This is a detailed, frightening description of a “grid down” event in the United Stares. Be aware this is a non-fiction explanation of a probable calamity in our future and how to prepare. The author is one of the few people in the country with intimate knowledge of such an experience due to his position as the head of Homeland Security’s EMP Task force. This book is highly recommended.

Are you a concerned citizen who believes you are responsible for your own well-being? Then this book is for you. It is both far more horrifying and far more edifying than the average preparedness book, due to the fact that it is not simply someone’s imaginative thought experiment, but rather is thoroughly researched and data-based. Jonathan Hollerman posits that there are three main factors that cause the degeneration of social mores and human behavior in an emergency situation: the psychological impacts of (1) desperation, (2) starvation, and (3) living without rule of law. He provides copious historical examples of the horrors caused when only one or two of those factors develop within a historical incident. He then accurately points out that in the entire span of recorded history, humanity has never seen a situation that creates all three of those centrifugal forces at the same time. And these factors are not strictly orthogonal, but rather, have a multiplying effect on one another. Therefore, any situation which creates all three of Hollerman’s factors would be unprecedented in its scope and impact, unprecedented in the suffering created and unprecedented in the depths to which humanity would plunge. What kind of an incident would it take to cause modern humanity to careen off the rails in this way? Hollerman’s primary focus is a situation which would cause America to lose its capacity to generate electricity, known as a grid down event. Hollerman addresses governmental-level preparedness, stressing the vital importance of America resolving its primary vulnerability by hardening its electric grid. He also addresses individual-level preparedness by those who wish to increase their own resilience in the face of realistic threats. There is a wise axiom: “If it’s predictable, it’s preventable.” Hollerman has created a work of research that did not previously exist in academia, showing the predictability of this risk, as well as a path towards preventing it from becoming a reality. He has used his own training, research, career background, and prescience to make practical suggestions for real-world preparedness. The suggestions contained herein are not found anywhere else, and are worth far more than the purchase price of the book. The wisdom this book contains ought to be common knowledge. Read it yourself, and then send copies to everyone you love.

Note for those who have a low tolerance for the era of self-published books with aggravating editing errors: As an English teacher, it is important for me to note that there are very few actual typos or grammatical errors in this book (certainly no more than the average hardcover novel). However, the author’s tone is conversational, down-to-earth, and no-nonsense. Based on the meticulous research that has gone into this book, it is a safe assumption that this tone is intentional on the part of the author. It would be a mistake to discount the priceless information based on the informal tone.

Love the insight this book gives on the impact of survival or extreme crisis on the human mind and the psychology of humanity. Combined with Surgival Theory 1, it gives a pretty complete picture on how to survive long term crises.

I will be delving deeper and deeper into this book the longer I have it.

I have been excited to read volume 2 for quite some time. As expected it has succeeded in making the case for why and how we should prepare for what is inevitably going to occur if we do not change course. In part 1 It shows what desperation, wrol, and starvation can do. Most of us Americans have never seen it in person. Jonathan does an excellent job describing it so we understand the environment we may experience ina grid down situation.

In section 2 Jonathan covers the hotly debated bug in or bug out decision. This is a Must read section even for the more experienced peppers in the community.

Finally, section 3 really fills in where Book 1 left off by giving advice on your bug out retreat and advice on what you need to consider.

In summary I liked it enough to buy a kindle and hard copy. I look forward to the audio as well. Jonathan is a leader in the peeping community. I loved this book and look forward to reading more in the future.

Sadly, history of atrocities committed by despotic regimes, totalitarian rulers, and ideological zealots is no longer taught in schools—the author does a good job of preparing the reader for what may happen in times of desperation, starvation and loss of rules or laws. Beyond that, there are practical steps and advice on planning and preparation that could be considered prior to an event.

The information was excellent, a bit scary, but one needs to know this. I am preparing.