Surviving with nothing.

[DWK2]

One of the guys at Dirttime suggested checking on a website about what did and did not work during and after the Argentine financial crisis nearly a decade ago. He gave me the link www.ferfal.blogspot.com. The fellow at Dirttime said it is interesting reading about what happens in an economic collapse but so far I haven't had time to do anything but skim it.

DancesWithKnives

 

[rwiggins]

Thanks for the tip about the book. I will pick that up right away!

 

[Loosearrow]

I also found "The Road" a tough, but interesting read. I noticed that because of the writing style, with no quotes, I had to pay closer attention to the flow so I wouldn't lose track of who was saying what.

As far as gold having value in those situations, I think some would find value in it, but not the mainstream population. In the book "Dies the Fire", food, medicine, and supplies were the valuable items. Like MrCoffee said, the people that had useful skills were like gold. Handymen, animal doctors and horse handlers, strong tactical leaders were highly prized in your group, and they measured every newcomer to see what skill they had to offer the group.

Glenn

I think the blacksmith would fit right in. Maker of knives, tools etc. The a very valuable skill for yourself and others. Now is the time to gather skills while you are young. Keep learning new crafts and gather tools along the way and know how to use them. It's been a fun ride for me to be able to make what I want, but can't put the truck in the garage. It will be one great garage sale for someone when I go.

 

[Loosearrow]

Gold is for the mistress -- silver for the maid --
Copper for the craftsman cunning at his trade."
"Good!" said the Baron, sitting in his hall,
"But Iron -- Cold Iron -- is master of them all."
~Rudyard Kipling, Cold Iron

I always liked that quote.

 

[m]

I agree Ravaillac, it is good to prepare. Still, we need to remember that no one survives this world forever. We all spend a lot less time on this side of the divide than on the other.

 

[desmobob]

I was in the northwoods and made the mistake of taking it as my only read. One third through, and I felt like slitting my wrist. Great, powerful style, but you need to read it on a sunny day in July, and not a freezing night with the wind shaking your cabin apart.

LOL!


Last fall, I took Hemingway's "A Farewell To Arms" as my only reading material for a solo backpack hunting trip. I'll never forget how pi**ed off I was when I got to the end. So depressing! I literally slammed the book closed and vowed to be sure to be more careful choosing books for future trips. :grumpy:


Stay sharp,
desmobob

PS-- for all you folks that like McCarthy, I think his best (by far) is "Blood Meridian." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_Meridian

 

[Marcelo Cantu]

His name became insignificant. The man's name was Dad.

 

[Foilist]

The Road is terrifying. If you are expecting a Mad Max-style adventure, this ain't it. It literally gave me nightmares ( I read it shortly after the birth of my daughter). That said, any book that can provoke such strong feelings is a good one.

Blood Meridian is possibly McCarthy's masterpiece, though it is an orgy of violence. Judge Holden is the most fascinating literary villain ever; there's a great scene where he MacGuyvers up some gun powder out of natural ingredients hastely gathered from the environment.

 

[Angus McGunnigl]

I really liked the book. I did not find it depressing at all.

 

[Tostig]

I didnt care much for The Road , the writing style gave me a headache.

Best SHTF book, IMO is Patriots by James Wesley Rawles, buy it - read it - love it !! There truly is not a better SHTF book out there , trust me. ( it not only is a very well written and researched novel but it actually teaches you things )

Gold , silver , bullets , beans , skills , seeds , gas , oil - you name it , it will all have some sort of value as long as there are people around who want/need it.

 

[dextersp1]

http://glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1108900

Similar thread at the above link