How to Survive the Collapse of America

Activist Post reviews National Bestseller, How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It, by author James Wesley, Rawles (makes an important Christmas gift)

Activist Post

It's a sure sign of the times that a book titled, How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It: Tactics, Techniques and Technologies for Uncertain Times becomes a National Bestseller.  First printed a year after the October financial crash of 2008 when the world awoke to the fragility of the "system," author James Wesley, Rawles offers a pragmatic and thorough guide to survive other potentially more severe future crashes.

The book does not go into extended detail about what may trigger the breakdown of civilization, but uses its precious 316 pages to inform readers of how to prepare for nearly any disaster.  Many survival books are great references to have in your library should a disaster take place, but this book is essential to read and implement well before disaster occurs.

Author, Jim Rawles, a former U.S. Army Intelligence Officer and founder of the very popular website SurvivalBlog.com, not only talks the talk, but also walks the walk.  He lives on a fully self-sufficient and well-stocked retreat "somewhere west of the Rockies."  Upon reading the book, one thing is apparent: Rawles has written this book not as a "what if" guide, but rather a "when it happens" guide.  The tone of urgent pragmatism enhances the assumption that disaster is not only inevitable, but perhaps imminent.


Rawles suggests that the collapse of America will likely be triggered by economic circumstances, notably the death of the dollar, which will then cause a domino effect where civilization as we know it will breakdown into chaos.  The book describes the collapse of American society in brief detail, explaining that supply lines for food and fuel will likely grind to a halt, forcing a mass exodus of people out of cities into the suburbs and countryside.  He also outlines how the government will be completely crippled by this ensuing anarchy due to the rapid increase in desperation and decrease in essential services.  Despite this "most likely" scenario, Rawles also prepares readers to survive events like nuclear attacks on American soil.

This book becomes an invaluable resource in the incredibly detailed chapters about preparing for any collapse scenario; from your location and shelter, to food storage and production, water purification, tools and barter goods, medical supplies, bug-out bags, security measures, communication and much more. Rawles covers each of these categories, providing organized and thoughtful plans to implement self-sufficiency preparation.

It's worth listing the chapter titles to help better explain how very thorough this book is:

1. The Survival Mind-Set for Living in Uncertain Times
2. Priorities: Your List of Lists
3. The Survival Retreat
4. Water: A Key Resource
5. The Deep Larder: Your Family's Food Storage
6. Fuel and Home Power
7. Gardens and Livestock
8. Medical Supplies and Training
9. Communications and Monitoring
10. Home Security and Self-Defense
11. Firearms for Self-Sufficiency and Self-Defense
12. G.O.O.D. Vehicles and the Dreaded Trip Outta Dodge
13. Investing, Barter, and Home-Based Business
14. It Comes Down to You

Consequently, because the book is so detailed, it can be somewhat intimidating.  The second chapter labeled Priorities is immensely comprehensive and can seem impossible for readers to implement -- particularly those who feel the collapse is presently upon us.  However, Rawles' priority lists are indeed necessary for anyone who wishes to survive with relative comfort in the worst of times.  Readers should get to work on as much of the priority list as can be reasonably achievable.

Rawles is the consummate survival expert and consultant, yet he still says it is impossible to prepare on all the necessary levels without help.  And although he says he understands the instinct to go "lone wolf," he declares it is utterly foolish to believe you will be better off alone than with a group.  He states that this is especially true when it comes to security.  So, as we have pointed out in past articles, collapse survival will be tribal -- begin recruiting like-minded people now.

One especially important tip in the book that can be easily achievable for most people, and will help cover gaps in your preparation plan, is to stock up on pre-1965 dimes for bartering.  They are 1/10th of an ounce and contain roughly 90% troy silver.  In other words, if the dollar collapses and silver goes to $100 per ounce, then each dime will carry about $9 of trade value in today's marketplace.  Therefore, if you stock up on this "junk silver" while making other preparations, then you may be able to trade them for any shortcomings.

America's decline by all measures will likely snowball, gaining size and speed with each tumble, and ultimately result in an avalanche that covers her in a long winter of suffering.  In the end, this is a must-read book for anyone who feels that the fragile economic, environmental, and social system in America has tripped into decline.  Preparation is no longer just for the fringe of society, but for the whole of aware citizens.

RELATED ARTICLES:
10 Skills To Thrive in a Post-Collapse World
When Collapse Comes, FEMA Camps to Look Like Club Med?
Dare to Prepare: Collapse of Civilization Now Guaranteed

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Survival Letter: We Have Some Hard Decisions Ahead

Survival Blog

Dear SurvivalBloggers:

The economy has taken a dramatic turn for the worse for many Americans. Hundreds of pages could be written to describe how it happened and who did it. While many individuals and households have had the financial resources and good fortune which will allow them to weather economic uncertainty, many will simply not be able to maintain their standard of living. Many two income households are now one income households and that income may have decreased due to companies cutting back on work hours. This situation has been occurring for many Americans for many many months, forcing people to assess what is important and downgrade their lifestyle. The time to make hard decisions has arrived, and will dramatically alter the lives of many for years.

People who relied on spouses to pay the bills are now paying the bills. Those who have relied on savings and unemployment benefits to maintain their standard of living are now faced with the reality that those resources are exhausted. Bills are not being paid. Healthcare premiums are not being paid. Automobile and household maintenance is being neglected which will create costlier repairs down the road. Simply put:

• You might have to stop making your car payment and save those payments up to buy a used car. The car you currently have financed will be repossessed.
• You might have to stop paying your mortgage and save those payments up to move into an apartment.
• You might have to give up your healthcare, your magazine subscription, your club membership, your vacation plans, your charitable donations, your cell phone, your internet access or home phone service, your lawn care service, your financial support that you provide to friends and family who are having financial problems themselves, and many more expenditures not listed here.
• You might have to contact an attorney to discuss bankruptcy.
• You might have to sell off your possessions and assets.
• You might have to move in with other families, friends, relatives, or shelters provided by the government or charitable organizations.
• You may come to realize that what you thought was valuable and important to you has no value or significance at all.

Basic human needs will become the biggest priority in your life after you shed the things that have merely brought comfort and convenience to you. You may be forced to downscale your lifestyle so dramatically that it will cause you to question your own intelligence and hindsight for not planning for such a life changing event.
The things that you have always taken for granted could become difficult to obtain now that there is no longer enough money to buy those things. Basic needs become vital issues that need to be addressed:

• Food, and ‘non-electric’ means both to prepare it and store it.
• Portable water filtering devices and containers to store water for drinking, cooking, and bathing.
• Over the counter medicines, vitamins, supplements, first aid supplies, and some basic health and first aid literature in book form. Individuals using prescription medications, or require medical attention, will need to determine their best course of action during a period of financial distress.
• The need for shelter may require the purchase of a tent, camper trailer, and othercamping equipment if you can longer provide an actual roof over your head and have no one to turn to.
• The need for personal protection will become more obvious as desperate people begin to take desperate actions to provide basic needs for themselves and their families. The level of security you choose will be determined by your location, your finances, and your personal views and beliefs. If chaotic conditions occur lawless activity will surely follow. Past incidents of disaster and mayhem give testimony to this.

The times that we endure today will be the history that others will read tomorrow. History has shown us events that have destroyed some societies and created new ones to take their place. Those who rise to power often decide the fate of millions. And there have been times when a people rise up as a nation, united to achieve mutual goals of prosperity and hope for a better future. Today as a nation, Americans must uphold their moral convictions and beliefs that a nation of people that stand united will not perish. There are events occurring in this country that could change the very existence of our nation as we know it. And no one person or political party can decide the best course of action to insure our prosperity and hopes will not be taken away from us. The answer to our problems is right in front of us, and we must cling to it as if it is our only hope, because it is the only thing We The People have left: The Constitution of the United States of America .
We must set aside our differences and unite as a nation before those that would profit from our demise succeed in destroying us. - T.R. in, Florida

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