It was hard to read this book because it doesn't read like any other book, well, except how-to books. But this is a how-to SURVIVE a zombie apocalypse. When is that ever going to happen?
If you find yourself face to face with a zombie, here is a hint... you either hit your head and your hallucinating or you have been cast in a movie where the theme is zombies. If the second is true, lets hope that the zombies aren't as fast as the zombies in 28 Days Later. If the first part is true, see a doctor right away, because you may have a concussion.
If you look at this book from a purely entertainment standpoint it is pretty funny. And why not, the author was a writer on Saturday Night Live for three seasons starting in 2001. Max Brooks is also the son of Mel Brooks. If you don't know who Mel Brooks is, think Robin Hood: Men in Tights or Spaceballs or many other screwball comedies.
Combining the how-to genre of books, like how to fix your car, with the zombie genre of horror books and films is really nothing short of genius. It makes for a dark comedy that is bordering on insanity. But as has been said before "There is a fine line between genius and insanity." Not that I am calling Max Brooks insane.
Looking at the Table of Contents you will find everything you need to know about how to survive a zombie apocalypse. The first thing you need to know is what kind of zombie you are dealing with, that is chapter one. Once you figure out what your enemy is Max has listed the different types of weapons and combat techniques to use, chapter two.
Chapter three is how the space you're in is defensible or not. Some structures are more easily defensible than others. Chapter four describes what to do if you suddenly find yourself on the run and in the open. If you decide that enough is enough and you want to try to reclaim your village, city, state, country or even the planet Chapter Five gives helpful tips on how to attack the zombie threat head-on.
Chapter six explains how to survive an apocalypse. The other five chapters tell you what you are facing and how to face it. Chapter six tells you where you should go to survive and hopefully live out the apocalypse, which should last up to ten years or longer.
Chapter seven is the most entertaining of all as it takes many historical events and turns them into zombie attacks. For instance, the disappearance of the settlers at Roanoke, VA. Max Brooks says that a group of men were sent to the main land in search of food, but only one returned. He was declared a murderer and a liar, and was hung the following day. A second group was sent after the condemned man's group, but returned exhausted and wounded with scratches and bites. Medical attention was given to the men, but they soon died. Before they could be buried the next day, the members of the search party reanimated as zombies and massacred the entire village. However, Max does suggest that the Croatoan Nation recognized the severity of the situation and took action.
After reading this book, and getting many quizzical looks when reading it in pubic, I have to give this book 6 out of 10 stars. It was entertaining, but still had the how-to book feel, which I don't like. Maybe Max Brooks's World War Z will be better.
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