How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It: Tactics, Techniques, and Technologies for Uncertain Times [Paperback]

Rawles brings to this overview of possible scenarios resultant from an TEOTWAWKI event a level of perception and concise explanation largely missing in other books on the subject. The wide scope of the book is designed to give a clear overview of incidents and alternative solutions to meet them; he brings a military-crispness and precision to his explanations that cuts through to the heart of the matter(s). Being ex-mil, having taught search and rescue, wilderness, desert, mountain, and snow survival, and having served on the receiving end of less-than-successful rescues, i'm frankly dumbfounded by the criticism i read to the effect that Rawles 'goes to far' in his scenarios. i would beg to differ: Like any emergency/first aid/first responder texts, Rawles covers scenarios one is likely to encounter under the outlined circumstances; imho, *not* to include the full range of these possibilities would be a grave disservice to the serious 'prepper' who wants a 'full field view' of issues they may have to face. 

Another criticism, that of being to 'general', misses the mark as well: Rawles covers broad topics [Medical/First Aid; Gardening, etc.] and as such, it's unrealistic to expect either advanced MEDIVAC protocols or detailed instructions on planting early corn in Alabama. Such a book would be untenable, large [and expensive] beyond belief, and i don't believe that was the author's objective. 

What Rawles *does* offer is a surprisingly comprehensive, detailed view that allows the reader to 'custom tailor' the information to their specific situations. No base is left uncovered, and, perhaps as importantly, he warns against many of the common mistakes that folks unfamiliar with the subjects make, many of which avert certain disaster. He also answers many of the questions that do/will arise: can you use diesel in a kerosene latern? 

Further, specific suppliers are mentioned, making selection/purchase/securement as simple as it can get, and generally at the best prices [at least WITHOUT SACRIFICING QUALITY: REMEMBER: IN A TEOTWAWKI EVENT, IF YOUR CHEPO FUEL STOVE DOESN'T WORK UNLESS YOU'VE MADE PREPARATIONS, YOU EAT COLD DINNER-at best...]. 

Overall, the book, like his website, gives as much valuable information in one place as is realistically possible. My impression is that Rawles set out to provide the reader with an extremely detailed 'check list', complete with referrals for materials, should any of the multitude of possible situations currently showing on our 'event horizon' occur: Earthquakes, food shortages, gas/food rationing, etc., and most disturbing, social unrest. In the view of someone with first-hand experience in disasters [as well as the abomination known as 'war'], Rawles succeeds spectacularly.