Saturday, March 28, 2009

Amateur Book Review - Emergency by Neil Strauss

I was fortunate enough to receive a copy of Neil Strauss' Emergency from Harper Collins. I was really interested in diving into this book for so many reasons. I needed a diversion and this is one crazy world we live in and protecting my family is something I think about all the time since 9/11.

One of my favorite quotes from the book is "I'd rather be a running wimp than a dead hero." Nothing wrong with that. Hiding out sounds like a good thing if you are prepared and you can keep your cool.

While I think this book is mostly tongue in cheek, there were quite a few interesting tidbits that could change the way you view life as we currently live it.

You have to love the titles of some of the chapters too:
  • Why knocking up a Brazilian Women can save your life
  • Why you should think of the Zoo as a restaurant
  • The Britney Spears school of pregnant surfing
The survival language was interesting too; WTSHTF (when the shit hits the fan) EOTWAWKI (end of the world as we know it) to name a few.

I personally loved the chapter called Five Steps to Tax Free and How to Become Immortal in One Easy Step.

In A Nutshell: Very interesting, quick read, entertaining and thought provoking. Word of Caution: This book will NOT save your life! It is not big enough or thick enough to take a bullet for you. However, if you need kindling you will be able to start a nice big fire with it.

74 comments:

  1. from your review it sounds like a great read love to have a copy mverno@roadrunner.com

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  2. I'd like to win this book because the description sounds like it is a totally different kind of book than anything I have ever read. I need something different to read and this would be great! Thanks. I subscribed by email.

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  3. I want to win!
    follower
    subscriber
    button

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  4. I'd like to read this book because your it sounds entertaining and funny......a little "pick-me-up".....and might be a reminder not to take myself so seriously.....

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  5. I would love to win this book! It sounds very intriguing and quite unique; my curiosity is peaked! Also, my father would enjoy reading this. He reads after my mom is safely asleep. She has alzheimers and he reads to escape and relax at the end of the day.

    I follow

    I subscribe by email already

    I follow you on Twitter

    I tweeted greeeneyedwhwomhttp://tinyurl.com/cflexg Win a book "Emergency"!!

    greeneyedwhwom (twitter name)

    Thanks

    nancyrobster@gmail.com

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  6. Anonymous2:07 PM

    I'd like to win because I love to read.

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  7. I would like to win because i just finished a book and now i need to find another good one to read!

    also, here is my blog link to your giveaway-

    http://princesscooparkes.blogspot.com/2009/03/emergency-by-neil-strauss-book-ends-apr.html

    Thanks! cooparkes at gmail dot com

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  8. I'd like to read it because it sounds like a fun book.

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  9. I want to be prepared for any emergency that will affect my family and children. As I live and work in Canada's Capitol, I believe it is imperitive that I am prepared. Next to US who is closest.

    rhondastruthers at yahoo dot ca

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  10. i really want to know how knocking up a brazilian woman can save my life. really.

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  11. I'd love to read this book because it sounds interesting! And I'm really curious to know Why I Should Think of the Zoo as a Restaurant. Thanks for entering me.

    And I'm a follower thanks.

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  12. we need to protect ourselves from zombies

    hopefully theres a tip or two in this book
    so hard to find a book for zombie protection these days

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  13. Anonymous2:54 AM

    I like unusual books.

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  14. I would love to read this because you never know when you need to get out of a pickle! Plus, I like to make my brother laugh, and this should do the trick.
    meredycat*lycos*com

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  15. follower.
    meredycat*lycos*com

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  16. I follow you on Twitter under Meredycat.
    meredycat*lycos*com

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  17. Anonymous9:10 AM

    rvick@neo.rr.com
    I want to read this book because it may give me some insight on this terrible economy!

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  18. this sounds very interesting... I must read more...
    rss subscriber via google reader
    follower

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  19. I would like to read this book because information like this for everybody sounds like it would help the state of our envioroment.

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  20. Anonymous11:54 AM

    Please put me in the drawing. This sounds like such a fun and even enlightening book.

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  21. Follower!I would love to read it because it sounds fun, and it covers emergencies I haven't even heard of!
    smchester at gmail dot com

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  22. Ally M3:03 PM

    I love new information so this book might satisfy the Information Junkie in me.

    Bonus entry: Subscribe by rss feed to my google reader.

    rubymoonstone at gmail dot com

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  23. sounds wonderful i would love to read this book because it has sparked my interest thanks for the giveaway

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  24. With all the disasters you hear about, I would like to know how to be prepared. This book will give me some insight

    rhondastruthers at yahoo dot ca

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  25. I'd love to read this because I definitely need a good laugh-and it sounds like it could fit the bill, and I need to know what to do in case of any emergency!
    I subscribe via reader too!
    mommastaci33(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  26. I want to read this book because it sounds like it will give me survival tips that we all may need some day. E-MAIL subscriber. I follow yor blog. jelly15301@gmail.com

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  27. Anonymous1:53 PM

    This sounds like a fantastic and useful read. I can always learn new things to keep my family safe
    Thank you
    tatertot374@sbcglobal.net

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  28. it sounds like it a great book and a good tool to have great review hun

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  29. Sounds like an informative book

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  30. Looks great :)

    ktgonyea at gmail.com

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  31. I would like to read this because as a librarian in training I am always reading something new. I also like funny books!

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  32. What a great reeview, sounds like something that would be interesting. Please include me in your giveaway.
    Thanks
    Debbie
    debdesk9@verizon.net

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  33. i would like to read this because it seems different than other books i have read.

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  34. Sounds like a fun read!

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  35. I would like to win this book because it looks like a good laugh!

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  36. Anonymous2:19 PM

    It seems like a quick and fun read!

    Tarah
    tarah716[at]ymail.com

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  37. It looks fun and it is always nice to be prepared with this info

    jason@allworldautomotive.com

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  38. Anonymous1:23 AM

    I'd like to read this interesting books. Sounds like it's humorous and has tips for every situation. I'm an e-mail subscriber.
    -Terra H.
    partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  39. That was a really excellent review and now I really want to read this book, thanks.

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  40. I'd love to read this. It sounds like an interesting way to look at the things happening all around us...and who couldn't use a little light hearted humour about that???!!

    I am a new follower.

    I have your button on my blog, left sidebar at www.thebabblingbrooks.typepad.com

    I subscribed via e-mail.

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  41. i really want to know how knocking up a brazilian woman could save me life

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  42. This is a subject I am very interested in, so please enter me to win! Thank you!

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  43. Because I really really really want to know how to turn a ciggy into a knife. lol This book looks like a fun read.

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  44. 1) If nothing else, I'd love to read the chapter on Birthday Clowns to Avoid. I'm completely curious and would love to read this book cover to cover.
    gkstratos@yahoo.com

    2) Following

    3) Subscriber

    gkstratos@yahoo.com

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  45. I was a boy scout drop out, tried basketball instead and was bad at it. Since I can't join the scouts at 35 years old, maybe this book will help me learn the stuff I missed

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  46. This book sounds funny and informative. I always like to know everything I can so that is why I want to read this book. I follow your blog. I have your button up at http://beccascontestlist.blogspot.com I am following you on twitter (I am sbshortie) and I tweeted the contest at http://twitter.com/sbshortie/status/1451945767 sbcashortie (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  47. Elsie4:56 PM

    My life perspective compass would spin around,
    I know I'd be gaining wisdom and be more sound...
    If could dive into these pages with flair,
    I'd be better off for having been there!

    pumpkinlady430@yahoo.com

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  48. I want to read this book because it sounds amazing! And I'd love to be able to wow over my survivalist brother and EMT husband with some factoids! I joined the facebook group!

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  49. i'd like to learn a few tricks and impress my husband :)

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  50. Christina - xristya@rock.com - I'd like to win this book because it sounds both practical and hilarious!

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  51. I loved the entire concept. I need to know how to survive the crazy and quirky roller coaster we call life. Thank you.

    candieluster(at)gmail(dot)com

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  52. Great book, great contest, make me a winner!

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  53. Anonymous8:12 AM

    This sounds like it's in the vein of another one that I loved called the Best Case Scenario Handbook, so I'd probably love it. :)

    thefatesarevicious at yahoo dot com

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  54. I think it is always best to be prepared. I over think things -maybe this would give me some ideas. Thanks!

    teraustin@mindspring.com

    I follow you on Twitter now as flinflan.
    I now follow.
    I subscribed by email.

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  55. Even thought it is about serious matters it sounds like it would be hysterically funny!!

    pamelashockley(at)netscape(dot)net

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  56. This sounds like a great book for a worrier like myself, something that is a bit funny and even entertaining!

    vmlay@artsci.wustl.edu

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  57. Anonymous5:44 PM

    This is a great topic and I love the book cover!

    theyyyguy@yahoo.com

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  58. I would love to read this book because the chapters sound so interesting

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  59. This looks like an easy reading that funny too. I am currently reading a romance novel and this would atleast bring some laughter to my reading. Thanks for the chance.

    jesskaufman{at}hotmail{dot}com

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  60. I'd like to win this because I think everyone should know how to pick a lock with a beer can.

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  61. All of the chapters sound most intriguing. I think perhaps my husband would enjoy this even more than I would. Thanks for having the wonderful giveaway.

    dianad8008 AT gmail DOT com

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  62. This book sounds like a fun and interesting read, and I'm into reads like that. Plus, I'm ready to learn odd and useful things, like MacGyver. Yeah!

    I follow your blog.

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  63. Anonymous9:58 AM

    I want to read the book because it sounds very interesting. I would love to read the author's insights on living life. It would be very informative.

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  64. this sounds entertaining
    following
    subscribed

    alterna7 at hotmail dot com

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  65. I want to read this book because it sounds very interesting! I subscribed by email.

    ms.lilyk@gmail.com

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  66. i want to win this book because it sounds entertaining and tips of any kind help if only to tell you what not to do by example lol.

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  67. Anonymous11:44 AM

    Be prepared!!! Scout salute! This is so different than the usual preparedness literature - and I really must learn How to Become Immortal and How to Pick a Lock with a Beer Can. Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this giveaway!

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  68. i want to learn to be prepared for anything

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  69. i HATE NOT BEING PREPARED for any situation..this would be great :)

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  70. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  71. I'd like to read it in the hope I'd never have to use it. Follow, Subscribe, got button.

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  72. Amber6:53 PM

    Because its fun and free. ambpool(at)hotmail.com

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  73. because it sounds like a fun read con5459(at)gmail(dot)com

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  74. 1. I believe in preparedness. I really want this book.
    2.I am a subscriber
    3.I am a follower
    4.I put your button on my blog.
    donna444444@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete

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