Random Thoughts

From the Desk of John Rourke – June 13th, 2017

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I would appreciate your input on this.

I have started a new book. Often authors do not put forth much in details on book projects as they are fearful of someone stealing their ideas and they also like to build anticipation. In my case, the preparedness-genre of books has just about everything you can think of already written so my book will be a variation of what is already out there – most likely.

No BS Survival Plan, book, ebook, Kindle, prepper, preparedness,

The title will be something along the lines of “The No BS Survival Plan“.  I am anticipating it being upwards of only 50-75 pages as it will be written plainly and very simply – no “BS”. I am not going into the history of food storage or delve into the multitude of reasons the economy could collapse. No AK versus AR or 9mm versus 45ACP. I’m getting to the point and telling it like it is.

Here is my question to all of you –

What are your thoughts on such a book?

The feedback I am looking for is what would YOU look for out of a book – Kindle or paperback – with that title and what I have told you? Obviously, there are particulars with everyone’s own individual situation that would require any plan to be customized however I have some firm beliefs I will provide for developing a preparedness plan.

Appreciate any suggestions, insights, and advice.

◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊

FYI – I have partnered with a large food storage solution company and we are having a giveaway. The announcement Thursday with all the details. Stay tuned.

◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊

Had an opportunity to check out a Falcon 37 HABU Mod-1 Charging Handle. Very impressed and interested. I anticipate incorporating these into my upcoming builds.

There are many reasons why so many love their Kindle and Amazon Fire tablets. One huge advantage is you could literally go years without every buying a book to read as there are tons of free eBooks available. Don’t have a Kindle or Fire? No problem. There are apps that can be installed on most any cell phone or computer for free. No excuses!

Today’s Freebies

Do It Yourself Projects for Survival

Off the Grid Lifestyle

Survival Gear Every Prepper Needs

Survival Collection: Create Homemade Weapons

NOTE: If you see a free preparedness eBook that you’re interested in get it now. Prices change often and there is no way to tell how long the book will remain free. Before purchasing a free Kindle book on Amazon make certain the book is still free by making sure the price is $0.00. If it lists a price or says “read for free” or has a price for Prime members the book is not free anymore.

 

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45 Comments

  2. Clark says:

    I would say there’s going to be a lot of us who don’t have a retreat location set up yet, I like I’m sure the majority of preppers don’t have the money to buy our plan “b” property yet, and have a feeling that this will be what the situation will be when it does finally hit the fan, I think we all need to have a plan for if we have to bug out, get away from the most serious threat in almost all scenarios “other people” what do we do, where do we go, short of aimlessly going out into the woods. Most of us preppers will have a ton of gear, but how far can we get if there’s no gas? Do we look for vacant homes off the beating path, I have box trailer for my jeep, 6 Jerry cans, another 5 plastic 5 gallon gas cans, with it fully loaded, I think I can have about a 600 mile range without refueling, but I’m in southwest Florida one of the most densely populated states, I don’t think long term survival is feasible here, that’s 350 miles to state line, then another 350 through Georgia, then I’ll be within striking distance of the mountains I grew up in on a farm, I always seem to gravitate to that area in my mind when thinking about bugging out, one reason is it feels like home to me maybe, another is the very low spread out population there, and not to mention the other farmers who will be able to sustain themselves and not be a threat, I could offer them extra security for a place on their land. But then I think about the far north, the places with very cold winters, they tend to be much more prepared than the southern states, they deal with being snowed in for weeks sometimes and are used to not having help when it happens, a place like that where your neighbors are somewhat prepared as a whole offers a lot of appeal, less chance of your neighbors coming to take what you have, less chance of massive migrations of population to to get to warm areas to survive off the land as well, what would you do rourke? On a personal note, my 15 year old daughter passed away this Sunday, she lived with her grandparents in Texas, she went to her friends to stay the weekend, Sunday morning when they found her she had passed away, all the police have told me is some time Saturday night a older boy showed up, and there was alcohol involved, their doing a i’ autopsy, and supposed to release her body today or tomorrow, I’m leaving for Texas Thursday, my mom is meeting me there from Arizona, and my brother and his fiancé are also flying out with me, please keep me and my family in your prayers.

    Reply
    1. JR says:

      You are definitely going to be on my mind and in my prayers Clark. Terrible news and I cannot begin to comprehend that situation. I can only wish it had not happened and pray for healing and comfort.

      Reply
    2. Capt.Michaels says:

      Clark, I will be lifting your up in prayers. If there is anything I can do to help from the Houston Metro area send an email to Rourke and we can make contact. I think your first paragraph was very insightful and true for a lot of people. Again, my prayers are with you.

      Reply
      1. Clark says:

        Thank you very much, right now I’m trying to keep myself busy, as much as I can anyways, really appreciate your thought captain michaels

        Reply
  3. floidb says:

    A super idea, and I’d say your plan to keep personal preferences and pitches for specific products out of it will be a great help… just the basic facts of what will need to be done and in order of importance.
    To expound a bit on Clark’s entry, there are many that will not have the luxury of a place to retreat to… and I’d bet the majority will have to stick it out right where they are. turning your home into your survival space or fortress, as it will be, is a probability.
    thanks for your site, your thoughts, and your insight, great job!

    Reply
    1. Clark says:

      I hear about bugging in as a option a lot, but I don’t think people fully understand, once power is gone a lot of things are going to happen that many people don’t understand, every city has many, many pumps for sewage. Think about it for a minute. I’m a general contractor, I do work for cities and state and federal at times, all those pumps have back up generators and with good reason, all pipes for all those hundreds of miles, in large cites thousands of miles of drainage can’t all go down hill, rain water is often pumped into those same lines, without those pumps working every home in America tied to city sewage without backflow preventers (this is rear, and more often than not fail to work) will be overflowing with sewage in matter of a couple days…. each and every neighbor will be starving, looking for any signs of normal, people will be desperate like we’ve never seen, they will begin forming groups, going door to door looking for abandoned resources at first, but after a few days, I doubt you find anyone that cares if your still there or not, the fact that you are will entice them to want to know what you have even more, I thing bugging in in any city is going to be suicide unless you have enough people, bullets, guns, and food to keep four guards patrolling all four sides of your home at all times, and even if their extremely covert, you will eventually be seen by a group, this will happen after first week, large gangs praying on anyone they can, and they will eventually find you and yours and not stop until you or them are dead, use the prison on walking dead as a example, these are my thoughts, God I hope I’m wrong.

      Reply
      1. goingray58 says:

        No question Urban living woudl be very much different than Rural.. in magnitude if not in substance. You can certainly make up for water, sanitation and Electricity with various methods. With light discipline you could avoid SOME notice. Security woudl require a group in number as you suggest. It would likely take more than a week for average folks, but the bad guys would take advantage immediately after police pressure goes slack. Eventually attrition woudl make you lose out, because you woudl have to succeed 100% of the time. They only have to succeed once. I doubt urban BI woudl succeed unless you have a fireproof ballistic fortress. But then I don’t think TEOTWAWKI is what will happen… Pieces… and parts certainly and by region… I think we might be more resilient nationally than that.. by region. Like a Katrina on a grander scale… and less government assistance… if any. You need a group or a tribe of varied skills.

        Reply
  4. Gary Cochran says:

    The book sounds good, here in northwest Ohio temps get to 100 plus in the summer to 22 below in winter, survival is often overlooked in these states.People often as well as animals get overlooked(not much help from the government) hope you can cover something like this situation

    Reply
  5. Brad M says:

    I have found that too many people look for “GEAR” to solve their problems so a book where the focus in on the objective, skills and then reference the possible gear options for accomplishing the objective. Also keeping the process SUPER simple is a great idea. I see people going over how to start a fire with a bow drill or hand drill, but its like “Hey try a lighter, and save some space and weight in your pack”. Not to mention working smart, not hard. If they need the skills to survive, they will be expending enough energy just surviving.

    Another thing I see is that people start with what interests them, instead of prioritizing by survival need. Rule of 3’s. 3 Minutes w/o Air, 3 hours w/o shelter in extreme environments, 3 days w/o water, 3 weeks w/o food. Then move on to safety and security. You can’t eat a bullet and survive, and you can only make holes with bullets, not plug them.

    Leave Hindsight to the unprepared is my motto. I look forward to reading your book!

    Reply
  6. GotUR6 says:

    We all have our own ideas of what we would do if the SHTF actually occurs. I live in the DFW Metroplex. And while I do have a bug-out location about 250 miles away in west Texas, getting there will be my problem. My wife and I cannot afford to leave our jobs in the city. So we would leave only when some black swan event happens. But… getting out of the Metroplex may be all but impossible after the fact. I’ve run numerous scenarios utilizing a multitude of alternate routes and none of them seem realistic when everyone else is trying to leave at the same time. We could bug-in at home and be OK for a good while. I do have a few friends in my neighborhood that have prepper tendencies, but I still wouldn’t want to stay long. I think the suburbs will turn into a nightmare soon after the food runs out. But if I waited until the roads cleared a little would I be able to get out at all? I’m afraid the have-nots would be blockading all the bridges/major intersections and robbing (and killing?) everyone moving with anything of value. I am very conflicted. So I guess if your book could cover this kind of scenario I would be interested. I’ve purchased several “basic” bug out books and didn’t find much of value I hadn’t already considered. But good luck, I may be farther along than most of the folks out there who still have their heads stuck in the sand!

    Reply
    1. Capt.Michaels says:

      <—Raises hand. Cough, cough. Our group is in the same situation GotUr6. We live in the Houston Metro area, West of Houston. Suggestion or thought. Our group has decided on a simple, basic, EMP proof plan. Old tractors. You can buy a really old tractor that is EMP proof because there is nothing on the tractor to be "EMP'd". They are actually affordable, you would now have good pull power to tow things and push power to get some large items out of your way. We've seen some on sale on Craigslist or just driving along between $1500 and $2500. We talking about a simple basic tractor that go between 20mph or higher with a full load.

      As far as leaving the metroplex when everyone else is leaving. Hopefully, you will have enough heads up that as soon as a major headline comes out saying.."This is it" or what not. Don't wait until the city is hit or things get to close. The time to leave is then. If an EMP hits you will be the only one on the roads or highways. Either way, with a tractor you can go almost anywhere. As far as people trying to jump on or what not. Sorry, but this will require some Tough decisions that really need no discussion here as it will be the, "it's either you or me" type stuff. Less than lethal defense on your rig hopefully will do the trick. We are going to put small plating on the trailer that will withstand small caliber hits. We do live in the burbs, but on the furthest West side of them. Closer to I-10 and the county. However, we are not going to go wait until everyone's leaving to leave. If things start to get really, really bad. Well, It's time to cut the bate and leave. No need to call into work or any of the debtors. If it's an EMP attack? Then all bets are off. As soon as it happens. While people are still trying to figure out, why, what, when, what next, collecting thoughts, and trying to come together. We will not be waiting, during that lull, we will be on the move.

      Reply
      1. goingray58 says:

        IMO the time to leave is before the authority (Guard, civil, DHS etc)… blocks egress. It’s a given that civil areas will want to martial resources. gas, food everything. For prepared individuals “hoarding” will be illegal and resources confiscated. It is likely that useful defensive measures and communications will suffer the same draconian regulations. Even for the best of reasons this is not good.
        So depending on when and what as much as where, there is probably a 48 – 72 hour window after the magical curtain falls. whatever that is. Operations within that window include preplanned banking, fueling, perishables and whatever you were waiting on to do gradually, and didn’t. That means you need a list and know where you are on it in general at least.
        GG58

        Reply
        1. Capt.Michaels says:

          I agree 100% GoingGray58. This is also, as frustrating as it is, why I do not put any USMC logos or anything on my vehicles. And trust me…that’s hard. If we are able to use the vehicles we want to look as unassuming as possible.

          Reply
          1. goingray58 says:

            yup.. no logos or stickers here either.. If I were more cynical 🙂 I’d get rust colored paint and leave the vehicle filthy…. in case..
            GG58

  7. goingray58 says:

    I am so Sorry for your loss Clark. There simply are not words. I pray you find out what you need to and can over time develop some peace. It never goes away, but we can learn to live with it eventually.
    JR
    I like the idea of the book. I like the idea of introducing a philosophy about survival. You simply cannot cover every possibility except at a high level. You can talk about how to think and problem solve though. Knowledge and creativity as well as mindset are three keys.
    There is GHB – and what that is based on distance and obstacles. EDC in the office GHB in car etc..
    There are two basic ideas right Bug-In or Bug-out. What makes both possible. Location, age, health, and what it takes to do either. Maybe Both. It’s bug-in until it’s bug-out time. What does that mean ? How to decide. Bug early or late. What are the pros and cons of each. What are the indicators you might use to decide either.
    Types of BO Strategy. Alternate routes, rally points for dispersed family, caching on route for resupply. Working with one of our friends lately it is clear that a multi year old cache will need to have been well marked. Two ft either way and you miss it. Strategies like witness stones and tree scars are very useful.
    Finally I have noticed that in several of the more useful books, specific products are mentioned. While it is not a problem today for me, as a beginner I really appreciated specific references to products. Then after a while I began to learn more and could form some of my own opinions on products. Some I changed and some stayed with me.
    There is an opportunity to gain some income as an advertiser, sort of. I dot see a problem there is you use the product and believe it personally. And you might consider something in the forward to let the reader know right up front what you are doing and why. Advise it’s a working book, so get a highlighter and a note pad. You might further sell or provide a companion list or a compilation of products mentioned. Like you do in footnotes for research papers. I found the research to be very educational for me, but some folks may just want a shopping list.
    Finally you may approach it with three readers in mind. Very low budget, average budget, and high budget. The strategies woudl be slightly different for each.It’s probably more a bell curve but it would be easier to describe budget hows and whys in a discrete grouping. (and you can say that up front too if you want).
    You might also give instruction for evaluating individual plans. A work sheet of sorts the output of which is a set of actions and priorities. And then of course the maintenance side.. Now you’ve got a pile of stuff, how do I organize it and keep it up to date etc
    Just some thoughts.. maybe it’s a collaboration as well.. who knows.
    GG58

    Reply
  8. Capt.Michaels says:

    I commend you sir. I think you have a good direction and perspective by the mere fact your doing the most valuable part now asking and researching. If I may, would it help to look at/browse through the pages of other books to see what they offer/don’t offer as far as body, text, pictures, etc.?

    I think, in my opinion you would want to offer it in print and digital. Of course, limited number of prints to see how initial sales go.

    I’m going to put this out there since you said No bull plan. Is it possible to put things in the book, without crossing a legal line of incitement of some type? Where is the fine line in literary? Sure for the clinton mob they have the evil power to cover themselves. The average Jane Doe will not. For example: lets get real about no property, bug out, and the squatting idea. When it really hits the fan and you cannot stay in the suburbs for whatever reason. Where will you go? Did you do a little recon of the area previously? Was it months in advance and have you been watching the changes in the area through time? And if you have done recon, have you done enough to determine competition from others to get to point A? Is it far enough from the danger? How will you get to and transport your gear? Is there any flooding or other elemental effects you need to consider?

    Like GoingGray58 said, what if you Have to bug in? People will have to get their cars out of the garage and/or allow what storage area they have to been taken over by pre-stage for the house defenses now. Things like a pick axe, and other things need to fight off a simple fire bomb. Curtains that do not allow light to shine out or in of the house to let people know you are inside. Eventually, prying eyes or desperate people WILL try to get in your house whether your there or not. What about books that will stop shotgun rounds and regular bullets. Seems like a travesty, but you can buy a lot of used books real cheap or pick them up when people put them by the trash can on trash day. This video shows what I’m talking about, but he does use foul language a bit. So be prepared for that, but demonstrates what I’m talking about.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBWmm6_zWKI

    Reply
  9. JohnP says:

    Clark, I am sorry to hear about your loss. JR, appreciate anything on anything having to do with staying in place.

    Reply
  10. StevefromMA says:

    Terrible news, Clark. I hope things go as well as possible for you and the family.

    Rourke, my question is to whom are you pitching this book, people like us or the uninformed? That would seem to make a big difference, summary of intro prepper strategies vs. advanced topics we haven’t fully considered.

    JMHO.

    Reply
    1. JR says:

      Good question StevefromMA. I should probably already have had the answer before you asked however it’s not quite that simple. I would expect that a beginner prepper would get more benefit than a seasoned prepper living in a bunker in the middle of Montana. Either way – looking to get my thoughts on paper and then it’s really up to the reader to take from it. Again – good question.

      Reply
      1. goingray58 says:

        Divide section of the book into advanced tops .. or plan a second book and sort your research as you go into either stack. while writing and assembling the first.

        Reply
        1. JR says:

          Thanks GG58. I know the book will be a lot more basic as I think that is what is important and sometimes bypassed. Maybe advanced for a second book.

          Reply
  11. jh says:

    The biggest problem with books like this is while the authors try to keep it generic, it always is region specific. Many of the gear\techniques may work down south doesn’t work well up north (Gary’s location for example). nw Ohio/se Michigan has been having really weird weather swings to the point where keeping a warm jacket or sleeping bag in a summer ghb would be a good idea. May I suggest targeting the suburbanites, most of us live in neighborhoods, most are going it alone, most do not have any resemblance of a bol in place or a group to network with. People want to be prepared, but don’t want to labeled a prepper of survivalist.

    Reply
    1. JR says:

      Good point jh and no promises on the region problem. I will definitely be writing from the perspective of those living in neighborhoods.

      Reply
  12. LibertysTeeth says:

    Clark, I’m so sorry to hear about your daughter. You and your family will be in my prayers. Unfortunately I know exactly how you feel, We lost our son. This August will be two years, and we still have trouble. Keeping yourself busy is a good idea. Praying has helped. Talking to your family and friends help. Always remember the good times, that’s what helps me a lot. Do your best to get out of the city and head south my friend. I did. Lived up in northern Ohio and finally moved to Tennessee and have absolutely no regrets. Good luck.

    Reply
    2. Clark says:

      Thank you very much LibertysTeeth, I’m not able to talk out loud about it yet without breaking down, I’m going through these up and downs of it doesn’t seem real to uncontrollable crying, it’s like my brain is blocking me, I don’t sleep hardly at all, and have stayed in a hazy confused state all week, it’s scary to drive, I don’t feel in control, when I lose it I start shaking uncontrollably and have to pull over, but if I sit at home or don’t try to read and do post like this it’s far worse. I live inFort Myers Florida though, I’m hoping in three years to neable to relocate to possibly North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, or Kentucky and live the dream, once again tank you, and I’m very sorry for your loss.

      Reply
  13. joyce says:

    Clark…i have no words or even understanding of these past few days of pain. You have our prayers as you push through these next days/weeks. Ask for help when your strength seems drained…ok?

    Reply
  14. LibertysTeeth says:

    Clark…hang in there buddy. I did the same things. I’ve had to pull over too, sat there and screamed my head off,then cried like a little girl. And not just once. Things will get back to some semblance of normalcy, but sorry to say, there is always going to be a huge hole in yer heart. We aren’t meant to outlive our children. Always remember the good times buddy. You’re in my prayers.

    Reply
    1. Clark says:

      I’m so glad to meet someone that knows what I’m going through, there truly are no words for this! Thank you for taking the time to share with me your loss. Somewhere in Tennessee sounds very nice! I used to vacation in Gatlinburg when I was a kid, I grew up in Harlan Kentucky, then Saint Charles Virginia on farms, first in Kentucky we had a few pigs, chickens, farmed about 10 acres of a 108 acre farm, most of the land was a mountain (went back once it was strip mined and gone) then went to a 62 acre farm in Saint Charles Virginia where we bred and raised in Tennessee Walkers, training takes 4 to 6 years depending on the horse, in Kentucky we never had running water, our rent was $90.00 a month, we had a coal stove, but many winters we had to walk the railroad tracks to look for coal spillage to heat our house, we had a outhouse of course which I hated, and a smokehouse/moonshine still but in those mountains I was the happiest I’ve ever been! The point to my story is I was poorer than most, ( only people from the Great Depression can relate to this in my experience) can comprehend, third world would be my closest example, but living in those mountains appreciating what was truly important, was the best memories of my life. Really makes me think, we don’t really need all this stuff, the more our society becomes technologically advanced, the more danger we seem to create for ourselves.

      Reply
  15. LibertysTeeth says:

    GG58…I’m in East TN, somewhere between Knoxville and Cleveland. Way back in the woods, a quarter mile from the road, surrounded by trees, turkeys and deer. I love it!

    Reply
    1. goingray58 says:

      LibertysTeeth… well. I have tons of friends on that end of the state .. I go to the east side of Nashville to meet them several times a year. I’m on the west end… downside no hills. Upside good dirt and NO rocks 🙂 Makes bushhogging and haying easier. You can just about stick a broom handle in the ground and it’ll grow in some spots. Rourke has my email if you ever want it.

      Reply
  16. LibertysTeeth says:

    GG58… I live on 40 acres, but it’s mostly hilly and 95% trees, and the dirt ain’t that great. All these trees have probably sucked up all the nutrients in the soil. The only house I can see is my daughters. Her and her husband and my grandsons moved down here with my wife and I. Thank God for that. You can get my email from Rourke too if you want. God bless and stay safe.

    Reply
    1. Clark says:

      Thanks man, I’m sure once everything settles down I’ll need to talk, I’ll take you up on that, really appreciate your support.

      Reply

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