Changes

Perhaps the most important newsletter on survivalism and survivalist retreats in the 1970s was the ''Personal Survival ("P.S.") Letter'' (circa 1977-1982) published by [[Mel Tappan]], who also authored the books ''Survival Guns'' and ''Tappan on Survival''. The newsletter included columns from Tappan himself as well from Jeff Cooper, Al J. Venter, Bill Pier, Bruce D. Clayton, Rick Fines, Nancy Mack Tappan, J.B. Wood, Dr. Carl Kirsch, Charles Avery, Karl Hess, Eugene A. Barron, Janet Groene, Dean Ing, Bob Taylor, Reginald Bretnor, C.G. Cobb, and several other writers, some under pen names. The majority of this newsletter revolved around selecting, constructing and logistically equipping survival retreats.<ref>[http://www.frfrogspad.com/persurv.htm Magazine Articles By Jeff Cooper]</ref> Following Tappan's death in 1980, Karl Hess took over publishing the newsletter, eventually renaming it ''Survival Tomorrow''.

Perhaps the most important newsletter on survivalism and survivalist retreats in the 1970s was the ''Personal Survival ("P.S.") Letter'' (circa 1977-1982) published by [[Mel Tappan]], who also authored the books ''Survival Guns'' and ''Tappan on Survival''. The newsletter included columns from Tappan himself as well from Jeff Cooper, Al J. Venter, Bill Pier, Bruce D. Clayton, Rick Fines, Nancy Mack Tappan, J.B. Wood, Dr. Carl Kirsch, Charles Avery, Karl Hess, Eugene A. Barron, Janet Groene, Dean Ing, Bob Taylor, Reginald Bretnor, C.G. Cobb, and several other writers, some under pen names. The majority of this newsletter revolved around selecting, constructing and logistically equipping survival retreats.<ref>[http://www.frfrogspad.com/persurv.htm Magazine Articles By Jeff Cooper]</ref> Following Tappan's death in 1980, Karl Hess took over publishing the newsletter, eventually renaming it ''Survival Tomorrow''.

Several books have offered advice on survival retreats and [[strategic relocation]]. Some influential in survivalist circles are ''How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It'' by [[New York Times]] best-selling author [[James Wesley Rawles]], ''Survival Retreat: A Total Plan For Retreat Defense'' by [[Ragnar Benson]], ''[[Strategic Relocation - North American Guide to Safe Places]]'' by [[Joel Skousen]], and ''The Secure Home'', (also by Skousen). Some that have been particularly influential in survivalist circles are ''How to Implement a High Security Shelter in the Home '' by [[Joel Skousen]], ''Rawles on Retreats and Relocation'' by [[James Wesley Rawles]], and ''Life After Terrorism: What You Need to Know to Survive in Today's World'' by Bruce D. Clayton.<ref>[http://www.paladin-press.com/detail.aspx?ID=476 ''Life After Terrorism: What You Need to Know to Survive in Today's World''] by Bruce D. Clayton. Paladin Press, 2002, ISBN 1-58160-326-6</ref>   

Several books have offered advice on survival retreats and [[strategic relocation]]. Some influential in survivalist circles are ''How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It'' by [[James Wesley Rawles]], ''Survival Retreat: A Total Plan For Retreat Defense'' by [[Ragnar Benson]], ''[[Strategic Relocation - North American Guide to Safe Places]]'' by [[Joel Skousen]], and ''The Secure Home'', (also by Skousen). Some that have been particularly influential in survivalist circles are ''How to Implement a High Security Shelter in the Home '' by [[Joel Skousen]], ''Rawles on Retreats and Relocation'' by [[James Wesley Rawles]], and ''Life After Terrorism: What You Need to Know to Survive in Today's World'' by Bruce D. Clayton.<ref>[http://www.paladin-press.com/detail.aspx?ID=476 ''Life After Terrorism: What You Need to Know to Survive in Today's World''] by Bruce D. Clayton. Paladin Press, 2002, ISBN 1-58160-326-6</ref>   

Online survival websites, forums, and blogs discuss the best locales for survival retreats, how to build, fortify, and equip them, and how to form survivalist retreat groups.<ref>[http://groups.yahoo.com/search?query=survivalist&submit=Search Yahoo! Groups : Search Results]</ref>

Online survival websites, forums, and blogs discuss the best locales for survival retreats, how to build, fortify, and equip them, and how to form survivalist retreat groups.<ref>[http://groups.yahoo.com/search?query=survivalist&submit=Search Yahoo! Groups : Search Results]</ref>

Economic troubles emerging from the credit collapse triggered by the 2007 US [[Subprime loan|subprime mortgage]] lending crisis have prompted some people to establish retreats.<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/06/fashion/06survival.html</ref> [[James Wesley Rawles]], the editor of SurvivalBlog was quoted by the ''New York Times'' in April 2008 that "interest in the survivalist movement 'is experiencing its largest growth since the late 1970s'”. He also stated that his blog's conservative core readership has been supplemented with "an increasing number of stridently green and left-of-center readers."<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/06/fashion/06survival.html</ref>

Economic troubles emerging from the credit collapse triggered by the 2007 US [[Subprime loan|subprime mortgage]] lending crisis prompted some people to establish retreats.<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/06/fashion/06survival.html</ref> [[James Wesley Rawles]], the editor of SurvivalBlog was quoted by the ''New York Times'' in April 2008 that "interest in the survivalist movement 'is experiencing its largest growth since the late 1970s'”. He also stated that his blog's conservative core readership has been supplemented with "an increasing number of stridently green and left-of-center readers."<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/06/fashion/06survival.html</ref>

==Common retreat locale parameters==

==Common retreat locale parameters==

Common retreat locale selection parameters include light population density, plentiful water, arable soil, good solar exposure for gardening and photovoltaics, situation above any flood plains, and a diverse and healthy local economy.<ref>[http://www.survivalblog.com/retreatareas.html#CONUS SurvivalBlog.com]</ref> Fearing rioting, looting and other unrest, many survivalists advocate selecting retreat locales that are more than one tank of gasoline away from any major metropolitan region. Properties that are not in "channelized areas" or on anticipated "refugee lines of drift" are also touted.<ref>[http://www.survivalblog.com/glossary.html SurvivalBlog.com]</ref>  Most survivalist writers, such as [[James Wesley Rawles]] recommend living at a retreat year-round,<ref>[http://www.survivalblog.com/retreatareas.html SurvivalBlog.com]</ref> rather than attempting to flee to a retreat at the 11th hour.

Common retreat locale selection parameters include light population density, plentiful water, arable soil, good solar exposure for gardening and photovoltaics, situation above any flood plains, and a diverse and healthy local economy.<ref>[http://www.survivalblog.com/retreatareas.html#CONUS SurvivalBlog.com]</ref> Fearing rioting, looting and other unrest, many survivalists advocate selecting retreat locales that are more than one tank of gasoline away from any major metropolitan region. Properties that are not in "channelized areas" or on anticipated "refugee lines of drift" are also touted.<ref>[http://www.survivalblog.com/glossary.html SurvivalBlog.com]</ref>  Most survivalist writers, such as [[James Wesley Rawles]], recommend living at a retreat year-round,<ref>[http://www.survivalblog.com/retreatareas.html SurvivalBlog.com]</ref> rather than attempting to flee to a retreat at the 11th hour.

One of the key goals of retreats is to be self-sufficient for the duration of societal collapse.  To that end, plentiful water, and arable soil are paramount considerations.  But just behind these, comes isolated,  defensible terrain. Typically, retreats do not want their habitation or structure jeopardized by being within line of sight of any major highway.

One of the key goals of retreats is to be self-sufficient for the duration of societal collapse.  To that end, plentiful water, and arable soil are paramount considerations.  But just behind these, comes isolated,  defensible terrain. Typically, retreats do not want their habitation or structure jeopardized by being within line of sight of any major highway.