Good read so far; interesting how it looks at skills and technology after the initial chaos with a major event. Bought it through Amazon but the website is worth looking through:
I have had it on my wish list ever since. The emphasis seems to be on skills/knowledge rather than stockpiling, which suits my outlook actually.
The last taboo is the myth of civilisation. It is built upon the stories we have constructed about our genius, our indestructibility, our manifest destiny as a chosen species. - The Dark Mountain Project Manifesto http://dark-mountain.net/about/manifesto/
“A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves.” ― Edward R. Murrow
"Remember Politicians are like babies diapers they both need changing often for the very same reason" - Mark Twain
If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal.
This is a fascinating book, which works equally well as a discussion of technological development or a handbook to key processes necessary to rebuild a sort-of functioning society. I find myself musing on glass - the miracle material, all around us, so critical to so many processes, yet taken for granted. Without glass- no windows, thermometers, reaction retorts - science would have been very different.
The book is not a recipe book however. It gives some general quantities and ideas about processes but assumes a willingness and ability on the part of the reader to get their hands dirty in experimenting and learning. Some of the processes are dangerous - quicklime was a hugely important building material but is a nasty thing to make and to work with.
So for this book to be of value, you need access to a big back garden, some money and equipment, an enquiring mind, and an understanding spouse. If you have that set of endowments you could really learn from this book. I might buy it, but if TSHTF, I shall definitely plunder it from the library.
Just to add... Another of Dartnell's videos. This one shows how to use scavenged car batteries etc to produce essential chemicals like bleach from seawater:
The last taboo is the myth of civilisation. It is built upon the stories we have constructed about our genius, our indestructibility, our manifest destiny as a chosen species. - The Dark Mountain Project Manifesto http://dark-mountain.net/about/manifesto/
