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The subject of surviving a nuclear war has been around for a long time now. Some preparedness types believe the scenario to be of primary concern, others discount the possibility, and others fall somewhere in between. If nothing else, preparing for a nuclear exchange sets the bar very high indeed for preparedness. With that in mind, I present a list of books that should help one towards that end. The list is not exhaustive, but rather a primer. And I've included a one to five rating in the form of the radiation symbol (☢).
Title: Life After Doomsday
Author: Dr. Bruce Clayton
Publication Year: 1980. Reissued in 1992.
Rating: ☢☢☢☢☢
Comments: I had to recommend only one book on the topic, this would probably be it. It covers the science behind atomic war and how to prepare. While some sections are a bit dated (e.g., communications), overall the information is as pertinent as when it was published. The book is available from many online vendors and there are PDF versions floating around on the web.
Title: The Effects of Nuclear Weapons
Author: Samuel Glasstone, Editor
Publication Year: 1977
Rating: ☢☢☢☢
Comments: This is a highly technical, fact-packed guide to how atomic weapons work, their characteristics and, most importantly, the effects. While, naturally, a bit dry and technical, it is not to be missed. It is available online for free and in printed.
Title: How to Survive the H Bomb and Why
Author: Pat Frank
Publication Year: 1962
Rating: ☢☢
Comments: This book was written by the same author as Alas, Babylon and it covers survival in a nuclear exchange. It is a bit dated and dwells on public policy more than individual survival. It is also long out of print. However, if you can find a copy, it is still worth reading.
Title: Urban Alert!: Emergency Survival for City Dwellers
Author: Mary Ellen Clayton and Dr. Bruce Clayton
Publication Year: 1982
Rating: ☢☢☢
Comments: This text was written by the wife of the author of Life After Doomsday and, as such, covers some of the same ground. It is, however, focuses on the city-dweller's preparedness plans. While out of print, it is available in the used market.
Title: Nuclear War Survival Skills
Author: Cresson H. Kearney
Publication Year: 1987. Reissued 2006
Rating: ☢☢☢☢☢
Comments: This is another classic printed towards the end of the Cold War era that covers atomic war survival. This one, along with Clayton's work, is one of the best comprehensive nuclear survival texts. It is available in PDF and in print.
Title: U.S. Armed Forces Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Survival Manual
Author: Captain Dick Couch, USN
Publication Year: 2003
Rating: ☢☢☢☢
Comments: The title sort of says it all. It is a solid overview of the three major forms of weapons of mass destruction
And there are a ton of various manuals published by the Federal Civil Defense Administration and related. If there is any interest in those and topic-specific guides (e.g., fallout shelters), I'll put together a listing (with links) for that as well.
Anyway, I hope these help with your preps. Cheers friends.
Title: Life After Doomsday
Author: Dr. Bruce Clayton
Publication Year: 1980. Reissued in 1992.
Rating: ☢☢☢☢☢
Comments: I had to recommend only one book on the topic, this would probably be it. It covers the science behind atomic war and how to prepare. While some sections are a bit dated (e.g., communications), overall the information is as pertinent as when it was published. The book is available from many online vendors and there are PDF versions floating around on the web.
Title: The Effects of Nuclear Weapons
Author: Samuel Glasstone, Editor
Publication Year: 1977
Rating: ☢☢☢☢
Comments: This is a highly technical, fact-packed guide to how atomic weapons work, their characteristics and, most importantly, the effects. While, naturally, a bit dry and technical, it is not to be missed. It is available online for free and in printed.
Title: How to Survive the H Bomb and Why
Author: Pat Frank
Publication Year: 1962
Rating: ☢☢
Comments: This book was written by the same author as Alas, Babylon and it covers survival in a nuclear exchange. It is a bit dated and dwells on public policy more than individual survival. It is also long out of print. However, if you can find a copy, it is still worth reading.
Title: Urban Alert!: Emergency Survival for City Dwellers
Author: Mary Ellen Clayton and Dr. Bruce Clayton
Publication Year: 1982
Rating: ☢☢☢
Comments: This text was written by the wife of the author of Life After Doomsday and, as such, covers some of the same ground. It is, however, focuses on the city-dweller's preparedness plans. While out of print, it is available in the used market.
Title: Nuclear War Survival Skills
Author: Cresson H. Kearney
Publication Year: 1987. Reissued 2006
Rating: ☢☢☢☢☢
Comments: This is another classic printed towards the end of the Cold War era that covers atomic war survival. This one, along with Clayton's work, is one of the best comprehensive nuclear survival texts. It is available in PDF and in print.
Title: U.S. Armed Forces Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Survival Manual
Author: Captain Dick Couch, USN
Publication Year: 2003
Rating: ☢☢☢☢
Comments: The title sort of says it all. It is a solid overview of the three major forms of weapons of mass destruction
And there are a ton of various manuals published by the Federal Civil Defense Administration and related. If there is any interest in those and topic-specific guides (e.g., fallout shelters), I'll put together a listing (with links) for that as well.
Anyway, I hope these help with your preps. Cheers friends.
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