If you had to choose only one

**Shelli_wnj** · 08-06-2009, 08:53 PM

book on Survival and/or Preparedness what would it be? I come from a family who never thought twice about groceries on shelves and electricity from the pole. I feel we are more in danger of not having these things now than ever before and want to have at least some knowledge on these things. I know I need a stockpile, I am not sure what goes in it aside from foods we eat. What about milk/water/etc? Meats - they only last so long.

On that note, I know a stockpile is a good thing to have in an emergency, but isn't the ultimate plan to be self-sustaining? I come from a suburban town where money was king and gardens were a "cute hobby". If you grew veggies, people asked why. Our idea of a stockpile was having groceries for the week. If we ran out of something, we went to the store to get more that day.

I guess what I am asking is for a reference to learn how to be self sustaining - from scratch. I have almost no knowledge of it and don't even know where to start. Thanks!!!

**madhen** · 08-06-2009, 09:27 PM

It's probably not exactly what you are looking for, but my "go to" book for self-sufficiency is Reader's Digesst Back to Basics. It is an older book, but since the skills it teaches are all homesteading/survival skills, I don't think the age of the book is necessarily a bad thing.

**sunshine** · 08-06-2009, 09:33 PM

I agree with madhen -- that's the Bible of self sufficiency books. . . \

Mother Earth News has a lot of self - help books too, that I've found very informative. .. . lots of different ones based on your interest, etc.

**danni** · 08-07-2009, 01:15 AM

I just got that book a few months ago and absolutely love it!!!

**thefrug** · 08-07-2009, 07:35 AM

Do I have to choose only ONE? If so, then it would have to be The Encyclopedia of Country Living. It tells you EVERYTHING to live in the country.

Now, if I could go more than one, I'd take the EoCL and The Fox Fire series. I have 1-10 ( so far lol), and they tell you so much! Love them! We've had them since we were married(29yrs).

**Shelli_wnj** · 08-07-2009, 09:30 AM

Awesome resources! I will have to see if the library has any - otherwise, maybe I can order them online?

**Grainlady** · 08-07-2009, 09:43 AM

The book I'd suggest is The NEW Passport to Survival - 12 Steps to Self-Sufficient Living - by Rita Bingham. Her mother, Esther Dickey, wrote the original book and this is the new updated version.

Table of Contents

Part one:
-Why Store?
-What If?

Part two:
-Twelve-Step Program
Step 1-How to afford and maintain a year's supply
Step 2-Building your how-to library
Step 3-What, Why, Where and How to Store
Step 4-Water-How much to store and how to treat it
Step 5-Food - What does YOUR body really need?
Step 6-Food preparation equipment - What to use and how
Step 7-The switch to whole foods - Everyday recipes
Step 8-Keeping Clean - Sanitation and Misc. Supplies
Step 9-Energy - lights, keeping warm or cool
Step 10-Emergency Doctorin' - Home Health Care
Step 11-Growing, Sprouting and Harvesting
Step 12-Emergency Plans and 72-hour Kits

Part three:
-Helping Others
-Completing the Preparedness Picture

**thefrug** · 08-07-2009, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by Shelli_wnj

Awesome resources! I will have to see if the library has any - otherwise, maybe I can order them online?

I got the Encyclopedia at Borders. The Foxfire series, you MIGHT be able to find them online somewhere. We bought them back in 1980 (s). They were everywhere then. Thrift stores, flea markets. We just picked them up when we came across the ones we needed.

I may have to check out the one grainlady posted about. Sounds very interesting.

**frugrrl** · 11-01-2009, 04:59 PM

Since I couldn't limit it to just one, and someone already mentioned one of the two I would choose (Encyclopedia of Country Living by Carla Emery) I can now tell you the other one I would choose.

My other choice would be Making the Best of the Basics by James Talmage Stevens.

**brainyblonde** · 11-01-2009, 05:13 PM

Originally Posted by madhen

It's probably not exactly what you are looking for, but my "go to" book for self-sufficiency is Reader's Digesst Back to Basics. It is an older book, but since the skills it teaches are all homesteading/survival skills, I don't think the age of the book is necessarily a bad thing.

I bought a copy of this book used for my reference shelf. A lot of good information.

I also like the little Storey booklets. I've picked up a few of them over the years at yard sales.

**Jayceef** · 11-14-2009, 11:19 PM

If you want some survival fiction to read try One Second After and Patriots. They are good books for a look at what might possibly happen and gives you some insight as to what we should be prepared for. I am not a total believer that emps will happen, but I do think that an economic collapse could occur. I think that is mostly what I prepare for as I want to be able to feed my family for an extended period of time if necessary. As well as possible job layoffs and or job loss for whatever reason.

As for meats you can can a good supply of them and they will keep for some time. You can also get dehydrated stuff from several different companies that will keep for years. DH and I like to can red and white chili as well as beef and chicken stock. We figure if the power goes out here during winter storms we will have some easy food to eat that just needs to be heated. We would do that on our fireplace and or kerosene stove.

**Jeeg** · 12-21-2009, 02:27 PM

My favorite is the Encyclopedia of Country Living. It's the all around best treasure trove of information.

Since someone already suggested that one, I'm going to say "Putting Food By" written by Janet Greene. That and the Ball Blue Book of Canning are the two best resources dedicated to preserving your own food (in addition to the Encyclopedia mentioned above).

**udwe** · 12-23-2009, 07:17 PM

Backwood Home Magazine has the Foxfire series and Amazon has most, I think.

**lparker** · 12-26-2009, 09:53 AM

You had me thinking I missed something - Encyclopedia of Country Living by Carla Emery - whoa, that's what Random house or whoever called it when they bought it. I have a 1975 mimeographed Old Fashioned Recipe Book by Carla Emery - from when she printed and collated it herself.

That said, that book would help you if we got knocked back into the '50s. If TSHTF, you would have to know how to make a fire without matches, make cordage, build shelters, hunt, fish, recognize/use edible and medicinal plants. Most people don't want to think about the possibility circumstances could take us back that far....but you can get there yourself if you make a wrong turn hiking in, say, the Great Smoky National Park.

A couple books that would help - Larry Dean Olsons, Outdoor Survival Skills and Tom Browns Field Guide to Wilderness Survival