Re >>something they call a "handheld watermaker."<< sounds like a Pur Survivor desalinator.

As for books, the only one springing to mind at this early hour is Adrift by Steve Callahan. It's pretty readable recounts some of the improvised repairs and mental hardships faced by a solo survivor. I think Doug reviewed it on his list. I know there are others that I've read but I really need to get some caffeine going to free them from the recesses of my memory.

For something a little off the regular survival track try Lost Moon by Jim Lovell. It's the true story of Apollo 13. Not much useful in your day to day scenario but a good survival story none the less.

Ed