The Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks

By Max Brooks and Ibraim Roberson

Those who don’t learn from history are condemned to repeat it.

From the Stone Age to the information age, the undead have threatened to engulf the human race. They’ re coming. They’re hungry.

Don’t wait for them to come to you!

This is the graphic novel the fans demanded: major zombie attacks from the dawn of humanity. On the African savannas, against the legions of ancient Rome, on the high seas with Francis Drake . . . every civilization has faced them. Here are the grisly and heroic stories–complete with eye-popping artwork that pulsates with the hideous faces of the undead.

Organize before they rise!

Scripted by the world’s leading zombie authority, Max Brooks, Recorded Attacks reveals how other eras and cultures have dealt with–and survived– the ancient viral plague. By immersing ourselves in past horror we may yet prevail over the coming outbreak in our time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Oct 5, 2010
• ISBN: 9780307888235

Reviews for The Zombie Survival Guide

[phoenixterran · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Although found in the humor section at the bookstore, this book will probably not leave you rolling in the aisle with laughter. It may in fact just save your life.Subtitled Complete Protection from the Living Dead many of the techniques covered in The Zombie Survival Guide could just as easily be applied to surviving living opponents as well. Brooks covers quite a bit of ground in this book, from the myths and realities of zombies to the historical accounts of zombie attacks. In between he addresses (in depth) weaponry and combat techniques, defense, movement, offense, and basic survival strategies.He emphasizes self-reliance--who can you really depend on except yourself?--and constant awareness of surroundings and events. The book is laid out very clearly and in great detail so that there is no confusion when your life is on the line (although, there are a few potential discrepancies). It is perhaps not the most readable book; it is easy to understand, but the text is not the most engaging. The illustrations sprinkled throughout, while useful, are not particularly detailed and seemed more supplementary than integral. But certainly, these minor quibbles can be ignored in the face of a massive undead attack--an inevitable attack that this book prepares you for.Experiments in Reading

[joe73-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Informative book..It's not the Zombies I am worried about it's the humans. Glad I grew up in an area and time that enabled me to learn survival skills in the wild. The book is fun but all joking aside it is better to be prepared than to be dinner.

[tiffanyak_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Finally, the zombie apocalypse guide that you never knew you needed is available! I noticed that this book is often classified as humor, and yet there's really nothing funny here. This book is deadly serious, to the point where I am now convinced that Max Brooks surely has a safe room in his house especially fortified against the zombie hordes. I mean, seriously, there's an outline of weaponry effectiveness, fortification techniques, survival advice, and an entire semi-comprehensive history of global zombie outbreaks and known details of zombie physiology. I now know exactly what kind of structure to take shelter in, how to make it secure, what weapons to outfit myself with, and how to go about it if I need to venture out for additional supplies or to scout for the status of the outbreak. I even know what size groupings are most efficient for these scenarios, and how long I should wait in the wilderness in case of a global zombie takeover prior to venturing out to seek signs of life. All of which is, in all honesty, a bit disturbing.I was honestly expecting some humorous "real-world" zombie talk, such as comparisons of various zombie creations in pop culture and how they were fought. But, no, the book assumes zombies to be a very real and present threat that it is tasked with helping you safeguard yourself against, and it takes that responsibility very seriously. In this way, you actually could consider it to be a very strong companion to World War Z, though, in all seriousness, this book lacks the creativity that made that one work. You have to REALLY be into zombies to not have your eyes glaze over slightly in reading about how one vehicle compares to another in its zombie-dodging or crushing abilities without there being any engaging first-person zombie fighting narrative included like we got in the novel. It is well worth the skimming, though probably not a keeper for any but the most hard-core zombie fanatics.

[booklover3258 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

As a fan of reading zombie books, this one was okay and not on my favorite list. At first I was enjoying it, learning about what type of guns are good to use and different terrains. However once you get past the first part, it's a repeat of everything but different scenarios. It was kind of boring because of it so I skimmed through the third part. I got to the end of Recorded Events and thought this might be interesting. Yea like the first few and then I realized oh all of the events are going to be the same... zombie sighting after zombie sighting. Great concept for a book but it dragged on for me.

[virago77 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a great read. It's funny and very informative. It's a must have for when the zombie apocalypse hits!

[danayzabelle · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Every time I went to our local bookstore, this book always catches my eye. I succumbed to curiosity and finally bought a copy. I didn't know what to expect, but the book was written in such a way that you'll actually think zombies are real and out to get you. It's very detailed and matter-of-factly and maybe that's what makes it so entertaining. Although it was very fun at first, when you finally convince yourself that the undead's not after you, it starts to be a little bit of a drag to read.

[branimal · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Not really a big fan of this book. Much preferred World War Z. Maybe I'm not one for "list" style books - more of a narrative kinda guy. Ah well. I'll give it props for being original.

[thewallflower-1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This is the companion piece to "World War Z". Well, it was written first, but you know what I mean. This is the standard handbook guide to surviving a zombie apocalypse -- a subject near and dear to my heart, and other organs. It's good instructions, with a lot of stuff that's useful for any apocalypse scenario. I really need to pick this up and keep it in storage, just in case I end up being the omega man.But as far as entertainment, it's a bit dry and there's more information than you need. The bookstores categorize this in the humor section. I don't see what's humorous about a zombie invasion. It's a serious book. It's a handbook, meant for reference.

[nimil-5 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

this was sent to me by an online friend for my birthday a few years ago, i loved this book but it made me slightly paranoid that i would never survive a zombie apocolypse lol. great tips though, and it really makes you wish that those guys in the movies had read it. its a great book for anyone who is a fan of zombies.

[thothj · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The "Zombie Survival Guide" is the key to being prepared for the upcoming Zombie Apocalypse. Ignore its words of wisdom at your own peril! If you want to learn how to spot the signs of an upcoming zombie infestation (because you know the governments of the worlds are only going to cover it up until it is too late!), what to prepare a head of time, how to survive in the Zombie Ruled World and how to thrive long enough to out live the undead menace in order to repopulate the world with humans, then READ THIS BOOK! Max Brooks will be revered as a prophet in the future World of the Zombie.

Don't say your weren't warned.......or given adequate preparation.....

(In all seriousness, this book is a great deal of serious fun! Also, if you replace the word "zombie" with any other type of biological contagion, it could easily function as a survival guide for surviving, thriving and eventually rebuilding after a pandemic. Something which we all know is coming eventually and which the governments will be totally unprepared for, so get on the stick you all!)

[norabelle414 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I take zombies very seriously. Thus I was quite thrilled to see that this book had been tagged often as "non-fiction". A non-fiction book on how to prepare for zombies is just what the world needs! I was quite excited. My hopes were dashed, however, on the top of page 2, which reads: "Their origin stems from a virus known as Solanum, a Latin word used by Jan Vanderhaven, who first "discovered" the disease". So, the zombies in this book are specifically the zombies from Max Brook's universe. I don't have a problem with that, but the truth is that we don't know how the zombie outbreak is going to come (when it does). Thus, some of the information in this book might not apply to our own zombie survival scenario. But it's still good information.I really appreciated the weapons section, as I don't have much knowledge about them. There were only a couple paragraphs about each weapon, which is exactly the amount of information I want.The "On the Defense", "On the Run", "On the Attack", and "Living in an Undead World" sections were pretty repetitive. This is useful in case of an attack, when you can focus only on the section you need, but I was just bored.BUT the best coolest awesomest part of the book was the "Recorded Attacks" section. It gives case reports (from 1 paragraph to 2 pages in length) of dozens of recorded zombie attacks, ranging from 60,000 B.C. in central Africa to 1587 A.D. in North Carolina to 2002 A.D. in the Virgin Islands. This was without a doubt my favorite section.I enjoyed this book a lot. It was both informative and entertaining. However, I will not be tagging it as non-fiction.

[saben3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Shows Most of everything but lacks very much in combat techniques.

[axelledarkleigh · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

rather informative i must say! HAHAHA

[beequiet · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The only reason I'm giving this such a low mark is because such a fragmented book really by default struggles to get above a certain level in my opinion. That said, this is wonderfully fun, witty yet making you think...what if? A brilliant read, one that I would recommend. That said, World War Z (by the same author) is better by far!

[carebear36 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Very thorough and well-written, however horribly dull to read through as it really is written as a survival guide. If the zombie apocalypse ever did occur, I feel more prepared, but I am not that much of a fanatic to have actually enjoyed this book very much. Brooks put a lot of effort into this guide and it shows, but it just wasn't the right book for me personally.

[bdtrump · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Read after 'World War Z', this was a bit of a letdown. More of an excessive list, the stories were funny at times, but at others forgettable.

[trile1000 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Fun read. A great companion piece to anyone who enjoys zombie-related literature.

[nocturnewytche · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolute entertainment from start to finish! I could not stop reading this book! While most people take it as a joke (it is humor), I found it to be eerily serious. I now know that in the event of a zombie outbreak just what to do! :) A great read! No only does it keep you entertained but it make you wonder!

[joshuaatkins · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A+ survival guide. I feel prepared for the inevitable zombie apocalypse now.

[schatzi_5 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I read World War Z first and really didn't care for that book (although I thought that I would love it), so I was a little leery picking up this book. And - surprise - I loved this book! I enjoyed the whole "survival manual" set up to the book, which really gave it a more authentic feel. I did disagree with some of the "advice" given: one example was the author recommending that one climb a tree to sleep at night (a great plan...until a zombie wanders underneath, smells you, and you're trapped up there as its moans attract other zombies to stand under your now deathtrap tree). And some of the "facts" were wrong, too: one example is that the author states that Allakariallak, an Inuit featured in the "documentary" (I'd call it more of a "docudrama," because some of it was made up for dramatic effect) died of starvation the year after the "documentary" was completed (he actually died of what is believed to be tuberculosis). Still, though, if you're into survival manuals, or zombies in general, I would really recommend this book. It was much more enjoyable than World War Z, at least in my opinion. And the "documented attacks" in the back of the book are like a precursor to World War Z, except not as dragging. And if you are one of those people who enjoy thinking about what you would do in a post-apocalyptic and/or zombie apocalypse situation, this is sure to make the gears in your head grind.

[tlcoles_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book was recommended to me by a guest at a party, after he had overheard my praise for The Walking Dead television series. Glad I took his advice to read it: The book is detailed enough that it makes the reader consider searching real history books for additional "evidence" and creepy enough to make one think maybe (just maybe) learning combat skills would make an excellent new hobby. Yes, there was some humor, but it took my imagination to such a degree that I started having nightmares of post-apocalyptic zombie survival (i.e., running for my life). Definitely recommended.

[bragan_8 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It's hard to know how to categorize this book. It's marketed as humor, but really the only joke here is in how deadpan serious it is. This is a guide from a world in which zombies are a real and documented (if often covered-up) threat, and as far as it's concerned, they are no laughing matter. If anything, it's actually somewhat scary; while reading it you sort of tend to forget that zombies don't in fact exist. (Or do they?) You could probably make an argument for it being fiction, as it presents a single, consistent zombies-are-real scenario, complete with lots of examples of "historical" zombie attacks. Me, I'm inclined to tag it "non-fiction" and put it with the other survival books, such as The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook. After all, it does really teach you how to handle a zombie attack, and you never know when that's going to be useful.Whatever it is, it's a surprisingly compelling read, especially when you consider that most of the tips and survival scenarios are things that are already familiar from any number of zombie movies, novels, TV series, etc., etc. Although it does also include a few points that your average movie character usually gets wrong or fails to think of. Why does nobody ever seem to use a bicycle to flee from the undead?It's fun enough that I sort of want to give it four stars, except that the "recorded attacks" section at the end, which takes up a good chunk of the book, kind of lost my interest after a while. It's not bad, but it's less involving than the actual survival guide part (which, by its very nature, pretty much demands that you imagine yourself as part of the action), and it's just similar enough to Brooks' World War Z to suffer by the comparison.

[phoenixcomet · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Wondering how to prepare for a zombie apocalypse? If so, this is the book for you. Step by step, detailed instructions on what works, what doesn't and what you need to take into account when facing a horde of the undead. I very much enjoyed my sojourn into the land of the ghouls and am wondering if this is the book that spurred the recent fixation on zombies in the movies and television. A delightful moment occurred when a late teen-early 20 something started dialoguing with me over The Zombie Survival Guide while I was hanging by the waterfall.

[mephistia · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I checked it out of the library. It looked funny. I ended up not reading it. I tried to, really. I read almost a chapter, but it was kind of boring, and then I flipped further along, and I ended up just kind of putting it down in irritation, thinking I'd get in the mood for it later. But somehow there was always something else more interesting to do, and then the due date came up, so I returned it.

No loss.

[murphy4jacobs · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book is unique in that it can be taken multiple ways -- as a tongue-in-cheek joke, as a subtle horror story, or as a wild-ass yet practically minded non-fiction guide. I like to get a good mix of the three for maximum enjoyment. It spooked me just enough that I found myself wondering where the machete was in the garage (yes, we have one) and it made me laugh just enough not to think about it as I went to sleep.

[suzemo · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book is hugely overrated. It's not bad at all, but I don't think it holds a candle to World War Z, a much better book by Brooks.

There are two main problems with this book:

1. The science. If you don't know your science, don't try to write about it. I can forgive ignorance if you aren't making a point of the science, but if you are, at least try to get it right. This is, of course, so much worse with biology for me since I'm a biologist, but it was so bad I kept coming back to being annoyed by it.

2. Too much flashy, console-gaming violence and not enough with the practicalities.

All in all, it is a fun little book, and I'll be quite happy to pull out a couple of the arguments in the book with the people that I generally have zombie-survival-strategies arguments with.

[crmass_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A funny read, withe some good advice to defend oneself from zombies, but I didn't like that it only looked at zombies that were created via solumin (sp?). They do mention that the zombie movies have it all wrong, but still, that's what we know.

[robertjgarcia4 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

You never know, but it's good to be prepared.

[elenchus_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Haven't read "World War Z" and at times the "Survival Guide" seems overly long. But it's droll, and it's prompted me to keep a list of Zombie Subspecies, including: Ambitious Careerists, Fashionistas, Consumerists, Fanatic Followers of any topic / sport / leisure, and Suburbanites. Like the Zombie ranks themselves, the list keeps growing.

[serpentkills · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The joke wears thin pretty quick. The idea of a zombie apocalypse may be laughable, but if such a thing could be possible, this book would appear as nothing more than a practical survival guide. Because it's just about as funny as a practical survival guide.