The S.H.T.F. Art of War

This is a short read and gets right to the point with a very practical look at the options you'll have in the event of an infrastructure collapse. The material has been well-researched and is a welcome departure from the typical "the zombies are coming" viewpoint most survivalists are writing from. The author had caught hell for even mentioning a FEMA camp as an option for people and - while he's not saying this is a "great" option... the reality is that it IS an option for those who simply aren't going to have what it takes to fend for themselves or transform their morals into what it really takes to survive when everyone is fighting for the same resources. This is one of those rare instances where I just tell people to "get the book". It's a must-read if you're looking for a realistic look at your options to help you better plan for what's coming.

I like this book in general. His presentation of the info is clear and mostly well-written. Not everyone is a born author - this is not a slam. I appreciate the depth of knowledge and clear intent by the author to help.But his indication that it's going to be a nice choice, when SHTF, to just bop on over to the FEMA camp, get a good bunk and make nice with the guards, as in prison without bars or cells, just doesn't sit well with me. He says that the country will pretty much be run by roving gangs of brutal killers, that it's going to be Mad Max and cannibalism out there, and that doing it alone, defending yourself against military-style killers, sniping my wife from the treeline while she picks tomatoes, and surviving the hellish nightmare it will be, at least until the military clears the killers and the government is re-established under a new communistic regime just doesn't stick with me.I respect his clear experience. But I have some pretty strong experience with humanity, too. And I don't believe the United States of America must fall that way. Further, call me paranoid, but that experience with people, particularly those in federal government and knowledge of the false flags that have brought us to war so many times, the cronyism and corruption, and the control of the mass media lead me to think, just a little, that this book is telling us, "Hey, trust me, it's safer to be inside a FEMA camp, where the bad guys aren't, than to be out there where you'll be raped and slaughtered for your boots just to prove that the latest alpha male leader of the murderers is really tough." Basically, he's saying, "Don't resist the new world order, it's coming and there's really nothing you can do about it. Why not survive and get along with the survivors. You'll be a slave, but, hey, you'll be alive."

There are four parts to this book, paraphrased and interpreted by me.1. "the mindset of evil people"2. "If you are poor and/or ill prepared go to a FEMA camp, they're great"3. "If you are not in a FEMA camp, think about scavenging"4. "Basic things that homesteaders do and will do if SHTF"My response: (this is my opinion)1. Instead of reading this book, read Dave Grossman and Rory Miller to get a glimpse into the psychology of war, of evil people. Get a free copy of Sun Tzu's art of war.2. You should prep. You should avoid FEMA camps if at all possible, if only for the fact that you not being there opens up a spot for someone else. People who would be reading this book are likely interested in prepping. There are tons of ways to prep on the cheap - in fact there are numerous blogs devoted to the subject. Pooling resources and making a tribe of like minded individuals, despite being poor is a good solution. The solution is not to encourage folks who have not prepared, but for some reason were reading a book about SHTF, to voluntarily go to a FEMA camp. Please do some research on what conditions were like in FEMA camps. In every situation it was not a good. This portion of the book, in my opinion, made me go from mildly appreciating the sophomoric analysis of evil people into severely doubting this man's moral compass. This part ruined the book and earned a single star.3. Scavenging. There are better books/blogs/articles out there of how to scavenge. Joe Nobody has a decent book on it. Honestly it was hard to focus on this section because I was still reading it from the standpoint of his 'go get raped in the FEMA camp, you prepper-book-reading non-prepper idiot' mindset. It was difficult to transition to that. And no, going to the FEMA camp with a positive mindset and will to thrive in bad situations isnt the ideal solution. Yes, having the right mindset will help you. No, going to a FEMA camp is not to be advocated as a long term survival plan.My suggestion to the author is to greatly modify his approach to the 'FEMA camp' portion of his ebook. Put it at the end (or make it a different ebook altogether, sheesh), and be super clear of your intentions. If you feel like the criticism you have undoubtedly been receiving is unfair, then you have not communicated something properly. If you wish to communicate something else than what your feedback is saying, go and change your ebook. Sell it for a dollar and talk through the issues in a better way.

Don't let it's lack of girth put you off. It can be read in an afternoon and that's not a bad thing. Although this is written for the American market, British 'preppers' would still find it useful. Basically, it pre-empts what most people would do (and get wrong) if - God forbid - if a SHTF situation were to happen. I think the author pretty much gets it right. The choices we would face if in America (where there's lots more space) would be, 1, stay put. 2, get yourself to a FEMA camp. 3, hit the 'wild'. 4, hit the road, THEN hit the wild when you get stuck in gridlock. 5, scavenging. 6, rebuilding. Plus more. The likely scenarios are reasonably accurate, undeniable, even, and the author covers etiquette at a FEMA camp, the best attitude to have, what you do and don't need, the painful subject of having to ditch your gear, and so on. I think certain areas could be expanded upon, but no doubt the author will do a follow up. Wouldn't mind a chat with him. Even if you do fancy yourself as a prepper or survivalist, you would do well to read this book, even if just as a 'starter' on the subject. On my third read. Get smart. Recommended.

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A good quick read, would have enjoyed a longer more. In depth book but For what it was a fair price and good content

Great book.

Very good book. Jeffrey lays out all of the potential pitfalls in a SHTF scenario. He goes into details about the many different "groups" of people you are likely to meet and how to deal with them. Sound advice.