Top 25 Must-Read Prepper Books for Survival, Self-Sufficiency, and Disaster Preparedness
Looking for the best books to prepare for emergencies? Here’s a curated list of top-rated prepper books covering survival skills, food storage, and financial resilience..
In an unpredictable world, being prepared is essential. Whether you're new to prepping or looking to expand your knowledge, building a solid library is a great step. Here’s a curated list of 25 top-rated books across various categories to help you and your family prepare for any situation.
Food Storage
1. A Year Without the Grocery Store by Karen Morris
A step-by-step guide to acquiring, organizing, and cooking food storage, ensuring your family can thrive without supermarket trips.
2. Prepper's Pantry: Build a Nutritious Stockpile to Survive Any Disaster by Daisy Luther
Learn how to create a well-balanced food storage plan tailored to your family's needs.
Wilderness and Outdoor Survival
3. Bushcraft 101: A Field Guide to the Art of Wilderness Survival by Dave Canterbury
An essential guide to surviving in the wild, covering tools, skills, and techniques.
4. 98.6 Degrees: The Art of Keeping Your Ass Alive by Cody Lundin
Practical advice on maintaining core body temperature in extreme conditions.
Basic Traditional Skills
5. Back to Basics: A Complete Guide to Traditional Skills by Abigail Gehring
A comprehensive resource on traditional living skills, from building shelters to making your own tools.
6. The Lost Ways by Claude Davis
Explore ancient survival skills that have been forgotten in modern times.
Mental Preparedness
7. Prepared: A Manuel for Surviving Worst-Case Scenarios by Mike Glover
Learn the foundational skills of preparedness that will not only help you build situational awareness and achieve greater mobility, but also help you build resilient mental habits.
8. Survival Mom: How to Prepare Your Family for Everyday Disasters and Worst-Case Scenarios by Lisa Bedford
Empowers families to handle crises with practical tips and a positive mindset.
Frugal Living
9. The Prepper's Financial Guide by Jim Cobb
Strategies for managing finances, bartering, and investing in tangible assets for uncertain times.
10. The Penny-Pinching Prepper: Save More, Spend Less and Get Prepared for Any Disaster by Bernie Carr
Learn how to prepare on a budget without sacrificing quality or readiness.
Debt-Free Living
11. Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
A proven plan for financial fitness, helping you eliminate debt and secure your financial future.
12. Living Well, Spending Less: 12 Secrets of the Good Life by Ruth Soukup
Discover how to live abundantly by focusing on what truly matters and cutting unnecessary expenses.
Medical Emergencies
13. The Ultimate Survival Medicine Guide by Joseph Alton and Amy Alton
A comprehensive handbook on medical preparedness for times when help is not on the way.
14. The Complete Medicinal Herbal by Penelope Ody
An illustrated guide to the therapeutic properties of over 120 herbs, aiding in natural remedies.
Motivational Reads
15. One Second After by William R. Forstchen
A gripping novel that illustrates the importance of preparedness in the face of an EMP attack.
16. Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank
A classic post-apocalyptic novel that underscores the value of community and resilience.
Practical Skills
17. 100 Deadly Skills: Survival Edition by Clint Emerson
A Navy SEAL’s guide to surviving in the wild and being prepared for any disaster.
18. The Modern Survival Manual: Surviving the Economic Collapse by Fernando "FerFAL" Aguirre
Insights and practical advice drawn from real-life experiences during economic collapse.
Self-Sufficiency
19. The Self-Sufficient Life and How to Live It by John Seymour
A visual guide to living off the land, from growing your own food to harnessing alternative energy.
20. The Encyclopedia of Country Living by Carla Emery
An exhaustive resource on rural living skills, perfect for aspiring homesteaders.
Emergency Preparedness
21. Prepper's Long-Term Survival Guide by Jim Cobb
Learn how to survive when the grid goes down, covering food, shelter, security, and more.
22. Prepare Your Home for a Sudden Grid-Down Situation by Ted Riley
Strategies to take self-reliance to the next level and prepare for any crisis.
Foraging and Natural Resources
23. Backyard Foraging: 65 Familiar Plants You Didn’t Know You Could Eat by Ellen Zachos
Transform your backyard into a source of nourishment by identifying edible plants.
24. The Forager's Harvest: A Guide to Identifying, Harvesting, and Preparing Edible Wild Plants by Samuel Thayer
A detailed guide to foraging wild plants for food and medicine.
Bonus Read
25. When All Hell Breaks Loose: Stuff You Need to Survive When Disaster Strikes by Cody Lundin
An engaging and practical guide to surviving any disaster scenario.
Final Thoughts
Building a well-rounded library with these resources will equip you with the knowledge and skills to face various challenges, from everyday inconveniences to significant emergencies. Remember, preparedness is a continuous journey, and staying informed is key to resilience.
Which of these books will you add to your prepper library? Share your favorites in the comments below! Don’t forget to share this post with your friends and family to help them prepare too.