For those who are confident in the continuance of their comfortable living standard and whom are unconcerned with our civilization's frailty - this book may not be for you. Well, perhaps the back of the book, devoted to psychoactive street drugs might have appeal. This is a large chapter that could stand alone as a quick reference or field guide for the subject. The rest of this textbook (the first of 2) attempts to be an objective and impersonal collection of usable information for the random survivor if society implodes; who must suddenly procure his or her own food or travel in a world without gasoline, electricity, or GPS guidance. Food is primal. Our current day, unhealthy synthesized foods made with hydrogenated grain oils are briefly examined. Alternatively, for those with that very rare pioneering spirit who wish to escape the cities to brave a more independent lifestyle, the sections on dairy and food preservation should be helpful. Rather than being demonstrative with short constructive projects as was intended, this 1st volume became a bit wordy. But the envisioned projects will surface in Vol #2, and the discourse will be simpler. A future audience without dictionaries or working light-bulbs, might value more emphasis placed on pictorial examples of practical homesteading. For use in an uncertain or possibly uncivilized future.