I'm a fan of Zombie Mythology. I'll pretty much watch anything zombie-related that comes on late-night cable. But I'm picky when it comes to Zombie stories. I HATE cheesy zombie stories. Some of my favorites include; the original Night of the Living Dead, The Walking Dead(comic series) and 28 Days Later. Max Brook's book is now on my list of some of the best Zombie Mythology out there. This book doesn't just add to the mythology, it actually creates a full history of the mythology, tracing it back to the beginning of humans, and even establishes the cause of Zombies...Before reading this book you have to take a logical leap. This book is not about our world, this book is about a world, just like ours, except Zombies exist and have existed as long as mankind has. If you can willingly take that leap, which not everyone can, this book is a joy to read for any fan of the walking dead.
The book is split into two parts. The survival guide, and a chronological listing of every traceable historical zombie attack. I really like the way Brooks approaches the concept of Zombies. He attributes zombieism to a virus called Solanum which is spread through body-fluid contact. Once it enters the body, it travels to the brain where it begins to multiply, eventually killing it's host and turning the brain into an entirely new Solanum-controlled organ which hijacks the human body and uses it as a tool to spread itself to other humans by giving the body an uncontrollable urge to bite other humans.
After setting up what causes zombies, Brooks launches into a categorical breakdown of all the methods of eliminating them, going into great detail as to what weapons are best and which are worst, how to defend yourself and your home against a zombie attack, how to move from place to place, how to eliminate zombies from your environment, and how to plan for survival in a world where Zombies outnumber humans as the dominant life form on earth.
What really worked for me about this book was how seriously the author treated his content. It's very easy to look at a book about Zombies and laugh it off as cheesy horror fiction, but Brooks keeps a straight face the entire time. Even to the point of supplying multiple lists of equipment to keep on hand, descriptions of which weapons would be best used to eliminate zombies in different enviroments, and how to survive when on on the run from Zombies from the hordes of undead ghouls.
The second part of the book is a little less practical, a little less of a guide and a little more like a history lesson. Brooks takes the reader on a journey from the very first zombie outbreaks near the dawn of man all the way up through the modern attempts by nations to weaponize zombies and use them against other countries. These accounts of zombies throughout history are really fun to read and play out like a history book devoted to Zombies.
This book is a must-read for anyone who is into Zombies. For those who aren't into zombie mythology, this book will be a complete drag.
If you liked this you might want to borrow my copy of World War Z - Max Brook's collection of short stories which basically flesh out the second part of the Survival Guide.
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