The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes - and Why Audiobook

" Being a Disaster-Scenario Queen, this book was the most useful thing I have read in years. "

" This is a handbook that everyone should read. You will never stay in a hotel or board an airplane again without taking more notice of your surroundings - and it may save your life. Amanda explains why humans often do - or don't do - the things we do, and gives her readers a checklist to break the cycle. Read this book and complete your own critical self-analysis. "

" Should be mandatory reading for everybody. "

" A successful journalist, Ripley can really smith words.This piece reads fast and easily. Also, without a doubt she introduces some interesting concepts about behavior of human beings in seriously threatening situations. I just wish that her conclusions were drawn more from scientific data and less from anecdotes and memories of victims. "

" I really struggled to get into this book and ended up not being able to finish it. I read the first 100 pages and then half-skimmed the rest. It struck me as just a compilation of somewhat interesting stories about tragedies and psychological and sociological studies about our reactions to "disasters". I didn't "get" her theory or really care. "

" This should be a must read for everyone as we are all potential victims of disasters both natural and man-made. It also will make me laugh less and pay attention more at the next fire drill. "

" I found this book fascinating, well-written, and useful. To the point that I'd find myself reading it in the bathtub for an hour at a time. I checked it out from the library and renewed it just because I wasn't ready to part with it, even though I'd already finished it. "

" A SERIES OF STORIES EMPHASIZING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL STAGES A HUMAN GOES THROUGH DURING CRISIS. "

" Highly recommended - not only was it interesting, but I felt like I learned something about disaster preparedness, when I hadn't initially expected to learn this. "

" This is an absolutely fascinating study of those cases in disaster where some people survive and others don't ... and what differentiates them. Hint - its almost always not physical. "

" Wow, this book was intense. I couldn't put it down. It could've even been longer as she could've gone even way more into the psychology of disaster response and trauma response. Incredible bibliography, too! "

" This book was a great start into the psych of Fear, Heroes, & Survival. "

" This should be required reading everywhere! How would you react if caught in a disaster? So much better to plan ahead, than to found out the hard way. Fascinating read. "

" Very interesting book looking at who survives disasters/extreme situations and why they survive. Not a dry read at all, bits of humour and a very human viewpoint. Oh, and I really hope I have a decent sized hippocampus. It seems like it might be important. "

" Listened to this on tape & found it fascinating. Highly recommend it. "

" This woman has been in my brain. I've always though, as she does, that the "first responders" at a crisis not police or firefighters, but the people that are there. "

" A very interesting introspection into what makes the brain tick during a disaster/emergency. Why do some people freeze and become numb while others begin to give orders which anyone listening follows? Lots of research by the author with recent accounts including 9/11 and Katrina. "

" Worth your time if you have any interest in these types of things. Results of a lot of research on who survives disasters and why. "

" I wish I could give this book six stars. It is fascinating, absolutely fascinating and could very well save you life. This is a MUST-READ! "

" Concise accounts of regular people involved in all kinds of extreme situations; hurricanes, fires, terrorist attacks, etc. Gripping stuff. "

" Great understanding of risk managment as well as emergency prepairedness. Many stories about disasters and police/military events. Definate re-read. "

" The site says that there are 304 pages, but my copy has 227... "

" Ripley links the effect of catastrophe with the science of human reaction. Compelling, but also compassionate. This book is worth reading, if only so you'll know the story of people like Walter Bailey and Rick Rescoria. "

" From now on I will always locate the exits in buildings and listen to on the on flight safety instructions. "

" 4.5 stars. I really liked this book, it was fascinating. I talks about several different disasters and many different reactions to disaster that our bodies and minds have. It is easy to read and really intriguing. "

" This book really changed the way I think about things now, especially when I'm traveling. I'd recommend it to anyone! "

" This book was a great start into the psych of Fear, Heroes, & Survival. "

" Interesting reading and worthwhile to know how to forecast how you would likely respond in an emergency. "