A couple of days ago, I finished another “doomer” novel that I really enjoyed. It’s by James Howard Kunstler and is titled World Made by Hand. It takes place in New York state at some time in the near future.
The exact cause or causes for the 1900’s style of living the people maintain is not specifically stated. We know early on that there was a flu pandemic that claimed a lot of lives, but it sounds like it was in the time since the change.
Allusions are made to how the older generation is to blame for how corrupt the world became and for its obsession with oil to the neglect of other power sources. For most characters in the story, there is no more electricity or gasoline powered vehicles. Equine horsepower is envied.
The characters are interesting. The main one had been a corporate executive in the computer field. His closest friend remains the town pastor. As the story unfolds, the alliances that people formed to cope with the new challenges they face become evident. I think the author’s ideas about this are intriguing and very probable.
For added interest, a religious sect buys property in the small town and immediately makes its presence felt. As I read the book, I kept wondering what kind of statement the author was trying to make with his portrayal of the various “Christians” in the story. I’m still not certain.
This book got me to thinking once again about the general assumption that living out in the country in a relatively isolated area is the best plan. What about community? Security? Distance to work or trade with others without the convenience of motorized travel?
I thought this was a very good book and enjoyed reading it. There is a sequel that I may read also, though the storyline of the first book takes an odd turn right at the end, I think to set up for the next one. The title of the sequel, The Witch of Hebron, hints to me that it may be headed somewhere I may not want to go. I’ll read the Amazon reviews and think about it.
If you’ve read either World Made by Hand or the sequel, I’d like to hear your thoughts in the comments section.
PreppingToSurvive.com 
December 2, 2011 at 7:14 am
Kuntsler is a so-called “peak oil” propagandist and everything he writes is based on that premise.
I documented Kunstler and his brethren several years ago on a wiki now called SourceWatch.
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Peak_oil
December 2, 2011 at 8:11 am
That is interesting. I’ll have to admit that I don’t research the authors of books I read as a matter of course. But no matter what your beliefs about Peak Oil are, I think most readers of this blog would enjoy the book.
Thanks for your comment.
December 7, 2011 at 6:55 am
I’ve read both “World Made By Hand”, and it’s sequel, “Witch of Hebron”. They were both entertaining and thought-provoking. I think the religious sect in WMBH was there to provide a foil for the townspeople to play off of, as well as add potential conflict and opportunities to achieve more as a community. But, I say that as a writer. From a prepper’s perspective, this was an interesting read because it gave one hope, and pointed out that a community can be maintained without power. As well as encouraging one to think about alternate forms of infrastructure.
The sequel had just as much drama, but it was at once both similar and yet fresh. A few of the same characters, with just enough new ones thrown in there for interest.
While I don’t agree with JHK on everything, he has written a couple of really good books.
Definitely worth the time it might take to get them.
October 6, 2012 at 2:56 pm
I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait for the sequel to arrive from the library! It was nice to read something so well written because unfortunately the types of fiction that I enjoy (survival, apocalyptic) generally pale in comparison. The story was interesting and I couldn’t put it down. I will definitely be searching out other books by this author. Thanks for the tip!
May 28, 2014 at 9:59 pm
You can also combine different forms of cardiovascular exercises to keep yourself away
from boredom. There are lots of people in the world, including myself, who have a hard time in their life with weight.
Once you have reached your weight, you can start
your normal diet, then just drink the tea to maintain your new
figure.
June 19, 2014 at 3:38 am
On the other hand, a quality of long standing durability and features like
color & clarity of acrylic beads is much better than the glass beads.
Resources may grace with your presence to related topics, such as grooming, fashion, and etiquette and not just fashion modeling
alone. Broadband and problematic stunts are their pastime right now.
July 4, 2014 at 5:24 pm
Apart from the laziness, one of the main reasons
for not being able to stick to the rule
is mainly because of the fact that we lead a hectic life.
You can figure out the exact times of the break-ins by either checking
the log at the control tower entrance or by talking to the First Recon Snipers
to learn that the lights come on around 1 AM each
night. It has more than 400 acres and is elevated at 9,000
feet. our store (Macon, GA) is doing a Family Summer Time Fun Cooking
event on the 6th of June. However for now ‘ let’s think about what it’s
like to be an athlete often confronted with these questions with no-one nearby offering support.
There are hikes, crafts, games, tractor rides, and time with the gardens
and animals. It is yet another compound exercise (training multiple parts of the body at once) that trains the thighs, hips and buttocks, quads, hamstrings, as well as the bones, ligaments and tendons throughout the lower body.
Trust me, getting sick at a camp is the last thing
you want. Themed camps have been rising over the past years and moreover they attempt to cater to what is young plus fresh
as well as cool and trendy. If you need 20 points in Medicine or
you can just lie.
July 16, 2014 at 1:07 am
There are a variety of outdoor activities for the kids of the Colorado Youth Program Mountain Summer Camp, including bird banding, astronomy, fishing, kayaking, hiking,
white water rafting, evening campfires, wildlife study, mountain biking, canoeing,
forest study, games, and aquatics study. The slip of paper that
indicated the insurance had been applied for
and paid was a carefully guarded document that men carried with them at all
times. Summer camps will be offered by the specialized institutions,
schools and many other academies. First thing that you should remember is whether your child should attend a day camp or residential camp.
The Young Explorer Day Camps are geared for grades 1-3 in the afternoons and 4-6 in the
morning sessions. If it isn’t then you may proceed to Step Two,
if not, then i’m sorry you’ve been eliminated from survivor.
Such a style is largely similar to what teams like Barcelona or even Bayern Munich (Under Pep Guardiola) are doing, just on the big
pitch. By means of the prolific use of computer devices, the growth of summer learning programs,
and moreover the growing regard for family vacations to different parts, the summer camp experience
has undoubtedly taken a back seat for some time, which can be
so unlike the way things were several years ago when attending summer camp was a thing
a large number of kids look forward to. They have to be friendly and candid to make kids
comfortable. In addition, the cooking and photography classes both have a $10 supply fee.
July 28, 2014 at 12:18 pm
As a treatment for hair loss, it primarily promotes good hair growth.
The reduction in girls starts at the front of
the hairline and works its way insidiously toward the crown of the head.
By the time men reach 50 years of age 50% of the men become
bald.
August 15, 2014 at 11:37 am
At the recent TRIC Awards in London, model and reality TV star
Amy Childs showed off her stunning figure in a white and
red bodycon dress and red heels. The website will have
a special section called “The Rainbow Connection“, which will serve as a social media site for children. It now encompasses
everything from women’s clothing to eyewear to underwear to
tailored suits.
August 16, 2014 at 7:50 am
The top ties in a halter style and is very comfortable.
Simply rub your finger-tips up and down about ten times and then rub them
from the corners of your eyes outwards. Here is a sample list of 20:
abortion, addiction, adolescence, break-ups,
crime, death, depression, eating disorders, humor, lucky breaks, mental disorders,
moral dilemmas, pets, poverty, racism, religion, sex, suicide, turning points,
and war.