Furthermore, is it possible that he (much like I) is simply an old school guy who does not have the skills of a seasoned writer?

As for the content, YES it appears to be run of the mill to us long time preppers, so we pick it apart as if to say “that was stupid, everybody KNOWS that”.

If you stop to consider that 85% of the people that actually buy it, WOULD NOT buy it if they were confident in their very own judgment, wisdom and experience.

Picture the single mom of two, who’s deadbeat wanna be husband is locked up for involuntary manslaughter, and mom is concerned for her child’s future. She barely makes ends meet, thus realizing that every penny spent towards her family’s survival, HAS to be spent wisely.

Anyway, just my two cents.

Stay safe,

Just a dad, and the last of the baby boomer generation…………..

Also, i think the above commenter is correct that this is a case of marketing a product with his name by a third party.

I posted this on August 9th, 2008

"I suggest you don't purchase "Rawles Gets You Ready" offered by Arbogast Publishing LLC and advertised on Survival Blog.

I say this for a few reasons.

First, the cost. I bought a copy for $80. Now, the manual is $150. That is expensive, very expensive.

For about $150 you could buy:

Making the Best of Basics: Family Preparedness Handbook by James Talmage

The New Passport to Survival: 12 Steps to Self-Sufficient Living by Rita Bingham

Cooking With Home Storage by Vicki Tate and Peggy Layton

Country Beans by Rita Bingham

Nuclear War Survival Skill, 1987 edition by Cresson H. Keary

Additionally, there is free survival information on the web.

Captain Dave's Survival Guide, I highly recommend it!
http://www.captaindaves.com/guide/

Nuclear War Survival Skills
http://www.ki4u.com/webpal/d_resources/survival/books/books.htm

American Red Cross Publications
http://www.redcross.org/pubs/dspubs/genprep.html

United States Army Publications
https://rdl.train.army.mil/soldierPortal/soldier.portal
click on "Official Departmental Publications" to get to the manuals than
click on submit to get all of the stuff. Over 80 web pages of military information.

Second, I felt the manual was lacking in How-To information. How-To information that is easily found on the internet.

Now don't get me wrong, I think "Rawles Gets You Ready" sucks. It is a waste of money; however, Survival Blog is a great site. James Rawles and lots of other people providing free information for you to use; what more could you ask for?"

Instead, the comments in this discussion are about a specific work-product and (in some cases) a marketing technique or brand that is not up to expected standards. Ultimately, that is what Survival Blog has become…a highly visible brand from which we, as a community, expect much. That expectation arises from the quality of JWRs past work and is a testament to same.

If one expects a product to meet a certain standard as advertised and it fails that test, most of us vote with our feet or postpone future purchases from that vendor until we see product reviews. So, when it's all said and done, healthy, honest product reviews such as the one offered here by MD and his unbiased readers are good for JWR and good for the preparedness community

To add insult to injury, once the $150 notebook arrives and is opened, you will be delighted to find a "coupon" offering others the course for $89.95. So, presumably, you buy the course for $150 and give the coupon to friend who then also gets ripped off, but at a cheaper rate than you. Yeah, that's a good plan.

Anon 5:36; The name of the other company is Argbogast Publishing LLC. On the first page of the binder, Jake Stafford (the owner?) asks for feedback. Perhaps someone should send him a link to this GREAT discussion. The address is: feedback@readyfor the worst.com Wait, I can do that myself!

I was very disappointed. The loose leaf binder contains a conversation as he and a friend would walk through Costco to purchase food. There is little on other topics, although a small amount is there.

A previous poster here was correct in comparison – the LDS manual is much better.

The survivalblog does have loads of info, but I am suspect of all the links and referrals in his books. If he is getting something other than advertising, it would be right to say so. And if he isn't, that would also be correct to state to his customers.

Overall he does a good job, but there are others who may or may not be better – depending upon the subject matter.