Survival Reading – Books for the Summer Book Bag

Gaye Levy, Contributor
Activist Post

For many of us, summer is a time when we fill up the book bag and head to the mountains or the beach for a little R&R. This year, why not add some survival reading materials to the book bag?

Over the past few months, I have acquired a number of books relating to prepping and survival. Some I have read and others are still in the queue. Alas, it is my intent to put up reviews on all of them, but until I gather my somewhat scattered wits about me, I thought I would provide you with a list so that you can pick and choose for yourself.

Without Rule of Law: A Review

This is a tough book to read, and more than once I put it down thinking that I was not going to go back. But I did.

Without Rule of Law: Advanced Skills to Help You Surviveby Joe Nobody, is a manual for surviving in a hostile, post-SHTF world. It is about avoiding bad people – the kind of people we hope we will never have to meet. It is also about the most dire strategies for survival including but not limited to breaking and entering in order to scavenge and pilfer when there is no other choice.

How to hide, how to evade, how to infiltrate and how to scavenge are covered in great detail including photos, explicit and detailed drawings, checklists and drills. Although some of the drills seem difficult, they are designed for non-military types and can be performed by ordinary citizens that are in reasonable physical condition. One thing the author says that I agree with is that having the right attitude will go a long way toward ensuring success in completing the drills and simulations.

In my opinion, the best section of this book was the portion that describes how to hide in plain sight. Joe calls this “urban camouflage” and I feel this section is worth the cost of the book.

Finally, I would like to quote the author in saying:

I hope no one ever has to utilize the content of this book. If an event does occur, my prayers will be for all of us…

Survival Reading – Take Your Pick

The following books are newer additions the survival bookshelf with reviews coming up soon:

Build the Perfect Bug Out Bag: Your 72-Hour Disaster Survival Kit: This book shows you how to create a self-contained disaster preparedness kit to help you survive your journey from ground zero to a safer location. Survival expert Creek Stewart details from start to finish everything you need to gather for 72 hours of independent survival – water, food, protection, shelter, survival tools, and so much more.

Modern Survival: How to Cope When Everything Falls Apart: Tornadoes, floods, and terrorism—frightening events like these are in thenews every day, and it’s likely you already know someone who’s been affected by such a terrifying ordeal. Modern Survival is the ultimate guide for all you need to know about surviving in the modern world. Barry Davies, who spent eighteen years in the British Special Air Service, teaches readers how to go on living with the bare necessities when everything you knew as normal suddenly slips away. From war to earthquakes, Davies will help you prepare so that you’re not only able to survive, but are also able to continue on with your life healthily and successfully once the dust has settled.

Maximizing Your Mini Farm: Self-Sufficiency on 1/4 Acre: Mini farming describes a holistic approach to small-area farming that will show you how to produce 85 percent of an average family’s food on just a quarter acre—and earn $10,000 in cash annually while spending less than half the time that an ordinary job would require.

There are tips, tricks, and planning advice on how to make the most of your mini farm.

Keep your costs down and production high with this complete guide to maximizing your mini farm—whether it’s a rooftop urban garden, a suburban backyard, or a more substantial plot of land.

Herbivoracious: A Flavor Revolution with 150 Vibrant and Original Vegetarian Recipes: For those seeking a mostly plant-based diet, there is lots of advice on how to craft vegetarian meals that amply deliver protein and other nutrients. The introductory chapter lays out the simple steps you can take to outfit a globally inspired pantry of seasonings and sauces that make meatless food and meatless meals come alive.

Colloidal Silver Medical Uses, Toxicology & Manufacture: This book is a comprehensive, current and objective reference on colloidal silver. It is a thorough review of old and recent scientific and medical literature on the medical and toxicological aspects of silver colloids.

Surviving Survivalism – How to Avoid Survival Culture Shock: The authors, Dan and Sheila, have been living the survivalist lifestyle going on seven years and share their understanding of what it takes. Whether you are expecting to survive economic collapse, 2012, Planet X, pole shift or “the end of the world as we know it” (TEOTWAWKI) this book will show you the heart of surviving.

Coming soon from George Ure


Broken Web: The Coming Collapse of the Internet: This one is actually a beta copy of a new book from my pal George Ure. 
 If you have been concerned about the Internet kill switch, government censorship, or simply our planet going off-grid for awhile, you will want to grab a copy of Broken Web.

I cannot say for sure when it will be ready – probably in about six weeks. 

 As I read it, I find it to be fascinating fodder for introspection relative to the dependence we have on online communications.



A Freebie – The Original Boy Scout Manual

Last, and definitely not least, is the Original Boy Scouts Handbook, circa 1911. That’s right. This is the original. Lots of different formats are available including epub, text, HTML, Kindle and more. Copies are absolutely free at the Project Gutenberg site. Click here for the Handbook for Boys, 1911.

Now, if for some reason you prefer a printed copy, you can also find a really nice version will all sorts of color photographs at Amazon. Boy Scouts Handbook: Original 1911 Edition is a facsimile reprint of the very first Boy Scouts Handbook, complete with the wonderful vintage advertisements that accompanied the original 1911 edition.

The Final Word

Summer time is a great time to curl up with a good book. And while the latest novel from James Patterson or John Grisham may be a fun read, take some time to bone up on your survival skills, learn to cook something new from scratch, or expand your mind and soul as you develop the perfect survival mindset.

Read other articles by Gaye Levy here.

Enjoy your next adventure through common sense and thoughtful preparation!


Gaye Levy, the SurvivalWoman, grew up and attended school in the Greater Seattle area. After spending many years as an executive in the software industry, she started a specialized accounting practice offering contract CFO work to emerging high tech and service industries. She has now abandoned city life and moved to a serenely beautiful rural area on an island in NW Washington State. She lives and teaches the principles of a sustainable, self-reliant and stylish lifestyle through emergency preparation and disaster planning through her website at BackdoorSurvival.com. SurvivalWoman speaks her mind and delivers her message with optimism and grace, regardless of mayhem swirling around us.  Enjoy your next adventure through common sense and thoughtful preparation!

var linkwithin_site_id = 557381;

linkwithin_text=’Related Articles:’


Activist Post Daily Newsletter

Subscription is FREE and CONFIDENTIAL
Free Report: How To Survive The Job Automation Apocalypse with subscription

Be the first to comment on "Survival Reading – Books for the Summer Book Bag"

Leave a comment