Amazon.co.uk Review
David Borgenicht and Joe Borgenicht's
The Action Hero's Handbook essentially repeats the formula of David's previous opus, the ludicrous and ludicrously successful
The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook. The extensively researched
Worst-Case offered practical guidance on what to do should you, heaven forbid, find yourself face to face with a grisly grizzly bear or hurtling towards the ground with an unopened parachute flapping above your head. Described by its authors as a "guide to keeping up with the Indiana Joneses", this slim volume provides advice that will help you out-Bond James Bond should you, heaven forbid, find yourself battling against a malevolent genius with a penchant for grey Persian cats and a tank full of sharks equipped with laser beams.
Well, sadly, not quite, but if you've ever wanted to know how to evade a MiG jet, negotiate a hostage crisis, communicate with extraterrestrials, execute a Jedi mind trick or even perform a Vulcan neck grip then this is the book for you. The trick with the latter, according to Karate expert Ray Geraneo, is to make a quick jab to the radial nerve in your victim's arm before mercilessly, if entirely logically, applying pressure to the brachial plexus. (In case you are left wondering where the blazes either of those are, the step-by-step instructions in each chapter are accompanied by snazzy, in-flight safety leaflet-style illustrations.) Ideally one would hope to avoid using the material proffered in the section headed "How to Take a Bullet"--"stand between shooter and target, face shooter and place chest in line of fire"--but there's plenty here that can be applied to everyday life. Let's face it, action heroes aren't the only ones who need to know "How To Pick Someone Up in a Bar" or "How to Stop a Wedding". And who can tell; the section "How to Climb Down Mount Rushmore" might just come in handy one day after all. --Travis Elborough
Review
How to crack a safe, escape from Alcatraz, get the girl and live the action hero's life. This handbook comes from the creators of The Worst Case Scenario Handbook.