Book excerpt: First volume in Process's new Self-Reliance series, which provides tools for self-sufficiency and personal protection at a time when extreme weather, terrorist attacks and economic uncertainty have become the new realities of 21st century life. Aton Edwards, the author of this first volume, is the executive director of the New York City-based nonprofit organisation International Preparedness Network (IPN). This guidebook provides information and techniques that can help mitigate the effects of disaster, whatever the cause.