Equipment and Book Reviews Archives | Page 17 of 73

20 Apr 2018

Far Beyond Defensive Tactics

Far Beyond Defensive Tactics is one of the best defensive tactics books on the market.

I have read, reread, dog-eared, and written in the margins of this book – then went out and bought a new copy just in case.

I have personally used several of the concepts in this book in real life encounters within the walls of state prisons when I worked maximum security after I got out of the Marines.

The information on how to get a combative drunk out from behind the wheel of his car was a story I adapted and used inside the prison to deal with inmates that took over their pie flap (A pis flap is a small fole in the middle of the door that is created to pass items like food trays without opening the door)

His information on keeping cool and controlling the situation – basically not letting the bad guy goad you into bad decisions is also something I use quite often in real life.

Christensen is a thinking man’s warrior, and if you judge a man by those around him, he has collaborated with Lt. Col Grossman and Gaven de Becker.

This book should be in the library of anyone concerned about use of force.

19 Apr 2018

Foxfire 6

Like Foxfire 9 that we reviewed earlier, Foxfire 6 is a great historical documentary to teach us how our ancestors lived prior to rural electrification.

This classic book deals with shoemaking, children’s toys, musical instruments, wooden locks, and has a very interesting story of a rural genius that powered a sawmill using salvaged car transmissions, axles, and differentials turned by a waterwheel from his own homemade dam.

This book is not a prepper boor per se, but the mindset of our ancestors is a vital one to recreate is we are to survive any type of long term collapse, depression, or recession

I have several of the foxfire books and have a goal to get the complete set. I have spent hours and hours as a teenager reading the foxfire books and planning all the things I would do as an adult and was free to explore and create my own little pioneer homestead.

I look forward to the day when I can share the information in this book with my son. I know little W.T. would love to have a banjo built as described in this book. I don’t know how his mother would field about a 4 year old with a homemade banjo. If the sound did not kill her the deliverance jokes probably would.

18 Apr 2018

From the Ashes, America Reborn

For the first time since the inception of his fictional Tri-States network 15 years ago, bestselling author William W. Johnstone delivers a complete guide to the first 24 books in his “Ashes” series.

This book is based upon a fictional interview. In this book you read the views of Ben Raines on the IRA, the IRS, racism, the justice system, welfare, the military, politicians, prison reform, capital punishment, and the government.

From the Ashes, America Reborn is the definitive guide also offers a detailed synopsis of every novel, maps of each journey, and more.

While this is over the top fiction, and more akin to men’s romance novels than “serious” fiction, there is something to be learned.

When not reading the over the top sexuality and violence you can glean important lessons on the nature of an alternative Government.

I think the basic philosophy of Government is sound- especially as a transition from what will be left after our Constitutional form of Government becomes totally rotten from within and collapses.

Many of us would not want to live in such a world, but, if you are willing to live up to the expectations, you would have almost total freedom in this fictional society.

17 Apr 2018

Generators and Inverters

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGu2YKChBWg

I really like Stephen Chastain’s books. He builds the things he writes about. Furthermore, they really work.

In this book he talks about how to turn a car engine into a generator. Additionally, he shows how to design parts to make this process work with any car engine.

First, in his book, Generators and Inverters, he talks about how to create a special carburetor. This carb will allow your engine run on multi-fuels like propane and biodiesel. Next, He also shows how to silence your engine and reduce vibrations. The book covers much more.

Because of that, this is a very valuable book for homesteaders, diyers, or anyone looking at alternative energy sources.

From his website:

“Steve, a mechanical and materials engineer, lives in Jacksonville, Florida. He regularly publishes articles regarding metal casting, machining, and automotive restoration. His “Small Foundry Series” of books are sold in over 40 countries and have become popular “design projects” at many schools and Universities. Steve runs a small foundry and machine shop where he produces castings for antique cars and equipment. In 1989 he formed SDCElectronics, a manufacturer of theatrical lighting control. Steve is an avid reader and maintains a personal library of over 1500 technical and engineering titles.”

One thing I like about his work, that is different than mine, is that he is an actual engineer. Most importantly, in his books he goes through the math and actually explains how and why he does what he does.

14 Apr 2018

Handbook of Chemical and Biological Warfare Agents

The Handbook of Chemical and Biological Warfare Agents is an expensive book, and it goes into a lot of detail – basically it is used as a text in various college level WMD classes.

There is a lot of half information about dealing with chemical and biological agents, and a lot of people buying equipment to protect their families without access to effective information to ensure they are spending their money of the right equipment.

You cannot seem to read a website about Chem-Bio without some rehash of the smells of certain chemical agents, but if you smell newly mowed hay or almonds – then you probably won’t last long enough to do anything about it…

As I said before, this book goes into a lot of depth, HOWEVER, if your concerned about WMD, then you may want to consider learning a little more than most people.

If you are worried about WMD (weapons of mass destruction) or CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive) then you may want to get this book to learn about the things you are afraid of. But I am not sure the price justifies the information for the general prepper. I mean, the information is definitely worth the money, but there is a LOT more information in the book than most people need.

Chemical and Biological Warfare Agents works well with the chemical warfare agents book I also reviewed.

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