I was asked to review my first Zombie book, well, actually it’s a Zombie Apocalypse book – but either way it’s my first, Plan and Prep: Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse by Alex Newton (Illustrated by Jamie Mathieson). 

As I glanced over the cover even before opening the book, I note the images and just can’t imagine how the author will turn these gruesome, disheveled, leg-dragging creatures with the blank stares into “Poster Children” for disaster preparedness.
And to be honest, I’ve never actually seen or experienced a real Zombie let alone a Zombie Apocalypse, so I was even more curious as to how he was going to get us prepared for one.

It wasn’t until I actually turned to the first page and read this phrase “No matter your geographic location, age, race, financial situation or religious or political affiliation … you CAN be affected by emergencies and disasters”, that I had that “ah-ha” moment and thought “hmmm, maybe, just maybe, this isn’t your ordinary run of the mill boogie-man book after all but a practical guide with viable disaster survival information.

And you know what? I was right! (I love saying that!) ‘Plan and Prep: Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse’ was a huge surprise. Like me, the author admits to never actually having seen or experienced a Zombie or Zombie Apocalypse. In his book, he explains in simplistic terms that one person’s Zombie Apocalypse is another person’s global thermonuclear war, global climate change or yes, even the dreaded alien invasion (jury’s still out on that one *grin*) His emphasis - no matter what the disaster; planning and preparation are key to survival.

Although it would be impossible to actually cover every single disaster scenario due in part to the many factors and variables involved in each, the author is able to explain planning and preparedness in easy understandable guidelines using illustrations drawn by Illustrator Jamie Mathieson and incorporating a more humanistic approach with story lines that help even the newest of preparedness-minded to understand not only what to prepare for but why they are preparing for it.

In this book you will find the standard disaster/survival topics such as different disasters, weapons, food, shelter, bartering items and survival basics to the more thought provoking“what do we do now” concerns that come after an event such as growing food, hunting and gathering, as well as unique approaches to security like the tried and true“wagon wheel and spoke community system” (for those of you who actually paid attention in history think castles in medieval times or ‘circling the wagons’in the ol’ West.) Remember, a circle can be your best line of defense.

There are also discussions of the‘likelihood’ verses “not as likely’ of disasters. I must caution here that discounting any disaster (which I’m sure was not the author’s intent) could be a disaster in and of itself. We need to be vigilant and open-minded as to what is happening around us. If it happened before, it can happen again. Look at the year 2011. There were more disasters recorded than ever before.

To my delight, I actually learned something new while reading this book! (I love learning!) PSS. It means Primary Shelter Site. Whodda thunk?? I’ve heard of a lot of survival/disaster acronyms and this was a new one on me (maybe it’s a Zombie term?)

I’m sure a lot of you are probably wondering, and the answer is yes, the author does touch on the subject of Zombies for all you Zombie lovers and Zombie Apocalypse, if nothing more, than to remind us all that “anything” can happen and therefore the necessity to be prepared for whatever comes our way.

If you are new to preparedness I would highly recommend ‘Plan and Prep: Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse’ as an excellent ‘springboard’ book to more advanced preparedness books as you become more knowledgeable. For those who are more experienced in preparedness this book will serve as an excellent resource book to keep close at hand or possibly even in your go-bag as a quick reference guide.

Although the title may throw some this book is full of valuable information for any preparedness-minded person. And, in the author’s defense, having actually written an article on the likelihood of a Zombie Apocalypse myself, (See: Golden Horde vs. Zombies) I can’t and won’t discount it as a potential threat.

‘Plan and Prep: Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse’ by Alex Newton (Illustrated by Jamie Mathieson) can be purchased by clicking on the book above or here Survival Books.

Just sayin’

- Survivor Jane

Alex Newton Contact:
Website: www.zombieapocguy.com
Twitter: @zombieapocguy
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