Hello All,

I've been thinking a lot about survival lately. Maybe because of all that has happened in the last few years, 9/11, along with the war, threat of terrorism, etc... Then the positive things, my family, just celebrated my 1 year anniversary, we are talking about children, my career, buying some land, building a house, all that great stuff. However when I speak of or think of survival, I am a total novice. My father was not much of a hunter, so I never really learned good hunting skills (though I am adept in weapons, maintenance of them, caching, etc..). I have been a city boy most of my life with occasional trips out into the wild (so too speak?). But if today there was a catastrophe (either man made or natural) I am not sure if my family would be able to survive, as a matter of fact I believe not without some assistance of some kind. This weighs heavy on my mind as I feel each one of us should be self sufficient in some way or another. So I decided that my New Years Resolution was going to be learning all that I can about survival, living in the woods, etc... So here are my prileminary thoughts, and please any ideas, thoughts, suggestions would be greatly appreciated, hence why I am posting here.

1. Books. Being an avid reader that would be my first choice. However in this field I am not sure how much practical knowledge can be assimilated from just reading?
2. Survival Courses/Field Craft. Those offered by say "Tom Brown" and others. Are these worth the money and time?
3. After this I am not sure where to go. Any advice would be very welcome.

I mentioned before that we are looking at land and looking to build a house. Setting my home up for a more self sufficient dwelling has always been a task I have wanted to do. However here is another area that practical application totality escapes me. I know of say wind mills, solar power, generator, wells, etc... Though I know nothing really about how to go about this, costs, etc...

Having an underground shelter on my property, seperate from my home is another idea or mine. Feedback on this and the other topics would be appreciated. Thanks, Eric