Book Review: SHTF Survival Stories By Selco Begovic
Over the week I began reading SHTF survival stories by Selco Begovic. For those who are unfamiliar, he became famous(notorious) for his almost unbelievable stories of survival in a city under siege during the Balkans conflict. I really enjoyed reading his book. There are a variety of lessons in this book.
First, the primary lesson I learned from this book is that you are never full prepared. However, there are steps you can take to make life MUCH easier on yourself. He makes excellent points such as “Why buy one expensive super survival lighter, a magnesium fire strike and steel, or spend time learning useless lessons on making fire in labor intensive methods when, instead, you can just buy a few bulk packages of quality BIC lighters?”
As someone who spent $60 on a Chinese made piece of junk “Super Survival Torch Lighter” I have learned my lesson on that… Selco is right. And after he made this point early in his book, I shut out all of my preconceived notions on the content of his book and really began to listen.
He continues with other suggestions along the same line of thought.
He suggests purchasing items that are smaller, and can easily be carried in your pocket, as opposed to large unwieldy supplies; Though he does support storing large amounts of grains and food. One example he is famous for is food spices, powdered drink mixes, and entertainment. I, frankly, couldn’t agree more based on my experience in Iraq. Trading with U.S. forces and with the local population is much, much easier when you can fit the item in your pocket. Believe that.
And not just so your leadership isn’t aware, but rather, so your peers around you don’t know either. This can create tension, jealous, leaves you open to theft and conspiracy, and it prevents someone from taking your source away from you.
Recently, after listening to several podcasts on survival that inspired my purchase of Selco’s book and the study of his writings, I began to purchase the small containers of Kool-Aid, Gatorade, Powderade, and powdered chocolate, hazelnut, strawberry, and vanilla mixes. As well as stocks that don’t spoil, like Honey and food spices. In a few short months, since August 2020, I have requisitioned quite a stock of these items to the point I am having trouble finding places to store them properly. I have all the flavors I can find, and I am not even close to being finished.
He also discusses some significantly more serious topics. One of those I will discuss briefly.
Selco suggests that anyone who wishes to survive a SHTF scenario tend to themselves with a group. And don’t run off and try to play the commando hero.
This is one of the primary themes of his book. Don’t be a hero. He tells several stories about friends who ran off to be heroes and never returned. He also tells some pretty raw and unedited stories that are gut wrenching and sickening. He discusses the feelings he had at the time, and how he and others, wanted to act to save the person or people in danger, but could not due to fear or another limiting factor. Usually these are women, and I can simpathize with his feelings. But I know that it isn’t worth the time, energy, or harassment. He credits his inaction as his mind telling him to think realistically and that “cowardice” and “fear” are not what stopped him from acting, but rather it was rational. He mentions repeatedly that it took some time before the “Hollywood Action Hero” mentality was replaced with the “SHTF” survival mind. Clearly he never forgot these lasting lessons.
Later in the book he discusses how you must prepare yourself mentally to handle the stress and PTSD that you will experience. He also notes that you need to identify those in your group and your neighborhood who will turn into psychotic monsters, or, will lose their minds dealing with the collapse. I know that I cannot even bring myself to drive into Baltimore some days. Especially after growing up there.
There is nothing there for me.
Selco is right…
Don’t be a hero; Save yourself, your family, and your group.
You have looked into taking a pay cut and moving to Free America right?
Personally, I believe that healthy, strong men should stay in the contested areas and prepare for what’s coming. But if you have a young family, and more specifically daughters who don’t weigh 400 pounds, you should consider moving to a safe area with zero diversity. There is no way you will survive the disease and the decay. If you stay, you will end up like the families I grew up with in Baltimore. Propaganda and peer pressure wrecks havoc on the minds of young women.
They will end up brainwashed, broken, drugged, and destroyed.
Thanks for reading. I am going to purchase his other books.
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5
Solid
It’s a good read. Selco lived a hard life. Most of the survivors he knew are no longer with us because of their experience and the hardships of dealing with it afterwards.
Finished first Selco book. Then went back and covered my notes with second review. Cannot get neighbors to at least read his blog excerpts let alone first book.
Difficult to get other humans to at least look at highly potential, worst case scenarios. Jeez, I pushed reading the books 1&2 of “ Going Home” series by A. American.
What I get back is “… that’s not going to happen here in Virginia ..” Riiiiigghht!
This is because your neighbors have no frame of reference.
Northern Virginia looks like Calcutta, Mexico City, and Baghdad took a dump on a Somalia warlord’s palace and then called the white man racist for saying this smells like a bad idea.
Solid description JP. When I was transferred to base near DC in 71, it sucked then. Worst drivers on the planet was the “ diplomatic immunity” pests.
For decades I have referred to northern Virginia not as State of Virginia, but the “State of Insanity”.
But your description is perfect. My nose can pick up the down wind from here
I began my preparedness journey while TDY to Korea in 2016 when I stumbled on excerpts from Selco’s experiences. So many lessons learned the hard way.
Interesting you mentioned moving to Free America. Our plan is to move to Montana and closer to the in-laws in another year, however we learned that thousands more have moved there since the COVID quarantine from CA, CO, WA, and OR.
The trannies and homos are colonizing the west.
I’m considering moving out there for a few years and getting my technical certifications in welding and mechanics.
Looking at housing now. The homes have jumped $50,000-100,000 in value for the base models in a nice neighborhood that isn’t looking at an industrial park or a trailer park.
Eventually people will run out of money and the price’s will stabilize. But there is no telling if they will stabilize high, middle, or low of that number.
One house I was looking at was 80,000 two years ago. It is listed for 240,000 now.
Your completely right about home and land prices out west. 25 year resident of Wyoming and land has sky rocketed, people paying 10k an acre for scrub. Locals can barely afford a place most of the large ranches purchased are sold to elites or corporations. Wife and I moved several years ago to a southern state bought more land and house for half the cost. There are great things about Wyoming but tired of -25f winters, still have kids there as a fall back location tho.
Talking to realtors and neighbors here in eastern, Washington I was told ours is a seller’s market. This area is solid Red in a Blue state.
People from California and the East Coast, are buying property here some sight unseen. They’re not even dickering. Meeting the seller’s demand.
While I stand to make a good profit it’s unlikely I’ll be able to duplicate what I have where I’m going. It’s even higher.
Truth or myth? Acting to survive, to protect those you are responsible for… will by nature entail noble, courageous actions.
My Dad was Army, his squad’s BAR man. Fought on Okinawa on the south end. He never, ever talked about it. (but I did find a purple heart in his effects)
FWIW, I have BIC lighters stashed _everywhere_
BIC lighters are the industry standard. A good torch is the old fashioned plumbers soldering torch. You can start many, many fires with those things. A one pound bottle lasts 2-3 seasons.
LOL… minds that think alike… I use a Propane torch every morning that woodstove needs lighting. Gets the kindling going NOW. only takes a fairly short burst and yes, one tank lasts a long time used like that.
(Have liquid withdrawal on both large propane storage tanks to run a Bobcat welder/generator and refill small handheld tanks) Propane lights on small propane bottles are quite bright – remember to keep a good supply of mantles though! Safer than white gas, cheaper and stores easier/longer.
It took me a couple weeks, but I finally finished watching BBC’s 5 hour documentary series ‘The Death of Yugoslavia’. It seemed a masterful portrayal of the politics at the time.
I did not feel good about balkanization and the parallels we here face now. Thanks, @johnny paratrooper for the lead.
Thanks for reading and following through with my posts. Yes, I agree, our society is even more fractal than Yugoslavia. With many of the same foundational issues. Long term communist collaborators(who abused their power and the people) vs. People who just want to move on(and probably get revenge or retrieve lost land and means)
Very familiar with his location during the conflict. I saw lots of the after effects. What a hit show it must of been. Started reading his blog in the way back.