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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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Shop the Emergency Essentials Monthly Specials
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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”
“Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time.” ~Stephen Wright
I’d like to think that I would do whatever it takes to get back to my family. I am usually not too far from home – I work about 10 miles from home, and don’t travel too far for most things. I would also have to care for my parents who live about 5 miles away.
There is a reason middle eastern families are so tight: in desperate situations, they are the only ones they can really trust.
When I asked my husband your question, he gave me a blank stare. “What kind of stupid question is that?” he asked.
“OK, so what would your answer be then?” I asked. And he gave me the same answer I would give: as far as I had to.
Family is and will be the most important thing any of us will have. And I imagine we would walk whatever distance it took to get home to our families.
I would walk as far as I have to. I believe I have the survival skills, supplies and positive mental attitude that would be needed to sustain me for a prolonged period of time.
I have walked marthatons before. with a backpack, over rough terrain, about 10 miles/day. Over extended lengths of time, each day would be less than the previous one for a while.
I am an avid hiker and always have a get home bag with me. My family is the most important thing to me, so i would do anything to get back to them. I live in a rural area and work 23 miles from my house, so i could get back to them in a day, two at max bushwacking. i rarely travel and when i do, we travel as a family.
Well I keep my travel down to no more than about 20 miles from my place and family. Also work out and have my EDC and small bug out bag when I head out.
If I had to make it home I would do what ever it takes by breaking up the journey into smaller sections. I would try to walk at least 10 to 15 miles a day.
However far or long it took. It might take time but nothing short of death would be able to stop me. I just hope nothing ever happens. Hopefully i am just worried for no reason.
I would walk as far as I had to. I need to make it to where the love of my life is to hold, secure and protect my family. 10, 15 20 + miles. I have been deployed thousands and thousands of miles away from home and family so trust me I will do anything possible to get home. You do not know what you have untill you can not get there.