When I was asked if I would like the exclusive book review for Michael Mabee’s new book ‘Prepping for a Suburban or Rural Community: Building a Civil Defense Plan for a Long-Term Catastrophe’,’ I didn’t hesitate to respond in the affirmative - especially after hearing the synopsis of the book and … the fact that the author has a strong belief; as do I, that our nation could be faced in the near future with the threat of an EMP (from the Sun or otherwise.)

I know you may be thinking, not yet another 'lone-wolf' how-to Preparedness Book. Surprisingly, far from it. ‘Prepping for a Suburban or Rural Community’ is about "community survival"; albeit your neighborhood, town or city, and yes if you work hard enough, maybe even your county. It can be big or small.

You’ve heard the saying, “safety in numbers” right?  Well, the same holds true for disaster survival. Just as we strive to link ourselves with people of like-minds with strong individual skills and knowledge in an effort to create that perfect survival group, the author takes this concept one step further – well actually a few steps further - into our communities.

To be honest; the words civil defense to me was just another “military” term that I didn’t really have a clue what it meant and frankly … I would have never put prepping and civil defense together in a million years. So, I looked it up for a better understanding. One definition in part reads:  “…civil protection … an effort to protect citizens … (generally non-combatants) from…attack.”  Hmmm, I see. The author explains that “a prepared family in a prepared community” has a much greater chance of survival. This is the concept he is referring to as a "civil defense' community (my "ah-hah" moment.) 

Think for a moment of the logistics of trying to protect yourself and family from all the desperate unprepared refugees in your town or city after a catastrophic event.  Now imagine if these refugees were actually preparedness-mined town’s people (but then they wouldn’t be called refugees – just sayin’.) By having as many  ailigned people as possible in a town, there would be no need for people to have individual protection measures set in place inside the community and instead all could focus on protecting the community as a whole from outside forces.

The author uses his personal disaster experiences and his life skills as an EMT, paramedic, LEO (law enforcement officer) and veteran to personalize the book when discussing such topics as, the importance of creating a prepared community; drafting a civil defense/community survival plan; and, how to build a strong security force to name a few. He also addresses “groups” you would find within a civil defense community; such as medical, food, water, security, communications, sanitation and yes even law and order, and finance.

I found myself chortling at times – humor is a great way to help people remember things – and the author subtly used his sense of humor to drive home a points. But, he also has those “gulp” moments such as when he poses the question, “What could possibly be worse than a nuclear war where we all die instantly?  Answer: One where we don’t.”  See what I mean? Gulp! 

I have always lived by the motto “Plan your Work and Work your Plan.”  This is exactly what this book is about - making a 'civil defense' group plan within your community.  Just think. If even a fraction of our nation’s communities would adopt a plan like this … we wouldn’t concern ourselves with if the Government was going to come and save us or not (they're not by the way) – instead we could save ourselves. Which is what preparedness is all about after all – self responsibility.

The author suggests starting small; a few people and working out from there. Hey, even if a person is not interested now he/she may become involved at a later date, so don't discount them. 

Also included in the book are great tools for those who may be new to preparedness, or for those more seasoned, to use as a checks and balance of sorts. The book if full of sample lists and a home preps checklist.  But my favoriet is how to pack a Get-Home Bag (long distance); Get Home Bag (short distance); and, yes even a Get Home Bag (air travel) because it goes hand-in-hand with my Go-Bag Challenge! Don't just fill them! Use them!

 Just sayin’

Get your copy of "Prepping for a Suburban or Rural Community: Building a Civil Defense Plan for a Long-Term" here: 

Contact Info:

Michael Mabee

Email: CivilDefenseBook@gmail.com

Website: CivilDefenseBook.com

Twitter: @CivilDefenseBK

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Prepping-for-a-Suburban-or-Rural-Community/164286323739937

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/CivilDefenseBook

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