This book, The RETRO-SURVIVALIST HANDBOOK, TAKING CONTROL one of a series and is specifically designed to be a quick reference for those of us that I call Retro-Survivalists. So what is a Retro-Survivalist? A Retro-Survivalist is someone who feels that there must be; healthier, cheaper and safer ways to do things in this modern world of ours than what is thrust at us by the big corporations of the world. Retro-Survivalists also believe that even though we humans have a longer life expectancy than ever, we are literally inundated, every day of our lives, with products that are loaded with strange chemicals and additives. And we feel that our bodies should not be subjected to foods or especially medicines with ingredients that have so many dangerous side effects just so the; growers, producers and packers can make even larger profits. A Retro-Survivalist is someone who believes that at least some of the more NATURAL ways of living and taking care of ourselves that were popular in the times of our ancestors are probably still applicable today. We want to stop being misled by advertisers and know exactly what we are being fed and treated with. We not only want to know what the corporations are putting into our foods and medications, but we also want to have other healthier options available to us so we can make our own choices. We want clearly defined options that we can select from that also clearly explain any potential health risks of our selection options. We want more natural foods, and access to safer methods to grow and prepare our own foods, as well as ways to treat the simpler human illnesses like our forebears did. The Retro-Survivalist also wants to know how to treat the more common ailments with safer and more natural plants, oils and supplements rather than with synthetically manufactured drugs and medicines that are full of numerous potentially hazardous ingredients. Many of these new drugs and their ingredients are introduced to the public as being true wonders of science, at first, only to be shown to have disastrous side effects when used over a long period of time. The Retro-Survivalist does want to enjoy his or her modern conveniences, especially when it comes to foods and medicines but we also wants to have access to the choices that are more natural and healthy for ourselves and our children. And, if the big corporations will not be proactive and make the nation's health their top priority, then we want access to the knowledge of how to grow our own, healthier foods in some limited manner where we control the process ourselves. I have so far structured this book into three Volumes of information. I plan to come back and not only expand on the information provided in the near future, but to even add several more Volumes. This book, BOOK-I, TAKING CONTROL has a relatively simple construction and is laid out as a progression of useful information, in chapter format. It is not designed to teach you, the reader, how to just "read the book and then "go off of the Grid," living a self-sustained lifestyle. Instead it is designed to provide information and ideas that can help you understand how to buy safer and healthier foods, how to grow some of your own foods, and how to make you and your family more self-sufficient and healthy. This book is laid out as a combination of informational chapters interspersed with a number of "How To ....." chapters.