Ask HN: Hard copy books to keep for the apocalypse

#1

Post by tonteldoos » Wed, Aug 23, 2017, 10:57 PM UTC

Good day HN,

I was curious - what books (and other similar items) would you keep hardcover copies of, for the when the zombiecalypse/apocalypse/skynet happens, and digital access ceases to be possible?

I'm wondering about both practical types and names of books (survival guides being an obvious one), but also sentimental and historical texts (bibles, encyclopedias, diaries, etc).

Assume you have room to keep whatever you need (within reason), and that we don't have a 'must fit in a backpack' restriction :)

Re: Ask HN: Hard copy books to keep for the apocalypse

#2

Post by dasmoth » Thu, Aug 24, 2017, 10:32 AM UTC

The Long Now foundation did something along these lines a few years back[1].

I'd probably go for a bit of 60s SF for my "inspirational" choices.

Have a soft spot for John Seymour's "Practical Self Sufficiency" too.

[1] http://blog.longnow.org/02014/02/06/manual-for-civilization-...

Re: Ask HN: Hard copy books to keep for the apocalypse

#3

Post by OedipusRex » Thu, Aug 24, 2017, 1:22 PM UTC

* Bushcraft 101 [1]

* Be Expert With Map and Compass [2]

* Lots of notebooks with pens

* An Almanac

[1] https://www.amazon.com/Bushcraft-101-Field-Wilderness-Surviv...

[2] https://www.amazon.com/Expert-Map-Compass-Bjorn-Kjellstrom/d...

Re: Ask HN: Hard copy books to keep for the apocalypse

#4

Post by fiftyacorn » Thu, Aug 24, 2017, 1:57 PM UTC

In the UK - plenty Ray Mears books. In Aus Id get Les Hiddins books

Re: Ask HN: Hard copy books to keep for the apocalypse

#5

Post by ultrablue » Thu, Aug 24, 2017, 4:43 PM UTC

I would certainly grab as many versions of spiritual books as I could. For example, the Bible, Koran, Vedas, Pali Canon, etc.

Re: Ask HN: Hard copy books to keep for the apocalypse

#6

Post by jpindar » Thu, Aug 24, 2017, 7:47 PM UTC

Maps. I like the kind with ring bindings that open flat.

Shop manual for any vehicles or other equipment you're likely to be working on.

Re: Ask HN: Hard copy books to keep for the apocalypse

#7

Post by cdiamand » Thu, Aug 24, 2017, 8:08 PM UTC

I think Machiavelli's writings might prove useful. Particularly if you feel ambitions to lead or rebuild after something like that happened.

Re: Ask HN: Hard copy books to keep for the apocalypse

#8

Post by QuarterReptile » Fri, Aug 25, 2017, 1:51 AM UTC

It doesn't exactly fit the question, but you should check out survivor library. It's definitely run by people who take this apocalypse idea pretty seriously. Most of the things I've seen are old books describing pre-industrial techniques.

http://www.survivorlibrary.com/

One time I found a book about bread baking from the 1840s. There was a multiple page rant about how you could discern good Christian character in a housewife by the bread she made, among other hilarious things.

Re: Ask HN: Hard copy books to keep for the apocalypse

#9

Post by JoeC3 » Fri, Aug 25, 2017, 9:01 PM UTC

Oooh. Great question.

I'd vote for Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

Re: Ask HN: Hard copy books to keep for the apocalypse

#10

Post by jstewartmobile » Fri, Aug 25, 2017, 10:17 PM UTC

ultrablue wrote: post #5

I would certainly grab as many versions of spiritual books as I could. For example, the Bible, Koran, Vedas, Pali Canon, etc.

The fact that this is being downvoted is a great example of how stupid smart people can be.

If we get medievalized, theology would probably be very useful (simple set of dos/do-nots for civil society, common belief system to help people collaborate instead of compete, etc.)

The Abrahamic ones would be particularly useful since they have a lot in common. Of course, that could also be undermined by the narcissism of small differences...