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I am shaking things up this week by running the next author interview and giveaway in the Backdoor Survival Book Festival 7 a day early.
Scott Hunt, the author of The Practical Preppers Complete Guide to Disaster Preparedness
, is a fairly well-known fellow. You may recognize him as one of the experts who performs assessments and evaluations of preppers that appear in the Nat Geo program, Doomsday Preppers. Beyond that though, I had the pleasure of meeting Scott a few years back and know that he is a dedicated Prepper himself who has an intense interest in sharing his knowledge and helping people.
Scott is here to answer the usual Book Festival questions plus, will be offering a copy of his book to THREE Backdoor Survival readers. You already know how much I enjoy these book giveaways but three books is always a special bonus!
Enjoy the interview and be sure to enter the giveaway below.
Tell me about your book, The Practical Preppers Complete Guide to Disaster Preparedness. What is it about?
Well Gaye, first just let me say it’s great to catch up with you since we first met in Texas. The book was a great opportunity from St. Martin’s Press in NYC. My editor, Anne Brewer, gave me a long leash and let me run!!
I have more than 20 years experience in engineering/farming and that has led to learning lots of ways to move water, grow food, and make electricity. The book is a comprehensive book on preparedness that gives both the novice and experienced prepper food for thought.
What type of research did you have to do while writing your book?
The book is more tried and true methods and real life experiences stemming from childhood to last week! I have years of experience as an engineer. I also have a deep desire to help others, which comes more from my years as a pastor.
On topics like medical, I relied on my wife, who is a licensed pharmacist. On security, I have some great friends who have a phenomenal amount of real life experiences in war. CrossFit trainer Josh Harrison assisted on the fitness section.
How long did it take to write?
I was approached by Anne in October 2013 and finished December 31, 2013. The actual writing time took about a month.
Every book, fiction and non-fiction, includes a message. What message do you hope my readers will take with them after reading Practical Preppers Complete Guide to Disaster Preparedness?
I want every reader to be prepared to live a life with less anxiety and fear of the unknown. I am focused on solutions. Solutions are universal answers to many problems.
Today people are concerned about Ebola. Next week there may be a panic about hurricanes. If one has to shelter in place because of either, it makes no difference why. Your solutions will be stored water, stored food, a way to make a little electricity, being knowledgeable about sanitation.
I want every reader, when disaster strikes, to be able to ease others’ pain and suffering.
Can you tell us a little bit more about yourself?
As a boy I lived in rural NY. I grew up on motorcycles and snowmobiles. I learned to trap. I learned to weed an acre garden. I learned to respect the people who carve out a living by sweat and blood.
Even though I would ultimately go to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY for my bachelors and masters, I never forgot those lessons. Once I had the classical training, the two worlds just merged.
When I got my own piece of property to start a small farm, I started tinkering with moving water. I told my wife it was for the cattle, but I became intrigued with 19th century engineering solutions to what was then a world without electricity. I started to apply them to farming, with spectacular results. Then I merged solar technology with water pumping. I was having a blast. I never thought the Lord would move in such a way that I would have a business doing it.
As an author in the survival, prepping and/or homesteading niche, what are you personally preparing for?
Oh that is a great question, Gaye.
I prepare for everything (laughs)! All kidding aside, my philosophy is not to focus on a few scenarios that could possibly happen based on geography or population density.
For example, my objectives are three fold in water solutions: storage, resupply, and purification. So I have a rain catchment system complete with 650 gallon rain barrel, 55 gallon barrels in living areas, 1050 gallon barrels holding spring water pumped by a hydraulic ram pump hundreds of feet away. I have UV , chemical, and filter purification systems.
And yes, I do believe in the prepper rules of threes! (Three is two, two is one, one is none.)
Do you have plans for another book?
Gaye, I have dreams of writing a book about water. It would cover living water (spiritual aspects of water) as well as regular ole water. Currently I am busy helping other people with their preparations, so it may remain a dream for awhile.
Is there anything else you would like to share with my readers?
Just that I really look forward to seeing more people prepared for disaster. It is so satisfying to see people confident, knowing they are ready for whatever comes their way.
The Book Giveaway
Three copies of The Practical Preppers Complete Guide to Disaster Preparedness have been reserved for lucky readers. To enter the giveaway, you need to utilize the Rafflecopter form below.
If for some reason the Rafflecopter widget is not working, you may also enter here.
The deadline is 6:00 PM Pacific next Tuesday with the winner notified by email and announced on the Rafflecopter in this article. Please note that the winner must claim their book within 48 hours or an alternate will be selected.
The Final Word
Before closing, I want to mention that while there are a lot of terrific books in the prepping and survival niche, this one stands with the best of them. His chapter on “Power” is one of the best I have seen. It goes beyond the basics and explains the technical aspects of fuel, fuel storage, generators, and alternative power solutions such as solar and wind generation. It answers questions such as how to do it and should you do it This is good stuff.
The last section of the book is made up of a “Preparedness Checklist” and a “Prepper Report Card”. This is a great tool for tracking where you are presently and what steps you need to take to reach your prepping goals.
All this plus three copies up for grabs. Wohoo! Good luck everyone!
Enjoy your next adventure through common sense and thoughtful preparation!
Gaye
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Spotlight: The Practical Preppers Complete Guide to Disaster Preparedness
The world we live in is an unstable one. From natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods of biblical proportions to concerns about the economic downturn and government shutdown, the hits just keep on coming.
At the same time, the power grid is incredibly fragile. Our dependency on widely distributed long distance systems for power, medicine, and food makes our society susceptible to attack, whether by foreign or domestic enemies, or the weather. No matter the concern, the solutions are the same.
With this book, anyone can learn how to:
- Secure a water source—even in an urban area
- Grow and preserve food
- Set up an alternative energy supply
- Maintain a comfortable shelter –including alternative cooking and sanitation methods during a long power outage
- Bug out—what to include in your bug out bag and how to leave
- Prepare for medical issues
- Deal with security concerns
Preparing for disruption of services in an emergency is a noble venture which gives peace of mind. This book will empower readers of all skill levels and resources to survive and achieve an independent, sustainable lifestyle.
Plus: The Preppers Guide to Food Storage
No list of books would be complete without my own book, The Prepper’s Guide to Food Storage.
Help support Backdoor Survival. Purchases earn a small commission and for that I thank you!
85 Responses to “BDS Book Festival 7: Practical Preppers Complete Guide to Disaster Preparedness”
Hunting rifle
A portable and effective water purifier
I would really like to have a well that could be operated manually in case no electricity was available.
Water filter
Top of my list are friends; my friends have a wide variety of skills that I don’t have. They’ve offered to teach me to can foods, to make soap, to darn socks, etc. Their knowledge is vital.
my next big prep is bulk water storage tank and installation.
My biggest prep wish is a Berkey system with extra filters.
Merry (belated) Christmas and have a great holiday AND a prosperous New Year