Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook

The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook by Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht
Original ISBN 978-0811825559
Chronicle Books, 1999
176 pages

Plot Summary: This book describes, in easy-to-follow detail, how to survive
forty life-threatening situations. The scenarios run the gamut from “How to Deal With a Charging Bull” to “How to Survive if Your Parachute Fails to Open.” Each entry is only a few pages long, but experts describe the steps needed to increase survival if you should find yourself in that particular predicament. Each entry also includes an illustration.

Critical Evaluation: Due to the purpose of the book, each entry is short and easy to read. The language is easy and straight forward. The most important points of each entry are printed in red to grab the reader’s attention. The motto of the book is that one should be prepared for just about anything.

Reader’s Annotation: Do you know how to escape from quicksand? How to fend off a shark? This book can teach you how.

Author Information: Piven and Borgenicht, two free-lance journalists, have turned their passion for discovering “What if?” into more than twenty books. Other books are a bit more practical for average folks, such as how to survive travel and parenting.

The website for the “Worst-Case Scenario” series can be found at http://quirkbooks.com/worst-case-scenario

Genre: Nonfiction; Adult; Humor

Curriculum Ties: N/A

Booktalking Ideas: I would use the Reader’s Annotation…that would get discussion going.

Reading Level / Interest Age: Grade 6 and up

Lexile: 960

Challenge Issues: Even though there is a warning at the front of the book that declares, “DO NOT ATTEMPT TO UNDERTAKE ANY OF THE ACTIVITIES DESCRIBED IN THIS BOOK YOURSELF,” I am sure that some idiot teenager may indeed “try this at home.” I don’t believe, though, that there would be any challenge issues with this book.

Reason for Item’s Inclusion: Even though this book is quite serious (after all, real professionals such as survival experts and physicians provided the information for the book) it is quite hilarious for those of those “real” people that will never find ourselves in these situations. Teen boys in particular enjoy reading this book. The entries are interesting – even dangerous – and short.

Resources:

http://quirkbooks.com/worst-case-scenario