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My dear friends,
It’s 4AM here and I’m dog tired.
I just finished uploading the book to lulu and it’s now available for purchase.
Visit there and you can take a look at the back cover and index.
http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/surviving-the-economic-collapse-a-modern-survival-manual/6745965For those that don’t know about it, Lulu.com is the world’s largest print-on-demand company so it’s pretty safe.
In the end it turned out to be a 250 page book, 98.000 words long.
At first I wanted to do a 50.000 word manual just with the basics and relating some personal experience but well, sometimes your creations take control of things and you just try to hang on.
These last few (months?) I’ve been just a holographic image in my house. Writing this book absorbed all of my time.
I remember when I said I’d try to finish the book by Christmas 2008 :)…
I’m sorry for all these delays. I never wrote a book before so I had no idea.
But well, thank God now it’s done.
Thanks for all the support and suggestions. I had lots of ideas thanks to you guys for a better cover but I just wanted to finish once and for all so I used what I had.
Read it several times but I’m sure there’s enough typo errors.
Given that English is my second language I did my best to make it as clear and error free as possible. Sill, when you have nearly 100.000 words it’s easy to make mistakes.
Other than that… the book rocks!:)
I know “parents” can’t be very objective but it’s the kind of book I wish I had found myself a long time ago, but never did.
I’ll nervously wait for the reviews but I think there’s a bit for everyone. Hard core survivalist, guy just getting started, or just for handing over to the girlfriend or wife.
Yes, I’m definitely not objective :) I’ll wait and see what you guys think about it.
I’ll leave the index here so you can have a better idea of what the book is about.
There are some things I use in the book that can be found in the blog as well. The Emergency bag, edc , and altoids kit I just copied the lists.
I also used the article on SHTF gun cleaning since I think is good to have in the manual.
Other than that and maybe a couple more pages where I found myself writing the same thing twice, its all original content that I’ve been writing for a long time.
The price is 29,95 . I know there are cheaper books but I’m doing the print on demand thing here. Less than that an honestly, I couldn’t have written the book. I took a huge risk just by dedicating so much time to it with the hope that people would like it and it would sell well.
Again, I’m sorry for the delays, as well as the unanswered emails and messages.
I’ll go get some much deserved sleep now.
Again, thanks everyone for the support. Hope you all have a nice Holy Saturday. God bless you all.
Index
Introduction
A little about the author………………………………….11
What happened in Argentina ……………………………12
Why did I write this book………………………………..15
What to expect from this book ………………………….19
How to use this book……………………………………22
Why prepare……………………………………………..25
Types of survivalists……………………………………..28
The Little House on the Prairie Syndrome………………30
Risk Assessment…………………………………………31
Getting your mind and body ready………………………32
Your Home
City or Country: Where to live?………………………….37
Home security…………………………………………...42
Your Security
At the house……………………………………………..44
Dogs…………………………………………………….45
On foot………………………………………………….49
Identifying threats……………………………………….51
Most common type crimes………………………………52
Your vehicle
Motorcycles, Quads and Bicycles………………………...55
Cars……………………………………………………...56
Defensive Driving: How to drive during tough times……60
Evasive Driving Techniques……………………………..64
Your Gear
Your gear………………………………………………..66
Home Gear……………………………………………...67
If you could go back in time... ………………………….72
Bug out Bag (BOB)…………………………………...………...73
Every day carry (EDC)………………………………………….78
The survival emergency kit (SEK)………………………………81
Your Food……………………………………………………... 84
What to store……………………………………………………87
How to cook it………………………………………………….90
Game to be found in the city……………………………………91
Your Water……………………………………………………...94
Storing water……………………………………………………94
How much water do you need…………………………………..96
Potable water……………………………………………………98
Treating water………………………………………………….100
Your Self Defense Skills
Hand to Hand Fighting………………………………………...103
The right instincts……………………………………………...103
Your Training………………………………………………….105
Some basic points on hand to hand fighting…………………....108
Self Defense for Women………………………………………112
The fighting Knife……………………………………..……..116
Choosing a knife for self defense………………………………117
Knife Fighting…………………………………………………122
Knife attacks…………………………………………………..126
Where to strike………………………………………………...129
Gaucho Knife Fighting Tricks…………………………………132
Spears………………………………………………………….135
Unconventional Weapons ……………………………………..136
Firearms……………………………………………………….139
Quick Firearms introduction…………………………………...143
The killer inside you…………………………………………....148
What should I get?……………………………………………..151
Self Defense Shooting………………………………………….154
Calibers and Stopping Power…………………………………..162
About Pistols and Revolvers………………………………………...164
Other Firearms………………………………………………...……166
Your firearms Battery……………………………………………….172
Tips and mistakes I made regarding firearms………………………...178
SHTF Gun Cleaning………………………………………………...180
After the fight……………………………………………………….182
You Finances, your money
Cash is King…………………………………………………………187
The importance of Precious Metals………………………………….190
Recession proof jobs………………………………………………....196
Making money……………………………………………………….199
Real Estate…………………………………………………………...204
Bartering: First steps into rebuilding commerce……………………...209
The Art of Bargaining and Haggling………………………………...213
Using gold or other forms of foreign currency after the crisis………..219
Networking and making new friends………………...…………...223
People to be Friends with…………………………………………....227
Your Government…………………………………………………..232
What to expect during and after the Economic Collapse……………234
A New Mentality……………………………..……………………240
Bribing……………………………………………………………...241
Riots and Looting…………………………………………………..243
Relocating…………………………………………………………..246
3 Countries: Plan A, B, and C……………………………….247
My Wife’s Advice……………………………………………251
Epilogue……………………………..…………………….253
FerFAL
40 comments:
Well done, I am really pleased that you have finished your book ( I bet you are as well). Am really looking forward to reading it. Have just ordered it. Hope it sells really, really well for you. Best Wishes Frank
Congratulations Ferfal! For all of the help and guidance you've provided to all of us over the years, I wish you the greatest of success.
May God be with you.
Congratulations on the book, I just ordered a copy.
You should know that LULU.com is ultra-expensive to mail to Canada. The default mail charge is US$50+. The cost by economy post is US$19+.
Looks great FerFAL. Before I order, I was just wondering if it's going to be on Amazon (they'll ship it to me free).
LuLu is an on-demand publisher based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. Wikipedia has an article on them if anybody is interested.
Ferfal, the Wiki article mentions that the IRS makes Lulu take out taxes on materials sold in the USA. I don't know if this still applies, but if so, you can probably get a refund of at least some of those taxes if you file a return with the US IRS, since you are an Argentinian citizen.
Also, you might want to contact Ian Punnet, who is also a host on weekends at http://www.coasttocoastam.com .
Joe K.
Finally, may you and your family have a HAPPY EASTER!
Joe K.
Nice FerFal, you are on the "must buy" list for next week as this week was SBlog's "book bomb" week and I'm tapped out.
300 pages though? Sheesh us Americans barely can read the instructions on the back of box of brownie mix...:>
Thanks a lot guys, and thanks for the advice. I’ll look into that very soon. I really appreciate you support.
I’ve been postponing the book long enough and finally decided it had all those tips and pieces of advice you would need.
I’ll be terribly honest here. My writing sucks. I made a serious effort and the literal quality and dedication is of course greater than what I usually do for internet posts but its still average to say the least.
Other than that, a lot of the content is definitely “eccentric” and the information, being mostly real stuff I do myself or see others do successfully isn’t something very common.
I thought the Amazon route was easier but it turns out I have to pay a bit more than expected and the earnings for each Amazon sold book are very small, at least using the lulu route.
I promise I’ll look into is as soon as I can and find the better alternative.
At first I thought going on Amazon would be much easier, but it turns out things are different once you start clicking “I agree”. Lulu isn’t entirely honest about their Amazon arrangement until you are a click away, or they at least don’t explain it as well as they should.
Guys, have a great weekend and happy Easters!
FerFAL
Thanks FerFAL. I went ahead and ordered it through Lulu
BTW FerFal, is that "you" on the cover with the shoulder bag (man purse..snicker..:) )
And have you given any thought to having Paladin Press publish it?
Congratulations on finishing the book.
The new font and updated cover text works better.
One benefit to LuLu and this "pure FerFal" version, is that you can get the book out there. If it gets some following, hopefully some keen editors will take notice and will help you hack a shorter swifter read out of it.
Also, this way we get a version that has your voice in it -- the personality doesn't get lost in committee (editors, etc.)
Maybe there is a way you could make a forum for people who bought the book, and they could go there to discuss specific chapters and passages. It'd be like a group editorial effort, by your audience/people in know about survival (not just a publishing industry person.) I don't know how you'd do that... maybe LuLU prints a specific serial number on each book? Or maybe the purchaser could send you a photo of them holding the book, and you could send them a password.
I think I'm gonna buy the book. It'll be cool to see if the Internet helps the book evolve and become a stronger more entertaining & informative read in future editions.
Happy Easter and congratulations. Putting it on my list. IMO, once it gets rolling you should send a copy to a few US publishing houses and see if they'll pick it up...
"BTW FerFal, is that "you" on the cover with the shoulder bag (man purse..snicker..:) )
And have you given any thought to having Paladin Press publish it?"
Yes, thats me with my purse :)
The contents of that bag is listed here in the EDC thread and I also included it in the book.
Fer
About Paladin press they didn't even read anything of what I write, they just told me they had the segment covered.
I didn't like the book they "covered" the segment with, it was pretty bad. :)
FerFAL
I will pick it up once I finish the book inventory that is kind of backed up now.
1) Ferfal, I did some checking at the US IRS web site and I think you are probably screwed.
2) US and Argentina worked out a tax treaty back in 1981 but evidently, it hasn't gone into effect.
3) So my impression --which may be wrong -- is that your royalties from Lulu will be taxed by US government at 30 percent and Lulu will withhold them before paying you. That kinda sucks.
4) But Thanks for helping us pay for the US government's bailout of those rich bankers. Sorry, amigo.
PS Above info is based on instructions for IRS form 1040NR (Nonresident income tax) (Page 4) plus Table 3 of Publication 901.
(http://www.irs.gov/publications/p901/46849901.html ).
I'm not a tax lawyer but I have to file a pretty complex return (don't ask) and so am used to reading the instructions. You or your lawyer can check it yourself --online site is http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/index.html?portlet=3
If it is true that you can't get a refund from the IRS then my understanding is that you don't need to submit a tax statement to the IRS --since they've already had Lulu withhold your tax.
Ferfal:
Great job. I'm actually in Raleigh, NC. and will make my purchase right away. I'd just as soon have it in .pdf for convenience.
I bought it. Hope you have lots of success! Happy Resurrection Sunday!
Great job - I've never written a book but I can imagine its quite a labour of love. Kudos to you for doing it.
I just ordered it. As DanT mentioned - the delivery of $19+ is crazy!
Have a great weekend
Congratulations on your book, FerFal!
I will definitely be ordering a copy, and can`t wait to read it!!!
God bless you and yours, and have a Happy Easter! - Chuck41
Thanks guys, the shipping is just crazy I know.
Don, the good part is that since I did everything myself, the book is also self published so the earnings aren’t royalties so I don’t pay royalty taxes. If it makes you feel better at least that part isn’t going to bailouts : ^ )
I just hope the book is up to the expectations. I really did my best effort.
I’ll see about making a little youtube book explanation and review for promotion.
I’ll also contact the radio show and see if they would be interested in a phone interview.
Guys, to everyone buying the book: my most sincere thank you. It really does help a lot. I believe the book’s content will be of great value for when the economic crisis starts showing its impact in society and changing the way you live.
Yesterday for example I dropped by the ATM with my son (stupid! Stupid mistake, I never go with my kid to the ATM because its dangerous ) just as I was exiting the ATM a motorcycle with two guys speeds towards us. They came out fast from around the corner and they were driving the wrong way, against the traffic.
ATM + Bike with two guys + speeding towards us+ doing so against the traffic = trouble.
Just as I heard the bike and saw them come around the corner I pushed my son into the car fast and took off. It’s so important to reach good levels of awareness to avoid these situations entirely. You have to be able to recognize these things, and act immediately, in a fraction of a second.
That’s something I constantly mention in the book trying to drill it into the reader’s head.
I’ll go get some Easter egg chocolate. Take care guys.
I miss those Easter holydays in USA. There’s very little or no festivity decorations at all around here. Not much money around for people to decorate shops, etc.
FerFAL
Is there any way to buy an electron copy? I`m from russia, so I don`t hope to see hard copy in any time.
When I ordered the book, Lulu told me it would be printed and shipped in 3 to 5 days. That's pretty good -- I had expected 2 to 3 weeks, since even on demand printers like to accumulate orders before running the press.
Shipping rates here in USA appear to be around $5.76 (slower media mail) to $7.25 ( 2 to 3 day Priority mail) plus more for the faster overnight deliveries.
Appears to be a hefty tome. I'm reminded of Edward Gibbon's aristocratic patron who --upon receiving yet another volume of "The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire" -- remarked:
"Another dammed thick book, eh Mr Gibbon? Always scribble ,scribble ,scribble." :)
Best wishes for the launch
Awesome, using Lulu too eh? I'm not even done mine yet. Placed a notice about your book here, hope it helps: www.wolfeblog.net
Thanks Wolfe!
Say, what are you writing?
FerFAL
Congratulations sir. If I can talk Lulu into accepting a money order (I don't do credit cards nor checks), you have a paying customer here. Can't wait to read it.
Don't worry about language barrier - we've read your posts and as far as I can tell, lose little in the translation. You are good to go here.
Just ordered from Chicago - congratulations on getting it out to press. As a published author myself, that last hurdle always stinks!!!
"Congratulations sir. If I can talk Lulu into accepting a money order (I don't do credit cards nor checks), you have a paying customer here. Can't wait to read it.
Don't worry about language barrier - we've read your posts and as far as I can tell, lose little in the translation. You are good to go here."
Thank you so much for saying that.
Regarding the content I'm certian of the quality. The only thing that worries me is my English. I just hope its not too bad.
FerFAL
Just ordered the book, can't wait to get my hands on it. Had to take the "economy" shipping rate!
Now, even at 62$CA total for a hard copy of Ferfal brain's, it worth it :)!
Me think with just the advices on SHTF gun cleaning, it will pay itself pretty quickly!
FerFAL, congrats on the book.
You can worry about the fluency of the language in your second edition, after the success of the first. :)
If you don't want to use a credit card, you can use PayPal to order the book. That gives you a few more options on payment, but will take longer.
I just ordered it. I look forward to reading it.
I have a friend who works at Paladin and I asked him to look into it again - so maybe they will reconsider.
FerFAL, thank you for a great job you have done. I live in Ukraine(East Europe), and it is impossible for me to order this book from USA, is it possible to get an electronic version of this book?
Best regards, Balpat.
Congrats on the book!
The book just arrived. Only took 1 day to ship :)
Haven't read it yet, but just wanted to send you a quick comment on the covers.
It appears the resolution of the front and back covers are a bit too low. They came out kinda pixelated. The text are still readable, but a bit ugly.
Hi FerFAL,
I guess you didn't see my comment about your book where I asked you if you were intrested in a french translation of your book. I can make it happen (not alone of course).
We surely need such a book, to wake people up !
I ordered a copy, it's coming soon.
Canis Lupus,
Sorry man, I missed it.
Please send me an email ( my email is here, top right, scroll down)
and we'll talk a bit and see what we can do.
I'll do a Spanish version because enough people seem to be interested.
FerFAL
I just bought the book. If it's anything like your blog, then i'd enjoy it. I also might as well support YOUR valuable experiences you contribute to the WWW. Heck, since print newspapers are disappearing..."free" information can't last very long. Hang in there bro.
Stay safe.
"mauG27" in Seattle
I received my copy this afternoon.
Did you get my emails ? (maybe in the spam folder...)
The price would be very high (including shipping) for where I live, if I could order it at all. I would gladly pay for an e-book version though.
Would that be a future option?
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