Kurt Saxon
Encyclopedia
Kurt Saxon, born Donald Eugene Sisco on March 6, 1932, is a survivalist and the author of The Poor Man's James Bond
, a series of books on improvised weapons
and munitions.
, the John Birch Society
, the Minutemen
, the Church of Scientology
, and the Church of Satan
. In August 1970, he appeared before a Senate Investigations subcommittee holding hearings on bombings and terrorism. According to newspaper accounts, he suggested police and "concerned citizens" use bombs to wipe out "leftists," and recommended that student demonstrators be machine-gunned in the streets.
By the early 1970s he came to reject the political and religious groups of the 60s, and began writing on homesteading
and preparedness
issues. He is said to have coined the term "survivalism" to refer to making preparations for a future collapse of society and/or a major disaster.
In the early 1990s, Saxon had a shortwave radio program over WRNO
, New Orleans, Louisiana.
book Wheels of Rage, an account of an Arizona
based outlaw motorcycle club; the Poor Man's James Bond series of books on improvised weaponry; and Granddad's Wonderful Book of Chemistry as well as Granddad's Wonderful Book of Electricity, which are compilations of several out of print hobbyist booklets on home brew chemistry and electronics projects.
In 1975 he began publishing the newsletter, The Survivor, which combined Saxon's articles with reprints of articles on 19th century technology of interest to the survivalist movement. The Survivor is also the name of a series of books he compiled on this material. During the early 1990s when the militia movement was at its peak in the United States, Saxon published a short-lived magazine called U.S. Militia.
Saxon also wrote at least one article for Mel Tappan
's P.S. Letter.
Despite joining with the political right on many issues, Saxon has often announced his support for abortion
and often spoke about his atheistic
views.
Recently Saxon wrote several scathing attacks on Islam, which he outspokenly denounced as a primitive and barbaric religion and an enemy of civilization. Saxon derides Muslims as people of low intelligence with a violent agenda towards all outsiders.
Saxon claims to have coined the term "survivalist". Survivalism predicts the collapse of society and advocates preparedness measures necessary to survive the ensuing chaos. He has written various survivalist and paramilitary
books, including his well known The Poor Man's James Bond series. These publications include a range of tips and instructions, from how to slash budgets and cut down on bills to recipes for both medicines, poisons and blueprints for weapons. He was the host of a shortwave radio show that aired on WRNO
. Saxon also still writes, and has his own web page on which he posts new information relevant to survivalism in modern society. Currently, he resides in the town of Alpena, Arkansas
and still teaches survivalism, though recently this has become less frequent due to his age and declining health.
The Poor Man's James Bond
The Poor Man's James Bond is a four book series originally intended for the survivalist-minded, compiled by Kurt Saxon. They were marketed toward the survivalist movement of the 1970s and 1980s, and as a counterpoint to The Anarchist Cookbook which Saxon claimed contained inaccurate information...
, a series of books on improvised weapons
Improvised firearm
An improvised firearm is a firearm manufactured by someone who is not a regular maker of firearms , and is typically constructed by adapting existing materials to the purpose...
and munitions.
History
During the 1960s, Saxon drifted into and out of several political organizations and new religious movements, including the American Nazi PartyAmerican Nazi Party
The American Nazi Party was an American political party founded by discharged U.S. Navy Commander George Lincoln Rockwell. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, Rockwell initially called it the World Union of Free Enterprise National Socialists , but later renamed it the American Nazi Party in...
, the John Birch Society
John Birch Society
The John Birch Society is an American political advocacy group that supports anti-communism, limited government, a Constitutional Republic and personal freedom. It has been described as radical right-wing....
, the Minutemen
Minutemen (anti-Communist organization)
The Minutemen was a militant anti-Communist organization formed in the United States in the early 1960s. The founder and head of the right-wing group was Robert Bolivar DePugh, a biochemist from Norborne, Missouri. The Minutemen believed that Communism would soon take over all of America. The group...
, the Church of Scientology
Church of Scientology
The Church of Scientology is an organization devoted to the practice and the promotion of the Scientology belief system. The Church of Scientology International is the Church of Scientology's parent organization, and is responsible for the overall ecclesiastical management, dissemination and...
, and the Church of Satan
Church of Satan
The Church of Satan is an organization dedicated to the acceptance of the carnal self, as articulated in The Satanic Bible, written in 1969 by Anton Szandor LaVey.- History :...
. In August 1970, he appeared before a Senate Investigations subcommittee holding hearings on bombings and terrorism. According to newspaper accounts, he suggested police and "concerned citizens" use bombs to wipe out "leftists," and recommended that student demonstrators be machine-gunned in the streets.
By the early 1970s he came to reject the political and religious groups of the 60s, and began writing on homesteading
Homesteading
Broadly defined, homesteading is a lifestyle of simple self-sufficiency.-Current practice:The term may apply to anyone who follows the back-to-the-land movement by adopting a sustainable, self-sufficient lifestyle. While land is no longer freely available in most areas of the world, homesteading...
and preparedness
Preparedness
Preparedness refers to the state of being prepared for specific or unpredictable events or situations. Preparedness is an important quality in achieving goals and in avoiding and mitigating negative outcomes...
issues. He is said to have coined the term "survivalism" to refer to making preparations for a future collapse of society and/or a major disaster.
In the early 1990s, Saxon had a shortwave radio program over WRNO
WRNO (shortwave)
WRNO is a commercial shortwave radio station which began international broadcasting on 18 February 1982 and continued broadcasting through the early 1990s from Metairie, Louisiana...
, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Books and periodicals
Saxon is the author, under his birth name "Don Sisco," of The Militant's Formulary. After his legal name change to Kurt Saxon, he authored the bikerOutlaw motorcycle club
An outlaw motorcycle club is a type of motorcycle club that is part of a subculture with roots in the post-World War II USA, centered on cruiser motorcycles, particularly Harley-Davidsons and choppers, and a set of ideals celebrating freedom, nonconformity to mainstream culture, and loyalty to the...
book Wheels of Rage, an account of an Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
based outlaw motorcycle club; the Poor Man's James Bond series of books on improvised weaponry; and Granddad's Wonderful Book of Chemistry as well as Granddad's Wonderful Book of Electricity, which are compilations of several out of print hobbyist booklets on home brew chemistry and electronics projects.
In 1975 he began publishing the newsletter, The Survivor, which combined Saxon's articles with reprints of articles on 19th century technology of interest to the survivalist movement. The Survivor is also the name of a series of books he compiled on this material. During the early 1990s when the militia movement was at its peak in the United States, Saxon published a short-lived magazine called U.S. Militia.
Saxon also wrote at least one article for Mel Tappan
Mel Tappan
Born Melrose H. Tappan III, Mel Tappan was the editor of the newsletter Personal Survival Letter and the books Survival Guns and Tappan on Survival...
's P.S. Letter.
Beliefs
Saxon is fond of describing contemporary society as a "Disneyland for Dummies" and predicts civilization's imminent collapse. When that occurs, only those who are prepared and rooted in practical knowledge—as opposed to any particular political or religious ideology—will survive. Saxon sees his mission as collecting and disseminating such knowledge and thereby ensuring the survival of the "best of our species."Despite joining with the political right on many issues, Saxon has often announced his support for abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
and often spoke about his atheistic
Atheism
Atheism is, in a broad sense, the rejection of belief in the existence of deities. In a narrower sense, atheism is specifically the position that there are no deities...
views.
Recently Saxon wrote several scathing attacks on Islam, which he outspokenly denounced as a primitive and barbaric religion and an enemy of civilization. Saxon derides Muslims as people of low intelligence with a violent agenda towards all outsiders.
Saxon claims to have coined the term "survivalist". Survivalism predicts the collapse of society and advocates preparedness measures necessary to survive the ensuing chaos. He has written various survivalist and paramilitary
Paramilitary
A paramilitary is a force whose function and organization are similar to those of a professional military, but which is not considered part of a state's formal armed forces....
books, including his well known The Poor Man's James Bond series. These publications include a range of tips and instructions, from how to slash budgets and cut down on bills to recipes for both medicines, poisons and blueprints for weapons. He was the host of a shortwave radio show that aired on WRNO
WRNO (shortwave)
WRNO is a commercial shortwave radio station which began international broadcasting on 18 February 1982 and continued broadcasting through the early 1990s from Metairie, Louisiana...
. Saxon also still writes, and has his own web page on which he posts new information relevant to survivalism in modern society. Currently, he resides in the town of Alpena, Arkansas
Alpena, Arkansas
Alpena is a town in Boone and Carroll counties in the U.S. state of Arkansas. The population was 371 at the 2000 census.The Boone County portion of Alpena is part of the Harrison Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
and still teaches survivalism, though recently this has become less frequent due to his age and declining health.
External links
- SurvivalPlus, Saxon's commercial website