100 Skills for the End of the World

Small, Cute and Quirky It Still Has Valuable Information.

We don’t often talk about the end of the world as we know it (TEOTWAWKI) here at PreparednessMama. We don’t approach preparedness from a survivalist view, but rather as a way to be self-reliant during times of trial. You may think me naive, and that’s okay. Our promise is preparedness without the hype.

Given that view, I was a little hesitant to read the new book by Ana Maria Spagna called 100 Skills You’ll Need for the End of the World (as We Know It). I’m pleasantly surprised.

I found that it’s a quirky introduction to preparedness and contains more humor than hype. The book is small, measuring 5 x 7 inches. Half of its 223 pages are illustrations. That of course, doesn’t leave much room for an in-depth instruction for any one skill.

In 100 skills you will not find specific details about “how to” do Basic First Aid, Beekeeping, or Bicycle Repair (skill number 4,5,6) nor will it teach you to master Latrine digging, laughing and listening (skill 59,60,61).

What you will find is a collection of 100 ideas that will help you become more self-reliant. You can use these skills today – or at the end of the world – your choice, but I think you might want to get starting now.

A Checklist on Steroids

Like I said, you are not going to get a detailed education in any of the topics in the book. It is, however, an excellent checklist on steroids. If everyone in your family would research and master a few of these skills, you’ll be doing better than most of the families in your neighborhood.

Each entry is presented with a sense of humor: Latrine Digging. “You can start with a shovel and rock bar, but eventually, you’ll lie on your belly and pull up handfuls of dirt, an excellent if awkward core workout.” Fence Building: “Fair warning – If you don’t build it they will come.” and Gliding: “Of course, not everyone is destined to fly. Not to worry. The thrill of gliding is still within reach.” It provides a light-hearted conversation starter on each of the topics.

Typical and Unusual

If I were to ask you to sit down and make a list of the top 20 preparedness skills you want to master, you would certainly come up with many of the ones in this book. These are the typical skills like:

• // Canning
• // Cheesemaking
• // Composting
• // Firemaking
• // Growing vegetables in an urban or rural environment
• // Mending and
• // Water collection

You may not think of some of the most unusual skills mentioned in 100 Skills.  These are a few of my favorite unusuals:

• //Bird Listening
• // Daydreaming
• // Handwriting
• // Ink Making and
• // Walking

Who Is This Book for?

If you are just beginning to prepare the skills in this book will be a good way to learn about a well-balanced preparedness plan. Not every skill can be accomplished by everyone. Pick the ones that are best suited to your family and begin the research.

If you are into preparedness and the rest of you family thinks you’re crazy…this book might be a good conversation starter for the coffee table. (or you could just be reinforcing their opinion!) If you know a lot about preparedness or live in the country, then not so much. These skills are something you’ve already thought about and are currently implementing in your daily life.

Small, cute, and quirky, 100 Skills for the End of the World  has valuable information that you can use to become self-reliant right now. Get one for the coffee table and strike up a conversation with your friends and family.

I was given a copy of 100 Skills You’ll Need for the End of the World (as We Know It) in exchange for my review. The opinions in this post are entirely my own.

Excerpted from: 100 Skills You’ll Need for The End of The World (As We Know It). (c) Ana Maria Spagna. Illustrations by (c) Brian Cronin.

ARE YOU READY?

Whether you’re prepping for a shipwreck, economic collapse, a zombie attack, or catastrophic climate change, Ana Maria Spagna has you covered with her quirky collection of essential skills for a brave new world — from blacksmithing and falconry to bartering and music making.

Ana Maria lives and writes in Stehekin, Washington, a remote community in the North Cascades accessible only by boat, foot, or float plane. After working for fifteen years on trail crews in national parks and forests, she now teaches creative nonfiction at the Northwest Institute of Literary Arts where she serves as assistant director of the MFA program.