Which book/s would you take if we lost power and had to relocate? Top 20 - 25?

[Patient]

So imagine a scenario if there was no electricity, thus no internet and it was not coming back any time soon.

Of course there are many items that a person would want/need. I want to focus on important books that would help to make a difference for the next generations.

Let's see if we can identify a top 20-25 list. So if you had one large suitcase or an average storage container/box, what books do you think should be there? (Which one would you most cherish or feel is most important?)

This might be more difficult considering the amount of topics that one would want to cover i.e., science, math, survival skills, medical, structural engineering, entertainment, etc.

[JackMcThorn]

I do not have much in my possession; a couple of books for now, but one I keep with me in my travels is A Book of English Essays (16oo-19oo) selected by Stanley V. Makower and Basil H. Blackwell.

Some anecdotes:

Francis Bacon, Viscount St. Albans (1561-1626) Of Masques and Triumphs:
"It is a strange desire to seek power and to lose liberty; or to seek power over others, and to lose power over a man's self."

Abraham Cowley, (1618-1667) The Dangers of an Honest Man in Much Company:
"Do ye wonder that a virtuous man should love to be alone?"

"I wish they could unravel all they had woven; that we might have our woods and our innocence again, instead of our castles and our policies."

"One would think that all mankind had bound themselves by an oath to do all the wickedness they can; that they had all (as the Scriptures speaks) 'sold themselves to sin': the difference only is, that some are a little more crafty (and but a little, God knows) in making of the bargain.

Joseph Addison, (1672-1719) The Vision of Mirza:
"A screech-owl at midnight has alarmed a family more than a band of robbers; nay, the voice of a cricket hath struck more terror than the roaring of a lion."

[Mari]

SAS Survival Handbook, by John Wiseman. It's going to be needed....

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/...vival-handbook

[Delight]

Remember to have pencils, pens and paper.

I would take a book on wild edible plants with pictures for one's area.



OK, so what I think we all should do is obtain an E Reader and a solar battery charger. I am wondering which purchases are best?

I have an old Amazon Kindle that allows me to read PDFs. Not sure which E Reader Id choose now.

[ExomatrixTV]

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[Ravenlocke]

I always keep this book every time we move besides a few more on edible plants and cooking,

Country Wisdom & Know-How Everything you need to know to live off the Land

[Bubu]

top 20 to 25 is huge load to carry on a back pack.

I realize I should start reading now, download all books starting from book 1 that way its lightr to arry, cannot bee destroyd by fire or watr. unless I drown or burned.
And beesides I should not b reading it whil neeeeeedddddding it. ya know plans neeeeddd to b ahad of th first steep. Not saying that you mak plan now. I mak min when elctrcity and inteernet is gon. Im veeeeeery slow raefdr .

thanks for the good suggextions above

and the OP

[Bubu]

somehow I felt lazy doing it so probably wont need it.

[Bubu]

Posted by Bubu (here)
somehow I felt lazy doing it so probably wont need it.

Oh Yes, thy needd the gridd for control. Thee neext geneeration might be gon but thee grid , neveer

[Johnnycomelately]

JackMcThorn, I like your book idea. Wisdom is about what is and what works, a headspace that helps in dealing with any challenge.

Posted by JackMcThorn (here)
I do not have much in my possession; a couple of books for now, but one I keep with me in my travels is A Book of English Essays (16oo-19oo) selected by Stanley V. Makower and Basil H. Blackwell.

Some anecdotes:

Francis Bacon, Viscount St. Albans (1561-1626) Of Masques and Triumphs:
"It is a strange desire to seek power and to lose liberty; or to seek power over others, and to lose power over a man's self."

Abraham Cowley, (1618-1667) The Dangers of an Honest Man in Much Company:
"Do ye wonder that a virtuous man should love to be alone?"

"I wish they could unravel all they had woven; that we might have our woods and our innocence again, instead of our castles and our policies."

"One would think that all mankind had bound themselves by an oath to do all the wickedness they can; that they had all (as the Scriptures speaks) 'sold themselves to sin': the difference only is, that some are a little more crafty (and but a little, God knows) in making of the bargain.

Joseph Addison, (1672-1719) The Vision of Mirza:
"A screech-owl at midnight has alarmed a family more than a band of robbers; nay, the voice of a cricket hath struck more terror than the roaring of a lion."

[Johnnycomelately]

Posted by Patient (here)
So imagine a scenario ...

...there are many items that a person would want/need. I want to focus on important books that would help to make a difference for the next generations.

Surviving is assumed/implied. OP (Patient) is looking for essence-of our-lives stuff, and mentions topics relating to the outer world. McThorn notes that our understanding of people is a hard-won foundation that we should preserve. I agree with both, and have a few additions.

1. Since the harrowing scenario will likely be due to an inopportune belch/fa*t by the Sun, I would try to bring my 3rd edition of Ben Davidson’s Weatherman’s Guide to the Sun.

2. On the off-chance that this event will not usher in the thousand years peace, but will only be a hiccup and that baddies will still be around, I would try to bring my beautiful 2005 edition of The Art of War. Watkins Publishing of London, printed in Hong Kong,, translated by Sam Griffith.

3. Might be a good idea to find a well worn copy of the Bible or the Koran, or the handbook of any big cult in your area, to help ‘get along’.

[Bubu]

Posted by Johnnycomelately (here)

Posted by Patient (here)
So imagine a scenario ...

...there are many items that a person would want/need. I want to focus on important books that would help to make a difference for the next generations.

Surviving is assumed/implied. OP (Patient) is looking for essence-of our-lives stuff, and mentions topics relating to the outer world. McThorn notes that our understanding of people is a hard-won foundation that we should preserve. I agree with both, and have a few additions.

1. Since the harrowing scenario will likely be due to an inopportune belch/fa*t by the Sun, I would try to bring my 3rd edition of Ben Davidson’s Weatherman’s Guide to the Sun.

2. On the off-chance that this event will not usher in the thousand years peace, but will only be a hiccup and that baddies will still be around, I would try to bring my beautiful 2005 edition of The Art of War. Watkins Publishing of London, printed in Hong Kong,, translated by Sam Griffith.

3. Might be a good idea to find a well worn copy of the Bible or the Koran, or the handbook of any big cult in your area, to help ‘get along’.

I wonder how will th sun acomplish that? Anyway I havee good news for you. Our gridds is eequiped with a mighty dddvie ccalledd "lighting arrester"
. In any case theere is an overloadd of EMF this mighty deevicce will automaticcaly cut thee overloadded seegmeent from the reeest, eeesseentialy to the earth. If thre is ddamage wich is unliokeely theen its piecce of ccake to restore. I use to do eleetrical works, At timees I;m occcky enough to show off how eleectricution has no power over me by splicing live wires that eemits sprks in thee proccess, witghout handgloves or pliers

[palehorse]

Posted by Johnnycomelately (here)

Posted by Patient (here)
So imagine a scenario ...

...there are many items that a person would want/need. I want to focus on important books that would help to make a difference for the next generations.

..
3. Might be a good idea to find a well worn copy of the Bible or the Koran, or the handbook of any big cult in your area, to help ‘get along’.

That was exactly what I thought firstly, I also would carry Mahabharata, the Puranas or whatever Vedas I could possibly carry with me. Another book I would carry is anything that help establish communities (low-tech/no-tech methods ONLY), that would be precious.

In a scenario like that, I believe anyone would not have the time to read much, then the priorities would not be books in my opinion, that is crucial moment in life when the knowledge and wisdom that each one possesses would be in check, survive or die my friend.

I would be more worried in having some basic tools, like a scythe, ax, hoe, rake, machete, sickle hand saw, pick, wrenches, hammer and so on..

[Patient]

Posted by ExomatrixTV (here)

• 365 Essential Survival Skills
• Size 43.11 Mb
• Ultimate Survival Hacks - Disaster, Wilderness, Off The Grid
• Size 146.87 Mb
• The Prepper's Survival Bible - The Ultimate Guide to Survive Aft
• Size 2.51 Mb
• First Aid Handbook Crucial Survival Skills, Emergency Procedure
• Size 14.82 Mb
• Survival 101 - Raised Bed Gardening And Food Storage - Food Pres
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• Survival Medicine Guide The Ultimate First Aid Manual To Survive
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• The Campus Survival Cookbook
• Size 16.39 Mb
• Ultimate Survival Guide - 15-Books-Mega Bundle
  
• Size 13.66 MiB
• The Green Beret Survival Guide
• Size 78.29 Mb
• 30 Prepper's Survival Guide Books Collection
• Size 413.44 Mb
• Ultimate Survival Hacks - Over 500 Amazing Tricks
• Size 121.32 Mb
• The Popular Mechanics Essential Survival Guide The Only Book You
• Size 14.56 Mb
• Towell C. The Survival Handbook. Essential Skills
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• The Preppers Long Term Survival Handbook Step By Step
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• Survival 101 Beginners Guide 2021 And Bushcraft - The Complete
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• 101 Wilderness Survival Tips, Tricks and Scenarios - All In One
• Size 317.49 Kb
• Bushcraft 101 - A Field Guide to the Art of Wilderness Survival
• Size 4.2 Mb
• Prepper Supplies Survival Guide - The Prepping Supplies, Gear
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• The Survival Doctors Complete Handbook What To Do When Help Is N
• Size 7.07 Mb
• SAS Survival Handbook - The Ultimate Guide to Surviving Anywhere
• Size 29.25 Mb
• Essential Survival Gear - A Pros Guide To Your Most Practical An
• Size 7.39 Mb
• Family Survival Guide - The Best Ways For Families To Prepare -
• Size 25.23 Mb
• Survival Knives - How To Choose And Use The Right Blade
• Size 156.03 Mb
• Prepper's Medical Handbook - Prepper's Long-Term Survival Guide
• Size 5.13 Mb
• The Ultimate Bushcraft Survival Manual
• Size 30.73 Mb
• SAS Survival Handbook - 3rd Edition (2014) Epub Gooner
• Size 89.79 Mb
• 30 Prepper's Survival Guide Books Collection Pack-2
• Size 135.62 Mb
• The Survival Handbook - A Practical Guide to Woodcraft and Woodl
• Size: 27.1 Mb

ExomatrixTV rarely fails to deliver!

Thanks John

[Patient]

Posted by Bubu (here)
top 20 to 25 is huge load to carry on a back pack.

I realize I should start reading now, download all books starting from book 1 that way its lightr to arry, cannot bee destroyd by fire or watr. unless I drown or burned.
And beesides I should not b reading it whil neeeeeedddddding it. ya know plans neeeeddd to b ahad of th first steep. Not saying that you mak plan now. I mak min when elctrcity and inteernet is gon. Im veeeeeery slow raefdr .

thanks for the good suggextions above

and the OP

Yes, I have backpacked and also had my share of portaging. Even one medium sized hard cover book is too much for a back pack considering all of the other stuff that would be crammed in there.

But even picturing a bookshelf that would only hold approximately 25 books - what ones would you want there?

[Patient]

Posted by Johnnycomelately (here)

Posted by Patient (here)
So imagine a scenario ...

...there are many items that a person would want/need. I want to focus on important books that would help to make a difference for the next generations.

Surviving is assumed/implied. OP (Patient) is looking for essence-of our-lives stuff, and mentions topics relating to the outer world. McThorn notes that our understanding of people is a hard-won foundation that we should preserve. I agree with both, and have a few additions.

1. Since the harrowing scenario will likely be due to an inopportune belch/fa*t by the Sun, I would try to bring my 3rd edition of Ben Davidson’s Weatherman’s Guide to the Sun.

2. On the off-chance that this event will not usher in the thousand years peace, but will only be a hiccup and that baddies will still be around, I would try to bring my beautiful 2005 edition of The Art of War. Watkins Publishing of London, printed in Hong Kong,, translated by Sam Griffith.

3. Might be a good idea to find a well worn copy of the Bible or the Koran, or the handbook of any big cult in your area, to help ‘get along’.

Yes, I never thought of books covering multiple religions.

Have you read "A Book of Five Rings: The Classic Guide to Strategy"?

It was written by Miyamoto Musashi.

If anyone is interested in martial arts and has not looked into Miyamoto Musashi - you should check him out.

The Book of Five Rings contains strategy knowledge that should/could be researched by focusing on one point or "strategy" for a long time to really explore it. As a martial artist, a person might not quickly see how some of these strategies can apply to average life situations, not only training, sparring and self defence. Also, a person with very little interest in martial arts might not see the benefit of the strategies written within the book.

Yes! These books should be on the list!

[Patient]

Posted by palehorse (here)

Posted by Johnnycomelately (here)

Posted by Patient (here)
So imagine a scenario ...

...there are many items that a person would want/need. I want to focus on important books that would help to make a difference for the next generations.

..
3. Might be a good idea to find a well worn copy of the Bible or the Koran, or the handbook of any big cult in your area, to help ‘get along’.

That was exactly what I thought firstly, I also would carry Mahabharata, the Puranas or whatever Vedas I could possibly carry with me. Another book I would carry is anything that help establish communities (low-tech/no-tech methods ONLY), that would be precious.

In a scenario like that, I believe anyone would not have the time to read much, then the priorities would not be books in my opinion, that is crucial moment in life when the knowledge and wisdom that each one possesses would be in check, survive or die my friend.

I would be more worried in having some basic tools, like a scythe, ax, hoe, rake, machete, sickle hand saw, pick, wrenches, hammer and so on..

Of course tools and supplies would be very important. But, for example; just looking at the space available for books - which one would be your choice?

Even from the perspective of a healthy and happy society, the internet "contains all". Books are disappearing from our lives. If you had a box in your closet that you are passing down to your grand kids in case of the internet failing. (Maybe in the future access to the internet is very limited based upon social status, gov and/or military?)

If all of the books were going to magically vanish except one that a person had in their hand - which book would it be?

[Patient]

Posted by Patient (here)

Posted by ExomatrixTV (here)

• 365 Essential Survival Skills
• Size 43.11 Mb
• Ultimate Survival Hacks - Disaster, Wilderness, Off The Grid
• Size 146.87 Mb
• The Prepper's Survival Bible - The Ultimate Guide to Survive Aft
• Size 2.51 Mb
• First Aid Handbook Crucial Survival Skills, Emergency Procedure
• Size 14.82 Mb
• Survival 101 - Raised Bed Gardening And Food Storage - Food Pres
• Size 5.49 Mb
• Survival Medicine Guide The Ultimate First Aid Manual To Survive
• Size 311.61 Kb
• The Campus Survival Cookbook
• Size 16.39 Mb
• Ultimate Survival Guide - 15-Books-Mega Bundle
  
• Size 13.66 MiB
• The Green Beret Survival Guide
• Size 78.29 Mb
• 30 Prepper's Survival Guide Books Collection
• Size 413.44 Mb
• Ultimate Survival Hacks - Over 500 Amazing Tricks
• Size 121.32 Mb
• The Popular Mechanics Essential Survival Guide The Only Book You
• Size 14.56 Mb
• Towell C. The Survival Handbook. Essential Skills
• Size 87.69 Mb
• The Preppers Long Term Survival Handbook Step By Step
• Size 9.87 Mb
• Survival 101 Beginners Guide 2021 And Bushcraft - The Complete
• Size 5.73 Mb
• 101 Wilderness Survival Tips, Tricks and Scenarios - All In One
• Size 317.49 Kb
• Bushcraft 101 - A Field Guide to the Art of Wilderness Survival
• Size 4.2 Mb
• Prepper Supplies Survival Guide - The Prepping Supplies, Gear
• Size 4.87 Mb
• The Survival Doctors Complete Handbook What To Do When Help Is N
• Size 7.07 Mb
• SAS Survival Handbook - The Ultimate Guide to Surviving Anywhere
• Size 29.25 Mb
• Essential Survival Gear - A Pros Guide To Your Most Practical An
• Size 7.39 Mb
• Family Survival Guide - The Best Ways For Families To Prepare -
• Size 25.23 Mb
• Survival Knives - How To Choose And Use The Right Blade
• Size 156.03 Mb
• Prepper's Medical Handbook - Prepper's Long-Term Survival Guide
• Size 5.13 Mb
• The Ultimate Bushcraft Survival Manual
• Size 30.73 Mb
• SAS Survival Handbook - 3rd Edition (2014) Epub Gooner
• Size 89.79 Mb
• 30 Prepper's Survival Guide Books Collection Pack-2
• Size 135.62 Mb
• The Survival Handbook - A Practical Guide to Woodcraft and Woodl
• Size: 27.1 Mb

ExomatrixTV rarely fails to deliver!

Thanks John

So apart from all of the survival guides (which are very valuable of course) what would be your "entertainment" read?

I would go for Tolkien's "Lord of The Rings trilogy" and I would have to include "The Hobbit" of course. Good thing that there are good paperback versions. The books have it all - fantasy, drama, comedy, moral issues and on and on. Also; poems and songs. A lot of exploring our imaginations and a lot to talk about in a group sharing their experience in reading the books.

[palehorse]

Posted by Patient (here)

Posted by palehorse (here)

Posted by Johnnycomelately (here)

Posted by Patient (here)
So imagine a scenario ...

...there are many items that a person would want/need. I want to focus on important books that would help to make a difference for the next generations.

..
3. Might be a good idea to find a well worn copy of the Bible or the Koran, or the handbook of any big cult in your area, to help ‘get along’.

That was exactly what I thought firstly, I also would carry Mahabharata, the Puranas or whatever Vedas I could possibly carry with me. Another book I would carry is anything that help establish communities (low-tech/no-tech methods ONLY), that would be precious.

In a scenario like that, I believe anyone would not have the time to read much, then the priorities would not be books in my opinion, that is crucial moment in life when the knowledge and wisdom that each one possesses would be in check, survive or die my friend.

I would be more worried in having some basic tools, like a scythe, ax, hoe, rake, machete, sickle hand saw, pick, wrenches, hammer and so on..

Of course tools and supplies would be very important. But, for example; just looking at the space available for books - which one would be your choice?

Even from the perspective of a healthy and happy society, the internet "contains all". Books are disappearing from our lives. If you had a box in your closet that you are passing down to your grand kids in case of the internet failing. (Maybe in the future access to the internet is very limited based upon social status, gov and/or military?)

If all of the books were going to magically vanish except one that a person had in their hand - which book would it be?

all right, I went off-topic sorry for that..
beside the ones I mentioned, I would carry with me, because I have them all here in hard copy, except the Vedas.

- Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
- King Lear by Shakespeare
- Ulysses by James Joyce
- The Idiot and Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky
- Either Or by Soren Kierkegaard
- The Sleeper Awakes, by H.G. Wells
- We by Eugene Zamiatin
- The Iron Heel by Jack London
- Anthem by Ayn Rand
- Animal Farm and 1984 by George Orwell
- Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
- Farrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (this one resonate with what you wrote)
- Lord of the Flies by William Golding
- A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
- The Drowned World by J. G. Ballard
- Stand on Zanzibar by John Brunner (I loved this one, read more than once)
- Sprawl trilogy by William Gibson
- Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
- True Names by Vernor Vinge
- Food of Gods by Terrence McKenna
- Ready Player one by Ernest Cline
- Prometheus Rising and Illuminati Trilogy by Robert Anton Wilson
- Maybe the entire collection of Philip K. Dick (that would be more than 25 allowed.. if only one to choose it would be : Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep
- Angel Tech - A Modern Shaman's Guide To Reality Selection by Antero Alli
- The Machine Stops by Em. Forster
- Carlos Castaneda (all books are great, but the first one is supreme Teachings of Don Juan)

It is a bit over 25 books.. I have other books different subjects as well, old magazines.. things that I don't know what to do and I know I will not read again, I tried to donate to the local bookshop in the past, but they are getting rid of their books too, the old bookshop closed when covid hit hard the economy around here.

Patient, what would be your list ?

[thepainterdoug]

The Bible, its plenty long, and she marries him in the end