The amount of emails hitting my In-box makes my head spin. I just checked my in-box and in the last 30 minutes I’ve had 43 emails…. and it is Monday morning as I write this (off-peak) I’m sure this number will grow with the day.
On a single day last week I had over one hundred emails – it was a fairly ‘normal’ day.
I try to answer everyone, but sometimes it’s impossible because of sheer number received and time restraints. If you’ve sent an email and I’ve failed to answer, I’m sorry. I’ll try to do better…
Many of the emails are from readers asking for help. Their requests are varied and include:
- questions about the topics I’m writing about
- emails of thanks and encouragement from readers who appreciate the site
- ‘pitches’ asking me to feature products or link to posts
- inquiries from advertisers
- submissions by potential guest posters
- complaints about something that has been written
But the number one inquiry is for product and book recommendations – usually in the form of “could you recommend a basic, yet complete survival library of around ten books”, so I’ve decided to list my recommendations here and use this post as an answer to this question, that I can link to in my response.
M.D.’s Top Twelve Survival Book Recommendations
- The New Complete Book Of Self-Sufficiency by John Seymour
- The New Self-Sufficient Gardener by John Seymour
- Barnyard In Your Backyard by Gail Damerow
- Cookin’ With Home Storage by Peggy Layton
- Emergency Food Storage & Survival Handbook by Peggy Layton
- Putting Food By Fourth Edition by Beatrice Vaughan
- Survival Poaching by Ragnar Benson
- Where There Is No Doctor by David Werner
- Nuclear War Survival Skills by Cresson H. Kearny
- Primitive Wilderness Living & Survival Skills by John & Geri McPherson
- Bostons Gun Bible by Boston T. Party
- The Forager’s Harvest by Samual Thayer
Please keep sending emails, asking questions and giving advice – I would love to hear from you, but if you’re asking for book recommendations you are likely to receive a link to this post, since these books are given my highest recommendation and are nearly a complete survival library within them-self.
What have I left out? I’m sure you have other “must have” survival books on your list, please share your recommendations in the comments below.
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Thank you for not posting anything by that “other” survival guru I’m sure you know to whom I refer. I honestly do not like his publications, website, or thoughts. I feel he is oriented more towards profit (not that profit is bad) than honestly helping anyone.
Ken, I concur 100% with your assessment.
Would you recommend the Foxfire series? I have read many blogs where the author or a commenter espouses their virtues, but i’m kinda on the fence about them. Thoughts?
Alex,
You can download Volumes 1-3 For Free here:
http://www.thesurvivalistblog.net/2009/06/foxfire-books-free-downloads.html
I have most of these books in my library. The only other book I would add to your list is Jack Spigarelli’s Crisis Preparedness.
I concur
Great list.
That a solid list, I like it.
As for the Foxfire Series, it’s an entertaining read and there is a lot of information in it, but there is a bit of requisite knowledge that you need to have before you can use the series to it’s full effect. It’s pointless to know the uses of White Oak if you cannot identify a White Oak. Buy some field guides to go along with it.
~339 emails per day and blog mgmt duties + keeping the homestead going = an insane workload.
Good list.
I have an interesting little book for the novice called The Complete Book
Of Fire (Building Campfires For Warmth, Light, Cooking, And Survival
by Buck Tilton
Judith,. I found a couple of good articles over at http://www.1800prepare.com that are worth a check out especially if you are doing research in the field.
What books would you all recommend for someone dedicated to bugging-in/shelter-in-place? My family and I live in a small town in the midwest and barring anything that renders the area inhospitable plan on staying put. The distance to any viable refuge and our three young children are primary factors in that decision.
I’ve already got quite a few books, and I’m looking for suggestions Re: books I may want to search for. Thanks in advance.
I have great respect for the foxfire series and while it can be down loaded for free please if possible purchase the series they are slam full of good info. and I don’t care what anyone says after TSHTF knowing how to properly build a still will be invaluable for many thing to include medical uses and preserving perishables. I also agree a few field guides would be useful but above all get out there and try the things in these books, not only is it fun but its not worth having the books if the first time you try something is when its life or death.
Oh lets be truthful Ken… knowing how to build and operate a still will make you the darling of where ever you end up living and is one of those skills that ensures that you would never be “put out on the road”.
“Where There Is No Dentist”. Come on now, are you’all telling the truth, you can’t make licker (white whiskey).
MD,
You forgot to include your ebook in the list!
I read it this past Saturday and you have compiled a great basic list for all to start preps. To those who are new or having trouble knowing where to start, this is an excellent resource.
I’d suggest you place it as a prominent link on your homepage, it is a great resource.
Your collection is solid, I have many of those you listed. I would add Carla Emery’s Encyclopedia of Country Living. It is a huge volume, but is chock full of practical, useful information.
Jen
Back in 1979, when I had already been long active as a prepper, survivalist or whatever you want to call it, I bought a book entitled PUBLIC WORKS, A Handbook for Self-Reliant Living, edited and compiled by Walter Szykitka. It is no longer in print but used copies can be found on Amazon.com. I think it is a fantastic book covering topics such as first aid, survival, health, food, farm and home, tools and construction, transportation and communication, gardening, weights and measures, making a still, government, just about everything – even the periodic table of elements. It is still an important book in my library and I recommend it highly.
Only 10 books?! A well-stocked library is one of the survivalist’s best resources, along with a good set of tools.
The Bible is also good. It can provide wisdom to avoid some calamaties. Steve
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