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When Money destroys nations by Phillip Haslam
Anyone remotely concerned about the economic situation and how that will affect their survival plans needs to read this book.
When money destroys nations is about the account of the monetary problems in Zimbabwe.
Unlike some of the "first hand accounts" out there, this one is written not from the standpoint of someone trying to justify his position in regards to his "survival plans" or lack thereof. Written more like a historical account complete with first hand info from numerous sources.
Rhodesia, once considered the bread basket of southern Afrika, became a nation of need and lack of production. Through typical communist land grabs and "redistribution" of property, farmers were pushed out while city dwellers were brought in to work the land. You know, fair trade, wealth redistribution, the brother and sister of "income equality" issues that we are hearing so much about lately here in the U.S.
What we have always said about the collapse- that it would be more like a slow motion train wreck that was hard to spot, than a single day everyone knows crash is well played out in this book.
What's interesting to read also is the Zim gubmint response to some of the economic problems including making it illegal to trade with big physical cash amounts or to hold large amounts of cash. Similar to what we saw in Greece and Cyprus, withdrawal limits soon followed and as hyperinflation grew worse,
"the amount of money people were allowed to withdraw each day wouldn't even for a a minibus taxi ride back home."
The food situation got grave-
We have always strove to show that people cannot depend on the trite "you can always buy food" non sense and must have an adequate supply of food for their family. If for no other reason than it gives you the freedom to not have to bend to someone else's will because of your children being hungry!
Fuel became a problem and due to it's scarity began to be a major barter item. Even fuel coupons were traded until it was figured out that more coupons were being issued than fuel was actually available. Sounds like the monetary system doesn't it? Wonder where they learned that trick??
Yes WATER. Smaller municipalities, staffed after the fact with lesser competence personel were cutting corners on filtration to the point that the average citizen did not trust city water even when it was available.
He includes chapters on how all this relates to the current economic situation in the world and the US in particular.
Definitely an important read for the survivalist and the student of history
Anyone remotely concerned about the economic situation and how that will affect their survival plans needs to read this book.
When money destroys nations is about the account of the monetary problems in Zimbabwe.
Unlike some of the "first hand accounts" out there, this one is written not from the standpoint of someone trying to justify his position in regards to his "survival plans" or lack thereof. Written more like a historical account complete with first hand info from numerous sources.
Rhodesia, once considered the bread basket of southern Afrika, became a nation of need and lack of production. Through typical communist land grabs and "redistribution" of property, farmers were pushed out while city dwellers were brought in to work the land. You know, fair trade, wealth redistribution, the brother and sister of "income equality" issues that we are hearing so much about lately here in the U.S.
What we have always said about the collapse- that it would be more like a slow motion train wreck that was hard to spot, than a single day everyone knows crash is well played out in this book.
"Following Black Friday (in 1997) it took 11 years for the currency finally to collapse."
"Each year the situation got more dire. And every year we'd reflect, "this was the worst of all possible years-surely the economy is going to improve." But it never did. It just got worse."
"Each year the situation got more dire. And every year we'd reflect, "this was the worst of all possible years-surely the economy is going to improve." But it never did. It just got worse."
"the amount of money people were allowed to withdraw each day wouldn't even for a a minibus taxi ride back home."
"Each time a grain truck passed through an area, a steady queue of mothers carrying children on their backs sprang up seemingly from nowhere. They were waiting to pick up the few kernals of grain that fell onto the side of the road."
"Food became a hot political issue. The ruling party began to supply grain and food to rural communities, which became a useful way of ensuring political support, as well as punishing lack of support."
"Food became a hot political issue. The ruling party began to supply grain and food to rural communities, which became a useful way of ensuring political support, as well as punishing lack of support."
"In war, boots; in flight, a place in a boat or a seat on a lorry may be the most vital thing in the world, more desirable than untold millions. In hyperinflations, a kilo of potatoes was worth, to some, more than the family silver, a side of pork more than the grand piano. A prostitute in the family was better than an infant corpse; theft was preferable to starvation; warmth was finer than honour, clothing more essential than democracy, food more needed than freedom."
"An active black market developed for water."
He includes chapters on how all this relates to the current economic situation in the world and the US in particular.
Definitely an important read for the survivalist and the student of history