Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

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!