web site. Where else may I get that kind of information written in such a perfect method? I’ve a mission that I am just now working on, and I’ve been on the look out for such info.
February 21, 2015 at 10:34 pm
I’m still learning from you, as I’m making my way to the top as well. I certainly love reading all that is written on your blog.Keep the stories coming. I liked it!