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A glowing light bulb held by a person in the dark

The Dark Book

When the power goes out, know your next move.

The Dark Book is a practical field guide for staying steady, caring for people, and doing the next right thing when everyday systems stop.

Get The Dark Book · $12

One-time purchase. Keep it close when you need it.

A guide for the real first steps

Less panic. More useful action.

  • 01

    Start with water, safe light, warmth, food, and the people beside you.

  • 02

    Build confidence with practical skills that help when usual systems stop.

  • 03

    Prepare for the long season with community, care, weather, and rebuilding in mind.

Read the opening

Start with a steady breath.

From Chapter 1, “The First Night”

“Before you read on: breathe. The world may feel chaotic right now. Your heart may be racing. That is okay. You are here. You are reading. That means some part of you is still steady.”

“When the power goes out everywhere, the first thing most people feel is fear. That is okay. Fear is just your body saying, pay attention.”

A note from the creator

Why I wrote The Dark Book.

Dawn Labryer

I believe that a widespread loss of power could leave many people frightened and unprepared, especially when so much of daily life depends on electricity.

I wrote this guide to help people prepare, come together, and teach one another the skills that matter. My hope is for less self-destruction and more care, cooperation, and a better future.

What’s inside

22 chapters for the first night and the long season.

The Dark Book follows the questions that matter when life changes fast: meet immediate needs, build useful skills, and care for the people and places that carry you forward.

Part One

The First Hours

  1. The First Night

Part Two

Staying Alive

  1. Water
  2. Food
  3. Fire and Light
  4. Shelter and Warmth
  5. Health and Medicine
  6. Hygiene and Waste

Part Three

Tools and Skills

  1. Tools You Will Need
  2. Clothing and Textiles

Part Four

People

  1. Community and Safety
  2. Children, Elders, and Vulnerable People
  3. Defense and Boundaries

Part Five

The Wider World

  1. Reading the Sky and Weather
  2. Deep Winter Survival
  3. Gardening After the Grid
  4. Sewing and Mending
  5. Communication and Navigation
  6. Animals and Plants
  7. Foraging, Hunting, and Trapping

Part Six

The Long Season

  1. The Long Season
  2. Grief and Joy
  3. A Small Promise

Six practical appendices

Keep the essentials close.

  • Emergency Kit Checklist
  • Water Purification Quick Reference
  • Useful Knots
  • Morse Code and Signals
  • How to Make a Rocket Stove
  • Rehydration Recipe
Lightning striking over a dark waterfront during a storm

Reader comments

A guide made to keep people steady.

“The Dark Book offers a comforting, hopeful guide for when the power goes out. It reminds us to take things one step at a time, share what we can, and look after the people around us. I especially appreciate its caring message that no one has to face a difficult time alone, we can support each other with kindness, patience, and compassion.”
Beverly Smith
“The Dark Book is a warm, reassuring guide for facing life without power. It shares practical ideas while reminding us that caring for each other matters just as much as having supplies. I love its message of staying hopeful, checking on neighbors, and making sure no one feels alone when things get hard. It’s a kind reminder that we’re stronger when we face challenges together.”
Jon Larson
“The Dark Book is an easy-to-read guide with helpful ideas for getting through a long power outage. I like that it covers the basics and reminds people to stay calm and help each other. Some advice could use more detail, but it’s a good place to start.”
Judith Crouch

Begin where you are

Not ready to buy yet?

Start with the free preparedness checklist. It helps you take stock of water, light, warmth, food, health, and the people around you.

Get the free checklistRead the emergency preparedness guideRead the power outage survival guideExplore The Dark Book as an emergency preparedness bookCompare emergency preparedness books

One-time purchase · $12

Keep the guide close.

Buy The Dark Book · $12