Worst Case Scenario 2001: Amazon.co.uk: Joshua Piven, David Borgenicht: Books

Amazon.co.uk Review

How to Wrestle Free From an Alligator: 4. If its jaws are closed on something you want to remove (for example, a limb), tap or punch it on the snout.

Though it's being marketed as a "humorous" title--after all, it's unlikely you'll be called upon to land a plane, jump from a motorcycle to a moving car or win a sword fight--the information contained in The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook is all quite sound. Authors Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht consulted numerous experts in their fields (they're cited at the end of the book) to discover how to survive various and sundry awful events. Parachute doesn't open? Your best bet for survival is to hook your arms through the straps of a fellow jumper's chute--and even then you're likely to dislocate both shoulders and break both legs. Car sinking in water? Open the window immediately to equalise pressure, then open the car door and swim to the surface. Buried in an avalanche? Spit on the snow--it will tell you which direction is really up. Then dig as fast as you can. Each survival skill is explained in simple steps with helpful illustrations. Most stress the need to be prepared--both mentally and physically. For example, to escape from quicksand, you will need to lay a pole on the surface of the quicksand, flop on your back atop the pole and pull your legs out one by one. No pole? No luck. "When walking in quicksand country, carry a stout pole--it will help you get out should you need to."

Hopefully you'll never need to know how to build a fire without matches, perform a tracheotomy or treat a bullet wound. But in the words of Survival Evasion Resistance Escape Instructor "Mountain" Mel Deweese, "You never know." --Sunny Delaney --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Reviews from: Soldier of Fortune

USA Today

Nearly 180 pages of immediate-action drills for when everything goes to hell in a handbasket "(SOF" editors all keep a copy on their desk at all times). Succinct overviews and pity, practical courses of action from legion experts-in-their-fields, to fight Murphy at least to a draw. Aficionados in some fields might quibble over certain techniques, but for the amount of ground this compact volume covers in dealing with dozens and dozens of worst-case scenarios in common-sense fashion, it's well worth having. Odds are good you'll meet more than one of the situation during your life, and the time spent studying this volume may turn out to be some the best time you ever invest. If nothing else, it makes you think out your options beforehand, so you have a plan.

Those with deep-seated fears about killer bees, quicksand, mountain lions and sharks will enjoy "The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook" by Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht, a handy little book for the extremely prepared that is climbing the best-seller list. This is a no-nonsense, no-fooling around guide with straightforward information. But fear not: The authors have enough perspective to acknowledge the campy appeal of an armchair guide for the anxious. "We thought it would be funny to people," Borgenicht says. They were, he says, "inspired by pop culture as much as by paranoia most of the scenarios we talk about were a TV or a movie scene." Sharks, the authors say, scared both of them to pieces in childhood. Blame it on "Jaws."

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

Absolutely fascinating!! 18 Jun 2001

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I can't *really* see why people think this book is funny - OK yeah, some of the stories made me grin quite wildly. But that is by no means a criticism; It's absolutely fascinating and gives a bit of confidence to those people who worry about everything, even the most unlikely events.

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19 of 21 people found the following review helpful

A very useful book - if you're James Bond! 5 Dec 2000

By vikki@digimob.com

I think what I liked most about this book is its attitude that no matter how absurd the scenarios seem, normal everyday people do end up in them, and it's all about survival - living beyond - that situation. Although I may never need to know how to escape from bears or dodge a hail of bullets, it's comforting to know I have a better idea now of what do do if I did. And it's an amusing read anyway. A great stocking filler.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

A good way to pass some time 22 Dec 2000

This is a very interesting book although it is highly unlikely you'll remember the sterling advice it contains if you ever find yourself in one of the situations. It is just a fun read that you can just sit down and enjoy and then tell your pals in the pub all about.

Entertaining and useful at the same time

While many of us are sure that "it won't ever happen to me", never say never is a good response.

Neither did the people who actually ended up in the situations the book... Read more

Published 4 months ago by dannyspencer

Great Book

Yet another great read which kept me laughing from cover to cover Have started collecting these as they are great to carry with you and keep you amused on a long journey My other... Read more

Published 15 months ago by Gothcat

Perfect for James Bond wannabees

Goodness me there are some reviewers out there with a sense of humour bypass. This is a very tongue in cheek book; I didn't think it was intended as a rip roaring, rib cracking... Read more

Published 23 months ago by M

Stocking-filler

Archetypal stocking-filler and probably favourite of charity shop new year donations. Fun for a while but can feel a bit smug and self-satisfied. Read more

Published on 28 April 2009 by Captain Pugwash

Not useless trivia

This fascinating little book is a collection of How-To tips that could mean the difference between survival and a rather unpleasant demise. Read more

Published on 10 Nov 2004 by Kurt A. Johnson

Not exactly humour...

While this book is listed under "Humour", this is only partially true. It is funny, but only because of the deadpan style used throughout this brilliant series.

Published on 19 Aug 2003

NOT humour, simply strange tips for unlikely situations

Do not, like me, buy this book expecting it to be amusing, because it isn't - at all... The book is intended to be useful, and should one find onself in any of the mentioned... Read more

Published on 26 July 2001

Great read

I had allways wondered how to get out of at least 4 of the examples in this book. Of course we will probably never use the tips, but as a curiosity it is very interesting read

Published on 11 Jun 2001 by maite@marvel-one.com

Worst Case Scenario 2001 [Hardcover]

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