This list is designed to list the best prepping books that are both educational and entertaining. They vary widely, and I’ve broken them down in the following way: Best fiction prepping books, Best fiction prepping books for kids, and best nonfiction prepping books.
Best Fiction Prepping Books
Robinson Crusoe
Robinson Crusoe is the survivalist classic. It includes hunting, domesticating wild animals, and encounters with cannibals’. There isn’t any bad language or sexual content, so if you’ve got a kid that likes reading, this would be a good one. It’s just old English writing that can be hard for younger kids to stick with. I first read it when I was 14 though, and loved it. It’s one of the first books that got me interested in being self sufficient and truly a time tested prepping classic. Also, the Kindle version is currently free (though prices aren’t set by us and are subject to change).
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One Second After
America has lost a war, and the results are catastrophic. There’s the premise. This book has been discussed both in congress and in the pentagon, as the events and scenarios of this book are frighteningly close to plausible.
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Going Home series
Disaster strikes when Morgan Carter is 250 miles from home. The grid goes down. No electricity, no internet, and even running water goes out. Add to that- Morgan’s car is broken down, and he has to get home. This story illustrates the importance of a good Get Home Bag.
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Last Light
No power, vehicles won’t start, and the airport is on fire. Communications are also silent. What’s happening? Has there been an attack? Was there some sort of natural disaster? Or is there something worse at play?
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Ava’s Crucible
What happens if the political situation in the United States grows to volatile? This story looks at political turmoil and unrest, dealing with mobs, and all the fallout that goes along with that, including supply shortages, growing your own food, bugging out, and more. This book isn’t your full on apocalypse story, but its more plausible and more realistic than a lot of others on this list. This is a clean book with no sexual content, a good one to read or listen to with all ages.
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The Days of Noah
Things in America are changing, but how involved should you be? This book looks at the experience of Noah Parker, as he realizes that the constitutional freedoms of the country have been eroded to about nothing. Has he realized this too late? What can he do and what’s to happen to the country?
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Lucifer’s Hammer
What happens if a massive comet decides to wreak havoc on earth, triggering natural disasters and a host of other problems? This book takes a look at this scenario, with an engaging story to take the reader on the journey.
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Alas Babylon: a Novel
Nuclear holocaust in America. This book takes a more realistic look at what the aftermath brings than other post nuclear storylines, such as that in the video game Fallout. This book highlights the big killers in such a situation- hunger and sickness, though there are obviously people problems as well. This book looks at those issues, as well as the idea of reverting back to a state of nature in an instant.
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Enemies Foreign And Domestic (The Enemies Trilogy)
This book looks at the possibility of a domestic terrorist attack in a sports arena, how society reacts, and captures the motives of the masses, along with a look at how to combat it, along with an engaging story.
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Best Fiction Prepping Books for Kids
These books are great for kids, but that doesn’t mean they’re childish. Many of these books are still on my prepping bookshelf today and are among my favorites.
Hatchet
Brain’s plane goes down in the Canadian bush and all he has is his hatchet to survive. This is one of my all time favorites. Making fire, treating injury and sickness, and a nasty run in with a moose. There are also several sequels which are also pretty good, though Brian’s Hunt wasn’t quite as good as the others in the series. Still good, but not AS good.
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Last of The Breed
Last of a Breed is the story of a native american man in the army, fighting the soviet forces in siberia. He travels across the country, evading forces, and wages a one man war, gurilla warfare style against the enemy. I’ve read this one about 5 times and plan on reading it even more. Louis L’Amour is an absolute legend.
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Transal Saga
By the same author as Hatchet, the main character goes through a time paradox and is transported to a post apocalyptic world. Unlike other time travel books, this doesn’t feel forced or too sci-fi. This post apocalyptic world has lost essentially all tech and Mark (the main character) essentially starts from zero and has encounters with several tribes. I LOVE this book and have read it several times.
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My Side of the Mountain
Sam isn’t happy living in New York, so he takes his equipment, leaves the city, and makes a life for himself out in the wild, living on his own terms. A lot of us dream of breaking away and living free, but he does it.
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Best Non-fiction Prepping Books
SAS Survival Handbook, Third Edition: The Ultimate Guide to Surviving Anywhere
The SAS Survival Handbook includes a how to guide for surviving any number of situations, from camping and common place situations, to surviving in an urban environment, and reacting to terrorist attacks. This book is a great one for ever prepper and adventurer, and covers just about every type of disaster you can imagine.
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Prepper’s Long-Term Survival Guide
A prepping expert’s look at the skills, projects, and strategies for surviving, thriving, and prepping in any situation. Not every disaster requires the same reaction, and this guide provides the blueprint you need to have success.
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Bushcraft 101
Written by a professional survivalist, Bushcraft 101 takes a look at the key wilderness survival skills you’ll need to survive in the bush. This book focuses on making tools, making shelter, making fire, and using those things to survive in any situation that nature can throw at you.
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The MeatEater Guide to Wilderness Skills and Survival
MeatEater is an icon in the outdoor industry, and are fortunate to spend much more time in the wilderness than most. Their survival guide has been a best seller since it came out, and includes great practical advice and field knowledge to keep you alive in the wilderness. If you like MeatEater, you can actually watch their first few seasons free HERE and you can see some of their survival skills in action.
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When All Hell Breaks Loose: Stuff You Need To Survive When Disaster Strikes
This survival expert goes through what you need to know in a variety of situations, at home, in the wild, or in your car. Disaster can strike at any time, and this guide helps you be prepared.
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LDS Preparedness Manual
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints have made prepping and emergency preparedness a major part of its teachings. This complies a ton of resources from this growing worldwide church.
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98.6 Degrees: The Art of Keeping Your Ass Alive!
Cody Lundin is the director of a wilderness survival school in Arizona, and focuses on how to keep yourself alive in all sorts of conditions and situation. The book has a good focus on what works, and keeps in mind the basic necessities, like warmth, hence the reference to 98.6 degrees.
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The Trappers Bible
Trapping is becoming less and less common. If you need to start counting on trapping for food or raiment, you’ll want to have this information on hand. It walks you through both making and using all sorts of traps.
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Hunting Books for Preppers
There are several that we love, but you ought to focus on books about the game where you live. We especially love MeatEater books like American Buffalo and his Memoir. Steven Rinella, with good reason, has become the face of the hunting world.
Reloading Manual
In a SHTF scenario, you may not be able to buy ammo. Can you make your own? Unless you plan on sticking with a stick and string there Hawkeye, reloading should be an essential prepping skill.
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