About a year ago, we tossed up a list of a few books that we consider to be essential reading for those interested in preparedness. Now, truth be told, I maintain a list of about 75 books I recommend. But that can be a little overwhelming for the new folks.
With that in mind, we’ll continue to tackle this in smaller bites. Here are four more books that you should consider keeping on hand for future reference. It’s important to understand that the knowledge and information contained between the covers of these books won’t seep into your brain via osmosis. You’re going to actually have to read them.
Essential Reading for Preppers
Food Preps 2.0 by Glen Tate and Shelby Gallagher
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One of the chief concerns of preppers is having a reliable food supply. I’d bet that’s what brings a lot of people to the prepping table, to be honest. A desire to make sure your family won’t starve in the wake of a crisis.
In this comprehensive book, longtime preppers Glen Tate and Shelby Gallagher take a deep dive into food preps. They cover everything from how to store food properly for maximum shelf life to what types of foods to consider, as well as a variety of preservation methods. Everything from MREs to home-canned to store-bought foods is discussed in detail.
Suburban Defense by Don Shift
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The author, Don Shift, is a veteran of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, and in this book he approaches the subject of home and neighborhood defense with a refreshingly realistic viewpoint. The goal isn’t to turn readers into some sort of John Wick knockoff. He acknowledges that most people haven’t been training in military tactics for years.
Instead, he adapts military and law enforcement strategies for the layperson. He discusses a wide range of topics, including communication needs, hardening the home, defending neighborhoods and apartment complexes, and even how to deal with law enforcement.
The Survival Medicine Handbook by Joseph Alton, MD, and Amy Alton, APRN
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As far as I’m concerned, this book is absolutely required for every survival and preparedness library. It is the go-to resource for medical needs in austere settings. I’ll grant you that this isn’t the type of book most people would just sit and read cover to cover. But you should at least be familiar with what’s covered, so you can find what you need in a hurry.
The Altons are very highly regarded in the prepper world, and for good reason. They know their stuff, and they’re very adept at teaching and training.
Disaster Prepping for Dummies by David E. Stevens
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I’m a big fan of the …for Dummies series of books. They’re a great resource, easy to read, and filled with solid information. The author, David Stevens, is a former Navy pilot and has spent years immersed in preparedness. In this book, you’ll learn everything from how to develop a survival mindset to how to make sure you’ll have water to drink when the taps run dry. Every bit of advice is practical and down-to-earth.
He also delves into specific disaster scenarios, such as natural disasters, wars, and extended power outages, offering strategies for addressing the unique risks each presents. All in all, this is an excellent primer for the budding prepper as well as a great reference for those who’ve been around a while.