My show last night on Around the Cabin was focused on putting together a survival library. As promised during the show, I’ve assembled a quick list of the books I recommended all preppers have on hand in their survival library. You’ll note that I refrained from listing any of my books below. I was going to but then thought that might be uncouth or even downright rude. If you’re interested in my books, make with the clicky here.

The Survival Medicine Handbook by Joe and Amy Alton

Build the Perfect Survival Kit (2nd edition) by John D McCann

Bug-Out: Reality vs Hype by John D. McCann

Stay Alive! By John D. McCann

Encyclopedia of Country Living by Carla Emery

Storey’s Country Skills by John and Martha Storey

The Unthinkable by Amanda Ripley

The Survival Group Handbook by Charley Hogwood

Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving

Canning and Preserving All-in-One for Dummies

The Complete Photo Guide to Home Improvement

As I noted during the show, it is critical that you don’t just stick these books on a shelf and forget about them. You should read through them, not only so you’ll know what information is found in each book but to learn the vital skills and knowledge you’ll need should disasters strike. Skills trump stuff, every single time.

Your survival library should also contain the instruction or operating manuals for all of your survival gear (water filters, radios, etc.), your home mechanicals (furnace, central air, water heater, etc.), your major appliances (stove, refrigerator, freezer, etc.), and your major tools (chainsaw, lawn tractor, etc.). A great way to store all of these manuals is to use a 3 ring binder and some page protectors.

It is important to keep your survival library at least somewhat organized, too. Knowing you have the information you need in a specific book and being able to find that book are two entirely different things.