Prepare Your Family for Survival by Linda Loosli arrived in my mail box a couple of weeks ago. I really like Linda’s blog Food Storage Moms and you’ve probably seen links to her site on Imperfectly Happy. So you can imagine I was excited to dive into this book as soon as I got it. I have to tell you from the get-go, I was not disappointed. Prepare Your Family for Survival is a keeper for my reference library; so let me share my review with you.
Prepare Your Family for Survival
I wanted to start this review with a couple questions I asked Linda herself.
- Who is Prepare Your Family for Survival for?
“I was asked to write this book for families. I mentioned I was not a hardcore prepper and the publisher said we do not want a hardcore prepper. I said I won’t skin a squirrel and eat it. I would rather be a vegetarian. I could survive off my garden when its fresh and dehydrate and can the rest. I wanted to show the world how to be prepared for the unexpected as if we were
sitting at a table sipping a cup of coffee or hot chocolate. I wanted families to know how easy it is to be prepared. They don’t need to buy 1000 pounds of wheat or rice and put it in the basement for an emergency. I’m a visual person so I made checklists so people can see what they need. It can be for a couple, a family of three, four or five.” - What kind of research went into Prepare Your Family for Survival?
“I have lived this way my entire life. I did back up statements by the different organizations so if someone questioned my words, its in plain view for them. I think a lot of research has come from teaching classes and interacting with class members.”
My Review of Prepare Your Family for Survival
The first thing you notice about Prepare Your Family for Survival, it is NOT a Doomsday Prepper book. This is the prepping book for those of us who know bad things can happen and we should all be prepared for the unexpected. It is a great start for a beginner but I think seasoned preppers will find a lot of useful information in it as well.
- First off – the book is gorgeous – big, glossy pages with full color illustrations. I haven’t seen a prepping book of this quality anywhere on the market.
- I liked that Linda created two sections for the book: The first for preparing your home for outages, shortages and scarcity and the second is geared for evacuation preparation. The reality is that we may not be safe at home if things continue to get scarier in our society.
- Linda doesn’t teach from a lofty pedestal; she is doing with you. She lives this life and speaks from experience. As you read her book you’ll see that she truly believes what she teaches and she’s walking the talk.
- But what really sets this book apart are Linda’s AMAZING checklists! I love lists!
I think the most daunting thing we face in emergency prepping is what and how much…these checklists answer both questions. The checklists are organized by Couples through Family of Five and range from 3 days to 1 month. She has done all the math – no guesswork for you. And if the cost of 3 days is too much at first then divided and conquer! - You’ll also appreciate that Linda gives some product reviews in the book as well – the pros and cons of some popular items will help you make smart purchases!
- She includes recipes!
- Chapter 8 – The Power of Many. This may be my favorite chapter. I have found that many prepping experts are secretive and a bit on the paranoid side. I am a big believer in community and so is the author. She gives you a full chapter on creating emergency plans with those who want to “pool resources” and how to do it right! I think this little chapter is a game-changer for the prepper-minded.
So maybe you’ve been thinking about starting an emergency reserve of your own. Or maybe you’re seeing that “prepping” is more than just what mainstream media is showing you. Then this book will help you both!
If you have a prepping mindset but you’re looking for a fresh perspective – you’ll want the book too!
As far as I’m concerned – Prepare Your Family for Survival is a buy, not borrow, the book with 2 thumbs up!
