Staying alive outside the structures of an advanced society can be even more challenging than the wilderness. Almost all of these are geared to our society, but they can give you pointers to the kind of obstacles and their possible solutions. How does your vampire get the periodic new ID she needs? How will governments try to shut down some of these systems? Where can you leave loopholes for your characters? You gotta know before you go.

• Advanced Fugitive: Running, Hiding, Surviving and Thriving Forever
  Kenn Abaygo, Paladin Press (1997). List price $15, not yet discounted.
  
  

  Read the author's Fugitive below, first. This takes evasion to an international level, and another volume is promised. This has been selling heavily because the author precisely predicted the behavior of Versace's murder. Undoubtedly, detectives all over the country consider this a must-have.

• Fugitive : How to Run, Hide, and Survive
  Kenn Abaygo, Paladin Press (1994). List price $12 and less.
  
  

  The basics of setting up a new life and shedding the old. See also Advanced Fugitive.

• Life After Doomsday : A Survivalist Guide to Nuclear War and Other Major Disasters
  Bruce D. Clayton, Paladin Press (1980). List price $29.95 and less.
  
  

  One of the classics of survivalist literature, sure to be on the bookshelf in that cabin way back out nowhere. The probable outcomes are based on careful research in government publications.

• Nuclear War Survival Skills
  Cresson H. Kearny, Oregon Institute of Science & Medicine, 2nd ed (1988). List price $12.50.
  
  

  A superb handbook of tested, working shelters that can be constructed quickly in basements or in the ground, while providing genuine, long-term (if uncomfortable) protection. Realistic description of dangers. Covers keeping warm with expedient materials (bathrobe, showercap, and newspapers -- you should see the photos of testers!), lighting, sanititation, and cooking with minimal fuel. A long-time favorite.

• The Real Goods Solar Living Sourcebook : The Complete Guide to Renewable Energy Techologies and Sustainable Living (9th Ed)
  John Schaeffer (Editor), Doug Pratt (Contributor), Real Good Staff (Editor). List price: $30.00.
  

  Your Late Neolithic or Pre-Industrial villagers will not have or need these strategies. If you are building a character who is trying to live lightly in the Post-Industrial Age, or show an ecologically responsible society, you'll want to get this to show you what is now possible without even any extrapolation. Note that one can "live off the grid" in urban settings, if your characters manage cleverly. It allows one to be more invisible by not having an electric bill.

• Strategic Relocation
  Joel Skousen. List price: $45.00
  

  If you want to destroy North American civilization as we know it, and run your characters through either the breakdown or the ruins, Skousen has collected the data on what is most likely to happen and which areas will be most affected. Disasters range from flood and earthquake to NBC terrorism and urban collapase. This book is designed for the survivalist who wants to relocate to one of the safer places, not for writers, and you may find the tone repellent, pitiable, admirable, or hilarious depending on your own attitude. Include wind patterns for the carrying of airborne diseases or nuclear fallout, so it helps you set up your world.

• The Complete Book of Survival : How to Protect Yourself Against Revolution, Riots, Hurricanes, Famines, and Other Natural and Man-Made Disasters
  Rainer Stahlberg, Barricade Books (1998). List price $25 and less.
  

  The writer notes that this was written for people, not the government, and all systems can be personalized. Includes chapters like Financial Survival.