Professor Emily Ray coauthors new book on Prepping in America
History and Politics is delighted to share the news that Professor Emily Ray has coauthored a major new book, Be Prepared: The American Road to Survivalism, published by Columbia University Press. Written with Robert Kirsch, the volume explores the history, culture, and politics of survivalism in the United States. Be Prepared examines how preparedness has moved from the margins of American life to the mainstream. What began as a set of practices associated with Cold War civil defense, countercultural back-to-the-land movements, and militia activism has grown into a broad social phenomenon. Ray and Kirsch show how the language of “prepping” now informs discussions of climate change, infrastructure vulnerability, political polarization, and everyday risk. By tracing the survivalist ethos from nuclear fallout shelters to contemporary prepper expos, the authors illuminate how concerns about security, self-sufficiency, and resilience have shaped American identity. The book argues that preparedness is not only a response to disaster but also a lens through which Americans imagine their relationship to the state, their communities, and the future. We congratulate Professor Ray on this important achievement and encourage everyone to explore this timely and thought-provoking study.