Book recommendation: City/suburban survival by Tom Brown

M

MG_Saldivar

Joined
Feb 5, 2005
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I just received a copy of Tom Brown's Guide to City and Suburban Survival from Amazon. I've only read the first chapter but I'm extremely impressed.

I've never read any of Brown's books before. I know of his reputation and have seen him interviewed, and I know he contributed to "The Hunted," but I didn't know what to expect from this book.

Brown argues that urban and suburban areas offer as many avenues for survival as do wilderness areas, but like the wilderness, one needs to be away of the "hows" and "whys" of cities to survive. Brown offers advice on how to find edible plants in urban areas, how to identify possible prey animals, how to make simple repairs on electrical and mechanical systems, and other topics.

For <$12 new from Amazon, I think it's a great addition to one's survival/preparedness library, whether you live in a city or spend time in one.
 
I own most of his books, but this one has slipped by me. Thanks for the heads up, I will have to check it out.
 
Too bad his knowledge doesn't extend to the self-defense realm, pass most of what he says on that subject.
 
I briefly flipped through his chapter on urban crime -- it didn't stand out as good or bad from my cursory glance but I'll evaluate it more critically when I get to it.

Would you mind describing some of your concerns about Brown's views? (I'm not challenging you, I'm just interested in your take.)
 
MG,

In general, on page 173 and there is mention earlier than that as well, he advises against guns and knives for self-defense as they can be used against you. He waffles a bit, one time he says if you are not trained, later on, flatly states it.

Given the time when it was written, early to mid 1980s, he was just regurgitating liberal "advice" on whistles, etc.
 
Ah. Well, that's disappointing. As I wrote earlier, I'm not yet to that spot in the book but I did notice the copyright is 1983 - perhaps he'll publish a second edition someday that updates some of that advice, and incorporates other 'new stuff' like FEMA camps and whatnot...

Still, from one chapter out of ten, I do feel it's a compelling read. I'll post my thoughts whenever I finish reading it.
 
Yeah, if you ignore the mystical nonsense, debris hut BS and the self-defense advice, it is NOT a bad book. There is some good stuff in it. I bought mine at a used bookstore for a couple of bucks, I would not pay full price for it just because I don't like paying full price for anti-gun, anti-knife and anti-self-defense rhetoric, I can buy a newspaper for that.
 
His methods are very suspect and many didnt like his courses.

there are better more well rounded authors and instructors out there.

Skam
 
Hey Guys...

Does he Explain how to change the oil in his 4 MPG Hummer in a Environmentally friendly way ?

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
Unfortunately I own three of his books (Bought them all at once) and learned nothing new, that I hadn't read before.

When he started with the Grandfather anecdote mumbo-jumbo, I lost all interest, since it was clearly tailored as part allegory / part fact.
 
He has a survival book geared towards teachin' kids, I used this book with my daughter and neighborhood kids, all three of 'em :).

It helps.
 
I just added the book to me Amazon wish list. Maybe I'll get it someday. Rather than focusing on well-rounded authors, I prefer to maintain a well-rounded library. I'm all for taking in as much info as I can, and then filtering it from there.

Speaking of books, And not to hijack the thread, I was ambling through an antique store this past weekend and found Ranar Benson's Live off the Land in the City or the Country. It was cheap, so I snagged it. I haven't plunged into it yet. I see it was published in the early 80s by Paladin Press, so I do not expect anything earth-shattering out of it.
 
Don Rearic said:
debris hut BS
Click to expand...

He's big-time into debris huts, for sure. Are you opposed to them in general (and why?) or just in the urban setting? I've used them with success for years and before I ever read Tom Brown.

Seems like I've read this in the past... vaguely remember something about him saving the world, or just the bums, by teaching them to build debris huts in the parks or something. Big Medicine. :)
 
I'm part American Indian and quite frankly, I find that angle he uses to be repulsive and full of feces. Debris hut? Well, OK, if all of the material to build it is bone dry, that's requirement one. Requirement two would be after the first frost because the idea of having a bunch of ticks to remove is more than a little counterproductive.

All of that having been said, his material is not a total loss, no matter what any troll might have to say about it. I'd rather have coffee with Tom Brown than shake hands with a retarded troll.
 
Nemoaz,

Received E-mail and fired you back two. Catch you tomorrow or Sunday, sorry for the misunderstanding. :foot:
 
Nordic Viking said:
Unfortunately I own three of his books (Bought them all at once) and learned nothing new, that I hadn't read before.

When he started with the Grandfather anecdote mumbo-jumbo, I lost all interest, since it was clearly tailored as part allegory / part fact.
Click to expand...

Rodger that. The grandfather business kills me, and the loincloth/smear yourself with mud bit?

Somewhat gay, in the purest South Park meaning.
 
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