The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection From The Living Dead (2003) - Plot & Excerpts
"Yes Brooks, but what about?" is what I often found myself asking while perusing the Zombie Survival Guide. It's clear it is meant to be humorous. I first went looking for it in non-fiction, and was disappointed to find it in the Humor section. I spared the Barnes and Noble employee a lecture on the dangers of being woefully unprepared for the coming Zombiepocalypse. Brooks went to some trouble to make it appear as if he put plenty of thought and research into this, and that helps make the tongue-in-cheek tone really stick.However, he could have done more both for humor's sake and those of us who take this so seriously our families try to medicate us. But what do they know? They'll be the first ones eaten, and I still won't take those pills... Anyway, I digress. He covers a remarkable amount of ground, but nothing really in any great detail. It reads more like an encyclopedia of random "stuff", rather than an actual useful resource. It gives me things to consider, but little usable field information beyond the initial seed idea. Some quips and pop culture references are funny, but we'll see who's laughing when facing a scenario he avoided by saying, "Science cannot explain..."Areas which I found lacking included group composition and psychology, weaponry, viral epidemiology, and tactical organization. A Level III or higher outbreak requires tough choices I don't remember Brooks being ready to handle in regards to human group dynamics. He acknowledges the difficulties of human psychology, but really doesn't delve into any one of countless areas to address. How best do you deal with children who just slow you down and endanger the group? How do you contend with the fact that, in all likelihood given the stresses of the situation, members of the opposite sex will likely be snogging the daylights out of each other every semi-private moment? That leads to pregnant, and slower, more demanding, and more vulnerable party members. How does a party leader attempt to prevent or deal with the issue if it's too early to repopulate the world? Tough question, and one Brooks doesn't address that I remember.Also the weaponry section is terribly lacking in specifics. Brooks does do something right in stressing hiding and stealth throughout, but when you have to fight, he only discusses a few ideas for arming yourself. What I REALLY think the book could have used was a region-specific common chambering guide. In former NATO-countries, even though the AR-15 or M-16 and variants may be lacking in reliability and zombie-clubbing prowess to the chunkier Kalashnikov and SKS variants, one hardly wants to find oneself carrying a 7.62 in a 5.56 world. Choose a regional weapon based on the ammunition you are likely to find available issued to your local police, military, and paramilitary forces. A large, convenient table would have been a nice addition. A discussion of crossbow draw-strength versus range to give people an idea what they'd have to contend with, but worth it given the excellence of the weapon as a silent, reusable option, would also have been nice.I still feel I understand precious little about the virus itself. I wouldn't consider this an issue except for the implied knowledge Brooks has through his statements, discussion, and supposed historical outbreaks he mentions. Share more! How do we protect ourselves? Is there a practical way to intervene? What are the hazards and best ways to protect group members during what he refers to as "clean-up" following a battle? What are the possibilities and repercussions of mutation, considering this IS a virus, after all.I won't get into the tactical sections other than to say most of his suggestions would require people so battle-hardened, cool, intelligent, and collected they would likely be able to develop better plans on the fly. This they would almost certainly have to do, given the changing nature of all battlefields, much less ones with very difficult undead enemies. Instead of trying to paint unrealistic scenarios, just cut these chapters short by saying, "Find fearless tactical geniuses, and go kill with them."Don't get me wrong, I liked the book. He raises and discusses an issue few people are taking seriously enough. He glances over some good points. And he's somewhat funny in parts. He tries to deliver a compact but useful guide covering an entire world's worth of issues. However, the most damning thing I can say about the Guide is that, when the undead rise, the book is not something that will be in my pack when I start running. I would much rather save the valuable weight and space for a region-specific weapons guide, field first-aid manual, resource for local flora and fauna, or even just an extra few iodine tablets or strips of beef jerky.P.S.- Yes, I get the joke. Do you get mine?
Buku ini ternyata secara tak terduga sukses menyalip ditikungan si Becky yang lagi belanja dan petualangan William of Baskerville di sebuah biara Benediktian. Oke, ada yang udah nonton film2nya Leslie Nielsen? itu tuh, aki2 ubanan yang maen di film parodi Dracula, trilogi Naked Gun, Airplane, Scary Movie dll. Gayanya khas banget, dia ngelawak dengan gaya yang serius, seakan-akan dia tidak sadar kalo lagi ngelawak dan gak sadar kalo penonton tertawa terbahak-bahak. Nah seperti itulah Max Brooks menyajikan buku ini. Gue ngakak abis sekaligus merinding pas beres bacanya (bener kagak ya cerita dia?). Sebaliknya, jika lo sejak awal menganggap buku ini sebagai buku humor, justru kesan garingnya yang akan terasa. Bingung ya? :-pGue sempet mikir kalo si Max Brooks ini keknya bener2 gak ada kerjaan ampe sempet2nya bikin buku ini. Buku yang memberikan petunjuk lengkap dan menyeluruh tentang cara2 membasmi zombie, senjata yang diperlukan, cara bertahan, cara menyerang zombie dll. Sepertinya dia mewarisi gen sinting ini dari Mel Brooks; bapaknya yang sering bikin film2 parodi sinting bin kocak kek Robin Hood: Men in thights, Dracula: Dead and Loving It dll. Hmm..Like father like son, hehehehetapi zombie yang diceritakan si Brooks disini ialah zombie yang mirip di film2nya George Romero yaitu zombie yang lamban dan berjalan terseret-seret (satu langkah tiap 1.5 detik). Timbul pertanyaan; gimana kalo model zombie-nya kek di film 28 Days Later/28 Weeks Later? pan disana mah zombie-nya bisa lari, bisa manjat, dengan kata lain zombie yang lincah. Wah berabe kalo gini. Masalahnya sejak sebelom masuk TK ampe SMA kalo lagi olahraga balap lari gue pasti ada di urutan buncit. *ngusap2 perut* cilaka pan kalo gue dikejar zombie yang dulunya mantan sprinter olimpiade. *manyun*Trus gimana kalo bumi bener2 diserang zombie? Sederhana saja, lo akan bersyukur karena sudah membaca buku ini ato lo akan menyesal habis2an karena gak baca buku ini. The choice is yours:-p tapi jangan takut, gue siap membantu koq, kumpul aja di rumah gue kalo zombie sudah mengepung bumi (khusus wilayah jabodetabek anda bisa menghubungi James, wakaka) Gue bakal ngasi tips2 buat ngebasmi zombie2 ini.Oke, bila lo udah dalam situasi dikepung zombie, Remember this! SURVIVAL is the key word to remember-not victory, not conquest, just SURVIVAL!*berdiri di atas genteng => tempat aman dari jangkauan zombie*OK people! just follow me and repeat after me if you want to be alive!"I will not be their victim! I will survive!""I WILL SURVIVE!!! I WILL SURVIVE!!!*joget2 diatas genteng nyanyi lagu disko jadul Gloria Gaynor~I Will Survive**ni lagu cocok banget buat ngeledek zombie yang lagi kelaparan*ini salah satu tips penting yang ada dibuku kalo lo dikepung zombie ==> Remain Entertained!oke.. zombie bau bin jelek yang dipojokan sanaaa! ikut goyang yaaaaaaaa....First I was afraid,I was petrifiedKept thinking I could never livewithout you by my sideBut I spent so many nightsthinking how you did me wrongI grew strong!I learned how to carry onand so you're back,from outer spaceI just walked in to find you herewith that sad look upon your faceI should have changed my stupid lockI should have made you leave your keyIf I had known for just one secondyou'd be back to bother meGo on now go walk out the doorjust turn around now'cause you're not welcome anymoreweren't you the one who tried to hurt me with goodbyeyou think I'd crumbleyou think I'd lay down and dieOh no, not II WILL SURVIVEas long as i know how to loveI know I will stay aliveI've got all my life to liveI've got all my love to giveand I'll surviveI WILL SURVIVE!!!Hey.. Hey..weeeek.. weeeeek... *melet ke kawanan zombie di bawah genteng*udah ah, emang gue pikirin kalo dunia diserbu zombie.. ekekekekeYah.. beginilah kalo orang sinting baca buku yang gak kalah sinting :))PS I: Many thanks to James, tar kapan2 kita koordinasi yak kalo terjadi wabah Solanum skala 3PS II : yang minjem koleksi film2 zombie gue! wooiii! balikiiiiin! pengen nonton lage neh
What do You think about The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection From The Living Dead (2003)?
The Zombie Survival Guide is entirely based on the premise of 'Zombie attacks, both massive and individual, are highly plausable. Here is how you survive.'This is a wonderful premise. It is a wonderful book. Because of this book, I feel that I have a better chance of surviving a zombie attack if/when it does occur.If you want to be in my roving troupe of refugees then there will be some required reading and this book will be on the list. Also, don't think you can read this after the outbreak - I will totally know you are a nube. You may email me for a complete list of qualifications to be a part of my survival team. I am a tough leader, but fair.
—Rae Walker
My love for this book is a result of my lack of social skills. Much as I might try to generate conversation with strangers (and, occasionally, among friends) I usually just end up rambling awkwardly until uneasy silence takes over. So, at some point, I started employing zombies. As conversation topics, not servants. Though that would be cool."What would we do if we were attacked by zombies right now?" is an excellent way to get to know someone. Their willingness to participate in this line of thought with me is usually a pretty good indication that we can be friends. Plus, you get a sense of their attitudes, general knowledge, and strategizing capabilities. Is this someone you want on your side in a difficult situation? If not, why am I hanging around them, anyway?One difficulty I've run into with this, though, is the question: What kind of zombie are we talking about here? The slow, shambling zombies of Romero? The fast-moving, rabid ones a la "28 Days Later"? Are they intelligent? Does their zombification come from biological, viral or demonic sources? Are they intelligent? What are their physical capabilities and/or limitations? To effectively plan, you need to know what you're up against.Thankfully, The Zombie Survival Guide covers all of this and more: the appearance and symptoms of the Solanum virus, a history of recorded outbreaks, and information on what to do in a variety of likely scenarios. Weapons, tactics, how to prepare, even how to flee, should it become necessary.
—Antisocialite
3.0 to 3.5 stars. The premise behind this book is great and I really enjoyed the format of an actual "survival guide" for battling zombies. That said, I was probably going to give this book 3 stars except that the last 50 pages were able to secure the book a 4 star rating. These last 50+ pages were a series of "actual" historic accounts of zombie attacks dating back to 60,000 B.C.. These accounts were a ton of fun and showed the spark of brilliance that would make Max Brook's next book, World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War, the best Zombie book ever written and one of my "All Time Favorite" novels.
—Stephen
