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Summary: I predict this will be the survival Bible for Y2K!
Review: Michael Hyatt has given us a rich resource tool to arm our families for the coming Y2K computer crisis. He not only has researched every aspect which might affect a drastic change in family life-style through loss of utilities and infrastructure, but he's managed to serve it up in such an interesting fashion that it's like taking a candy-coated, pleasant tasting pill. It's a great read, surprising in any "how to" book.Most books which cover this subject approach it in a bland, dry textbook manner. I've read several and have found myself reading the same paragraph over and over--not so with THE Y2K PERSONAL PREPAREDNESS GUIDE! Each chapter begins with insights and intriguing examples. There are splashes of Hyatt's humor which manage to relieve the tension of so somber a subject. This is an extremely well thought out book, meticulously researched, exploring every aspect we might possibly encounter--for example, even a chapter on what to do with human waste. I will see to it that each of my grown children have a copy, and then breathe a sigh of relief, secure in the knowledge that they'll be well-equipped for any eventuality Y2K might bring.
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Summary: Want a balanced perspective on Y2K? This is your book!
Review: Michael Hyatt is not a doomsayer, on the other hand he doesn't stick his head in the sand either. He wisely takes the middle ground, and suggests readers do the same. Having read his "Millennium Bug" to understand the problem, this latest effort of Hyatt's proves to me that prudent preparation is the only way for us to take a completely balanced approach to the decision we all must make: How much should we prepare, or should we prepare at all? Hyatt has done his preparation homework. Y2K is a subject that there are no "experts" in, because no one on earth can tell us EXACTLY what is going to happen. We have never experienced this before and we never will never again. Therefore, Hyatt is rationally sounding the alarm to prepare, just in case we don't like the situation we wake up to on 1/1/2000. Better safe than sorry. This book is easy to read, without all the technical computer stuff. It definitely has the best interest of the reader at heart. Y2K is not something to take lightly. For those 'blowing off" Y2K preparation I say, read this book! Many will panic later this year, trying to prepare at the last minute. This book shows us we don't have to be one of them. Hyatt covers all the bases on the subject of Y2K preparation. Well researched, well written. It's all you to need to know about how to get ready, BEFORE the panic. I don't believe that panic is caused by preparation...it's caused by LACK of preparation. Preparation makes you sleep much better. Try it. "High Fives" to Hyatt on a definitive work on Y2K preparation.
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Summary: A very complete resource for personal Y2K preparation...
Review: Michael Hyatt's Y2K Personal Survival Guide lives up to it's name. It is a very complete resource for those who are taking Y2K seriously. It seems to cover every Y2K-related topic in a brief and understandable format. You may not agree with every one of the author's conclusions, but you will find this book a valuable resource. It puts what you need for Y2K in an organized and complete format and in one place.
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Summary: ...and for Hyatt's next book, Meteors!
Review: Mr. Hyatt provides great insight into his view of the Y2K crisis. Being involved and talking to people in the tech field I feel that the crisis is not as dramatic as it is being brought out. Mr. Hyatt put in great effort in research and correspondence before putting his thoughts and opinions into print. I feel that it is important to keep hard copy documentation on contracts and statements which is stated in his book but I do feel like he is going to extremes in stating that we need to learn survivalist techniques. Also how could we possibly learn and buy everything we need to survive the crisis in span of a few short months. Anyway the book is very interesting even though I think it is a little dramatic.
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Summary: Well researched and clarified explaination.
Review: Mr. Hyatt provides great insight into his view of the Y2K crisis. Being involved and talking to people in the tech field I feel that the crisis is not as dramatic as it is being brought out. Mr. Hyatt put in great effort in research and correspondence before putting his thoughts and opinions into print. I feel that it is important to keep hard copy documentation on contracts and statements which is stated in his book but I do feel like he is going to extremes in stating that we need to learn survivalist techniques. Also how could we possibly learn and buy everything we need to survive the crisis in span of a few short months. Anyway the book is very interesting even though I think it is a little dramatic.
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Summary: Why You Need This Book
Review: My first book, THE MILLENNIUM BUG, was about Y2K awareness. It stayed on the NEW YORK TIMES "Business Best Sellers List" for seven months. I wrote it to convince ordinary consumers -- non-programmers -- that Y2K was a real problem and one that threatened our modern way of life. Since it's release in May of 1998, the #1 question people asked was: "Okay, I'm convinced. What do I need to do to start preparing?" I wrote THE Y2K PERSONAL SURVIVAL GUIDE to answer that important question. I didn't write it for survivalists or emergency preparedness enthusiasts, but for people like me. People who don't even like to camp! THE ONLY SURVIVAL GUIDE YOU'LL EVER NEED In writing the book, I first hired five researchers. We went out and read everything we could on the subject of emergency preparedness and self-reliant living. We interviewed the experts. We uncovered the best, most reliable and economical suppliers. And we talked to scores of ordinary people -- busy people -- who don't have a lot of extra time or money to get ready. I then distilled all of the information into a simple, easy- to-read manual. The book is 360 pages long. It has 15 chapters, 17 quick "PrepTips," 28 tables and charts, and 6 appendices. It also has five comprehensive "Y2K Preparedness Checklists": the 72-hour plan, the one week plan, the 30-day plan, the three-month plan, and the one-year (or longer) plan. Whether you think the effects of Y2K will blow over in a few days or last more than a year, this book is for you. WHAT YOU'LL FIND INSIDE THE BOOK Chapters include the following: Introduction: You Don't Have to Become a Victim In the this brief introduction, I talk about why it is so difficult to predict what will happen on January 1, why it is only going to get more confusing, and why you need to adopt a "risk management" perspective on Y2K. I also reveal what my personal planning scenario is. Chapter 1: Secure Hard Copies of Important Documents This chapter discusses the importance of securing those documents that will enable you to prove who you are, how much you owe, and what you own, in the event that the computers go down. I discuss 17 different documents you must have and where to get them if you can't put your hands on them. I also talk about where to store them so they're safe and secure. Chapter 2: Build an Emergency Preparedness Library Your parents and grandparents probably knew how to get by in a low-tech environment -- before the proliferation of technology and automation. Chances are, you don't. Fortunately, that information is readily available *if* you know where to look. After reviewing hundreds of books and web sites, I recommend the 14 essential books you must have and the 13 best Y2K preparedness web sites you must visit to get the information you need to get your family safely to the other side. Chapter 3: Develop an Alternative Communications System In a crisis, not having accurate information can be unsettling at best and life-threatening at worst. In this chapter I talk about alternative communication systems, including inexpensive AM/FM/shortwave radios that are powered by hand-crank or solar power. I give a list of the highest wattage, "clear channel" AM stations in North America, and three low-cost options for two-way communication. Chapter 4: Stockpile Food and Common Household Goods I distinguish between *hoarding* and *stockpiling* and clearly explain why Y2K threatens the world's food supply. I discuss five long-term food storage options -- none of which require refrigeration -- and the pros and cons of each, including what you can expect to pay per meal, per adult. I provide you with three ways to make your food last longer, including one that is "dirt cheap" and healthy. I provide a comprehensive list of common household supplies and a list of seven little-known storage spaces where you can hide it away until you need it. Chapter 5: Develop an Alternative Source of Water If there is one thing that we cannot live without, it's water. The average person can survive about three weeks without food, but only three days without water. In this chapter, I talk about how much water we consume daily and how much you should plan to store. I discuss three ways to store water safely and economically. I discuss four ways to treat impure water -- including tables for how much of each chemical to add to various amounts of water -- and three techniques for filtering water. I also discuss self- sufficient water sources and provide a list of six hidden sources of drinkable water in the average home. Chapter 6: Acquire a Basic Selection of Hand Tools Without electricity, many of our modern, high-tech tools won't function. Therefore, it's important to have an array of good hand tools as a back-up. I discuss four categories of tools, including: tools for working with wood, tools for all-around maintenance, tools for gardening and yard work, and tools for fastening. In my research, I uncovered some five very cool specialty tools, including one that will wash five pounds of clothes with a cup of water! Chapter 7: Evaluate Your Current Location Like people in retail sales say, it all comes down to "location, location, location." Some places are safer to live in than others. Some places are positively dangerous -- especially if there is a major loss of infrastructure. In this chapter I discuss the pros and cons of moving, including urban, suburban, and rural locations. I talk about what to look for in a new location if you plan to move, what you can do to make your environment safer if you can't move, and how to design a half-way relocation that may just give you the best of both worlds. Chapter 8: Secure an Alternative Source of Heat Whenever I think about Y2K, the one thing I keep coming back to is the possibility of power outages. There is nothing we are more dependent on than electricity. And with Y2K scheduled to begin in the dead of winter, the loss of electricity usually means the loss of heat. At best, trying to get along without heat could be uncomfortable; at worst, it could be life-threatening. In this chapter I talk about four alternative ways to stay warm even if the electricity goes off. (Two of these are surprisingly inexpensive.) I also talk about two devices you absolutely must have if you are going to keep your family safe. I also outline options for cooking that do not require electricity. Chapter 9: Develop an Alternative Source of Energy If you truly want to be self-reliant in terms of energy, this chapter explains how. I provide specific guidelines -- and a worksheet -- for determining whether or not you need a generator and how big it should be if you buy one. I discuss inverters, deep-cycle batteries, and solar power. I even share alternative ways to light your home *without* electricity. For those who can't afford a generator or solar power, I outline a "community solution" for providing needed electricity. Chapter 10: Build an Emergency Cash Reserve Many of those who reviewed the first draft of the manuscript said that this was their favorite chapter. In it, I explain how our modern monetary system works, why it is inherently fragile, and why Y2K threatens to become the proverbial straw that breaks the camel's back. I explain in simple-to-understand language what the fractional reserve banking system is and why bankers are scared to death of Y2K. I also explain why the banks are not as far along on their Y2K projects as they would have us believe and what you must do now to avoid becoming a victim. I provide a practical, four-part strategy for building a cash reserve and discuss four specific places *not* to stash your cash. (These are the places thieves look at first.) I also discuss a little-known federal law that could get you into deep trouble if you are not careful. Chapter 11: Collect Items You Can Use As Barter If the Millennium Bug bites hard, our monetary system could be paralyzed. We may be unable -- at least for a period of time -- to buy or sell using conventional currency. We may be forced to barter to acquire the things we need to survive. In this chapter, I discuss my "Smart Barter Supply System," a three-pronged criteria for selecting items that will likely be valuable both before and *after* the crisis passes. I then provide a list of fourteen items that meet the criteria. I also talk about the mechanics of bartering and practical ways to sharpen your bartering skills. Chapter 12: Change Your Investment Strategy The most common question I get with regard to Y2K is, "What do I do with my 401k (or my mutual fund)?" This chapter is my answer. I explain the importance of changing your investment paradigm, the two crucial problems that afflict almost every modern investment instrument, and what you must do now to safely transport your assets from this side of the crisis to the other. I share the "Ten Commandments of Buying Silver and Gold," including five different investment portfolios. I even walk you through a six-step procedure for buying silver
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Summary: A "must have" for those who want ideas about how to prepare.
Review: One of the best books I've seen for those who want to do something to get ready. Whether you're already convinced and looking for direction, or still considering the issue and want to know more about what you might want to do, this book will help you make the necessary decisions. No one knows for sure what will happen come Jan 1 2000. But just like no one knows they will have a car accident in the next month, they still buy insurance, just in case. Think of taking the steps outlined in this book as your "lifestyle insurance", just in case there are problems. If you're looking for suggestions about how to make sure you aren't caught unprepared IF problems occur because of Y2K, this is the book for you. If you go about it the right way, many of your "preparations" will not be wasted, even if Y2K is only the bump in the road that many suggest. You can do much of what Mr. Hyatt is suggesting for less than what you are probably paying for your annual auto insurance. If you are still undecided doing something, read the book and realize it's not as tough as you thought to make at least some minimum preparations. If you don't know where to get started or what things to consider, this book is an excellent beginning place. If you're already convinced, this book helps you organize the steps you take. One final thought. With only a little over 6 months to go, and having been hearing about this issue for at least 2 years now, ask yourself honestly "at this late date, how much of the technology that I rely on is considered '100% ready to go', how much is 'still being worked on', and what kind of faith do I have that it will be finished in time?". Following Mr. Hyatt's suggestions will return some of the control over this issue to you - putting you in a better position if there are problems. Send a copy to those you care about - they'll appreciate it too. Don't delay!
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Summary: move it to humor section!
Review: This book is absolutely hilarious! I don't know whether Hyatt really intended to write a parody, but nonetheless he succeeded brilliantly in doing so.
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Summary: THE bible for emergency preparedness, especially for Y2K!
Review: This book is especially valuable if you are just starting out in your preparations. If your preparations are already under way you'll be surprised at some of the things you still need to do, or could do better. It is too bad Hyatt couldn't have gotten this out a year earlier - before some of the shortages began - but the book will save you a lot of time (AND MONEY) if you're a "Johnny-come-lately." Chapters include: Document Preservation, Alternative Communications,Alternative Water Sources, Food Storage, Basic Tools, Shelter, Location, Heat, Energy, Cash, Barter, Waste Disposal, Medical Emergency, and Self Defense - plus 5 or 6 appendices for more ideas of what you'll need, where to go to get it, and what it'll cost. Bottom line is: if you're hustling to prepare, this is the best place to start! Good luck, Jim McCarthy midex@ruralnet2.com
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Summary: MEDENSHA
Review: VT-210S,VT-300,et
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