The Survival Bookworm

by
Lisa Bedford
The Survival Mom

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by Lisa Bedford:
Food
Storage Basics and Answers to Your Questions



I used to
read one book after another and even won an award in 1st grade as
an official, “Prescott, Arizona, Bookworm!” If I ever
find the photo of myself wearing a bookworm costume standing in
front of the city library, IÂ’ll post it.

These days
IÂ’m more likely to be found reading non-fiction survival manuals
and rarely have time to read simply for pleasure. However, last
month I set a goal to begin reading survival, or apocalyptic, fiction
and have 3 books under my belt.

LuciferÂ’s
Hammer
by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle

This book came
highly recommended by a number of friends who are avid readers,
and they were right on the money with their positive reviews.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book once the action got started, about
25% into the book. Here is my review on video.

The
Jakarta Pandemic
by Steven Konkoly

Again, a winner
in the category of survival fiction. This time around itÂ’s
a worldwide pandemic that threatens humanity. No family
is untouched by the ravages of this virus, but fortunately, our
hero, Alex Fletcher is a prepper and his family
is well prepared for this and just about any other crisis.

ItÂ’s apparent
from the first pages that everything Alex does, in terms of being
prepared, is for the sake of his family. His wife, Kate, is completely
on board but occasionally challenges AlexÂ’s decisions and judgement.
Together, they make a strong team, determined to protect their family
from, first, the flu and then multiple dangers that come from neighbors
and strangers alike.

Alex has three
advantages: heÂ’s a former Marine, is a pharmaceutical sales
rep with access to a lot of medical information, and has an extremely
well stocked basement with every sort of provision his family will
need.

This book really
kept my interest throughout and made me think about how prepared
our family isnÂ’t for a large scale pandemic. Unlike many other
disaster scenarios, this one would require an individual or family
to remain completely isolated for months. I had never thought that
something as simple as my mail could transmit a virus or that a
deadly pandemic would shut down power plants, water/sewage plants,
and virtually eliminate most first responders.

There are a
few odd notes here and there, such as AlexÂ’s ridicule of Fox
News and his obsession with watching The Today Show. Often these
details didnÂ’t dovetail with the picture I was getting in my
mind of this character, his motivations, and state of mind.

Survivalists
and preppers will enjoy reading about AlexÂ’s stash of food,
weapons, and other supplies, as well as some of his tactical and
strategic decisions.

The
Jakarta Pandemic
has been recorded for readers who enjoy
listening to their books, and that recording can be found here.
ItÂ’s available at Amazon.

Overall, I
give this book 4 out of 5 stars and as a mom, give it a PG rating
for language and a bit of graphic violence.

Read
the rest of the article

August
17, 2012

Copyright
© 2012 The
Survival Mom

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