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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.

AUTHOR TITLE ORDER
Abaygo, Kenn Advanced Fugitive: Running, Hiding, Surviving and Thriving Forever
Paladin Press (1997)

Read the author's Fugitive below, first. This takes evasion to an international level,. This has been selling heavily because the author precisely predicted the behavior of Versace's murderer. 

Undoubtedly, detectives all over the country consider this a must-have.

 

Abaygo, Kenn Fugitive : How to Run, Hide, and Survive
Paladin Press (1994)

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

 

Abaygo, Kenn The International Fugitive
Paladin Press, 1999

The promised third volume to Abaygo's series, for anyone who needs to disappear. Bear in mind that since 9/11, things have changed radically and much of the information may now be outdated for some countries. However, any story set before that date can happily use the information herein to good effect.

Happy disappearing...

 

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

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. 

 

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

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, shower cap, and newspapers -- you should see the photos of testers!), lighting, sanitation, and cooking with minimal fuel. 

A long-time favorite.

 

Schaeffer, John and Doug Pratt Real Goods Solar Living Sourcebook: The Complete Guide to Renewable Energy Techologies and Sustainable Living (9th Ed)
Gaiam Real Goods, 2007

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.

 

Skousen, Joel Strategic Relocation
Swift Publishing, 2006

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 air-borne diseases or nuclear fallout, so it helps you set up your world.

 

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

The writer notes that this was written for people, not the government, and all systems can be personalized. This is still an excellent guide, given the recent spate of hurricanes, wildfires, volcanic eruptions, oil spills, tornados, and other uncontrollable phenomena. Toss in terrorist attacks, and there may be any number of reasons your characters' lives (or your own) might be unexpectedly disrupted for undetermined periods of time.

Includes chapters like Financial Survival.

 

Woods, W. David How Apollo Flew to the Moon
Praxis, 2008

A highly-acclaimed dive into the systems and operations behind an Apollo flight. Woods has created a composite flight and covered everything from flight operations to how to live aboard a moon-bound spacecraft. It takes a great deal of technical jargon and boils it down to a very clear picture of how things worked aboard the Apollo spacecraft.

An excellent guide to understanding the challenges and technology of spaceflight and what it takes to step beyond Earth's atmosphere and survive out there.