01/25/2016
In this alarming work, Martenson and Taggart, co-founders of PeakProsperity.com, predict widespread crisis due to what they describe as unsustainable levels of debt, ecosystem overuse, and a depletion of fossil fuel, and accordingly counsel readers to take dramatic steps to become more self-sufficient. After an introductory chapter on the coming crisis, they assert that "resilience is the key to prosperity," and outline eight types of capital that will help readers "make changes to your lifestyle now." Much of this advice is common sense and has merit for any reader, such as creating a diversified financial plan with liquidity, having a wholesome diet, or considering solar energy options. Other suggestions, however, such as living off the land and creating a "deep pantry" of one year of emergency rations of food and water, will have only limited appeal. Letters from website readers illustrate the authors' philosophy; these describe leaving behind unhappy lives and stressful careers in metropolitan areas in order to live off the grid and pursue survivalist lifestyles. Martenson and Taggart offer many valid ideas for achieving self-sufficiency, but admonitions like "those who cannot, will not or do not see the changes coming will most likely suffer for their blindness" will put off most mainstream readers. (Nov.)

"How does one thrive—let alone survive—in a world filled with unsustainable debt, overconsumption, and rampant cronyism? The authors of Prosper! put forth the best vision I've yet seen."—David Stockman, former Director of the U.S. Office of Management & Budget and author of The Great Deformation

"Of those trying to decode the gathering fiasco of finance and economy, Martenson and Taggart get my vote as the smartest guys in the room. Their writing is lucid, wise, funny, and wide-ranging, and this book is indispensible, if you want to come out the other side of this crisis in one piece."—James Howard Kunstler, author of The Long Emergency and the World Made by Hand series

"I couldn't put Prosper! down. Whether you think things are getting better or getting worse, legacy living is the way to thrive, and this book tells you how to do it. Everyone needs to read Prosper!"—Joel Salatin, Plyface Farms

Presenting this prescient instruction manual for surviving the coming economic, environmental, and energy crashes, Chris Martenson conveys a level of earnestness that communicates his urgency without straining credibility. His narration has the kind of clarity and consistency needed when the advice requires that you break free of established beliefs about yourself and your community. These are attention-getting warnings: Our society is not prepared for the depletion of oil or the food shortages that will result from the degradation of farmland and ocean habitats. More than a to-do list, the book is about how to confront your own complacency, buck conventional wisdom, and take steps your neighbors may not understand. With sophisticated ideas for developing the eight types of resilience, the authors offer convincing data and clear strategies, augmented by downloadable information, for surviving the collapse of the grid. T.W. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine