The Dark Secrets of SHTF Survival: The Brutal Truth About Violence, Death, & Mayhem You Must Know to Survive

by Selco Begovic, Daisy Luther (Foreword)

This is not a guide that will tell you step-by-step HOW to survive. This is a reality check that will tell you that everything you have expected and planned for is probably wrong. Selco is a household name in prepping and survival circles. He survived the Balkan War in a city with no power, no running water, and no supplies. For a year, he and his family fought every single day for bare subsistence. Over the years since the war, Selco has written nearly a quarter of a million words of memories, articles, and advice. This book is a collection of his darkest moments. The first thing you must do when disaster strikes is to adapt quickly to the “new rules” that apply when the SHTF. And to do that, you need to know what it’s like so you won’t be shocked…frozen…paralyzed by the atrocities taking place right in front of you.This book is Selco’s version of tough love. There’s nothing watered down about it. It is a collection of stories, memories, and articles he has documented over the past decade. He has revisited those horrible days to give us the reality check we must have. It's a glimpse into the day-to-day events of the SHTF. It is smelly. It is dirty. It’s dark and brutal. It’s REAL. It is all the stuff that Selco rarely talks about because the memories are so ugly. This book contains graphic content. It truly gives you the terrifying reality of the SHTF and you need to know these things. in order to survive if you ever find yourself in the chaos and mayhem of an apocalyptic situation.It is not a cheery, optimistic overview of the SHTF. It’s dark, brutal, and shocking. It is the real, gritty truth about what it’s like to live in a world where everyone has become something other than an ordinary human. Where death and fear are constantly near. Where evil comes out to play. Don't say we didn't warn you. PLEASE This book is written by a person from Bosnia. English is not Selco's first language. The book is lightly edited for clarity but these stories are his and should be told in his own words.

Genres: Survival, Nonfiction, History

175 pages, Paperback

Published January 13, 2019

Reviews

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is going to sound really trite, but if you read enough Stephen King, you will learn all the lessons that Begovic teaches in this book.

1. YOU NEED AN ENTIRELY NEW MINDSET. RIGHT NOW!
2. You have to know when the shit is actually hitting the fan. Most people don't realize that it has until a few days go by, and by then, they have lost a lot of opportunities.
3. Normal social rules simply do not apply. To survive, shoot first, ask later.
4. The physical world around you is going to be unrecognizable, dangerous, and disease-ridden
5. You are going to be very very hungry, very very thirsty, and very very cold.
6. Nothing, NOTHING will go as you have planned.
7. You have to adapt and move move move.

I guarantee you that I will never survive if the Shit Hits the Fan

[Redrumfoeceip · Rating 1 out of 5]

Całkowicie bezwartościowa książka, nie zawierająca ani strony tego co obiecuje. Nie dowiecie się z niej niczego, co wzbogaci waszą wiedzę o przetrwaniu. Jest to zbiór wynurzeń autora o tym, co spotkało go przed laty na Bałkanach w trakcie wojny, ale niestety jest napisane tragicznie i niczego się ostatecznie nie dowiadujemy. Przykład :
Nazwa rozdziału : ZNAKI O TYM ŻE SHTF (nazwijmy to konfliktem o charakterze zbrojnym w mieście) SIĘ DZIEJE
Treść: każdy będzie miał inaczej. Nie jest wiadome tak naprawdę jak to rozpoznamy.
Przykład nr 2:
Nazwa rozdzialu: OBSERWUJ LUDZI KTÓRZY WIEDZĄ
Treść: kolega przyjaciela żołnierz nic nie wiedział i go zaskoczyła wojna i umarł. Szmugler którego znałem kiedyś wiedział i uciekł. Tak, to są przykłady rodem z pasty "mam kolegę w szpitalu i sytuacja jest tragiczna. Nie słuchajcie mediów. Więcej info wieczorem."

To nie jest poradnik. Niczego, absolutnie niczego poza banałami, które znamy z gier i filmów (walka na noże omijać, psychika najważniejsza, nigdzie nie ma jedzenia) nie zawiera, a te są podane w dodatku w infantylny sposób.
Nie czytajcie tego bo gówno straszliwe, w dodatku zahacza o foliarstwo i jednak autor jest paranoikiem po tym, co go spotkało, i przelewa tę paranoje na papier. Dobrze, że takie krótkie i akapity mają po dwa zdania a rozdziały po 10 akapitów.

[jamesd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Changed my mind

It is pure folly to think I can survive SHTF, at my age I’m not so sure I’d even try..this book is blunt and pulls no punches...I’ll still be prepper , mostly based on climate not human catastrophe.

[Monolus · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK, so to be fair Author is not promising to teach anything about survival in his book, he says he is going to just share his experience. For me, the first 2 Parts were about giving an idea about a specific topic and a constant reference to the extreme violence without explanation. Then finally in the 3rd Part came samples of violence, not too graphic content material for me (I've read worse in some war and conflict reports). Before reaching Part 3 I was kinda disappointed, although I collected a bunch of good advices from here and there. But when I hit Part 3 I got a better visualization because why author was so shocked by that violence, I would have been shocked worse if I was him.

The only reason I don't give 5 star is because it didn't really make me understand the situations the way for example WWII memories and books do. But overall, I think I'm pretty glad that I read this book. I might even take the online course at some point, because well, I like to learn more.

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terse, to the point primer on the realities of a civilian in a warzone. Always read accounts of survivors.

[Scott &]

Fantastic info

If you read one book about prepping this one should be it. It is about as blunt and straightforward as you can get!

[John McCuen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disturbing Yet True

This book (and its companion, which I plan to read next) is one recommended for reading about a SHTF event based upon the author's personal experience, with suggestions for how those who have not been through such an event can be better prepared for such a time. It's not a "polished" narrative -- it would benefit from some (minor) editing. However, it's worth overlooking these flaws and to focus on learning from what the author is saying. I recommend this book for any and all who are aware of the troubled times ahead and want to do their best to be ready to face a SHTF/WROL challenge. It's worth the price of admission.

[Jean Reist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walk in my shoes

LIfe is a teacher. Until we walk in the shoes of another we have much to learn. Do not take life for granted. Learn from this man, seek humbly to know how to remain human in the midst of chaos. Above all prepare, develope a mindset and a flexibility of awareness to live in the present with vitality to make a difference.

[Bettinna Cartet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very candid book on survival

This book is a first hand account of how the author survived in a city during the Balkans war. It is very descriptive and informative as to the reality of what happens when society totally breaks down. Some of it expectedly is graphic and hard to read but an accurate depiction of what he saw and experienced.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

practical without the fantasy

Paints a realistic picture of SHTT and t fall fa about fall the things the Facebook an CD YouTubers dont. Don’t confuse it for a manual or guide. It’s not those things. It’s real life experiences that hopefully you can gleam some information from.

[vtx rudy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast read not as graphic as was told it would be.

[Joy K. Huffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heads up.

I liked it as he gives you a very realistic look at what will happen and what we need to be prepared for. The mind set of lawless people and show to survive. Hopefully.

[MrBuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bardzo sugestywna i dosadna książka - oddająca na tyle ile można na papierze realia konfliktu.
Uwaga! Działa na psychikę!

[Rafał Rudewicz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Książka to bardziej zbiór wspomnień i przemyśleń autora niż poradnik. Sekretów, czy w ogóle wskazówek jest tu może raptem kilka stron.

[Peggy Donnelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pleasantly surprised. Very interesting and hope giving.

[B G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kiepska redakcja, ale sama tresc oprocz porad zawiera namiastke pamietnika, pozwala zobaczyc, jak wygladalo zycie w oblezeniu.

[Fresno Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

more on mindset than "how to"