A classic on survival during emergencies, “The Survival Retreat: A Total Plan For Retreat Defense” is an excellent guide that should be on the reading list of all who are starting to plan for times of disaster. Ragnar Benson has authored over 30 books spanning three decades, many of which are essential reading for the serious survivalist. This book is a great introduction to the concept of having a defensible retreat, good for the beginner who needs initial guidance and information. This book challenges the perception of the world as a comfortable, easy place with a home safely set in suburbia. It assumes that in minutes this façade can be completely wiped away. This slim volume means business; it is a no-holds barred plan for preparation for the ultimate survival retreat. A major part of this preparation is psychological.
The focus is not a short-term retreat. Ragnar refers to “the collapse,” and this plan is for an extended situation that could last for years. This requires completely different preparation than a short-term survival plan that assures safety and security until things return to normal in a week or two. Ragnar. One point emphasized more than once is to never become a refugee. The entire point of the book is to avoid this situation. Staying reliant on yourself and your group is the best strategy. Chaos, disease, and danger are absolutes when one is a refugee.
The extensive defensible-retreat checklist in the appendix is extremely helpful when building a plan and stocking up. Just the first four questions alone exemplify how important it is to completely alter the way the world and your home’s function in it are perceived. “Will the retreat hold all the people who are likely to use it? Does the retreat provide protection from nuclear, biological, and chemical threats? Is water available independent of any municipal supply? Do I know how I will preserve my food?” These are answered by a simple yes or no. It goes on to question whether the retreat can be adequately secured and defended in detailed questions, if there is an area for growing food, and are there adequate medical supplies. This is not a general checklist; it is specific and meant to be the guideline for comprehensive advanced planning. If for no other reason, this book is a must to just have this checklist.
One of the most realistic points of the book is that hard-line defense needs to be a last resort. He rationally assesses the results of using firearms in battle with perceived enemies; there will be casualties and they will be your family and members of your group. The advice to keep a clear head, avoiding danger whenever possible, may mean running to escape it rather than confronting it with negative results. If your goal is safety, then this should be a top consideration. Again, the book is excellent for fine-tuning your mind-set. Read, and then reread, some of the sections on how to approach the various dangers that may be present with an attitude of self-preservation rather than confrontation.
One of the more unrealistic approaches of this book is the tendency towards promoting a purposely-built retreat. This is outside the financial limits of most people, especially in today’s tough economy. More information on using what you have, the home and the property you already own may have been helpful. Although the ideal is to have a retreat specifically chosen for its site and built to be defensible, this just isn’t practical for the vast majority of people looking to find a way to keep their families safe in an emergency. As with most other books, the unique issues facing renters are never addressed.
The primary negative aspect of this book is, although a classic in this genre, the material is somewhat dated. Written in 1983, the Cold War world-view was quite different; some of the threats facing people today may have altered the approach to survival. Another sign of having been written in earlier times is the apparent easy availability of explosives. Good luck acquiring anything resembling explosives today. Technology has also advanced, but the basic premise of the book remains solid, survival may well depend on having a defensible retreat during times of disaster.