As a postscript, the only novel I've read that offered any sort of real, practical post-apocalyptic advice was "On the Beach" by Nevil Shute, in which we learn that gold absorbs radiation at a furious rate, making it not only worthless but deadly. Don't know what radiation does to nickels...

JohnE
_________________________
JohnE

"and all the lousy little poets
comin round
tryin' to sound like Charlie Manson"

The Future/Leonard Cohen