Lost Survival Knowledge: An Interview About The Lost Ways II

About a year back I picked up a copy of The Lost Ways, by Claude Davis.

I was intrigued by the idea behind it, and the book itself lived up to my expectations. In fact it was fascinating.

So I was delighted to see a second volume, The Lost Ways II, and I bought a copy right away. If anything I was even more impressed by this one. Its 400 pages packed in an incredible amount of knowledge that was commonplace a few generations ago, but has now been forgotten by almost everyone.

It certainly hasn’t been forgotten by Claude. In fact he’s one of those rare people who doesn’t just know a lot; he lives it. Claude grows and preserves most of his own food. He makes most of his own clothes. He even built his own house. And he does it all using skills that would have been familiar to our great-grandparents.

A few days ago work happened to take me not far from where Claude lives, and I decided to give him a call. I really just wanted to thank him in person for creating such a great resource for anyone who values preparedness – or even just has an interest in practical history. It soon turned into much more of a conversation than I’d expected, though.

To my surprise, Claude had actually read some of my own work – and when he realized I was in the area, he invited me round.

It was a nice day, so I parked a little way from Claude’s home and walked the last couple of hundred yards. As I did so, it seemed like I felt the 21st century slipping away – and that feeling was complete when I reached my destination.

Claude lives with his wife and kids in a log cabin he built himself. It’s a scene right out of the pioneer days, down to the cauldron hanging over a cooking fire out front. He keeps livestock, and has a big root cellar full of food he canned and preserved himself.

He even makes most of his own clothes. I thought at first that Claude had turned self-reliance into an art form, then I realized I was wrong. This is his way of life.

After introducing me to his family, Claude and I sat down and chatted about his books, and what inspired him to write them. With his permission, I’m going to share part of that conversation with you.

Me: I was impressed at all the knowledge you’ve collected in your books – and, after the first one, I would never have guessed there was so much useful stuff to write another, even better, book. Still, reading it isn’t the same as seeing you here actually living it. You really do take preserving the lost ways seriously, don’t you?

Claude:  Yes, I do. I think keeping the knowledge that helped our ancestors build this country is one of the most important things we can do. In fact I think we have a responsibility to do just that. Not so long ago, every generation passed on all they knew to their children. How to do things, how to make things, how to get by when life was tough for a while. So we had this store of knowledge, and everyone did their part to preserve it and add to it.

Then, two or three generations ago, that all changed. Suddenly it was easier to let modern technology do all the work. The old ways were too much work, or not exciting enough. Instead, people decided they always had to have the newest technology. But they depend on businesses to give them that – and the next thing, and the next. Along the way, they forgot how to do things for themselves.

Learn Forgotten Recipes On How To Make The World’s Best Superfood

Me: I get the feeling that’s not what happened in your family.

Claude: And you’re right. I was raised by my grandparents, and even back then I guess you’d call them old-fashioned people. They grew up knowing what poverty was – real poverty, not “Oh no, if I buy the latest TV I’ll have to skip a vacation” – and they never forgot what it was like. They learned valuable lessons, and they made sure I learned them too. I can never thank them enough for that.

Me: What do you think their most important lesson was?

Claude: To make the most of what you have, instead of wishing for what you can’t have. I don’t think I ever saw my grandparents waste anything. You know what people today are like with food, for example. Leftovers, or anything that’s two days past its use-by date, or even stale bread – it goes straight in the trash can.

Not my grandmother. Leftovers could go in a stew or soup. That stale bread would make crumbs or pudding. And even if something was out of date, she’d only throw it out if it really was too far gone to eat. Usually, she could do something with it.

And my grandfather, whenever something broke or wore out, he’d try to fix it up. If he couldn’t do that, and he usually could, he’d break it down and keep the parts that might be useful someday. They never threw anything away just because it was old.

Me: I remember reading something you said about that – older generations were doers, not consumers.

Claude: Well, that’s what I believe. If they had a problem they stepped right up and looked for a solution. They didn’t complain, or expect the government to fix it for them. They could look after themselves, and they took pride in that. Rightful, earned pride. People now, they’re proud of the new TV they bought on credit that they can’t really afford. But what’s that compared to the pride you can have in building something yourself, repairing something yourself, doing something yourself?

Me: I totally agree. I always prefer to do things for myself.

Claude: Sure! That’s why you like my books. I’d guess that’s why you called to thank me for writing them, right?

Me: That’s exactly it. You’ve inspired me to look at different ways of doing things. I thought I was pretty self-reliant, but what’s in your books is a whole new level.

Claude: That’s just what I like to hear. There’s a whole lot more to living a good life than having the latest gadget. A lot of the time, the old ways are better. If we lose power and the internet, the old ways are going to win every time. And that’s what I want people to learn from my books.

There’s one question I have for you. What was your favorite chapter in The Lost Ways II?

Me: That’s a hard one, because there’s so much in there. All the uses for charcoal, edible plants I’d never heard of, that I now eat every week. But if I had to choose, it’s the chapter on building a log cabin. It’s so simple, but you’ll get a home that will last a lifetime. That’s a skill that’s going to really make a difference if you have to start again after a collapse. Most people would struggle to put up a half-decent lean-to, but with the techniques our ancestors used you can build a proper, weatherproof house.

When I said that, Claude just glanced at his own home and smiled. That pretty much said it all. The knowledge collected in The Lost Ways II is real, practical stuff, and Claude himself is living proof of that.

We talked about a lot of things – too much for me to write about here. For me, the main thing was that I got to meet a man who’s inspired me to learn so much more about self-reliance and preparedness.

There aren’t many people like Claude around anymore, and now I realize what a sad and dangerous fact that is. It’s time we appreciated the store of knowledge our ancestors left for us, and that’s been lost to so many of us.

Written by

Alec Deacon is the owner of Backyard Liberty.com. He’s very passionate about survival and he’s constantly looking for the best ways to protect his family - his wife Ana and the two boys, David and Andrew, that are the world to him. He used to work as a hygiene officer in a well-known US company, being in charge with food safety. In the time spent there he learned a lot about food: cooking, storing, freezing, transporting… basically everything that has to do with food safety. He is also a huge fan of outdoor living. Fishing carp is one of the things he loves most and it just happens that fishing is also one of the oldest and most basic survival skill.

Latest comments
  • I bought the lost ways, and would like to purchase the lost ways II, but don’t see it advertised here or anywhere else.

    • Hi Anne,

      We spoke to the customer support department and they will contact you as soon as possible.

  • Would like to purchase Lost Ways II after reading Lost Ways. Where to buy?

    • Hi,

      Thank you for your message and I want to explain that we have forwarded your email to our support team and they will contact you shortly.

  • Add me to the list or put a link to order. I bought the lost ways, and would like to purchase the lost ways II.

    • Avatar photo

      Hi, thank you for your message 🙂 We have forwarded your email to our support team and they will contact you shortly.

  • Is the second edition full of new information or is it Lost Ways 1 with a little bit of new information?

  • I would like to purchase a copy of the Lost Ways II. Where do I find it?

    • Avatar photo

      Hi, thank you for your message 🙂 We have forwarded your email to our support team and they will contact you shortly.

  • Thank you … I look forward to hearing from you.

  • Greetings! . . . Would Also Love to Order “LOST WAYS 2″…if still available…THANKS!

  • I would also like a copy of lost ways 2!

  • On limited income but want to buy both the lost ways and the lost ways 2 in separate orders. IF it is possible to send to my email separate order forms with address to be able to send a money order when i am able to, that would be appreciated. I take care of my disabled daughter and worry about how to take care of her if/when IT happens.

  • I have lost way 2 is lost way different and if it is where can I buy it

  • Want to buy both Lost Ways

  • Would like LW II as well

  • How can I order the book of “LOST REMEDIES “”IN HARDCOVER COPY?
    THANKS
    STEVE

  • Would like Lost Book of Remedies & Lost Ways II Please let me know how to order. Thanks, Joy

  • I would like a copy of “The Lost Ways II” with the hardcopy delivered to CANADA. Your order page only specifies the country (required) as ‘APO FPO’ or “United States” for delivery. I can pay with either a US or Canadian credit card. Thank you for such an important resource.

  • I would like a copy of the “lost ways book of remedies”. I tried to purchase a copy of the Book and the CD.
    But when I clicked on the box below. the screen went blank and I could not get it back. Please tell me how to get a hard copy of the book and the CD mailed to me, Thanks

  • How can I purchase a hard copy of Lost Ways Book of Remedies?

  • I have bought the lost ways 1&2 and would like to order a copy of Lost Way Book of Remedies can you send me a link so I can purchase it?

  • I’m with the rest of the comments. Interested in all three books but can’t find where to get them. I’m not going to sit through an hour video to find out. Please send me a link as to where to get these books. He needs to advertise in a more simple way.

  • I also would like to get a hard copy of LW 11 and Lost Remedies . Can you send me a link in order to purchase them?

  • I would please like a copy of the lost ways 2 to add with my original lost ways. How would I go about getting the lost ways 2 book?

  • I would like a copy of both Lost Ways 1&2.

    Thank you for your time.

  • I’d buy the book but my browser’s, all 3 of them will not hook up to the clickbank site.

    • Hello William,

      You will be contacted by one of our team members ASAP and we’ll solve the problem.

      Alex from Survivopedia 🙂

  • Want one too!

    • Hello Michael,

      Thank you for reading us. One of my colleagues will contact you ASAP. Please verify your mail both in inbox and spam folders.

      Survivopedia team 🙂

  • I am very frustrated!! I tried to use your order form on the computer, but don’t think it worked! Would you please tell me how I can order! My email is [email protected].

    • Hello Pauline,

      Thank you for reading us. One of my colleagues will contact you ASAP. Please verify your mail both in inbox and spam folders.

      Survivopedia team 🙂

  • Looking to purchase Lost ways II. Please help!

    • Hello Kristen,

      Thank you for reading us. One of my colleagues will contact you ASAP. Please verify your mail both in inbox and spam folders.

      Survivopedia team 🙂

  • would like to order Lost Ways 2 please send email with information

    • Hello, William.

      Thank you for messaging us. One of our colleagues will contact you ASAP in order to solve the problem.

      Survivopedia team 🙂

  • would like to order Lost Ways 1 & 2 in hardcopy only . Please let me know how to do this. Thank you.

    • Hello Fran,

      Thank you for your interest in The Lost Ways 1 & 2. One of my colleagues will contact you as soon as possible to guide you through your purchase journey!
      Stay safe,
      Alex from Survivopedia!

  • Would like to purchase Lost Ways I. I have Lost Ways II. But would like it in “hardcopy” Thank you

  • Sir I would like to get
    LOST WAYS I and II in a hard cover or soft cover book

    how can I do that, can it be ordered from you folks???????

    pleas infor me thank you so much.

    • Hello Charles,

      Thank you for your interest in our books. One of my colleagues will contact you to help you process your order.

      Stay safe!

  • Hello
    I have been trying to find a copy of Lost Ways 2 but can not find it any where. I have been to about every book store in the four-state area. Could you please let me know where to purchase this book??? Thank you so much for your time and consideration.

  • Hello. I already have the LW 1… Kindly send me the link to my email in ordering the LW 2… Thanks!

  • I would like Lost Ways II.

  • Like everyone else I’d like to purchase “The Lost Ways II,” also. Please have someone contact me, as well. Thanks!

  • I have ordered some of there books in both digital and hard cover books and there was never a follow up. They had my credit card but never sent them. Why are they afraid to just sell you the hard copy’s .
    These people lead you on but never seem to follow thru. I have a couple I purchased years ago. I get tired of there adds with no follow up.
    Very poor business practices.
    Gman

  • So if you order the book nobody gets it. I would like to order one too but not if you never get it.

  • I’m in Australia how can I order all 3 books please?

    • Avatar photo

      Hello, Andrea. One of our colleagues will contact you via email. Thank you for your interest.

  • I would like to buy Lost Ways II send me info to do so.

    • Avatar photo

      Hello, Barbara. One of our colleagues will contact you via email. Thank you for your interest.

  • I would like to buy Lost Ways One AND Two pretty please !
    I am happy to pay postage for both to Australia. I hope Aussies are allowed this information? I too am brassed of when I go through filling out the order form only to find out I’m not elligable, or nothing happens…….
    Cheers from Perth -Ian

  • Hi! I purchased Lost Ways II after purchasing Lost Ways I, thoroughly enjoy them both and use many of the written ideas. That was a couple of years or more, before other books like the two (2) that are offered here for free. Is there any way I could purchase them?

  • Can I just down load this book.

  • Not available on any sights I buy from. When can I find and buy this?

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