Book Review: Dirt-Cheap Survival Retreat

Dirt-Cheap Survival Retreat by M.D. Creekmore

M.D. Creekmore is the author of TheSurvivalistBlog.net, and is someone truly living what he writes about.  Dirt-Cheap Survival Retreat is his first book, and it's a good one.

M.D. was going through a divorce and a job loss when he decided to move to his 2 acres of "junk land" and make a go of it.  This book is for us to learn from his mistakes (I was particularly struck by his septic issues since I think our ground is similar) and also his successes.

The book is organized into chapters that make sense:

1. Overview
2. Junk Land
3. The Trailer
4. Solar and Generator Power Systems
5. Water, Waste, and Other Stuff
6. Security
7. Stockpiling Water, Food, Guns, and Other Supplies

While this is a great book for folks who are looking to minimize their lifestyles, it also has some great information for beginner and experienced preppers who are still living "regular" lives.  The information on finding junk land was helpful to me.  I don't foresee ever needing to buy remote land to move to, someday it might be nice to buy a few acres as a camping/hunting/recreation spot, and M.D. shares some good ideas on how to do it and get the most bang for the buck.  I got a whole lot out of the chapter on Solar and Generator Power Systems.  His small solar system, which powers most of his life, seems like a great back up for my workshop or what I am looking at doing for our overnight needs during power failures. 

Probably the weakest part of the book is his section on Security, but I really don't see that as a negative for the book.  Volumes have been written on the subject, and he uses a little humor to make some very basic suggestions to the novice.

Dirt-Cheap Survival Retreat is 82 pages, and an easy read in a night or two.  Whether you are looking to go Walden Pond, or just broadening your knowledge base, I can heartily recommend it.