Book Review – The Postman by David Brin
I literally just finished this book five minutes ago so the memory is fresh. Much more so than my recollection of the movie by the same name which was another bomb for Kevin Costner and was at best, loosely based on the novel. But nonetheless, here are my thoughts on this PAW fiction classic.
The story is set in a post-apocalyptic world that was brought on by a war where nuclear weapons were used. Fifteen or so years after the initial war we find ourselves face to face with Gordon Krantz, a loner type who is trying to find a place where true rebuilding is happening. All the while he moves from hamlet (author's word) to hamlet using his memory of classic plays to entertain townspeople and maybe get a meal and some resupply. While on the trail he is ambushed by hostile survivalists which forces him to escape, that's when he makes a startling find, an old USPS mail jeep. He takes shelter from the cold in the jeep where he finds a the remains of the old mailman. He takes the jacket and hat from the old dead man and uses them to fool people into believing he is an agent of the new American government sent to re-establish a mail route. That's when he finds himself forced to live a lie and spread hope.
The story has it's share of PAW standards, a small-scale war between rival factions, para-military organizations, some talk of primitive skills, etc. In and of itself the novel is a slightly better than average story, but of course I can't leave well enough alone. I did not like the portrayal of prepper types (pre-war) as basically, selfish and foolish hoarders who died lonely deaths soon after the initial war. The logic is flawed when considering that the "normal" non-preppers establish primitive communes and struggle, but are apparently doing OK and are at least alive. I consider this part of the book to be a major flaw and in some instances, slightly offensive.
But to be fair I did like the major emphasis on rebuilding in small communities with clear division of labor. In a true PAW I highly doubt there will be much of a time where utter isolation is considered the norm. I'd imagine a banding together of small communities to pool resources, barter, and eventually try to rebuild. The mentioning of arts like beer brewing were fun as well.
The book reads at a good pace. There weren't any moments where I thought "oh, c'mon, let's hurry this up". There was a fair amount of real story here instead of the story simply revolving around the setting (event that brought PAW). This differed a bit from books like Alas, Babylon and One Second After where the story is really just how a group of characters react to a PAW-inducing event.
For those who have seen the b-grade movie, the book is not the same at all. Costner (directed and starred) really short cut a few areas and doesn't follow the story arc. In my opinion he really didn't hit the main idea of the novel. Usually I can understand why movie adaptations of novels change certain things, dramatize a scene, or don't include smaller and less significant scenes that help character development. However in this movie they missed a lot of marks.
The verdict - Worth reading if you have no other books on your "to read" list available. Buy it used or check it out of the library. Not something I need to include in my prep library.
The movie, I'd only watch it again if it was on Hulu and I needed some background noise while working on a project.
Book Review – A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
Caution: The language and some situations in this book are not kid safe.
The Read: So I have an affinity for wilderness adventure books and this one has been noted on many backpacking forums as one of the most comical and entertaining books ever written about hiking. I've had it on my list of 'to read's for a while now and just kept putting it off. I don't rightly know why as it's central figure is the Appalachian Trail, a place I have long dreamed of hiking and which goes through what is in my opinion the prettiest slice of America, the Blue Ridge or as better known, The Great Smoky Mountains.
The author, Bill Bryson, is also the main character as the book is a telling of his own hike through the AT. He is quick and witty and has a great sense of timing. His portrayal of the characters on the trail (mostly fellow hikers and hostel owners) is just plain funny. Often when entering a new park or section of trail he will sort of stop for a little education and history of the park. At times this can get a bit preachy and in the few instances he speaks at length in this manner, interrupts the cadence of the storytelling.
The thing I really loved about this book was that it did not over-glorify the hiking experience. In fact, Bryson speaks with a self-depricating prose about his age and being ill-equipped for the trail. He and his companion, Katz, were both a bit older and not physically prepared, plus under-experienced for a thru-hike. This made for great comedic moments like throwing extra food off the trail in a hilarious fit of rage because of it's weight. Bryson also had a serious fear of bears that almost seems central to the story. The interactions and sarcasms exchanged with Katz, Bryson's hiking companion for a good portion of the book are just awesome. The times where Bryson is without him on the trail you miss his presence.
The one thing I did not like was the amount of enviromental preachiness. Especially when Bryson tells of his encounter with a moose. He goes on to call selective culling and lottery permitted hunting of moose, "slaughter". And while I agree that commercialism inside National Parks defeats the purpose they were created for, I also see it as a sort of necessary evil to pay for their own staffing. A constant complaint from Bryson is the underfunding of the National Park System, yet he also speaks of the NPS as if it was staffed by a pack of incompetents anyways. There was one short moment where Bryson spoke sarcastically of wanting to make sure his doors locked at night after meeting a young Christian couple at a boarding house. Their causation for fear, they prayed. Quietly and on their own, mind you, not involving others at the table. Luckily this was a quick moment and he did not drag on with it.
I got the book for a steal on Amazon (that used book set up they have is great!) and paid about $5 total for the paperback version. It was well worth the money. I suppose the book would not have the same humorous and sarcastic flavor if Bryson didn't occasionally rag on the NPS or stereotype some characters, but still, some of it crept up on "the line" though for me, it did not pass it.
The Verdict: I have to say if you're interested in hiking the AT or just like a witty travel story, it's a must read. Expect to laugh out loud and be offended all in the same chapter, just don't pay full retail.
First Impressions – Discovery Channel’s Dual Survival
dsc.discovery.com/tv/dual-survival/
Note - show image and hyperlink will be added later.
Discovery Channel just recently started airing a new survival-centric show called Dual Survival. The show puts a cast of two survival experts into trying situations and has them live through the scenario until rescued or they walk out. The basic format is similar to Survivorman with Les Stroud, which I really liked (can't stand the production methods of man vs wild) - however, the hosts do not film themselves, a camera crew is provided. Best part thus far is that one of the hosts is none other than The Pathfinder, Dave Canterbury. The other host is Cody Lundin. Who by all means knows his stuff, but is a bit of a nutjob.
The first episode puts Dave and Cody into a scenario where they have ridden a lifeboat onto a small island in Nova Scotia during January. The temperatures during the day hover around 32 degrees fahrenheit and materials are limited. It is never discussed as to just what is in their kits but Dave seems to have his own model Blind Horse knife with him and Cody at one point produces a mylar space blanket.
Generally speaking when you put so much good knowledge in one place, regardless of TV production (entertainment value) practices, there is quite a bit of good advice oozing out. Unfortunately, for educational purposes, the hosts were chosen for their obviously conflicting personalities which in theory, will increase entertainment value. I hope the don't over-produce and turn this show into a drama fest because their is some serious potential here.
The first oddity you will find is that Cody Lundin in all his naturalistic glory chooses to wear shorts in this cold environment and refuses to wear shoes - only wool socks! Now, I do have to admit that his answer as to why he chooses not to wear shoes has some scientific merit, but is not wise and should not be recommended for others. He says to Dave after being called a "bush hippy" that this is his choice and its not for everyone. Great! But please do recognize that you are on national TV, on a survival show, to educate people as to what methods may work in any given scenario. I kind of expected this type of thing from the onset of the naming of the hosts some months back. I hope he doesn't turn this show into a lecture about primitive Earth science and Bio-anthropology.
Now don't think I'm just riding the Pathfinder bandwagon. Though I may be a fan, I'm no fanboy. Dave had made a critical and potentially fatal lapse in judgment when he chose to make a torch and check the traps he had set at night. That kind of practice would move him away from/possibly without means of finding the shelter and Cody. Both are survival no-no's. It was disappointing to see a bushcrafting role model make such a stupid decision.
The show rounded out with some footage of Dave hunting and harvesting a porcupine with a raft paddle he had sharpened into a stake and then fire-hardened, Cody using a gatherer approach searching for small mussels in tidal pools, and an eventual rescue from the Canadian Coast Guard.
I will watch two more episodes of this caliber before deciding its not worth the commercial time. Don't get me wrong, it was ok, but no better than any ol' Survivorman episode I've seen five times already. Let's all pray that The Discovery Channel doesn't ruin this show by trying to make it into "reality TV".
Summary: If you are new to primitive skills, bushcrafting, or general woodsmanship, it will have a lot of educational value. But if you are a seasoned viewer of this genre you may be underwhelmed.
Book Review: One Second After by William Forstchen
Warning - all reviews are potentially spoilerific
One Second After by William Forstchen
Summary: A small town near Asheville, North Carolina deals with the aftermath of an EMP detonation over America.
Review: If you've never spent any time thinking about just how damaging a full electrical grid failure could be, this book will scare you at your core. William Forstchen has obviously done his homework which is shown in both the afterword, written by a retired U.S. Strategic Command General, Eugene Habiger, and also in the acknowledgment written by Newt Gingrich. This book takes a very realistic look into the devastating effects of Electromagnetic Pulses.
The story takes place in a real life small town near Asheville, North Carolina called Black Mountain. The author states that many of the places and people in the story are in fact fixtures of the town, with names changed for obvious reasons. All of this brings a very organic, realistic feel to the story telling. This leads the reader to believe they not only relate to, but know these people and places.
Unlike other survivalist fiction, Forstchen does not rely on fantastic weaponry, mutations, or foreign invaders to create such a chilling outlook. Rather, he uses currently verified intelligence and scientific data to create the principal antagonist, the effects of the detonation. However, similar to other stories of this genre our hero, John Matherson is a retired military man with a chip on his shoulder due to his wife's death. To his defense, none of the actions taken by the protagonist are out of the realm of possibility for your average Joe. That's what makes this story so great. Forstchen really makes the reader feel as if they are there, a member of the town seeing all of this unfold.
Not only is this book a great story with tremendous research behind it to provide realism, it's also very insightful and thought-provoking. Before reading this book I had not thought of the consequences of electrical failure and its effects on persons currently prescribed mood-altering drugs . Now I question the ability for any public safety agency still operating post-event to handle the obscene amount of people who will be suffering from withdrawals from commonly prescribed medications like xanax and adderall.
I now consider this book a must read for all preppers. It is extremely entertaining but be warned, some very hard-hitting real world issues are tackled in the story including the isolation effect, teen pregnancy, and the gruesome effects of mass death. If nothing else, this book will point out areas of concern in your own preps.
Rating: 4.75/5