An "ok" guide book on surviving in the suburbs. The book includes the usual stuff on food and water storage, home safety, first-aid etc. It also includes a chapter on USA-centric finances, which isn't generally included in survival/emergency guides. ( )

After having managed to survive an example of almost every natural disaster (flood, hurricane, blizzard, tornado, drought, earthquake) known to man (haven't had the pleasure of a tsunami or an avalanche - yet), I've learned by painful experience that forewarned is forearmed. This book will take you to that forearmed place.

This is NOT the book for the full tilt survivalist and the author is very upfront about that. If that is what you are interested in the author provides plenty of resources to further your knowledge and interest. But this is the book you want if you think things might get 'interesting' and you don't want to be the person standing around wondering 'what happened and what do I do now?'. The author did a terrific job laying out concerns and presenting different types of solutions to those concerns (depending on how much money or time you have to devote to them). What truly makes this book a gem is the summary box at the end of every chapter called the "the least you can do". These suggestions are not overwhelming and you can add to them gradually (which the author also guides you through).

The book is very nicely done, very timely and I would recommend it to anyone. I would be hesitant about calling it the ultimate survival guide as it is not completely self contained in knowledge (you have to go to other resources if you want to go beyond the basic), but it is the best guide I've seen for anyone who wants to be prepared but doesn't care to make it a career. Well worth the read. ( )