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1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 It's a good book on how to live in cars Dec 22, 2008
If you're like me then you like to be prepared for whatever life may throw your way. This is a subject I was interested in and I bought this book like 2 years ago. For whatever reason you may be forced or choose to live in a car at some point in your life and this is a good book on this subject.
I thought it was a bit pricey and the guy is also quite a bit paranoid about government conspiracies and the such but when it comes to living in cars he knows his stuff.
The book is comprehensive, so if you think you want to give this a shot at some point in your life this is a good HOW TO guide.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Maybe the most practical guide on living in your car. Nov 17, 2008
I bought this book because the way this country is nowadays - you never know. Somehow i think if someone is desperate enough to live in their car they wont have the 30 bucks for this book, but anyway, its probably worth it.
Its loaded with great, practical advice but i believe you have to tailor his advice to the area you live in. He has much cautionary info on staying "under the radar" if you are forced to live like this. But to me its still an idea filled with peril, if you live in an urban area there are a hundred people who will drop a dime on you unless you are extremely good at being secretive. You are also at the mercy of anyone happening by who discovers you and also the police generally take a dim view of it. Especially if they find a weapon or booze in your car, or you had a drink that night. Also i think i would find living this way depressing, i could do it a month or two, no longer unless i was desperate.
The end chapter he gives some info on how to keep your car in shape, this is a most important chapter as when your car breaks then what? Im a mechanic and buy only dependable cars but i'd still be concerned about this aspect. If you are living in your car where where will you keep your tools? (Author advises renting a storage space which is what i'd have to do).
Anyway if you are or think you might someday be forced to live in your car, this book would not be a bad investment. One tip i saw elsewhere about privatizing your car, and which is not mentioned, is to buy and use a car cover. The advice he gives about tinting your windows to deter prying eyes is questionable as a dark window tint is a sure way to get pulled over. This happened to me, and if the cops pull you over they immediately start looking for more things to nail you on. Perhaps some kind of temporary tint that you pull off when you drive away.
20 of 21 found the following review helpful:
Practical, with quality tips and tricks for car survival. May 27, 2006
I've read this book and re-read it a few times now. Initially it occurred to me that the writer, Craig S Roberts, did seem to be a little paranoid, and rants a bit about government invasions of privacy, however, the information in the book is still good and valid.
This book really reads like it is from someone who has been there and done that. The book is obviously self published, and comes in a printed or photocopied format with a plastic binding comb. So presentation is lacking, but the quantity and quality of information is really there. The book covers how to keep warm in your car very well. It also covers ways to keep cool in hot weather, where to obtain and store water, how to go to the toilet in your car, how to wash up in your car, cooking in cars (with safety advice for using a camp stove) places to park your car, even what sort of containers are most practical to use in your car. There is good advice on what electrical appliances can be ran from an inverter from your car's battery which tends to match advice I have read else where.
You can of course view the table of contents for this book here on Amazon. While many of the chapters are only a few pages long, the content is there. Some of it is common sense, but a lot is ideas and knowledge that you would only gain from a book like this. Craig writes well and to the point. He rarely repeats himself, so the book has not been padded out. He appears to have researched his methods and advice. He does contradict himself once about solar cells, saying at one point they are of little benefit, but he later goes on to explain they have their uses and gives good details about how to use them.
His advice on police encounters is amusing. His "I am not an enemy of the United States" comments are likely to cause you more trouble than they save you. You might want to take much of that chapter with a grain of salt. However advice on not telling police that you live in your car is valid.
Over all, if you are going to live in your car, this is the book to buy on it. Forget A Jane Heim / Archer's books. They don't have a 10th of the information in this book. This book reads a little paranoid, but the practical information you need to survive while living in your car is here. The cold and hot weather survival tips alone make this book worth it.
11 of 11 found the following review helpful:
 Worth the money May 08, 2006
I read Craig's book 2 years ago, and put many of his suggestions into practice. Although I don't live full time in my minivan, I like to travel on weekends while I hike, bike and sightsee. With the escalating costs of fuel and hotels, and most of us driving large sleepable cars, it is well worth it to take the time to read this book. The author has practicle experience and shares his thoughts willingly. While implementing his suggestions I have never had a problem even in the most remote and problematic locations.
Update: In 2007 I spent 3 months living in my minivan traveling the US. I slept in forests, neighborhoods and Wal-Mart parking lots. During my trip I spent a total of $21 on camping fees, only because I had to buy permits in some National Parks for backpacking. Reading Craig's book before I left and practicing some of his methods on weekends made me knowledgeable enough so that my extended trip worked out very smoothly. I will probably never stay in a hotel ever again.
40 of 41 found the following review helpful:
Successful alternate lifestyle Jul 29, 2000
Craig S. Roberts book: Ten Consecutive Years Living in Cars: is and absolute how to book written for the person who is either already in the process of living in a vehicle or is seriously contemplating it as a lifestyle. He has complete ideas on everything from: privacy, insulation and comfort, showering or bathing, toileting, drinking water retrival, storing your stuff, where to park, successful police encounters, electrical power needs, and finally critical car maintenance. Craig gives you detailed information on each subject, along with his personal observations and experience, and many other options that he has used and thought about. It is the most comprehensive well written book about car living that I've read. I also have lived in my car by choice and find his book a valuable wealth of information. I particularly appreciated his: parking recommendations, how to bath in your car or out of your car in any weather, and how to privatize your car, so no one knows you're in there. I have read Craig's book three times each time gleaning new information.
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