When Technology Fails: A Manual for Self Reliance & Planetary Survival

"It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change." Charles Darwin

When Technology Fails is a book about our future. On the one hand, it is about preparing for possible future instabilities and failures in technology and the central services that we have come to rely upon for our daily sustenance and commerce. On the other hand, it is about awakening to the fact that we are all occupants of a fragile planetary ecosystem that is showing severe signs of strain from expanding global population and the business-as-usual ideal of continuously increasing consumption. When Technology Fails is a clear, useable, practical handbook. It provides basic information and instructions on widely ranging subjects falling under the loose guidelines of self-reliance, a sustainable future for our planet, and primitive living skills that could come in handy if you should someday find your self and family deprived of modern conveniences. Since one single book couldn't possibly provide in-depth coverage for all of the relevant subjects, each chapter includes a resource guide to the best applicable literature, web sites and sources for materials.

In today's world of global warming, super-storms, record breaking floods, severe droughts, antiquated and overloaded electrical distribution systems, it is likely that most of us will see significant disruptions in the flow of electricity and goods at some point in our lives. An old Chinese saying asks, "Is it not already too late if one waits until one is thirsty to begin digging a well?" This saying applies equally at both the personal and planetary levels. On the micro level (personal survival), a little planning, training, education and individual action can significantly reduce one's sense of helplessness. On the macro level (global sustainability), large numbers of people must be awakened to the need for change before governments and the majority of businesses make a sustainable future their number one priority. On both levels, action is required to promote a positive outcome.

We live in the "Information Age" and information is power. When Technology Fails is an exceptional source of information, providing something of value for most everyone. Whether you wish to cope with possible future instabilities and emergencies, grow your own food in sustainable ways, build an earth-friendly home, develop your own independent power system or expand your alternative healing repertoire, When Technology Fails provides valuable guidance and instruction. Going far beyond survivalist books, it's broad-based appeal ranges from the environmentalist who wishes to reduce man's impact on the planet to the average person who simply wishes to provide for friends and family in the event of an emergency. Whoever you are, I hope that you find When Technology Fails as fascinating to read as I found it to write.

We are all in this together!
Let us create a future that we can all live with.