101 How can I build up a survival library?

Every survivalist will have differing needs for survival knowledge. No one can remember everything they need to know to survive in every situation, so it is essential that a survivalist assemble a library of reference and instructional books as part of an overall preparedness program. While websites, search engines, and online videos are useful tools, they are not a substitute for well-written and illustrated volumes. Storing survival knowledge on electronic devices or depending on access to the internet in a disaster contradicts basic survival reasoning.

The choice of survival reading should be based on what is anticipated and the most probable challenges. Someone living in an urban area would need to have books on self-defense, crime survival, home preparedness, and basic disaster situations, but would not need to know much about wilderness survival, fire building, or animal trapping. Someone who lives in more rural areas or spends a lot of time in the outdoors (e.g., camping, fishing, hiking) may need more traditional books that cover outdoor survival skills. A basic first aid manual is a good place to start. There are many books on surviving natural disasters such as tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes that would apply to almost everyone. Military “survival” manuals are usually slanted toward outdoor and escape-and-evasion skills, but some also cover nuclear, chemical and biological survival. Once you have the basic survival information for getting through the most likely situations with water, food, shelter, and other essentials, you can start buying books that enhance your longer-term needs. Advanced medical skills, foraging, gardening, bartering, food preservation, and general self-reliant living is your “phase two” library. Do not overlook books that address the psychological and philosophical aspects of survival. Will and mental conditioning are as important as supplies and skills. Reading stories of how others survived disasters or being lost throughout history can be entertaining, inspirational, and educational.

Building up a good variety of books about outdoor and home emergency survival can be essential. You cannot be dependent on the internet for information once a disaster situation is in progress.