There are a ton of preparedness books on the market today. It seems like new ones crop up daily. Although, as of lately, you need to watch out for AI-written garbage. These are four books I’d consider to be essential reading for any budding prepper’s education. They provide a solid foundation, covering distinct areas while also overlapping and reinforcing the information found in each of them. These aren’t the only books to reference, but they’re a great place to begin the journey.
Essential Preparedness Reading
The Unthinkable by Amanda Ripley
Why it’s essential reading: In this book, you’ll learn about how our bodies and minds are wired to react during stressful situations. Ripley spent considerable time interviewing experts in various fields as well as survivors from a number of different major events. She even underwent some research studies herself. All in an effort to figure out why some people survive a disaster while others don’t.
Some of the answers may surprise you. But all of the information here can help you better position yourself for survival when bad things happen. The newly released 2nd edition includes information related to the COVID pandemic. It also touches on the impact social media can have regarding disaster response.
Be Ready for Anything by Daisy Luther
Why it’s essential reading: This is one of the best general preparedness books available today. Luther provides great information on how to prepare for a number of different emergencies, including natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and economic collapse. While many preparedness steps are fairly universal, such as food and water storage, there are also factors that are unique to each scenario and that should be addressed.
Few people can afford to just pull up stakes and buy a homestead in the middle of nowhere. Luther recognizes this and focuses her discussion on realistic things people can do themselves, even on a limited budget.
Becoming Bulletproof by Evy Poumpouras
Why it’s essential reading: You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone more well-versed in personal security than the US Secret Service. Poumpouras is a former Secret Service agent with a ton of field experience protecting presidents and their families. She digs deep into developing the proper mindset as well as how to read people through their words and actions, and how to properly assess threats.
She also goes into great detail about influencing people, both how to do it and how others will do it to you. Throughout the book, she concentrates on real-world examples of how the information she’s providing can be used.
Extreme Wilderness Survival by Craig Caudill
Why it’s essential reading: Caudill is a well-respected survival teacher and author. He and his cadre of instructors have taught thousands of students, from civilians to law enforcement and military to members of various three-letter agencies. This isn’t just one more volume on how to make a fire and build a debris hut.
In this book, he covers a range of topics, including the survival mindset, wilderness survival skills, and even moving into situational awareness and personal protection. Caudill is adept at breaking down complex topics into easily digested sections, so that the reader or student isn’t lost along the way.
