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Summary: Some Things I hope to Never Need to Know
Review: This book was a gift from my daughter because I have adopted the expression "a worst case scenario." In most cases I hope that those who read it never have to use some of the information in the book. For example, I hope that no one needs to know how to wrestle free from an alligator. And I hope that no one who has not trained as a pilot ever needs to know how to land a plane.
However it might be more useful to know how to deal with a downed power line. I've seen more of these than I care to remember. And it might be more useful to know how to use a defibulator. One may soon find AED's in many public places such as airport terminals. And it might be useful to know how to treat frostbite or a leg fracture. Some simple things work; some old wives' tales don't.
Whether the information is useful or not, this book is fun reading. But then I like knowing how to identify a bomb. (wink)
Rating: 
Summary: Right next to the Bathroom Trivia
Review: Eh, its okay. I think I read it in about 20 minutes. There was like one thing I hadn't thought of before. The rest of the scenarios were your pretty basic cliff hanger survival stuff. The nice thing is the actions described seemed pretty correct. Couple things stand out, when I'm chased by killer bees I WON'T jump in water, ( Don't know when I'll get attacked by killer bees but Hey ya never know!)
All in all, I was curious, I bought it, I enjoyed it for about 15 minutes an now I'm over it.
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Summary: Practical advice for unlikely situations
Review: The book presents 40 situations and how to deal with them - play dead with bears, but do the opposite with mountain lions. All the information is presented in a clear, matter-of-fact way. The writing is earnest and bland and sources are attributed well. Good as a gag gift or a curiosity.
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Summary: Only if the authenticity of these advices could be verified
Review: I read the book cover to cover and I wish I don't get 'practically' benefitted by these advices. It does contain much of informative tidbits, like which freq you should put the radio on when you, of all people, would have to relieve the sick pilot of a plane. My question is, are all(and I mean ALL) these scenarios tried and tested? That is how sound is the advice in a life or death situation?
Rating:
Summary: Interesting
Review: A lot of scenarios presented are one in a thousand. But the solutions are clever and simple. Good things to know. Presented in a smart manner.
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Summary: Book is great fun at a party; some info is good, others ?
Review: I bought this book because I was intrigued with some of the titles of the "worst case scenarios". Some examples include: How to: land a plane, hotwire a car, wrestle an alligator, escape from a sinking car, leap from a motorcycle into a car etc. While some of these scenarios could address deep-seated fears in all of us (the sinking car gives me the willies), it was really fun to read some of these aloud at a recent gathering of friends because some of these situations are really absurd and funny. The author's intent was definitely not to be funny as he works to portray the survival procedures and information in a matter-of-fact way and gives his sources in the back of the book. But really, how often are we likely to have to know how to manuever on top of a train and get inside (sounds like a movie) or leap from a moving motorcyle to a moving car? Other areas are definitely more practical--how to survive an earthquake or avoid being struck by lightning. In some areas, I wonder whether the capsule information would give a false sense of security to the person in the situation. I have a private pilot's license but I don't see how a person can realistically expect to land an airplane with 6 pages of text and drawings. So here is my advice--enjoy the book for what it is--a conversation starter and a source of some practical information.
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Summary: Delightful Doomsaying!
Review: This book is tremendously enjoyable, although it's hard to explain why that should be so. It consists of accurate, concise information on surviving a variety of crisis situations -- some a lot more likely than others. I doubt I would remember any of these tips in an actual crisis, so I can't really say it's useful. But it's presented in po-faced earnestness, so why is it fun? Somehow, it's endlessly amusing to imagine oneself in various dire circumstances, performing James Bond stunts to come out on top. Want to know how to dive from a moving car and survive? It's all here! Perhaps it tickles our survival instincts to play out these scenarios in our heads, but regardless of the reason, this book is a blast!
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Summary: favorite graduation present
Review: This book is great and I love to give it as a high school graduation present. Kids love it too.
Rating:
Summary: Taken With a Grain of Salt.
Review: I don't know about most people (and mabye it's because I've seen too many movies), but I've often wondered what I would do in certain life-threatening circumstances. How would I defend myself if a shark would attack me? What would I do if I got caught in an avalanche? How does one keep from sinking in quicksand? The authors of this book wondered these questions too, but actually did enough research so that they could write a book on what they found. Granted, the title of this book is probably a little bit misleading because though the book explains what to do in some very unusual life threatening circumstances, it really isn't that indepth of a survival handbook. I don't begrudge the authors for not going more indepth because they just wanted the basics while being entertaining at the same time. If anything, I'm a little disappointed in myself because I didn't think of the idea first. With that said, all of the techniques described could save your life or help you or someone else out in a worst-case scenario. I found the book to be both highly entertaining and rather informative. I do not know if I will ever use some of the knowledge gained, but I'm glad that I at least know it's all stored in the cranium.
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Summary: Excellent Title - says it all!
Review: You are driving over a bridge when it suddently collapses in front of you and upon further examination, behind you too. You've just experienced a major earthquake! Now, the road beneath you feels that it is beginning to give way too. What do you do? Jump into the lake below? Okay, that's the best solution. But how the heck would you do that with the best odds of living?!?!?! "The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook" gives you viable solutions for various situations that you hope you'll never have to use. It's primarily interesting reading. However, reading it may potentially save your life or the life of someone else! Many of us will never encounter a single episode given in this book, but the one time that one of us happens to need the info, it sure would suck if you were clueless as to what the best odds are for survival when you have but a split-second to make a potentially life-saving decision. Be prepared! Read this fine and fun book. It may save your life! My only qualm is that, while nice and small, it would be nice if the book were pocket-sized so I could take it along with me on my backpacking trips or elsewhere I may potentially use it. I also wish there were even more scenarios but I understand that there are other books with different scenarios. Perhaps it's a lame excuse, but I don't give 5 stars very easily. It has to be the BEST I think could done on that particular subject. This happens to be GREAT, but not what I think could potentially be the BEST.
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