Survival Books, Tools, and Resources

Recently by M.D. Creekmore: Preparing for Power Blackouts – Plan Ahead and You Can Weather Any Storm

I’ve had this post floating around in my head for the past several months, but never did anything with it. Other things, kept getting in the way or another post seemed more timely. However, if you just discover one great book, product, or resource from this list, then reading the article is invaluable to you.

Everything here is a genuine recommendation, meaning that I actually read all the blogs, have read all the books, and use all the products. I would love to make this a community discussion as well, so please feel free to share your favorite resources in the comments below.

6 Blogs

While these aren’t the only blogs and websites that I read, these are my favorites. No, I may not agree with everything that is said all the time, but each has something to offer. I’ve listed them below (in no particular order):

SurvivalBlog.com

I don’t have to say much about Jim Rawles site SurvivalBlog.com, since I’m sure 99% of you know it anyway. He has some great guest posts, but I mainly visit for the links posted in the ”Economics and Investing” and “Odds ‘n Sods” sections.

Bison Survival Blog

James M Dakin has been blogging for years, and while he does have a tendency to run on about nothing from time to time, he writes about what he feels regardless of who it rips. If you’re easily offended then you would probably be better off skipping this blog, however if you like a good laugh with an occasional bit of survival advice thrown in you won’t be disappointed.

Living Freedom

Living freedom is a blog by Claire Wolfe that is published on the Backwoods Home Magazine website – for those of you who don’t know Claire is the author of several books including The Freedom Outlaw’s Handbook: 179 Things to Do ‘Til the Revolution, Don’t Shoot the Bastards (Yet): 101 More Ways to Salvage Freedom, I Am Not A Number!: Freeing America From the ID State, and The Bad Attitude Guide to Good Citizenship.

Ask Jackie

This is another blog hosted on the Backwoods Home Magazine website – it is a great blog loaded that is loaded with hands on homesteading know how and advice. Jackie is an expert gardener, preserver and homesteader. Well worth the time to read her posts.

Say Uncle

This is one of the first blogs, I ever read and still read regularly. Expect five or more short posts per day, with some great links to other sites related to firearms. If you’re interested in any aspect of firearms, gun laws or self-defense, then you should definitely check this site out.

The self-sufficient Gardener

Authored by my blog friend Jason Akers, this blog features advice one gardening efficiently, responsibly and sustainably. If you remember, Jason did a video for The Survivalist Blog entitled ”How to Build A Quail Tractor” and a guest post “4 Unique Ways to Preserve Food“. The Self-Sufficient Gardener is another blog to keep an eye on.

13 Books

The Bible

Need I say more… I read at least one chapter everyday. This is the greatest survival book of all time.

The Encyclopedia of Country Living (by Carla Emery)

A wealth of information related to homesteading and survival – in this book you’ll find advice on gardening, preserving, saving seeds, maple sugaring, raising, feeding, and caring for all types of livestock, beekeeping, butchering and more. This was my go to book when I first moved off the grid.

The New Self-Sufficient Gardener (by John Seymour)

If you raise a garden then this book is a must – loaded with information on growing fruits, vegetables, composting, whole gardens, greenhouses, chicken coops, trellising, beekeeping, pruning, grafting. This is a must have book in the survival library and one that has a place in my bookshelf.

The Backyard Homestead: Produce all the food you need on just a quarter acre! (by Carleen Madigan)

Most of us don’t have 20 or more acres to grow food and raise livestock, instead we have to get it done on one or two acres and this book will help you do it. You can read my full review here. If you want to become more self-reliant on your small acreage then you need this book.

Where There Is No Doctor and Where There Is No Dentist (by Hesperian Foundation)

Both of these books are a must for the survival medical library, if you don’t have these get them now. Both are available for free download from Hesperian.org, so even if you’re broke (or just cheap) you have no excuse – I suggest you buy a paper copy or print and bind the pages in a notebook.

Survival Poaching (by Ragnar Benson)

According to my survival plan, harvesting wild game will be of utmost importance in supplementing my garden and food storage. Survival Poaching includes many detailed plans for traps, snares and deadfalls that can be used to procure deer, elk, bear, moose, beaver, mink, muskrat, trout, salmon, grouse, pheasant, duck and more. Also get a copy of Buckshot’s Complete Survival Trapping Guide and Into The Primitive: Advanced Trapping Techniques to complete your survival trapping library.

How to Live on Wheat (by John Hill)

This is one of my favorite books on using wheat. It includes information on types of wheat, how to store, essence bread, pan bread, sprouting, sourdough, food combination, baking, bread making, gluten meat substitute, pasta, improvised bread making, dumplings, cast iron cookery, salads, biscuits, pancakes, hominy, corn bread, tempeh and more. You can read my full review here.

Barnyard in Your Backyard (by Gail Damerow)

Basic information to get you started raising chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits, goats, sheep, and cows. This book offers a great overview for each animal with a lot of ground covered, but I suggest you also get another books specific each animal you are raising.

Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving (by Altrista Consumer Products)

You can find this book at most supermarkets and hardware stores where canning jars and lids are sold. In my opinion, it’s the best how to do it (canning) book available, with a wealth of photos, charts and instructions. If you preserve your own food then you need this book.

Secrets of Self-Healing (by Dr. Maoshing Ni)

As you know, I’m not a big fan of prescription medications or western medical thinking, preferring instead a more natural solution if possible and this is the book, I turn to most often. Secrets of Self-Healing covers diet, exercise and natural remedies for more than sixty-five common ailments, such as sore throat, dandruff, headaches, high blood pressure, sunburn, insect bites, indigestion and more.

3 Products

Mora of Sweden Knives

At less than $20 each Mora Knives are hard to beat, I have one in my bug out bag, in my tool box, fishing tackle box, in my hunting pack and in the kitchen. They are light weight, sharp and well made. This is the knife carried by Cody Lundin on Duel Survival. Get several.

Wonder Junior Hand Grain Mill

I’ve used this mill for a couple of months now and I have been delighted with the performance thus far – a top of the line product. If you use whole grains in you survival food storage plan then you need a mill – for the price, the Wonder Junior is as good as it gets. Read my full review here.

Big Berkey Water Filter

In most cases acquiring a good at home water filter should be your first survival priority – my favorite is the Big Berkey System. It’ll purify raw water from lakes, streams and stagnant ponds etc. I use mine to filter all of my drinking and cooking water. Find out how to make a cheap homemade version here.

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M.D. Creekmore [send him mail] is a full-time blogger and preparedness consultant. He currently lives completely off-grid somewhere in the Appalachian mountains and is the author of the book The Dirt Cheap Survival Retreat published by Paladin Press. To connect with M.D. Creekmore please visit his Survival Blog.