Book Review: The Modern Survival Manual: Surviving The Economic Collapse by Fernando Ferfal Aguirre

This is a pretty good manual that covers an awful lot of the various areas for prepping. The author has definitely earned this knowledge in a unique way - he's lived and survived through the economic collapse of Argentina in 2001. He's definitely blunt with some of his statements and stories and often uses choice (i.e. swear) words - but if you and I lived through what he's lived through and crime was rampant and living conditions were as bad - I'm not sure you and I wouldn't react very similarly. You can definitely tell English is the author's second language and at times the book reads unevenly. The author claims that book publishers weren't interested in his book so he's self-published this. It's a shame - with some help with the editing and organizing this book would be alot more accessible to people. As it is - there are some great first hand tid bits and knowledge here that I have never read anywhere else. I found his chapter on bartering and gold / silver very enlightening particularly.

From Amazon.com:

My book is a Modern Survival Manual based on first hand experience of the 2001 Economic Collapse in Argentina. In it you will find a variety of subjects that I consider essential if a person wants to be prepared for tougher times: -How to prepare your family, yourself, your home and your vehicle -How to prepare your finances so that you don't suffer what millions in my country went through -How to prepare your supplies for food shortages and power failures -How to correctly fight with a chair, gun, knife, pen or choke with your bare hands if required -Most important, how to reach a good awareness level so that you can avoid having to do all that These are just a few examples of what you will find in this book. It's about Attitude, and being a more capable person and get the politically correct wimp out of your system completely.

About the Author
Fernando "FerFAL" Aguirre is a father, husband and survivalist that has lived through the Argentine socio-economic collapse of 2001, and the consequences such collapse had in the years that followed. He's the author of numerous articles found on line and is recognized among the survival and preparedness community for his personal experience and no-nonsense approach to survivalism. He's also the publisher and owner of "Surviving in Argentina", a blog he keep up with updated articles, posts as well as reports of the situation in Argentina.

Buy: The Modern Survival Manual: Surviving the Economic Collapse by Fernando Ferfal Aguirre

Video: Dollar Bubble Documentary

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZA0qNsf4m0

This is a great documentary video with very recent clips from leaders and various economists along with some commentary explaining the dollar bubble that is forming.

These producers are very bullish on gold and silver - so that's their take on how people should prepare. Well worth watching.

Book Review: How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It: Tactics, Techniques, and Technologies for Uncertain Times by James Wesley Rawles

I wish this book had been published last year when we first began our prepping. It would have saved me alot of time! If you are new to prepping for emergencies then this is the book for you! (Heck - even if you've been prepping for a while this book is a handy reference!) Mr. Rawles (author of SurvivalBlog.com organizes his book in an easy to read manner and gives you all the facts he's been learning over the years. Not everything in the book is appropriate for your particular situation - but you'll have more than enough items and skills that will be suited to your particular circumstances. James Rawles does lay it all out there and at times it can be overwhelming. Not all of us are ultra-rich and he understands that, but he still explains high-end preps too. He's really big on relocation if possible and setting up retreats. But he does emphasize that skills trump stuff. That is - you can buy all the survival gear and latest things, but without skills it won't help you nearly as much (if at all). And skills we can all learn regardless of our income / wealth. Just pick something and start doing it - don't just read about it. This book will be one of those books I reference over and over and with each read through I suspect I'll find something I postponed or missed.

From Amazon.com:

The definitive guide on how to prepare for any crisis--from global financial collapse to a pandemic

It would only take one unthinkable event to disrupt our way of life. If there is a terrorist attack, a global pandemic, or sharp currency devaluation--you may be forced to fend for yourself in ways you've never imagined. Where would you get water? How would you communicate with relatives who live in other states? What would you use for fuel?

Survivalist expert James Wesley, Rawles, author of Patriots and editor of SurvivalBlog.com, shares the essential tools and skills you will need for you family to survive, including:

Water: Filtration, transport, storage, and treatment options.
Food Storage: How much to store, pack-it-yourself methods, storage space and rotation, countering vermin.
Fuel and Home Power: Home heating fuels, fuel storage safety, backup generators.
Garden, Orchard Trees, and Small Livestock: Gardening basics, non-hybrid seeds, greenhouses; choosing the right livestock.
Medical Supplies and Training: Building a first aid kit, minor surgery, chronic health issues.
Communications: Following international news, staying in touch with loved ones.
Home Security: Your panic room, self-defense training and tools.
When to Get Outta Dodge: Vehicle selection, kit packing lists, routes and planning.
Investing and Barter: Tangibles investing, building your barter stockpile. And much more.

About the Author
James Wesley, Rawles has been an enthusiastic survivalist since his teenage years. He is now a survivalist author and lecturer and the editor of www.SurvivalBlog.com. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Jose State University with minor degrees in military science, history, and military history. A former U.S. Army intelligence officer who held a Top Secret security clearance (with Special Background Investigation) and access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), he was awarded Officer specialty 35A (tactical all-source intelligence officer), and the additional skill identifier 5M (electronic warfare officer). He achieved the rank of Captain, attended the Army NBC defense officer's course, as well as Northern Warfare School at Fort Greeley, Alaska.

Buy: How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It: Tactics, Techniques, and Technologies for Uncertain Times

NRAInstructors.org - NRA Gun Safety Courses

The NRA offers very affordable gun safety courses through their website: NRAInstructors.org - if you're thinking of getting a gun or have purchased a gun. They offer Introductory courses to Pistol, Rifle, and Shotgun handling as well as Personal Protection inside and outside the home, Refuse To Be A Victim seminars, and even a course on how to reload your own ammunition!

Book Review: Freedom Under Siege by Ron Paul

In 1987 Ron Paul ran as the Libertarian Party candidate for President of the United States. He wrote this book at that time to explain his ideas on Individual Rights, Foreign Policy, and Economics. The chapter on Individual Rights is one of the best chapters about that subject I've read. The other chapters were ok, his later works do a better job on the topics of Gold, The Economy and Foreign Policy.

From Amazon.com:

Here is Ron Paul's political manifesto, a courageous book on civil liberties and the rights of Americans that are relentlessly under assault from government. It was written in 1987, on the 200th anniversary of the Constitution, and is back in print for the first time. It is here that Dr. Paul provides his most extended thoughts on what it means to be a constitutionalist in the tradition of Thomas Jefferson. He connects violations of individual rights to an interventionist foreign policy and the supposed needs of national security. Here he blasts the draft and draft registration, impositions on the right of individuals to own guns, restrictions on the freedom to speak and write, and draws out the links between all these policies. Paul further discusses the tie between individual liberties and sound money. When a nation's money is controlled by the people instead of the state, they retain their essential freedoms. But when money is monopolized by government with no tie to a commodity, the state is in a position to ride roughshod over our liberties. Other issues discussed include the true meaning of patriotism, the moral law as it applies to politics, the meaning of leadership in a free society, the nature of the state in light of his experiences in Washington, and the historic and ever-lasting conflict between the individual and the state.

Buy: Freedom Under Siege by Ron Paul