299 Days: The Preparation, Book 1

(full review published at [...])Last week, Glen Tate, author of "299 Days - The Preparation", was interviewed on The survival Podcast, by Jack Spirko. I am a big fan of TSP and Jack's interview compelled me to go online and purchase the book from Amazon.I was a little distracted by all of the spelling and grammatical errors in the beginning, but I got used to it as I got caught up in the story. The reason this bothers me, and the reason I mention this, is tied to the cost. I believe that either a little more effort should have been spent on proofreading, or that the price should have been a little lower.The other thing that I found odd was the abrupt ending. I actually thought there was something wrong with my Kindle. I have never seen such an abrupt ending. "His shed was getting filled up. Good." What kind of an ending is that for a book?Except for those little pet peeves, let me say that for a first novel, I think the story is well conceived.Some "survival" novels are either completely absurd, or are so buried in a sermon (and the author's efforts to imply that every non-evangelical reader is doomed), that the story fails to keep the reader engaged. The fact that this is a largely auto-biographical novel, lends to the credibility and bonds the author to us. More than that, Tate does a good job of gradually introducing someone who may not have yet started prepping, by slowly describing his personal journey towards enlightenment. Readers at every level of prepping will be able to identify with the main character. Most long-time preppers will get a kick out of it - as I'm sure many of us went through similar stages of understanding. His struggles to "convert" or "deceive" his wife for the greater good are also something that many of us can relate to, and will find entertaining. The book really starts to jell about 1/4 of the way in, and as the story is very believable and easy to identify with, it is a real page-turner and is hard to put down. "299 Days" was an honest story that new and seasoned preppers will easily identify with, and will want to read in one sitting. His dialogue with his friends from the gun store are very genuine and entertaining and allows his sense of humor to shine towards the end of the book."299 Days -The Preparation" does a great job of stating that "prepping" isn't irrational, fear driven, or something only engaged in by camo-clad militia men in their neo-nazi clubhouses - as the mainstream media would like us to believe. Tate uses his main character, Grant Madsen, to remind us that prepping is the natural responsibility of every man who loves his family and understands that the man's duty is their security. He subtly touches on the ideas that public schools, TV, and government propaganda are the tools that have dumbed us down, kept us asleep, and prevented us from understanding that there is a genuine, immanent disaster coming, or that we should do anything but watch "reality" TV and just trust that the government will take care of us. He also illustrates the comparison between prepping and other taboo behaviors, and shows how he personally overcame the social stigma of bulk shopping, buying guns and ammo, and making disaster plans. This book fills a niche that has been neglected for a long time. It addresses the average white collar suburbanite, and shows that prepping isn't loony, difficult, expensive, or something to be ashamed of or embarrassed about. It IS something to keep private, and only share with those who need to know. There is a superb scene between Grant and his 15 year old daughter, where he explains the reasons it is important not to let anyone know of your preparations - not even your best friend."299 Days" is a good novel to share with friends and family who have been reluctant to deal with the reality for the need to make preparations; for those who can't see "prepping" as anything more than a socially unacceptable behavior for "conspiracy theorists", "wackos", and "nut jobs". It is a good kick in the rear end for those who have been procrastinating getting in shape, or who have stalled in theie prepping plans. It is entertaining, realistic, and motivating. I believe that Tate has a winner on his hands, and have no doubt that "299 Days" will find it's way to a lot of Christmas stockings this year.

This book was fabulously written, from the time I added it to my Kindle library and started, it had me hooked. I read the book over a course of an 8 hour day on my day off from my job- I'm currently unmarried so I have time to do that :). As the title states if you are a serious prepper- Meaning you are AWAKE and AWARE of how events are unfolding in the global (key word GLOBAL) economy and making the best, reasonable preparations you can to shield, provide, protect and ensure yours and your family's survival during a natural or man made disaster, then this is a book you will want to read. Many of us (myself included) live (or in mine and many others case LIVED) in what the author calls NORMALCY BIAS. That is we have been accustomed to situation normal in the US. Food in the stores, our daily routine, government ( and LOTS of it). The normal average American by and large is out of touch with the events unfolding in front of them or they see and read the events but are largely apathetic- figuring that things will always work out, this America, nothing bad ever happens here.The story centers around one man, from growing up in an abusive and largely dysfunctional household, to his teen and formative years in a rural WA state city, to his entering into the typical American dream- college education, beautiful wife, kids and the materialistic lifestyle. Along the way he begins to "wake up" and question the reality his suburban American lifestyle. He begins to wonder what would happen if the "just in time" deliveries no longer arrived just in time. The story follows his decision to prep, the sacrifices he must make in doing so, the people he meets and the obstacles he must over come.What is unique about the central character is the fact that he has no formal military training, combat experience or in fact survival training period. He like many of us is just a man who lives the typical suburban lifestyle wholly depend any upon modern utilities and conveniences. But over time a transformation occurs as he wakes up to the reality of our false economy. Going from white collar to "survivalist" takes hard work and sacrifice. One can easily get general blue print on how to reasonably prep for an event following the book. Prepping is a proactive choice, we choose to be reasonably prepared or we don't. Our society as a whole is reactive, how people react to disruptions in normal is clear for those who choose to pay attention.The book is perfect for those new to or curious about prepping and those of us who have been prepping for a while now will find it enriching and learn from it. I had first heard about the book from the you tube channel of James Yeager and then again when I had taken a disaster medical prep class with the PR publicist (and I had no idea this person was the publicist) for the author- finally broke down and got the first volume yesterday and finished it today.I do strive to not be a doom and gloomier , I do not buy into tinfoil hats, or any number of so called Jewish conspiracy theories or racial profiling. What I do strive to do is be honest about truth and reality and do something the best I can about it. I don't have year supply of food(yet working on it :) ), 10,000 rounds of ammo, my own bug out location or even military background. I am working on my skills (the most important) and having as much as I reasonably can put away to see me through hard times- such as our recent "Snowmageddon" that hit the northern states and much if the south. During the recent snowstorm the only thing I had to g out for was Pasta, some yogurt and milk. Because I had put away and planned ahead I waited out 4 days of snow in my home and though the power never went out- I was prepared for that too ;)Most people are not prepared for a simple disruption to their routine, heck even FEMA says have a minimum 72 hours back up food and water, on their website- sadly many have not even listened to this basic, common sense potentially life saving advice from their own government. These are the same people who then go up in Arms and blame their government when disaster hits and people sadly, inevitably die. Look at Hurricanes Katrine, Irene and Sandy. The government was wholly unprepared for those events, both in resource and man power. In a disaster or event YOU- that's right YOU will be the resource. What you know and what you have on you, is what you will have should things get so bad that resupply can not reach you for days or weeks (not hours!!).In short if you are serious or curious about this thing called prepping pick up the book- I have volume 2 on my kindle :)

The most comprehensive analysis of a theoretical collapse and what a loving father and husband could need to do to provide and protect for his loved ones.

A really enjoyable read even if you aren't a "prepper". Plausible story with great commentary on peoples dissatisfaction of ever increasing government oversight, intrusion and control.Real technical information too. If you a gun enthusiast you will enjoy the level of detail and reality in descriptions and usage. No Hollywood liberties with how things work here.

It started in a strange way, that didn't really grab me, so I went to another book. I tried it again, and read a little bit more, but nothing made sense. As if I had missed out on all the background information needed to understand what was happening.

Love this series. Could have read them forever. I couldn’t wait to have a moment to sit down and continue the adventure.

I read this so you don't have to...There aren't words to describe how bad this is. Self-indulgent claptrap are two that probably come closest.