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I figured this guy was long gone.
Running out of things to read, I recently re-re-re-read his book "How to prosper during the coming bad years" circa 1970's.
Despite first reading it in the early 90's, I still got a laugh out of
"If you are comfortably situated at least 20 to 30 miles from the welfare ghettos the odds are you'll be physically safe." page 115.
Hey, people still parrot that crap today. Some even say you can live right next to them and be just Jim Dandy!
I found it interesting that some of the same "scare" themes we find today were around then also-
Page 126
"The threat of withdrawal of Arab money from the New York banks is only one of several major potential banking problems as this book is written."
Substitute "Chinese" for "Arab" and you wouldn't know this was written 30+ years ago.
Some things I found interesting-
page 138 he's talking about "When things really start going sour, here's what the banks do"
3. They demand secrecy. Disclosure could be fatal, triggering withdrawals. The political power of the banks to avoid disclosure is incredible. "
Wasn't it just a few years ago that the M3 stopped being published?
Further down that page he talks about what will actually happen if the banks get in trouble and then says
"First the federal government (aka gubmint ;) ) will probably mount a huge rescue operation."
DONE. 2008 on, AIG, Bank bailouts, etc.
I don't agree with everything he wrote. He's VERY BIG on speculative investments and the use of large amounts of debt.
That didn't work out too well for many people "flipping" houses in the last decade huh?
He actually goes as far as to say either pay completely cash for a dwelling or put nothing down. I can understand the former but definitely not the latter. I'm willing to bet a lot of folks that put nothing down on a home years ago are regrettting it now also.
His overall attitude about debt seems to be that of a standard economist type- "debt is a tool, like a lever" type deal.
The problem with books like this is that while a couple of chapters are given to vague instructions on personal preparations, the books main focus in protecting your money.
Don't get me wrong, I'm all about doing that, but personal (i.e, FAMILY) protection is much more important than making sure my 401K is 100% intact.
Yes, money can certainly help your survival, but "protecting your money" should come SECOND to protecting your family.
Compromises like living next to a bad area or getting yourself deeply in debt for speculation purposes does NOT equate to protecting your family IMO. EVERYTHING can be replaced, except life. Your house, your 401K, your gold, your valuables, whatever, they can all be replaced. Your family cannot be replaced. Protect them FIRST, your money a way distant second.
Lowdown3
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