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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
Feels a bit harsh to give a book that is exactly what it says it's going to be such a low rating but the dry and serious tone of this survival guide strays into gag book territory. I'm glad Max Brooks got to nerd out about zombies some more, something he seems to enjoy and has found his niche in, but this was too much of a chore for me to read.
The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks is an amazing book. It takes Zombies to a whole new level. Brooks explains that Zombies are created by a fictitious virus that shuts down most of the brain and revives the body after death. He explains the pros and cons of weapons, buildings and vehicles when the zombies are everywhere.
Brooks writes as if Zombies are real and are out there. The reader knows it is fiction, but Brooks’ writing style makes the reader start to believe in zombies. I think it’s genius! I can’t wait to read the sequel, World War Z.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick, light read. Just don’t read it at night… or in the dark.
Brooks writes as if Zombies are real and are out there. The reader knows it is fiction, but Brooks’ writing style makes the reader start to believe in zombies. I think it’s genius! I can’t wait to read the sequel, World War Z.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick, light read. Just don’t read it at night… or in the dark.
In some ways, reading World War Z first spoiled a lot of this book. However it's an intentionally dry, off-humour kind of book so it's hard to really treat it like a "story". Due to my reading order, this felt more like reading a cleverly written outline for the world building and rules followed in WWZ. I actually liked it a lot but my enjoyment was more a 3 star with an acknowledgement that it would have been 4 star+ if timing were different.
I cant believe how many times I was nodding my head agreeing with the 'rules of zombie engagement ' when they literally dont exist. But that's 90% of the fun of this book. It's written conspiratorially as if they exist and are inevitably at your doorstep.
I have to wonder how many took it seriously enough to believe the 'historical accounts' and prepare for the coming epidemic.
Honestly besides the very zombie specific stuff, it's all good stuff to think about for survival.
Good read but very niche.
I cant believe how many times I was nodding my head agreeing with the 'rules of zombie engagement ' when they literally dont exist. But that's 90% of the fun of this book. It's written conspiratorially as if they exist and are inevitably at your doorstep.
I have to wonder how many took it seriously enough to believe the 'historical accounts' and prepare for the coming epidemic.
Honestly besides the very zombie specific stuff, it's all good stuff to think about for survival.
Good read but very niche.
I don't need to finish this book because my whole life has been preparing for the zombie apocalypse.
I thought this book was going to be more humorous, rather than serious & informative.
If you're worried or somebody you know is worried about a future zombie apocalypse, they might like this book. It'll provide the reader with various ways to stay safe from zombies during an attack.
Very informative. But boring.
If you're worried or somebody you know is worried about a future zombie apocalypse, they might like this book. It'll provide the reader with various ways to stay safe from zombies during an attack.
Very informative. But boring.
adventurous
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, War
Minor: Slavery
With my utter love of zombies, I was dying to read this. When I did, it was fascinating at how life could 'end'. But then, it got to the weapons. It was ok at first, reading what kind of axe, gun, hammer whatever. But it kept going and GOING with what weapons to use. And it was BORING. I didn't even skip ahead, I got so bored.
Fun Fact! I'm doing a sort of swap/book club with the fiancé where we both picked a stack of our favorite books that the other hadn't read yet so we could dive a little deeper into each others' heads and tastes and whatnot. He's a big fan of Max Brooks, and wanted to start me off here! (For the record, my first pick for him was Maggie Nelson's The Red Parts.)
This was fun, and definitely not the kind of book I'd pick up on my own. I'm admittedly not a huge fan of zombies...I just don't buy into the possibility of if all. This was a cool breakdown, though the earlier, actual "survivor guide" was a bit dry for my taste. I also found a lot of the guides and breakdowns contradicted each other as the book progressed. The second part (recorded attacks) was much more fun, and really made this feel creepily like non-fiction. The details are just so that for a second, you feel compelled to search for names and dates and evidence of the events. So job well done there! I'd be open to eventually reading World War Z, arguably Brooks' more famous title.
Next up in the fiancé book swap? Neil Gaiman's American Gods!
This was fun, and definitely not the kind of book I'd pick up on my own. I'm admittedly not a huge fan of zombies...I just don't buy into the possibility of if all. This was a cool breakdown, though the earlier, actual "survivor guide" was a bit dry for my taste. I also found a lot of the guides and breakdowns contradicted each other as the book progressed. The second part (recorded attacks) was much more fun, and really made this feel creepily like non-fiction. The details are just so that for a second, you feel compelled to search for names and dates and evidence of the events. So job well done there! I'd be open to eventually reading World War Z, arguably Brooks' more famous title.
Next up in the fiancé book swap? Neil Gaiman's American Gods!
Wish the tone were more tongue in cheek. A little too serious.
I'm not sure what I was expecting but it wasn't this.
I think I wanted this book to be more humorous. Instead I felt like I was back in university reading a textbook. I have to give it to the author, this book was written to sound very professional and thorough about a non-existing subject but it's just not what I wanted.
I couldn't get into it. I didn't feel like reading knowing that this was the book I had in my bag. That's never a good sign.
Maybe I'll give it another try at a later time, since now I know what to expect.
I think I wanted this book to be more humorous. Instead I felt like I was back in university reading a textbook. I have to give it to the author, this book was written to sound very professional and thorough about a non-existing subject but it's just not what I wanted.
I couldn't get into it. I didn't feel like reading knowing that this was the book I had in my bag. That's never a good sign.
Maybe I'll give it another try at a later time, since now I know what to expect.