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Thursday, January 6, 2011

Economic Meltdown: Book Review and Giveaway

Hi everyone!

Picture this: It's May 2010 and Sam and Cindy are becoming discouraged by the 'signs of the times'. They see too many homes going up for sale in their neighborhood, and know that many may have been lost due to foreclosure. Unemployment is rampant. Patients become seriously ill because they can't afford to visit their doctor. Cindy, especially, is feeling stressed and suggests that the family needs to do a little belt-tightening. She's in for a surprise, though, when Same returns from a business trip and informs the family that he wants them to learn to be as self-sufficient as they possibly can! With some reluctance, and a bit of excitement, we watch as this family begins their self-sufficiency journey, and we learn some valuable lessons along the way with them.


The family I'm describing is the main family in the book 'Economic Meltdown' by Karen McHale. A friend gave me this book which just came out in December. It's a short book and easy to read. I have read (or just skimmed) many preparedness books, some of which can get rather technical and preachy (or just plain boring). Economic Meltdown is written as a novel, which is so much more enjoyable to me! Preparedness lessons are learned by reading how the family in the story is learning. They start out their journey at point A, which for many of us may be a long, long time ago in our own journey. That didn't stop me from enjoying this book, though, which kept my interest the whole way through. It challenged me on a few points which I discussed with Karen via email, and which hubby and I will be discussing. There is always room for tweaking our preparedness plans, and the ideas are usually sparked by others' experiences. I think this book is one that will be enjoyed by not only beginners, but veteran preppers. I particularly enjoyed the way Sam and Cindy encourage their family, friends, and neighbors in their own self-sufficiency journey. The community that is formed is quite wonderful.


At the end of the book, Karen gives her own self-sufficiency list which has been told through the story in Economic Meltdown. Point #7 is regarding water, in which she encourages you to rely on city water instead of storing water. I confirmed with Karen that she was indeed referring to day-to-day self-sufficient living, and not emergency preparedness. She feels, as you know I do, that storing some water for emergency situations is a good and necessary thing.


And now for the giveaway: I have 1 copy of Economic Meltdown to give away to a reader here at Illinois Preppers. Leave a comment letting me know that you're interested and I will enter your name in the drawing. (BTW, this is a new copy, not the one that I've already read and written in!) The contest will be open through next Wednesday, January 12, 2011. The winner will be chosen after noon. Good luck, everyone!


And, in case you don't win the copy of the book and you want to buy a copy for yourself or someone you know, see Karen's website at http://meltdown2010.com/


Prep On!
Gen-IL Homesteader

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8 comments:

luvthenght31 said...

Would love to enter your drawing just finished "one second after" for the third time so im looking for something new to read!!! this is a great idea!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a good read. Would like to enter your giveaway. :0)

Gen-IL Homesteader said...

Luvthenght31, You're entered! This book, though shorter and not the same subject matter, reminded me of One Second After in that it's style is a novel.
Shelly, you're entered, too!! Thanks, guys!

Roxie said...

I am interested in this book too! Sounds like a good one for enjoyment as well as for reference.

Gen-IL Homesteader said...

Roxie, you're entered! Thanks for stopping in!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for some quality points there. I am kind of new to online , so I printed this off to put in my file, any better way to go about keeping track of it then printing?

Anonymous said...

Hi,

I begin on internet with a directory

Sarah S said...

I'd love to read anything that you recommend, because I know I'm in for a good read!! Please put me in the drawing!!

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