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”
I previously traveled around the country for some of my past jobs. Now I am working closer to home but still with a 45-60 minute drive on way. My family is grown with children of their own but are close by. Walking to their home or the school would not take all day on foot. I worried when I was working in New York or California ( I always flew) that if something bad happened it would definitely take me awhile to get home. My family is the most precious thing I have. I would walk as long as it took to get there. If I was closer to home when something bad happens, my priority would be to get to the school to get my grandchildren, once a mama bear always a mama bear. The children’s parents work in different directions from home and it is a longer commute for them. When things get real out of hand I want to be with my family and to know they are safe. We can pull together at either home, but ours would be better because of the extra preparations, and take care of each other. I have extended family from my side as well as my husband all over the US, so along the way I would be able to get some assistance if needed during my journey home. Home is always where your heart is!
I’m glad you’re continuing to enjoy this series! Thanks for being a part of the tour.
I grew up hearing “You always have time for the things you put first.” With the exception of some distant Aunts, uncles and cousins, my son is my family. He is 25 years old and every single day of his life, with the exception of 4 days, (because he was out camping with is “Order of the Arrow” requirements) I have always made sure I told him “I Love You.” It would not matter how far or what I had to over-come to get back to him, its a no-brainer, I would have to get home to him. Step by step, mile by mile doesn’t matter, it would just be a matter of time.
With all those movies and stories of various pets crossing whole countries to be reunited with their families, how could we I less?! No four legged cutie is gonna show me up, LOL
My husband and i are big walkers. We have been known to do a 12 mile round trip hike to the grocery store and once or twice we have hiked 10 miles round trip for lunch! You get to load up the lunch plate when you do this. The farthest we have walked in one day is 18 miles as part of a hiking trip from Victoria, BC to Nanaimo. Great trip along the highway and on lovely country roads.
I am a truck driver and usually within 100 mi radius of home. I keep with me when working, a bug out bag with one week worth of food and 2 gal water. I also have an extra pair of sneakers/walkers in addition to my combat boots. I am physically fit enough to walk across the continent and would do so if necessary to reach my family. But would be looking for a bicycle every step of the way!
there is no distance i could not walk if i had the few items i needed to get to where i aimed for…
It’s 60 miles to Son’s house an I could walk that far. The bridges would vary the length of trip but I would start with the motor-home an then have a shorter distance but even at 76 I walk over a mile to town an the a mile home 4 or 5 days a week. In my 40’s I hiked over 70 miles of the Skyline trail on a fishing trip an feel pretty sure that is still in my reach, just at a slower pace.
I’m very rarely too far from home most times within walkable distance .Once a month i have to take a long trip. these trips are when i worry most .By car its 3 hrs one way roughly 150 miles up and down mountains. no easy hike by any measure.When i was younger and in good shape i did a walkathon i did the 25 miles .i also used to ride my bike all day im talking 12 hrs in the summers. those days are long gone but i still have a bike .Im thinking it might be wise to take the bike with me on those trips as biking would be easier than walking.It does break down to fit in the back of the car without tools so thats a plus..I couldstrap on my BOB and hit the road.thanks for making me think about this .Im going to work on the bike tomorrow and make sure its road ready
All my family is fairly local, except for sisters, but I would walk as far and carefully as I had to, to make sure all were safe. I am the only one who preps at this time, and I don’t go far from home.
I homeschool five children and are with them 24/7. Once a month I may be up to 20 miles away from them while I get groceries. I wouldn’t have to walk further than that to get to them. I always wear hiking boots and have a water bottle handy. The real question for me is…could my youngest children walk 20 miles to get home should we need to. We know the back way and have friends along the route. There is a good reason to not stray too far from home. My husband is on the road and could be a hundred miles away every day. I hope he would make it to us!