10 Books That Could Actually Save Your Life.jpg

10 Books That Could Save Your Life

These days, you can never be too prepared. In no particular order, here are the top picks for the best non-fiction survival books around (click links to buy).

10. The Prepper’s Blueprint: The Step-By-Step Guide To Help You Through Any Disaster, by Tess Pennington

The penultimate survival guide is written by best-selling author Tess Pennington, who was formally trained in emergency and disaster management response with the American Red Cross. Seriously.

It DOES NOT GET BETTER than this.The book is a veritable tome of information that will benefit anyone from a complete beginner to a hardcore, long-term survivalist.

“The goal of The Prepper’s Blueprint is to help you find freedom through self-reliance, and ultimately, to get you and your family to a point where you can not only survive, but thrive, in a world that may be permanently altered.”

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

No list of preparedness guides would be complete without a book by James Wesley, Rawles. They don’t call him the “Father of Survivalism” for nothing.

A former military man with one of the most comprehensive preparedness websites around, Rawles’ book is a reliably thorough overview of what you need to survive nearly any apocalyptic scenario.

“In How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It, James Rawles, founder of SurvivalBlog.com, clearly explains everything you need to know to protect yourself and your family in the event of a disaster-from radical currency devaluation to a nuclear threat to a hurricane.”  

(We also can’t wait for his new survival guide, coming in December)

8. The Survival Medicine Handbook: A Guide for When Help is Not on the Way, by Joe Alton, MD and Amy Alton, ARNP

This is THE definitive guide to emergency medical care when assistance may not be available. It is written by two medical professionals who also happen to be preparedness experts.  It’s a must-add to your preparedness library.

“The Survival Medicine Handbook ™ is not your standard first aid book. It assumes that no hospital or doctor is available in the aftermath of a catastrophic event. This book will give you the tools to handle injuries and illness for when YOU might be the end of the line with regards to your family’s medical well-being. “

7. Ebola Survival Handbook: A Collection of Tips, Strategies, and Supply Lists From Some of the World’s Best Preparedness Professionals, Lost Arts Publishing

In the vein of medical preparedness, this guide helps you to prepare for the strong possibility of an Ebola pandemic. The book is an anthology of information from some of the most popular preparedness websites and contains handy checklists to help you get ready fast for a worst-case scenario.

“It’s anyone’s best guess how soon this becomes a pandemic on American soil. While the Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization have both expressed serious concerns that we are on the brink of disaster, border enforcement agencies seem blithely unconcerned. It’s really up to you to protect your family.”

6. Urban Emergency Survival Plan: Readiness Strategies for the City and Suburbs, by Jim Cobb

Prolific preparedness author Jim Cobb helps you make a plan of action to survive if you’re in the city when disaster strikes.  This is his newest offering, and it’s very pertinent since, according to the US Census Bureau, more than 80% of Americans live in urban areas.

“Urban Emergency Survival Plan delivers a common-sense approach to urban survival planning rather than advocating that city survivalists need to figure out a way to grow an acre of food, raise goats, and build an underground bunker. The clearly outlined approach here will help you to reduce the risks inherent in disasters that occur in well-populated areas.”

5. The Pantry Primer: How to Build a One Year Food Supply in Three Months, by Daisy Luther

Preparedness blogger Daisy Luther documented building a one year pantry in three months.

This book is a quick read that is loaded with helpful tips and shopping lists to help you create a nutritionally sound pantry on a budget. The focus is on nutrient-dense whole food, home preservation, and frugal solutions.

“A one year food supply means freedom. It means that you are less subject to the whims of the economy. You can handle small disasters with aplomb. You aren’t reliant on the government if a crisis occurs. Being self-reliant begins with a pantry full of food.”

4. SAS Survival Handbook, Revised Edition: For Any Climate, in Any Situation, by John “Lofty” Wiseman

This tiny little book packs a huge punch. The compact size makes it a perfect addition to bug out bags, automobile glove boxes, or even purses.

“From basic campcraft and navigation to fear management and strategies for coping with any type of disaster, this complete course includes: being prepared, making camp, food. first aid, and disaster survival.” 

(Hint: It’s the perfect size to be tucked into a Christmas stocking!)

3. The Modern Survival Manual: Surviving the Economic Collapse, by Fernando “Ferfal” Aguirre

The author lived through the economic collapse of Argentina, and we can all benefit from his first-hand experience. The book is very comprehensive, but many find the most valuable information to be Ferfal’s insights on personal defense.

(Some strong language  for emphasis, in case you’re offended by that type of thing.)

“It’s about Attitude, and being a more capable person and get the politically correct wimp out of your system completely.”

2. Contact! A Tactical Manual for Post Collapse Survival, by Max Velocity

In a true disaster scenario, the tactical skills of your group my be all that stand between you and hordes of looters, starving people, and brutal criminals.

The author is a tactical, self-defense trainer and a lifelong soldier with extensive military experience.  His no-nonsense guide outlines how to protect your family and property, alone or with a trusted group.

“In a serious post-event scenario, one of total collapse with several months or years before recovery, families, groups and communities may be forced to create such tactical defense forces to protect personnel, loved ones and resources against hostile forces. There is something in this manual for both the tactical newbie and the military veteran. “

1. The Encyclopedia of Country Living, 40th Anniversary Edition: The Original Manual of Living Off the Land & Doing It Yourself, by Carla Emery

True, this isn’t a survival guide long the same lines as the other books, but we have to eat after the end of the world, right?

There is basically no question about farming left unanswered in the 40th edition of this comprehensive homesteaders’ guide.

The original book was written in 1969 and has been revised many times since, with up-to-the-minute wisdom. If you don’t have this book, your preparedness library is incomplete.

“The Encyclopedia of Country Living includes how to cultivate a garden, buy land, bake bread, raise farm animals, make sausage, can peaches, milk a goat, grow herbs, churn butter, build a chicken coop, catch a pig, cook on a wood stove, and much, much more. This comprehensive resource is the most authoritative guide available to a sustainable lifestyle and living off of the land.”

What’s in your library? Add your favorites in the comments below!

Reference: The Daily Sheeple;