I have been doing a lot of reading this summer and wanted to give you all a review of two very good boks that I have recently finished. They are ' and ' both by a Joel M. His website is at, I believe that both of these books are probably the most valuable that I now have in my survival library. The information contained in these two books is massive and something I wouldn't want to be without.

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They both provide real world practical advice for pre-SHTF preps. I have other books that I would not part with in a post-SHTF situation but these two are ones that we need today. I highly recommend them both as they compliment each other. 'Relocation' will tell you just how secure you are at your current location and advise on the safest places to be or get to in your geographic area and also the safest place to be in the US. Based on a short, mid-length, and long term crises. They are expensive but well worth the investment. About $45 each.

Who is Joel Skousen? The following is from his website; 'Joel Skousen is a political scientist, by training, specializing in the philosophy of law and Constitutional theory, and is also a designer of high security residences and retreats. He has designed Self-sufficient and High Security homes throughout North America, and has consulted in Central America as well.

His latest book in this field is Strategic Relocation-North American Guide to Safe Places, and is active in consulting with persons who need to relocate for security and increased self-sufficiency. He also assists people who need to live near a large city to develop contingency retreat plans involving rural farm or recreation property.

' 'Joel was raised in Oregon and later served as a fighter pilot for the US Marine Corps during the Vietnam era prior to beginning his design firm specializing in high security residences and retreats. During the 80's he took a leave of absence to serve as the Chairman of the Conservative National Committee in Washington DC. And concurrently served as the Executive Editor of Conservative Digest. For two years he published a newsletter entitled, the WORLD AFFAIRS BRIEF, and served as a Senior Editor of 'Cogitations' a quarterly journal on law and government.

The World Affairs Brief is now back in publication and is available as a weekly email newsletter or in a monthly print edition. ' ' In today’s bookstores, it’s easy to find information about the 'best places' to live. Such literature undoubtedly will concentrate on the positive aspects of life, such as numbers and ratings of golf courses, doctor/patient ratios, warm sunny climates, availability of cultural activities, status of educational institutions, and the growth potential of the local economy. But while these highly-rated metropolitan areas may offer ample opportunities to enhance your lifestyle, what happens when a major crisis strikes? What if: a labor crisis halts the inflow of food and business goods? Will these communities provide the basic necessities of life?

The Secure Home-How secure is your home? The Secure Home (3rd edition, softcover, pages) by Joel M. Skousen will help you answer this very pressing.: The Secure Home by Joel Skousen and a great selection of similar New, Used and Collectible Books available now at great. Skousen is the author of several books including Essential Principles for the Conservation of Liberty, Strategic Relocation—North American Guide to Safe Places, The Secure Home, Survival Home Manual: Architectural Design, Construction, and Remodeling Of Self-Sufficient Residences and Retreats, and How to Implement a High Security Shelter in the Home. Foreign buyers of The Secure Home need to contact me at joel at joelskousen.com for additional shipping charges as this book weighs 4 pounds and my website ordering form only calculates domestic shipping. If you already own The Secure Home, check out the online update at.

An economic crisis that threatens your pensions, investments and other so-called 'guaranteed' income? A major earthquake or other natural disaster suddenly upset the natural social order for months at a time? Could you get out of harm's way if massive social unrest erupts in the wake of a crisis?

The area’s freeways are clogged during an emergency? Do you have contingency plans to exit the area? If the 'unthinkable' happens—nuclear war? Or have you thought about the potential of a major terrorist attack on a U.S.

City with chemical or biological weapons? It’s easy to dismiss these threats during times of peace and prosperity, but they are real. Not only that, but the probably of such events coming to pass increases every year. Strategic Relocation: North American Guide to Safe Places is an in-depth analysis of North America’s safest places to live. This book will help you look ahead for potential threats that most other people fail to see or choose to ignore.

It contains a complete discussion of the strategies and relocation contingencies that will help you avoid or mitigate each of the major modern threats, from national disasters to economic collapse to nuclear war. As a relocation expert, Joel Skousen also offers personal paid consultations for those who want advice on selecting land or working out special contingency retreat plans. He recommends that anyone interested in these services read the book first. Skousen at joels NOSPAM @ joelskousen.com to talk about the book or for consultation. No appointment is necessary.

Some Strategic Analysis: WORST 25 METRO AREAS FOR CRIME: 1. Baton Rouge, LA 3. New York, NY 4. Tallahassee, FL 5. Los Angeles, CA 6. Jacksonville, FL 7.

Gainesville, FL 8. New Orleans, LA 9. Little Rock, AR 10 Jackson, TN 11. Tampa/Clearwater, FL 12 West Palm Beach, FL 13. Baltimore/Washington DC, MD 14 Albuquerque, NM 15.

Chicago, IL 16. Dallas, TX 17. Lakeland/Winter Haven, FL 18. Charlotte, NC 19. Pueblo, CO 20. Fresno, CA 21. Flint, MI 22.

Jersey City, NJ 23. Kansas City, KS, MO 24. Orlando, FL 25. Riverside, CA THE TOP 5 MOST DANGEROUS METRO AREAS FOR EARTHQUAKES: 1. Mexico City, Mexico 2.

San Francisco/Oakland 3. Los Angeles basin, CA 4. Anchorage, AK 5.

Seattle WA THE TOP 10 MOST DANGEROUS NUCLEAR TARGETS IN OR NEAR A METRO AREA (there are several other primary targets not listed that are not near a major metro) 1. Washington DC /and related bases (major command and control for the President) 2. Colorado Springs, CO (Cheyenne Mtn Control Center, 2 space command/comm bases) 3.

Omaha, NE (secondary command and control bases) 4. Seattle, WA (Trident Missile Sub base and numerous Naval Bases) 5. Jacksonville FL/Kings Bay GA (Trident Missile Sub base, Major East Coast Naval Center) 6. San Diego, CA (largest west coast naval complex) 7.

Norfolk, VA (major east coast naval complex) 8. Kansas City, MO (Whiteman AFB, B-2 nuclear bombers) 9. Cheyenne, WY (Warren AFB, Minute Man and Peacekeeper MX missiles) 10. Great Falls, MT (Malmstrom AFB -Minute Man missiles) Now for some good news: Here are my current ratings for the TOP 10 MODERATE GROWTH, MEDIUM SIZED METRO AREAS that are relatively safe from strategic threats, or where you have a good chance of mitigating those threats.

This are not the best areas, but the areas where most people who need to stay in the job markets will find medium term security: 1. Provo-Orem, UT 3.

Beaverton, OR 4. Santa Rosa, CA 5. Greenville, SC 6. Winston-Salem/High Point, NC 7. Austin-San Marcos, TX 8.

Grand Rapids, MI 9. Madison, WI For those of you on a tight budget, here are the TOP 10 MOST ECONOMICAL STATES to live.

These ratings take into consideration overall taxes, housing, and cost of living. These ratings also exclude most large metro areas, where costs are much higher than the state average. Texas (except Dallas Metroplex) 5. West Virginia 6.

South Carolina 8. Mississippi 9. Wisconsin 10. Tennessee SOME STATES WITH TAX ADVANTAGES: This doesn't tell the whole tax story since all states collect a lot of taxes.

However, a person whose financial structure or income structure is different from the average person can take advantage of this by living in a state which doesn't tax his particular form of income or spending patterns. There are more details in my book, 'Strategic Relocation' STATES WITH NO INCOME TAX: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, Tennessee, New Hampshire (but has 5% tax on div/int), So. Dakota, Texas, Washington, Wyoming. STATES WITH NO SALES TAX: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, STATES WITH NO INCOME OR SALES TAXES, BUT HIGH PROPERTY TAXES: Alaska, New Hampshire. STATES WHO SHARE A BORDER WITH NO SALES TAX/NO INCOME TAX STATE: In these states, you can live in a no income tax state and shop across the border in a no sales tax state: Washington/Oregon Wyoming/Montana So. Dakota/Montana As you can see, it can be rather enjoyable or frustrating doing this kind of analysis, depending upon where you presently reside. I hope you will enjoy the entire book, which offers many more areas of interest to analyze.'

The book itself contains much more info. There is a section that lists every single county in every State in the US it breaks down factors in each county such as, Total population People per square mile ethnic make-up% of White, Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Native-American Crime statistics for each county political make-up% of Dems, Reps, Independents, Liberals It has a section devoted to 'Threat Analysis' that lists every known nuclear target in the US. It has maps of fallout patterns and prevailing winds. I think the most valuable section has maps of different geographoic areas of the country anbd shows the 'Safe' places in those areas. All graded with an A thru F ranking.

The criteria for this assesment is listed and considers such criteria as poulation make-up, distance to metropolitan areas, etc. I can't break the whole thing down but here is a basic (very basic) synopsis of each area.

North Western There are several spots strewn throughout this area but the primary safe areas are located in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. There are some lower ranked areas in Washington and Oregon but no 'A' ranked areas due to several factors such as political environment and the threat of massive population surges from California and Nevada in a long term situation. The best rated areas are (not a complete list) Most of central and northern Idaho, the western half of Montana, specifically around the Kalispell and Hamilton areas. The North West corner of Wyoming. Specificaly the Wind River range and the Tetons, and more specificaly the Star Valley area south of Jackson Hole. North Eastern Very few places at all in this area and only one 'A' rated area that being far northern Minnesota/Canada border area. Lower ranked areas would be the northern woods of Michigan, Northern Maine, the Adirondack and Catskill mountains.

But the main idea here is get somewhere else if you can. And that goes pretty much for all the Eastern half of the country. South Eastern Again, only a few 'A' places here. And very few of lower ranks.The predominent ones being; East Texas Piney Woods, The Ouchita Forrest of S.E. Okla., and S.W.

Ark., the Ozarks of N. The only other 'A' rated areas are in the Appalachian Mountains. Eastern Tenn., Western Carolina's and Virginia.

And specifically mentioned is the northern edge in Kentucky near the Lexington area. South West Numerous places scattered around these states.

The only 'A' rated areas are one in Nevada, the Ruby Valley area South of Elko. Arizona is ranked lower each year due to political factors and poulation increases. But at this time it has one 'A' ranked area ledt that being the Gila mountains in the central part of the state around the cities of Prescott and Payson.

No 'A' rated areas in Colorado or New Mexico. Primarily due to political factors and nearness to major military targets. What surprised me was the area recommended as the most secure in all the US for long term survival was in Utah. Every area in the state is either an 'A' or 'B' rating with the top ones being the Wasatch Mountains of central Utah. With the southern half of this area having an 'A+' rating. A moderate climate with good growing seasons.

Sparse but adequate rainfall, and a high dry desert environment that would not necessarily appeal to a lrge group of uninformed people. Low population density, cheap land, and good conservative people.

The only draw back is low employment oppurtunities in a pre-SHTf world. So there is a good summary of just a little bit of the info contained in this book. There is tons more. It is definately one that will be in my bookcase from now on. 'Today, we need a nation of Minutemen, citizens who are not only prepared to take arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as the basic purpose of their daily life and who are willing to consciously work and sacrifice for that freedom.'

Kennedy 'You took the good things for granted-now you must earn them again. For every right that you cherish, you have a duty that you must fulfill. For every hope that you entertain, you have a task that you must perform.

For every good that you wish to preserve, you will have to sacrifice your comfort and ease. There is nothing for nothing any longer.' - George Washington. The Secure Home After you decide where the best place to be is, or if you intend on 'Sheltering in Place' then you would do well to have Joel Skousens other book. 'The Secure Home'. Whether you intend to build or re-model and existing home this book will give you valuable insight into ways of making it as secure as you can afford to.

I am going to be building a home soon and I can tell you that this book will be by my side through the entire process. It is a large book, almost 700 pages, and is full of good solid practical ideas that you can do to increase the security of your home. There are a good many drawings of design details that could be copied and taken directly to a builder or architect, the quality is that good. I was very impressed with his ideas and how he incorparates them into a practical design. Look over the table of contents taken from the website and you will get an idea of how comprehensive this book is. I highly recommend it. MM from the website; How Secure is Your Home?

Securing your home and protecting your family requires more than simply installing solid door locks and a security system. As people in the Northeast discovered during the 1998 winter ice storms, crime is only one type of misfortune that can strike a family. To illustrate, take the following quiz about the security of your home: 1. How would you keep your house from freezing in the winter if electricity were unavailable for a long period of time?

Do you have some type of wood burning heater? What about hot water? Do you have back-up cooking facilities if an earthquake made natural gas unavailable for a month or two?

Could you heat hot water? What if you lose both electricity and gas? Would you be willing to rely on batteries and candles for illumination if a major power outage lasted more than a week? Do you have extra tanks of potable water should public water supplies be cut off or contaminated? Would you know how to collect and filter your own water if none was available for a long time? If a winter storm damaged windows in your home, would you have sufficient plastic sheeting and repair materials to quickly enclose the open areas to retain heat?

If you answered 'No' to any one of the above questions, your home is NOT secured, and your family is NOT protected. Learn more about securing your home in my book 'The Secure Home', as well as my Special Reports on survival and security. If you already own The Secure Home, check out the on-line update on Recommended Products and Services. 'Today, we need a nation of Minutemen, citizens who are not only prepared to take arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as the basic purpose of their daily life and who are willing to consciously work and sacrifice for that freedom.' Kennedy 'You took the good things for granted-now you must earn them again. For every right that you cherish, you have a duty that you must fulfill. For every hope that you entertain, you have a task that you must perform.

For every good that you wish to preserve, you will have to sacrifice your comfort and ease. There is nothing for nothing any longer.' - George Washington. 'Today, we need a nation of Minutemen, citizens who are not only prepared to take arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as the basic purpose of their daily life and who are willing to consciously work and sacrifice for that freedom.' Kennedy 'You took the good things for granted-now you must earn them again. For every right that you cherish, you have a duty that you must fulfill.

For every hope that you entertain, you have a task that you must perform. For every good that you wish to preserve, you will have to sacrifice your comfort and ease.

There is nothing for nothing any longer.' - George Washington. Re: Strategic Relocation & The Secure Home - Joel Skousen MM I haven't seen the new updated version. The one I have is from 98/99. I would imagine that thats the first run.

In that one a lot of lists he used were from UCR's uniform crime reports that the local depts turned into the fbi. Also he used census reports which were at that time four or so years out of date. Things are always changing with population density crime reports etc but the book gives you many insightful hints, a check list if you will about what to look for before you make that move for your BIP. Never been to Tallahassee but I'm guessing that when he did the revised book he used UCR's from say the last 5 years.

If during that time there was a sharp increase in Part 1 offenses; Rape, Robbery, Homicide, etc. That would skew the tables. Just a thought you may want to think on. Lastly remember figures lie when liars figure. Take care Be safe Poacher. Re: Strategic Relocation & The Secure Home - Joel Skousen He says that the data comes from the 2000 census and from police reports.

This list of cities must come from the website because the book only lists individual counties. The crime statistics are in two catagories, serious crime (murder,rape, physical assault,domestic violence etc.), and property crime (where no personal injury is involved). The way he ranks it is not by the number of crimes reported but by the number of repoerted crimes per 100,000 poulation.

A much more revealing method. For leon County Florida the rate of serious crime was over 5500 and property crimes over 14,000 per 100,000 population. (I am at work and don't have it in front of me).

The 2006 population of Tallahassee Fla. Is over 350,000. So if you extrapolate the 2000 crimes statistics to that poulation you would get a serious crime rate of 19,250 reports per year and a property crime rate of 49,000 per year. That is a considerably high number, especially compared to a place like Dallas Tx. Which has 3 times the population. I would say check your six seawolf, maybe T-town is not as safe a harbour as you think it is. 'Today, we need a nation of Minutemen, citizens who are not only prepared to take arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as the basic purpose of their daily life and who are willing to consciously work and sacrifice for that freedom.'

Kennedy 'You took the good things for granted-now you must earn them again. For every right that you cherish, you have a duty that you must fulfill. For every hope that you entertain, you have a task that you must perform. For every good that you wish to preserve, you will have to sacrifice your comfort and ease.

There is nothing for nothing any longer.' - George Washington. Re: Strategic Relocation & The Secure Home - Joel Skousen He must be factoring in mostly somewhat lesser crime.

For more violent crime, I cannot believe we'd be ranked above L.A., Boston/Washington DC, Chicago and Nawlins. We do have a rapidly growing population, lots of ethnic 'diversity', lots of Liberal folks, and we are the State Capitol (so, that brings it's own 'Political Crime'!) Yep, I gotta look into this. Got too many years til retirement to think of moving just yet. Luckily, I do live well outside town.

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'Today, we need a nation of Minutemen, citizens who are not only prepared to take arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as the basic purpose of their daily life and who are willing to consciously work and sacrifice for that freedom.' Kennedy 'You took the good things for granted-now you must earn them again.

For every right that you cherish, you have a duty that you must fulfill. For every hope that you entertain, you have a task that you must perform. For every good that you wish to preserve, you will have to sacrifice your comfort and ease. There is nothing for nothing any longer.' - George Washington. Re: Strategic Relocation & The Secure Home - Joel Skousen MM, the housing industry here is skyrocketing!

They fill 'em as fast as they build 'em. I don't know where they all are working. I'm five miles outside city limits now - I expect to be INSIDE in ten years or less! Same thing happened to my family - we were three miles outside southward when Dad bought his property in '64. By the time I graduated highschool in '75, we were just inside city limits! The growth is just crazy - far outstripping the road construction. Maybe the author isn't that far off - factoring in the rapid population growth, the per-capita rise in crime, the increasing racial tensions, two major Universities.

Yep, it could well be. I hate 'progress'.

'Today, we need a nation of Minutemen, citizens who are not only prepared to take arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as the basic purpose of their daily life and who are willing to consciously work and sacrifice for that freedom.' Kennedy 'You took the good things for granted-now you must earn them again. For every right that you cherish, you have a duty that you must fulfill. For every hope that you entertain, you have a task that you must perform.

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For every good that you wish to preserve, you will have to sacrifice your comfort and ease. There is nothing for nothing any longer.' - George Washington. Re: Strategic Relocation & The Secure Home - Joel Skousen Another thing to consider on the statistics is that if the area has a super high crime rate and/or crappy LEOs then a lot of people wont bother to report many crimes and if they do the cops may not so much as file a report since its just business asusual.

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In areas where there is almost no crime everything gets reported and followed up on. So its another way the numbers are by nature misleading. I know when I lived in the city I quit fileing reports when the house was broken into since I didnt have insurance o pay for the stolen stuff where I would need a report and the cops didnt care and wouldnt o anything even if you told them who did it, where to find them and how to prove it beyond any doubt.been there done it.