The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes - and Why
by Amanda Ripley
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Book Summary Information
Author: Amanda RipleyEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2009-06-16
ISBN: 0307352900
Number of pages: 288
Publisher: Three Rivers Press
Book Reviews of The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes - and Why
Book Review: Fascinating look at the human response to disasters.
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes - And Why" by Amanda Ripley is a fascinating look at the human response to disasters. This excellent book not only describes some of what happened, but look closely at the "why" people respond the way they do in such situations. As Gavin De Becker, author of "The Gift of Fear" states on the front cover, "'The Unthinkable' isn't merely a book about disaster; it's a book about survival - maybe yours."
The book consists of an introduction titled "Life Becomes Like Molten Metal" and then eight chapters divided into three parts.
Part one, Denial, includes the chapters Delay: Procrastinating in Tower 1 and Risk: Gambling in New Orleans. Part two, Deliberation, contains three chapters: Fear: The Body and Mind of a Hostage, Resilience: Staying Cool in Jerusalem, and Groupthink: Role Playing at the Beverly Hills Supper Club Fire. Part three, The Decisive Moment, has the final three chapters: Panic: A Stampede on Holy Ground, Paralysis: Playing Dead in French Class, and Heroism: A Suicide Attempt on the Potomac River.
The book concludes with a conclusion titled "Making New Instincts." Each section of the book consists of not only information on the human condition being addressed, but stories of actual people and what transpired during different disasters. Some of the stories of the heroics displayed during these times are quite moving.
I really enjoyed this book, and appreciate the time and reporting Amanda Ripley put into it. The stories keep your attention and the lessons you can learn from this book just may save your life if you are ever unfortunate enough to be caught in a disaster. The book reinforced some of my habits such as always reading the safety instruction card when I board an airplane, along with looking around and noting the exits, as well as made me think of other habits I can develop to better prepare myself for the worst.
For a fascinating look at disasters and how they effect people, combined with some lessons that may help you if you ever face one, I recommend you read "The Unthinkable" by Amanda Ripley.
Reviewed by Alain Burrese, J.D., author of Hard-Won Wisdom From the School of Hard Knocks and the dvds: Hapkido Hoshinsul, Streetfighting Essentials, Hapkido Cane, the Lock On Joint Locking Essentials series and articles including a regular column on negotiation for The Montana Lawyer. Alain Also wrote a series of articles called Lessons From The Apprentice.
Summary of The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes - and Why
Discover how human beings react to danger?and what makes the difference between life and deathToday, nine out of ten Americans live in places at significant risk of earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, terrorism, or other disasters. Tomorrow, some of us will have to make split-second choices to save ourselves and our families. How will we react? What will it feel like? Will we be heroes or victims?
In her quest to answer these questions, award-winning journalist Amanda Ripley traces human responses to some of recent history?s epic disasters, from the explosion of the Mont Blanc munitions ship in 1917?one of the biggest explosions before the invention of the atomic bomb?to the journeys of the 15,000 people who found their way out of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. To understand the science behind the stories, Ripley turns to leading brain scientists, trauma psychologists, and other disaster experts. She even has her own brain examined by military researchers and experiences, through realistic simulations, what it might be like to survive a plane crash into the ocean or to escape a raging fire.
Ripley comes back with precious wisdom about the surprising humanity of crowds, the elegance of the brain?s fear circuits, and the stunning inadequacy of many of our evolutionary responses. Most unexpectedly, she discovers the brain?s ability to do much, much better?with just a little help.
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