This book takes a very matter-of-fact approach to educating and instructing the reader on the nature of Zombies, how to class different outbreaks by severity, and how to deal with different situations that may crop up.
Not only does this book detail how to dispatch of the evil dead, but it goes into intricate detail about what to do to secure your house, go on the run, and assemble a group of reliable people with which to escape to a secure location where you can set up the base for the future of the human civilization.
The precision with which Brooks talks about every possibility in an outbreak is scary; he discusses various ways of escaping and how secure various locations would be in different classes of outbreaks.
It's worrying how believable this book is, giving calm, clear instructions on how to survive as a civilian in an outbreak, and what measures are appropriate for dispatching of Zombies. Surprisingly, many methods that would kill humans are totally impractical in a Zombie situation. Bombs, fire and machine guns are almost totally useless, since they lack the precision needed to destroy the brain- even decapitation only gets rid of the body, a zombie can bite your ankle from the floor.
Even bandits are a problem, and the book gives advice on concealing yourself from them. The portrait of the post-apocalyptic world is horrifyingly realistic- as groups of people would undoubtedly relish forsaking the rules and attacking fellow humans for consumables and other materials.
The book also describes in mini-story-format many historical encounters with the living dead from various points through time. These are a little less terrifying, because it's slightly easier to realize they're fiction when they're written in past tense.
I'm not gonna lie, Hagelrat and I have been talking about zombies a lot recently (partly because we both have awesome new boots that would totally kick zombie ass), and I'm now about one more Max Brooks book away from stocking up on machetes, primary firearm, secondary firearm, survival packs, and buying land somewhere isolated... and cold. Like the South Pole.
Though Shetland would probably work just as well. I could live with my cousin!
So then. Who wants to join my band of Zombie-Killer-Survival-People? I'll save your life if you save mine!
8 comments:
Hey, you can never be too prepared for zombies!
Did they mention the double-tap? After watching Zombieland, I will always employ the double-tap.
You didn't mention my favorite part of the book: the hilarious illustrations! I have to admit I found this book more of an amusing read-in-sections kind of book, without the drive his awesome World War Z had.
One more thing: despite Stray's poo-poo'ing of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, I'm planning on reading it next week. You mentioned you wanted to do a dual review of it - still game?
Okay...ONE MORE THING: Lord help me, but I went out and bought three mangas to try...you're rubbing off on me!
I loved the book. I believe they are making a movie of world war z. It should be really good.
Alex - totally agree, the Zompoc always strikes me as pretty inevitable.
Chris - lol, Mangacat should rub off on everyone, she's aces. ;p
Debbie - oooh a movie sounds fun.
Alex, the double tap is necessary!!! As is burning the bodies so the infection dies :p
Chris, firstly- can't believe I forgot the illustrations!!! Damn it! :p secondly, definitely still game for dual reviewage :D when were you thinking? Last but not least- YAY! Which ones? Manga is awesome :)
Debbie- I heard that, it'll need a good director though to make it work :)
Manga: I have my second Hugo book ready for next Tuesday, so I plan on having Girl... read and reviewed for the 19th - does that work for you?
As far as manga, I bought the first volumes of Death Note, Battle Royale, Lone Wolf and Cub and - of course - FMA.
The 19th suits me fine :) and YAY FMA!!! My favourite ever! The best ones are the 9th-10th volumes, cause my favourite characters have bigger parts!
Battle royale scared me, I got about halfway through and had to stop since it was too graphic, but death notes a classic!
Never heard of line wolf and cub actually, you'll have to tell me what it's like!
Next you should read Roger Ma's the Zombie Combat Manual. I have both books on my shelf, of course... :-)
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