The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead Reviews

• Being safe means being prepared!

  
  By APRU373UYVK2Y on 2004-01-20
  Let's face it: at one time or another we've all faced a zombie scare we aren't prepared for. And yes, the local constabulary usually cleans things up with a minimum of fuss, but what happens when things go wrong and the cavalry doesn't arrive? That, my friends, is the day that Max Brooks' "The Zombie Survival Guide" saves your life. With several millennia worth of field experience distilled into a manageable 254 pages, everything you need to know to survive the coming war with the undead can be found in these pages. Your life and the lives of those you love are at stake, act now and be prepared!

  OK, so that paragraph was obviously tongue in cheek, but hopefully in conveys some sense of what Brooks' remarkable "The Zombie Survival Guide" is like. While obviously a parody of both the horror genre and civil defense/survivalist manuals, it maintains an "all-business" demeanor, never once cracking the façade to reveal the underlying humoristic intent. The result is a book that is, when taken as a whole, a funny, incredibly thorough work of satire. However, at the same time, page-by-page, it is a rather accomplished addition to zombie horror.

  Starting with zombie physiology and then moving on to weapons, tactics, long-term strategy and history Brooks has produced a manual which has a thoroughness that belies the absurdity of its subject. Point by point he discusses the pros and cons of rifles, machetes and flamethrowers, then considers the optimal defensive positions for various types of outbreaks. After an extensive discussion of survival in a zombie doomsday scenario, he lays out zombie outbreaks through history, and what their implications are. Throughout, entries are extensively cross-referenced and alternative courses of action are always weighed for potential risks and benefits.

  The remarkable thing about all this is that Brooks has managed to infuse a tension, and urgency into his manual that makes for great reading. Part post-apocalyptic fiction, part "Night of the Living Dead" and part "Saturday Night Live" sketch, this is a book that should hold appeal across a broad range of genres. Thorough without being dry, creepy without being clichéd, and funny without relying on cheap laughs, "The Zombie Survival Guide" is undoubtedly one of the most original books I have ever read, and one that I enjoyed reading immensely. If you appreciate any or all of these genres, or if you just enjoy a well executed, original idea, this is definitely a book you'll want to check out.

  And remember...Tomorrow may be too late, read this book today!

  Jake Mohlman
  
  

• Actually it's not a bad piece of horror

  
  By A8EYY7L1IXMUQ on 2003-11-04
  Watch out Stephen King.
  Another reviewer was right when he/she said this book isn't laugh out loud funny. It's not. But it is very amusing, considering it's not tongue in cheek at all. It's tone is straightforward and very serious. Survivalists, bodyguards, law enforcement and military personnel might get a kick out of how some of their standard weapons and statics are used against zombies because some of the advice rings very true for real defense encounters. And I think horror fans, especially fans of George Romero or the Resident Evil videogames will really like it. It's classic textbook zombie stuff, right down to zombie physiology. ;)

  But by far, the best and scariest part of the book is the Recorded Attacks section near latter part of the book. These short stories are hella creepy and make for some great camp fire yarns. They are so very well done, especially the one about the gangs in L.A., for a second, you'll be wondering if it's really a parody.
  I was expecting something crappy and cheap, but I was surprised. It's a neat little read.
  
  

• The Undead Don't Laugh

  
  By A12WZTC4YJ8ZEC on 2006-12-19
  Max Brooks has put together a rather unique book that it's simply impossible to classify. Part field guide, part arcane zombie history book, and part disaster-training manual, it also manages to keep things serious enough to make you wonder if what it's talking about is real. I began to wonder if Brooks actually believed what he was writing, and that's a big plus point in the book's favor.
  
  The book is separated into several portions, ranging from zombie physiology, what zombies can do and can't do, an overview of Solanum, the microorganism that gives life...or "unlife" to the zombie, as well as a pretty fascinating look at what weapons are best matched against your undead opponents and what kind of structures to barricade yourself in should an outbreak occur. At the end of the book is a pretty extensive collection of "historical" zombie outbreaks throughout human history. The whole thing is written so seriously that you'll laugh out loud when you get to the end of the book and see several Zombie Action Checklists for the owner's use to keep track of outbreaks.
  
  Here's what I've learned should an outbreak occur:
  -Grab an M1 Garand and lots of ammo
  -Machetes and trench spikes are superior to machine guns
  -Get a bicycle...zombies can't hear you and you can always carry your bike over rough terrain, and all without reliance on gasoline
  -Chainsaws are fun, but will give you a false sense of power (sorry Bruce Campbell!)
  -Flame throwers are the ultimate zombie-killing weapon. But carrying 70 lbs. of equipment on foot will make you slow enough for zombies to catch you.
  -Off-shore oil drilling rigs are the ultimate hideout!
  -If it all blows out of control make for the nearest tropical island, or the Artic circle if you can handle the cold
  -Stay away from hospitals in the case of an outbreak
  
  The book's serious tone about things so ridiculous will make you laugh out loud several times during the reading of it. This was one of the most unique and entertaining reads I've had in a very long time, and I thoroughly recommend it!
  
  

• Knowledge is power!

  
  By ACZTL73PNSSUV on 2006-07-02
  This excellent guide will prepare you as well as any book can. The realities of an outbreak of the Solanum-infected is something that will test your physical and psychological limits. However--and with apologies to Mr. Brooks for using this space to editorialize--the only way we can fully prepare, is for the government to finally make the recorded incidents available for public scrutiny and analysis.
  
  I know from bitter experience how ill-prepared local, state, and federal authorities are to deal with these outbreaks. It is only a matter of time before containment and cover-up are shown-up for the pathetic band-aid type responses they are; and we have a full-scale infestation that will have to be dealt with by the clueless.
  
  The incident I experienced wasn't covered in the book, which is very surprising, considering how recent it was, the number of people involved, and the fact that it resulted in the death--among many others--of a former Cosby kid. At least a few of Mr. Brook's sources would surely have know about the events in and around Black Creek, Wisconsin in October of 1998.
  
  My involvement began when I was pulled off the site of my security supervisor position at a nearby Department of Energy facility to support a county SWAT team dealing with a "civil disturbance". This type of order was unheard of, yet me and a few others with sniper training had to respond. This isn't the place for a long narrative, yet I need to give some sort of public account. Screw my security oath; I also took an oath to protect the United States from enemies foreign and domestic, and the only way to do that, I'm convinced, is to reveal the truth.
  
  Long story as short as possible: a charter flight out of Canada went down in the dense woods surrounding the unincorporated town of Black Creek, and we were given vague instructions to set up a perimeter around that locus and stop, by whatever means necessary, anyone attempting to leave the area. We all thought it was a training exercise and were joking around when the first of "them" lurched out of the woods. You can guess what happened. Our perimeter soon became an inner perimeter as we ourselves were hemmed in, engaged in the fight of our lives. 18 horrifying and surreal hours later, huddled in an abandoned grist mill, the remains of our group were rescued by troops from Fort McCoy. The incident was covered up. Civilians as well as law enforcement and military personnel were threatened into silence, and I can only assume the press was as well. I am aware of some attempts at lawsuits still going on, but I think those are doomed to fail.
  
  Had we had even a fraction of the knowledge contained in this guide--or even knew the nature of the enemy we battled--we would have fared so much better, and many good people would still be alive.
  
  The advice in the book is solid, although I have a few thoughts of my own based on my experiences: I don't agree that edged weapons are superior to bludgeons. Blades will stick, splatter infected blood all over, and pose a greater risk to any of your allies in close proximity. You don't want the distraction of crawling around a dimly-lit floor, looking for your buddy's ear, accidently hacked off while you flailed at a horde of creatures. (True story.) Also, If you have the time in advance, use low-grain rounds in your firearms if you're planning on using them indoors. In an enclosed space, the muzzle-flash and noise from rounds like those in a magnum will leave you disoriented and numb after just a short time, severely limiting your combat effectiveness. Finally, wear pathogen-resistant boots. You won't believe the amount of blood that pools at your feet while defending a static position from a major onslaught.
  
  Mentally toughen up. I realize that advice is a bit non-specific. I really don't have a solid indicator of what will make someone react better than others in those terrifying situations. Combat veterans panicked, with fatal consequences, while an intrepid band of Cub Scouts--clearly camped out at the wrong place at the wrong time--performed admirably.
  
  Your Uncle Sam IS making small steps toward training its first responders, albeit secretively and obtusely. For example, see the 2005 copy of the FEMA Small Unit Managers Manual, 109-A. They mention "Transient Anomalous Social Disturbances". A roundabout and halfway approach to some sort of level of preparedness. And a close examination of the Department of Homeland Security charter will reveal small clues to a weak effort at defense against the undead. But, bottom line, it is the informed citizenry that will make the difference when the Solanum hits the fan. Get this book and get busy.
  
  

• Full of ****

  
  By on 2003-10-09
  no buybook him no ideea wat hetalkin aboutte we--imean- zombie frendly want tobe freindsand jst scard want warm fleshto eet--er, um------no lissen to watt crasy man say. him probly taste good
  
  
• Evil Flesh Eating God
  By ALWROLLA2HKJ1 on 2003-10-31
  As your Evil Flesh Eating God, I command you, do not read this book. The information contained in it is heresy. Instead, you should devour your family, neighbor, or the nearest human (Liza Minnelli and David Gest do not count, they've been undead for years). Eat them one piece at a time, chomp through muscle, crack bone, and chew every delicious morsel of mortals. But under no circumstances are you to read this book. Its information will only lead you to a zombie free life, and who would want to endure that nightmare.

  Imagine the hell of walking over hill and dale, field and stream, mountains and molehills, without the ever lurking dark threat of being ripped apart by a horde of rabid fleshing eating undead. You should be ashamed at yourself for even considering that atrocity. To recap, as your Flesh Eating God, I command you:
  a) Do not read this book
  b) Eat other humans
  c) Leave Liza and David alone (they're already undead)
  d) Rinse and Repeat.

  Should you wish to fall into the good graces of your Flesh Eating God of Evil, please devour the following in order of importance:

  a)Osama
  b)Saddam
  c)Michael Jackson

  The FBI's to 10 list is also a good place to start when looking for a meal. Long over looked is the law enforcement use of zombies in tracking felons. Yes, there is some unintentional collateral damage, a few innocent get eaten along the way, but the relentless pursuit of the undead has brought to justice some of the most notorious villains in recent age, the only problem is that a special translator must available at time of arrest so that the deputized zombies can convey the Miranda warning, and zombie translators don't come cheap.
  And you thought it was aliens the government was hiding all this time...well the zombie aliens anyway. Yes the extra terrestrials have their zombies too...where do you think we got Rob Zombie from...have you seen House of a 1000 corpses, only the undead could enjoy it.

  Until the next blood letting, this is your Evil Flesh Eating God commanding you to not read this book and begin eating humans, start with yourself if you must!
  
  Sincerely,

  Evil Flesh Eating God
  
  

• Sweet, sweet brains.
  By A1EIZ9345OXZ2R on 2004-08-03
  I've bought three copies of this book, one for myself and two as gifts for friends. They both loved it, and so did I. So here I am to recommend it.
  
  The Zombie Survival Guide is a notoriously difficult book to classify. It would be laughed at if it were shelved with other "survival" books, yet it doesn't seem to fit in with humour because it's not technically funny. It's a parody. Therein lies the humour. It probably won't have you in stitches (no pun intended), since the book is written "with a straight face" on something that (if it were real) would be an extremely gory and disturbing subject. If you can appreciate this book as a parody...well, you won't be laughing out loud, but you'll be highly amused and very entertained.
  
  Basically, this book is a very entertaining parody of survival books that happens to use one of the old horror stand-bys: zombie hoards. Let's be honest: would most of us know the first thing about how to survive if we woke up one day to see the walking dead at our doorstep moaning for our sweet, sweet brains? Sadly, the answer is a resounding NO. This book details the basics of what every person who values their lives -- and their brains -- should know about surviving a zombie attack: which weapons work and which ones don't, what supplies should be a priority, which buildings make good shelters, historical records of past zombie attacks, terrain types, as well as tactics for being barricaded in your home, on the run, partaking in zombie hunting, or -- should the unthinkable happen -- hiding out as the undead hoards sweep across the Earth. The Zombie Survival Guide won't guarentee your survival, but it will certainly give you an advantage over the poor shmuck who doesn't even know to shoot for the head.
  
  The only real con about this book comes up if you buy it expecting a laugh-out-loud humour book. If so, look elsewhere. This is a parody that never strays from its serious demeanor. Not to scare anyone off; it's quite readable, and has enough of a coloquial feel to appeal to the average civilian. It's an amusing parody and an enjoyable read, but the book doesn't wink-wink-nudge-nudge the reader or go for one-liners and laughs.
  
  The pros are simple: it's a higly enjoyable parody of survival books, with an extremely cool topic. If you're a zombie movie buff, this book will let you smirk at your superior knowledge of zombie-fighting tactics when the idiots in the movies wouldn't know a zombie if it bit them. (Alright, THAT pun was intended.) If you're looking for a good reference book about survival tactics and the like, this is a readable variation that's probably more entertaining than most. (The lists of gear to carry seem pretty logical in ANY dire situation.) Yet even if you read the book and fully accept it as a parody, it still has a way of getting to you. You'll find yourself idly wondering if you have enough food in your house to last through a seige, or whether you should invest in a machete and a shotgun. Just in case.
  
  
• If you buy only one zombie survival manual, buy this one!
  By ARKJEJ48WPV0U on 2003-09-30
  These are precarious times in which we live. And as such, there have been a great many "survival"-type titles on the bookshelves. Most of these field texts don't give you anything but a mouthful of Greek salad when it comes to protection from the undead. Fortunately, Brooks addresses every possible zombie issue in his useful manual against the reanimated.

  From terrain, weapons, fortifications and vehicle selection to sensory characteristics of the living dead, Brooks leaves no headstone unturned. His thoroughness is your critical advantage over the panicked masses when the dead rise. For example, I thought that my ATC Vietnam tomahawk would be sufficient primary protection. The manual has made me aware that although my weapon of choice has the skull penetrating power required, it is only effective in close combat against a small number of undead adversaries. Thus, I have supplemented my equipment with a Hammerli Trailside .22 rimfire pistol, a Barnett RC-150 crossbow, and a titanium crowbar.

  The logbook at the end of the manual has been particularly useful, as I have recorded one incident in my vicinity already - a bar fight in Williamsburg, Brooklyn where two victims were bitten by a shambling, 'homeless-looking' man. One man died on the way to the hospital and the other succumbed to a blood infection 24 hours later. Families of the victims are pursuing legal action against the hospital because the attending physician had both bodies 'accidentally cremated'.

  My one critique is with one particular sentence in the manual, where Brooks equates an "aged" steak as one that has begun to rot, attacked by microbes like all dead flesh. This analogy has put me off red meat for the last month. Perhaps that is a positive thing...
  
  

• Didn't deliver.
  By A1KZMSXC9JOI7Q on 2004-08-27
  I lent this book to my sister and it didn't work for @#$@#. She was recently trapped in a zombie rampage and reading the book did her a hell of a lot of good. She still didn't stand a chance against the undead hordes. They chewed her up like yesterday's lasagna.
  
  @#$ you Max Brooks!
  
  
• For those who enjoy reading manuals...
  By A2O2DYQ1FW59TI on 2007-02-14
  Don't be fooled into thinking this book is going to be funny. It's not.
  
  There is exactly one joke - The book is a serious-minded survival guide meant to prepare the masses for an event that is rooted in fiction, fantasy and legend and will never come to pass. That's it, there is your joke. Nothing else is funny. The writing is not funny. The content is not funny. The case studies are not funny. And that one joke is not enough to carry an entire book.
  
  Yeah, I know it's a tongue-in-cheek send-up of the whole zombie genre, but the book fails to deliver when it takes the subject matter too seriously. The entire book reads like an actual survival guide - dry, boring, matter-of-fact, instructions, lists and examples that, collectively, are better suited as a tech school night course in zombie attack survival than as leisure reading.
  
  It's like publishing an owner's manual for a non-existent Flying Car. You get a giggle from the premise but reading about how often you are supposed to change the oil or where the fuse panel is, is just plain dull.
  
  I usually take away something from every book I read, but I have been unable to identify what that something was in this book. Maybe it's the comfort in knowing if there is a local/national/global zombie crisis then I'll be more prepared than the neighbor that didn't read the book. So now I've got that going for me...
  
  Zombies aren't coming so there is no need for a book that very soberly attempts to prepare us for that event. However, there is always room on the shelf for a fiction book that pokes fun at Zombies and their attempt to conquer the mundane world inhabited by us non-zoms...but I guess we'll have to keep waiting for that one.
  
  
• Boring. How could this be boring?
  By A1XEUDHJGP799Q on 2007-06-01
  This book is a stiff, shambling, lifeless horror not unlike the zombies it portrays.
  
  I don't know what gigantic practical joke over at Three Rivers Press convinced Mr Brooks that a book about fighting zombies should be serious, but the result is a section on "Setting a zombie on fire" so boring it makes me want to cry. If you'd told me that was possible last week I would have laughed at you. Now, I can only weep.
  
  Understanding how this could have happened becomes a lot easier when you realise that fully 5% of the book is given over to advertising his 'serious novel', World War Z. Which I won't be reading. Painfully hilarious is the introductory section which spends a full page explaining that this book won't deal with silly "movie zombies" - you know, the ENTIRE REASON this book has a market. Nope, Mr Brooks thinks its far better to stick with his own overspecific and very restrictive zombie description for the entire work.
  
  I'm donating my copy of this tragedy to the local library, so that anyone else who wants to check it out doesn't have to buy it. Because purchasing this from the 'humour' section of a bookstore would be funding the biggest categorisation error since the Titanic was labelled "unsinkable". A zombie book stating that both shotguns and chainsaws are bad weapons simply doesn't understand it's own source material.
  
  
• Max Brooks take a bow!
  By A356TJCTCLDN89 on 2004-01-18
  I picked up this book expected to chuckle. I thoght it would be along the lines of the Worse Case books. It starts out with that droll, almost English tounge in cheek humor and rapidly gets serious. It's obvious Max Brooks did some research. Everything you ever wanted to know about zombie lore plus a dollop of human history and nature is thrown in.

  The first half of the book talks about dealing with a class 1 through 4 zombie outbreak and offers advice such as don't go down in the basement, don't go to the hospital--there's dead and dying folks there to begin with, keep moving, don't let the zombie get close enough to touch you, and keep quiet until you reach safety.

  The second half describes recorded attacks from ancient time until today and it's actually scary. If Max Brooks ever decides to write straight horror fiction I'll buy it. The story about the slave ship full of zombies gave me genuine chills.

  Another very amusing and clever touch is the way Brooks never breaks away from the tone of the book. The dedication, introduction, about the author page and acknowlegement pages all
  stick to the book's theme. All in all, I'm delighted with this book. It's funny and scary and that is very difficult to pull off. Head to your secure location, turn the lights down, turn the radio off and read this little thriller. Max Brooks, take a bow!
  
  

• A Classic
  By on 2003-10-03
  While most so-called "zombie-survival experts" explain that killing blows to the head are the best way to dispatch a zombie, the author of The Zombie Survival Guide goes even further, describing every possible zombie attack scenario and giving the reader the best advice. How can you fight zombies under water? What's the best way to use a compound bow to dispatch the enemy? While chainsaws provide some psychological benefit in battle, are they really your best defense against the undead hordes? I find myself returning again and again to this book, examining the advice and comparing it with my own plans - invariable I find some small detail that I had overlooked in my preparation. Highly reccomended.
  
  
• Highly Recommended by a Class 1 Survivor, With One Exception
  By on 2003-11-12
  In 1997, I survived what this book describes as a "Class One" outbreak of the Solanum, or "zombie," virus. I am currently ateending a weekly support group for similar individuals. We discussed this book at our last meeting, and the unanimous consensus is that this guide is an invaluable resource in preparing for and surviving a zombie outbreak. From both my own personal experience and the stories of others, I know for a fact that following the directions contained in this guide can mean the difference between life and death, or worse, walking death. In addition, many of the preparation techniques have become a part of my daily regimen in the years following my ordeal.
  However, this guide does possess one failing: When distinguishing between victims of the Solanum virus and so-called "voodoo zombies," the author severely downplays the danger inherent in encountering one of these creatures. While it is true that voodoo zombies do not consume human flesh or transmit their condition to the living, they are nonetheless often in the employ of amoral and dangerous individuals, who will not hesitate to use them as part of illegal and evil acts. A member of my group, a survivor of such an incident, was very vocal in her condemnation of that section of the book. Furthermore, if organizations hostile to the United States were ever to obtain and replicate a sample of the so-called "zombie powder" used in the creation of these creatures, the supposedly impossible situation of a zombie army directed against America could well become a reality. Thus, in good conscience, I cannot give this book a full five stars.
  
  
• BEWARE THE SOLANUM
  By A3M9GB9TYRYPM9 on 2004-04-18
  When there's no more room in Hell, the dead will walk the Earth. That's reason enough for everybody to head to their local library or bookstore to bone up on the skills needed to deal with the undead. This book is an excellent, if somewhat darkly humorous, guide to surviving a zombie attack. Very timely in light of the recent rash of undead sightings at the theatre and video stores. I would advise people who have read or plan to read this guide to not get too cocky while in the U.K. though as this book doesn't seem to apply the the zombies found in 28 Days Later. I especially liked the Recorded Attacks section at the end. That alone was worth the price of admission. Max Brooks now needs to focus his attention on some of the other classic monsters and tell us how to survive them as well. Beware the Solanum.
  
  
• Zombies are cool, and by cool I mean totally sweet.
  By A3CCYAQRHUTPIQ on 2005-10-20
  It's all about tone, this book. It would have been easy for Brooks to simply write a survival-type manual with only the barest mention of zombies, but instead he cleverly weaves his own version of zombie lore into the narrative, and if you've ever seen a zombie film - especially of the "nazi zombies come to life" variety - you'll grin as if your face had been slit horizontally with a razor and then pulled upwards and backwards. It is one of a clutch of "toilet reads" that came out about the same time (I believe there is also a guide on how to survive a robot revolt) and it is the best.
  
  Brooks is clearly a Fan and has a quiet riot with deadpan, alarmingly matter-of-fact advice on how to decapitate the living dead with samurai fighting shovels. He pooh-poohs the computer game staples of chainsaw and shotgun, and includes advice on baiting and trapping zombies. Particularly entertaining are the sections which deal with weapons and killing the undead, and you will enjoy them as well if you are separated from conventional sensibility and have a sick sense of human. Humour. A sick sense of humour.
  
  There's an extremely impressive level of detail as well, and Brooks keeps digging and digging as if he had been given a deadline extension and a big bag of filter coffee. He even covers so-called "voodoo zombies", the real-life inspiration for the fictional living dead, although he holds out little possibility for controlling the actual fictional undead zombie of fiction. I get the impression that Max Brooks had a lonely childhood with no playmates, and had to imagine his friends.
  
  There's also a lot of general survival advice of a sort you find all over the internet, about keeping water purificaton tablets and torches to hand, making up a 'bug out' kit and so forth. This part of the book might actually come in useful in real life, although it seems to be mostly common sense, and I would be wary about revealing to any of my co-refugees that I was taking advice from a book about surviving zombie attacks written by the son of the man who did "Blazing Saddles" and "Young Frankenstein".
  
  The only flaw is that the descriptions of zombie attacks at the back of the book are a bit flat; the Onion-esque way that they resemble real-life events and are vaguely plausible is clever, but they aren't particularly engaging, and this section make up almost a third of the book. The advice occasionally contradicts itself, at various times claiming that it's best to hole up in an urban environment with lots of supplies, and at others advising the reader to head for the hills. Still, I'm not going to nitpick a book about surviving a zombie attack.
  
  
• Handy advice, a few glaring omissions
  By on 2003-10-08
  Finally, a decent tome to guide the common man through any zombie armageddon. It is near-perfect, and it offers overall sound advice. Brooks is entirely wrong, however, when it comes to the M-16 (modern variants, incl. the M4) v. AK-47 question. The reliability issues that Brooks cites haven't applied to the M16 in over 25 years. If kept clean and happy, the M16A4 and the M4, are many times more accurate and reliable than the AK-47. In fact, some would say that it is more suited to combatting the living dead than the living, as long-range accuracy is key. Moreover, the M16A4/M4 are common to American military and law enforcement, and no domestic zombie survivalist should pass one up. The author also ignores the proven zombie-killing action of the modern tomahawk: smaller than an ax, bigger than a hatchet, and easier to use than either. One last point, although Brooks is correct in saying that large vehicles are potential death traps, nobody should overlook the break-out power of a good solid trash truck. It won't get you far, but it will get out of the neighborhood in a hurry.
  
  
• Don't bother - Zombie Fan or Not
  By A1OT4449ED626M on 2004-12-20
  Books like these, in order to be really successful and entertaining, need a more holistic approach to their subject matter; a kind of comedy improvisational sensibility where the author agrees to try and never say 'No' to any idea ever put forth by the vast body of media on their subject. From this they derive the comedy inherent in writing something like 'The Zombie Survival Guide'. The author's decision to focus on one aspect of zombie lore, the virus zombie, ends up being quite depressing and boring after a few chapters.
  
  In addition to being repeatedly self-contradictory, poorly researched, containing questionable causalities, and being a mediocre execution of even faux-academic writing: this book isn't worth your time or money, zombie fan or not. The illustrations are also pathetic, on par with the average non-artistically inclined grade school student. All these facets of substandard literary quality will not even rate it highly as a cult-object regarding the zombie for horror film, folklore, or simply zombie afficionados.
  
  The saving grace (and the totality of its one-star rating) lies in the 'Recorded Attacks' chapter where the author invents a series of zombie attacks through the ages, from our cave-painting ancestors to gangsta dealt with infestations in 21st century L.A.. However, Max Brooks (the author) could have saved himself a lot of time and effort by just writing 20 bad movies rather than 1 bad book using the slightly compelling fragments of narratives contained in its rear pages. At least he could've been a millionaire...
  
  
• It could save your live, if it ever happens
  By on 2005-06-29
  The zombie survial guide may seem like it would only apeal to horror buffs, but the truth is: this is a book for everyone. Although the threat of a zombie attack isnt aparent,this book is an intersting read and could be read like a novel. For the serious undead fan, it is a opportuntiy you dont want pass up. of course the odds of being eaten by a zombie(theres no proof they are they are real, but no proof they aren't) is about the same of being probed by little green men, theres still that chance...
  this book may not seem relivent but it is one of the most entertaining books on the market today. remember, no place is safe, only safer.
  
  
• Far too bland
  By A2U56NTB8L140D on 2005-07-05
  [...]as being along the same lines, could be such a bad read, especially for a fan of zombie movies like myself. A few of the minor problems are things like the fact that the author ditches traditional zombie rules like death by beheading that were set in place by Goerge Romero, generally considered the father of zombie movies; another thing that bothered me is how the classic zombie-killing combo of the shotgun and chainsaw were regarded by this book as inferior to a rifle and crossbow, even if the argument was supplemented with logic; perhaps worst of all are the constant references to "Sol-something", the author's name for the zombie virus that was, as far as I know, purely his own invention. All of these things are minor, and only true nerds would care, much less notice. The main problem with this book is it's far too bland. It reads like a textbook on something that doesn't exist. It's dry humor was only actually humorous for about thirty seconds (at the very first I considered maybe he actually believed in zombies) and then I just got pissed at how I had to drag myself through each page. Honestly, this book is well-written, but only enjoyable for people who can laugh at a non-fiction style documentary of zombies for the hours it takes to read the entire book. Sadly, I am not one of them.
  
  
• Stone Cold Satire...
  By A2QQX700YYF7V4 on 2006-05-17
  Perhaps the greatest quality of this book is its ability to never slip out of its sober mask. At no point does Max Brooks entertain the notion that this is fiction. He treats his subject matter with the kind of practical seriousness one might expect from a military manual. This makes it very charming and, ironically, hysterical.
  
  The guide is filled with accurate information on basic survival and preparation. MB obviously spent a lot of time studying pre-Y2K survival manuals. It covers everything from which weapons are best suited to zombie defense, to what must be done to ensure survival in a home/school/government building/apartment. There're articles on vehicle choices, armor options, methods of defense and attack, crisis management in light of a zombie outbreak, and the "true" cause of zombies. Max Brooks even goes so far as to dispel all the misinformation provided to us by pop culture, Hollywood, and legends. There are also great bits on firearms, types of arms and armor available, and practical advice on how to start life anew.
  
  What really seals the deal, though, is the collection of incident reports at the back of the book. Fictional, of course, but if you didn't know better, you'd think MB was dead serious. This compilation of supposed "zombie encounters" are as Van Dam as the rest of the book.
  
  Plus, it comes in a nice Quality Paperback form with a rustic para-military cover design and great faded fonts.
  
  Sober, lakonic, and vastly entertaining, this one is worth buying new and reading several times. Purchase it, read it twice, then stick it in your hiking pack, 'cause you never know when zombies will shamble up to your door. You might have to make a break for it, and when you do you'll want this guide on-hand to provide you with all the necessities to stem the tide of the living dead.
  
  
• Unexplicably compelling
  By A3VGPD95BW7DAR on 2003-09-25
  I picked this book up as in impulse purchase. I never do that, even with stupid things like batteries, but I felt drawn to the book. Its really, really funny by dint of how deadpan serious it takes the subject of zombies. It's internally consistent, which helps a whole lot. Here's a sample line (from Attacking-Strategies-Underwater Battles-Scanning the Surface): "Hooking on scuba gear and blindly diving into zombie-infested water is a wonderful way to mix the two childhood fears of being eaten and drowning." Fun, strangely engaging, and it'll look good on your shelf.
  
  
• Fun October Reading
  By A3HGVFQ10QEFBT on 2003-10-04
  You can see it in fine print on the back, next to the price. "Humor"

  This book doesn't really produce the kinds of laughs most of look for in books one might find in the Humor section. It moves the reader instead to a king of amused admiration for the thoroughness of the parody. Brooks does a good job of maintaining a consistently serious voice. At first, I wasn't sure if it was parody or the writing of someone with, you know, issues. His matter-of-fact cataloging of past Zombie "incidents" had me checking a few via google.com to see if he had based these on actual historical events! The humor here is subtle and wry and not everyone will get it. As some other review mentioned, it would be hard to beat this book as a Halloween gift. I also thought of it as gift for a couple of friends of mine who are a bit too prone to take seriously conspiracy theories and paranormal silliness.
  
  

• A must for zombie genre fans, and for survivialist mockers
  By A1FBT9MCQ1367G on 2004-03-22
  When the dead rise and walk the earth to feast upon the flesh of the living, all those gun-control advocates are going to feel pretty silly.

  This highly amusing volume is, primarily, a spoof of survivialist manuals, and simultaneously is one of the best and most thorough summaries of zombie-fiction conventions I've ever read. There is a lot going on in this book all at once, and it is surprisingly fun to try to disentangle the threads of just what Max Brooks is spoofing at any given moment. Sure, the book is a goof on survivalist literature, and on the zombie genre, but the completely deadpan presentation (and the fact that the author has clearly thought about both subjects WAY too much) belies a certain respect for both. Is he sending up those of us who stocked up on toilet paper and bottled water prior to Y2K (or bought sheets of plastic and duct tape, all the better to suffocate ourselves to death in hermetically sealed interior rooms in the event of an anthrax attack after 9/11)? Is he laughing at zombie-film fanatics who can categorize monsters by their film antecedents like the CDC tracking the progress of a mutating influenza strain? Or laughing with them? Is he laughing at you, for having bought his book (for whatever your motives)?

  I highly recommend this book for horror or zombie film fans. And if you've got a crazy uncle who has been stockpiling ammo out at his ranch (complete with independent water source) against the day when "they" come, get a copy for him, too - even if he doesn't appreciate the humor, he might get some useful ideas for defending the homestead come the revolution.
  
  

• Friggin Awesome. Nuff said.
  By A1HC5OHM9ZJ6RD on 2006-05-22
  If anybody bad mouths this book, they will be laughed at by me when zombies tear the meat off their bones.
  This is the bread and butter of survival. no, that's too lame. the chainsaw and shotgun of bruce campbell is a good analogy.
  if you have any stones at all, you will buy this book right now. it will be the best investment you will ever make
  
  
• Will you be a survivor or a victim?
  By A209D9PDNNKUSV on 2006-09-05
  Imagine if you will, living in the shadow of a danger that you've never recognized; living every day at risk of a situation that's been hidden from you your entire life. Imagine having your life dangle on a very thin string and having people keep knowledge from you that very well may save your life and the lives of your closes friends and family. Then imagine one day, having everything that's been kept from you being exposed. This simple book opened my eyes to a world of danger and a need for constant alertness to and preparation for a situation that could rock the world of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of people. What will you do in the event of a Zombie outbreak?
  The book is The Zombie Survival Guide, brought to us by the forward thinking and prepared Max Brooks. The book covers an incredible amount of information in extreme detail. Information regarding the properties of the Solanum virus, and lab tested and proven zombie behavior. It covers strategies for staying alive on the run, on the attack, on the retreat. It covers the pros and cons of nearly every weapon one could come across or think of to fight the scourges of the walking dead. Clothing suggestions, safe locations, survival techniques, tips on keeping sound mental health in an outbreak, suggested supplies and strategies for getting prepared early, signs to watch for in the media to identify a threat before others; everything is included.
  Max Brooks has truly done the world a service, and I believe, preemptively saved the lives of hundreds, if not thousands of people. For every person who takes the time to read his book and get accordingly prepared, dozens of lives will be saved by these informed individuals. I myself have opened the eyes of dozens of my friends to the threat they've lived their entire lives in the shadow of, and gotten them to make preliminary preparations for. Not everyone has the resources or financial stability to prepare as best they should, but at the very least, the information and knowledge is completely and totally invaluable in the event of an outbreak of any size.
  When the sun rises the next day, I will be alive; as will my friends and family. Will you?
  
  
  
• Fails to take in Business Continuity issues
  By AXT5RCA8901G6 on 2006-10-31
  I would have given The Zombie Survival Guide 6 stars. But I have to remove one star as the book failed to take into account business continuity issues.
  
  Clearly a Zombie invasion could have a catastrophic impact on the infrastructure required to operate the global economy. I urge you to commence the development of/or the updating of zombie invasion preparedness plans for responding to the widespread socioeconomic disruptions that would result from having large numbers of people infected or eaten. Your business and retirement could depend on it.
  
  A zombie invasion will not affect IT systems directly, but it would likely cause considerable economic disruption through its impact on the workforce and on business activity. The good news is that this is one virus which won't be running amok through our systems. Some possible strategies include:
  
  * Make your workforce aware of the zombie invasion threat and the steps your business is taking to prepare for it.
  * Assess your business continuity preparedness for this type of workforce outage scenario and try to improve it (if necessary).
  * Assign someone in your business to track the media for unusual occurrences such as the unusual deaths, people being bitten and infected, secret police or military activity or anything else that may indicate the start of a zombie invasion . He or she should regularly review business continuity plans and update them in response to new information.
  * Establish or expand policies and tools that enable employees to work from home with broadband access, appropriate barricade security measures and network access to applications.
  * Expand online transaction and self-service options for customers and partners.
  * Work with customers and partners to minimize any disruption by developing coordinated crisis response capabilities.
  * Bulk-buy flowers and coffins as part of your business continuity preparedness for a permanent workforce outage scenario.
  * Assign a special response teams in your business to as snipers on the roof and on the perimeter to shoot anything that is undead.
  * Set up email auto-responders to communicate: "Sorry, I'm out of the office due to death."
  * Barricade uninfected employees in their homes with broadband access and then paint a red cross on the door. This reduces the need to travel to and from work in a zombie infested landscape.
  * Leave a full set of instructions on how to reboot the servers for the next generation emerging blinking into the post-apocalyptic landscape.
  * Try to stay calm. But be prepared to relocate to a remote and defensible location at a moments notice.
  
  
  
  
  
• This one is a must have
  By A3O4GLB201NES6 on 2003-09-18
  I found this guide to be of use in an ongoing investigation of a friend, who I suspect could actually be a real zombie. All questions have been answered, I now know what to do.
  
  
• Take this with you everywhere.
  By A3W0WFBE78SA68 on 2003-11-02
  First off I would like to know why this book is under the humor category. Its completly serious and one of my favorite books of all time.
  It starts off with helping you to understand the undead and why they are what they are. Next it tells you what you must do to destroy them.
  It gives you indepth discriptions on what weapons to use and which weapons not to use. For example, you would never expect that the chainsaw is one of the worst weapons to use againt ghouls. A weapon that is good is the M1 Garand, he also says that they dont make them anymore and its hard to find them...SO TRUE. Although I got lucky enough to find one for 600$.
  It gives you classes of attacks and tells you where to seek shelter. This book has everything about zombies you can think of. And as a bonus you get many pages of attacks written from when they happend. This book is a must buy....Kill them before you become them...
  
  
• I Am Ready
  By A2V9OHQIOWYT0G on 2005-02-04
  I don't even remember how I even came about finding this book. I've always been a horror fan, whether it be zombies, or werewolves, or vampires. I just never thought a book quite like this existed. I can tell you right now that I'm glad it does.
  
  The first thing I read before buying it was how it was supposed to be humorous, but when you read it, you quickly realize it never breaks its serious tone. It reads exactly like a survival guide, and never lets on that its all a joke. At least, it's supposed to be a joke.
  
  I could go on about the depth of the book. The classes of zombie outbreaks, the details regarding weapons training, and the proper methods to use when trying to silently kill a zombie (a shotgun is surprisingly not the best bet), but I'd rather you picked up the book and figure it all out yourself.
  
  This is a nice, short read, and something to have lengthy coversations about with friends. Not to mention, that after reading this fine piece of literature, I must admit, I sorta wanted zombies to attack, simply because now, I am ready.
  
  
  

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