Gaye Levy
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Today’s entry in the current Backdoor Survival Book Festival is Escaping Home by A. American. By now you know that A. American is the author of the hugely popular books, Going Home and Surviving Home which are part of the Survivalist Series. I shared an interview with A. American a few weeks ago and he is currently working on answers to some additional questions.
But in the meantime, I have an excerpt of his latest book for you, plus, one of our most fabulous book giveaways yet: a copy of all three books in the Survivalist Series. Now how cool is that?
Sitting by the fire reading ESCAPING HOME
An Excerpt from Escaping Home
The following excerpt will give a sense not only of what Escaping Home is about, but of A. American’s writing style.
It took weeks to walk to home, but I made it. The entire time I was focused on just getting there. I never really gave much thought to what would happen afterward. Even my most pessimistic thoughts of how life would be at home didn’t come close to the reality. Now our neighborhood is basically empty. Many have simply disappeared. We are down to our small group now: my family, my neighbors Danny and Bobbie, and Sarge and his gang. Fewer people around means more eyes on us, attention we certainly do not want.
In the Before, people used to talk about the FEMA camps and whether or not they would ever choose to go into them. In the Now, with the harsh light of reality shining on the situation, many of those who said they would never be taken to one of these camps were happy to walk in on their own. We’ve been the target of raiders and of the federal government, both apparently trying to force us into the camps. Now we must decide whether to stay and fight, or find someplace to retreat to. Escape may be our only option.
We have a place—the perfect place for long-term survival, really. But my family, Mel and the girls, may not be ready for it. While the rest of the country may have fallen apart, our preparations are mitigating the effects they feel. With running water, power and abundant stored food—at least for now—they see it as an apocalyptic holiday. But there are forces at play, beyond our control, that may bring about this last desperate move.
Life in the camps isn’t what it appears to be. While there is food, water and warmth, the price is near slave labor and virtual imprisonment. In the care and custody of FEMA, backed up by the DHS, those inside the camp have no rights, no freedom and, worse yet, are exposed to the possible brutality of their caretakers
So What do I Think?
Having read the first two books in the series, I was anxiously waiting for this one to be released. Although I am only partially through it, I have not been disappointed.
Part of A. American’s writing style is to talk about feelings. You know – the same types of feelings, issues and concerns that we have as we attempt to prepare our mindset for a collapse situation and heaven forbid, strategies for making our way back to our families in a SHTF society.
To me, ignoring feelings and emotions is catamount to ignoring the seriousness of the matter. A. American writes about the humanness of his character’s feelings and for that reason, I look forward to each of his books.
The Book Giveaway
A copy of all three books in the Survivalist Series (including Escaping Home. Going Home, and Surviving Home has been reserved for one lucky reader. Here is this week’s question:
How far could you walk to make it home if you were separated from your family?
To enter the giveaway, you need to answer this question by responding in the comments area at the end of this article. The deadline is 6:00 PM Pacific next Wednesday. The winner will be notified by email plus there will be an announcement in the Sunday Survival Buzz. He or she will have 48 hours to claim the winning books.
Note: If you are reading this article in your email client, you must go to the Backdoor Survival website to enter this giveaway in the comments area at the bottom of the article.
The Final Word
Have you ever wondered why I ask these questions? The reason is simple. By answering questions that are part of the BDS giveaways, you are forced to think about various situations and assess how prepared you are given a particular aspect of your preps. Sneaky of me, I know.
I hope you will enter the giveaway to win your own copy of A. American’s Survivalist Series. And just in case you missed his interview, here is a link: Going Home and Surviving Home: An Interview with A. American.
Enjoy your next adventure through common sense and thoughtful preparation!
Gaye
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Spotlight Item: Escaping Home: A Novel (The Survivalist Series)
When society ceases to exist, who can you trust?
After the collapse of the nation’s power grid, America is under martial law—and safety is an illusion. As violence erupts around him, Morgan Carter faces one of his most difficult decisions yet: whether to stay and defend his home, or move to a more isolated area, away from the prying eyes of the government. He and his family are hesitant to leave their beloved Lake County, but with increasingly suspicious activities happening in a nearby refugee camp, all signs point towards defecting. Morgan and his friends aren’t going to leave without a fight, though—and they’ll do anything to protect their freedoms.
Escaping Home describes the struggle to live in a world with no rules, and how, sometimes, the strength of family is the only thing that can pull you through.
Bargain Bin: Today is all about books. Listed below are all of the books in the current Backdoor Survival Book Festival. There are both fiction and non-fiction titles and a bit of something for everyone.
THE BACKDOOR SURVIVAL BOOK FESTIVAL 4.0 – NON-FICTION
Backyard Cuisine: Bringing Foraged Food to Your Table
Home Remedies
Living on the Edge: A Family’s Journey to Self-Sufficiency
Make It Last: Prolonging + Preserving the Things We Love
Make Your Place: Affordable, Sustainable Nesting Skills
The Pocket Guide to Wild Mushrooms: Helpful Tips for Mushrooming in the Field
Good Clean Food
The Amazing 2000-Hour Flashlight
Recipes and Tips for Sustainable Living
The People’s Apocalypse
Go Green, Spend Less, Live Better
THE BACKDOOR SURVIVAL BOOK FESTIVAL 4.0 – FICTION
Going Home: A Novel of Survival (The Survivalist Series)
Surviving Home: A Novel (The Survivalist Series)
Expatriates: A Novel of the Coming Global Collapse
The Border Marches
Rivers: A Novel
After the Blackout
The End: A Postapocalyptic Novel (The New World Series)
The Long Road: A Postapocalyptic Novel (The New World Series)
3 Prepper Romances: Escape To My Arms, plus 2 other e-books (your choice)
Prepper Pete Prepares: An Introduction to Prepping for Kids
THE BACKDOOR SURVIVAL BOOK FESTIVAL 4.0 – LAST MINUTE ADDITIONS
The New Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day: The Discovery That Revolutionizes Home Baking
Escaping Home: A Novel (The Survivalist Series)
Living Ready Pocket Manual – First Aid: Fundamentals for Survival
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The monthly specials at Emergency Essentials feature discounts of up to 35% off sometimes a bit more. I have a monthly budget and each month I add a bit more FD products to my long term storage – always making my selection from sale items.
And don’t forget there is still time to get some RED EMERGENCY CANDLES – including gift bags and bows – for gift-giving off. These are great candles, even for non-emergency purposes.
Shop the Emergency Essentials Monthly Specials
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The Amazon Top Ten Most Wanted Survival and Outdoor Items
Emergency Preparedness Items from Amazon.com
Help support Backdoor Survival. Purchases earn a small commission and for that I thank you!
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11 Steps to Living a Strategic Life: This little book will provide you with the motivation to get started or stay on track with a self-reliant life. 11 Steps to Living a Strategic Life, co-authored with my long time pal, George Ure (www.urbansurvival.com), and can purchased from Amazon.
90 Responses to “BDS Book Festival – Escaping Home and The Survivalist Series”
OPSEC is very important. If you are constantly talking about your preps and what you have and don’t have you may be unknowingly making yourself a target. It is amazing the conversations you can overhear in line at Walmart, at a restaurant, or even in the grocery store. Try it–you will be amazed what you can learn without even trying.
Ok, how far could I walk if I got separated from my family? I am disabled, so I wouldn’t get very far very fast. But I will say this: I would start walking, and no matter how slow I would be going, I wouldn’t stop until I got there! I never give up!
My joints are not what they used to be. My hips and feet start complaining after half a day’s shopping. A couple years ago, I did go on a 3-4 hour hike in the hills of KY, including having to wade in a creek part of the way. I was pleasantly surprised that I managed as well as I did!
That said, if speed was not an issue and with sufficient short rests, I imagine I could do 15 miles in a day. Maybe better.
I have no idea how far I could walk since I am ill, but I would certainly ask God to help me and then I would get going.
I would walk as far as it took to get home to my family. Do anything to get to them and i mean anything.
If something happens while I’m at work in the hospital, I wouldn’t be allowed to leave. Since I’m on me feet most of the day, I know I could walk the 5 miles to my home, and the 10 miles to my 85 y.o. Mom’s home. If I’m out of town, I’d get home to my pets one way or another.
I would walk till I dropped, rest long enough till I walked and dropped again ! I work from home so the more likely scenario is seeing if my parents brother & nephews would make it to my house as they are 1 1/2 hr away! My son is only maybe 2 1/2 miles ea way to school so no biggie if I had to walk to go get him. This last article is a good booster for me to get back to the gym:) being in shape is not only crucial to doomsday scenario but for long term survival. I’m hitting the gym today! Thank you!
I would go as far as I necessary, but only a few feet at a time. It would take me forever if it was more than a block away. I also have arthritis, as well as some other debilitating medical issues that prevent me from being on my feet for longer than a few minutes, or walking any distance at all. But my stuborness would persist, and I’m sure I would hobble that few feet at a time. Each step brings me one step closer. I think of an ant burrowing it’s home…one grain of dirt at a time. Yet he persists until it’s done. Certainly I would look for alternate means of travel, but if there were none, I’d crawl if I had to. No limit on the distance. Currantly I don’t go far from home except for doctor visits out of town. That’s really the only time I would ever have to be concerned if SHTF. My sons live close by and I’m sure if SHTF, they’d come to get me. Or maybe even come and hole up here at my house. I’m in a good location.
Probably not very far, due to having arthritis in my hips, but I would go for as far and as long as I could.
Wifey and I both work in town, about 20 miles from home. That would be an easy walk. Another 25 or so to our parents’ places, again doable. My children – 500 miles. Doable , I think, with planning and luck. Major river crossings to deal with, but other than that, I think I could do that, if need be.