Emergency: This Book Will Save Your Life

by Neil Strauss
Emergency: This Book Will Save Your Life cover
Good Books rating 3.33
Nonfiction
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  • ID: 8684
  • Added: 2025-12-22
  • Updated: 2025-12-22
  • ISBN: 9781921520587
  • Publisher: Text Publishing
  • Published: 2009-03-30
  • Reviews: 3

Neil Strauss embarks on a three-year journey to equip himself with the skills and knowledge needed to survive in an uncertain world. From terrorist attacks to economic collapse, he explores various scenarios and prepares for the worst. His journey takes him through meetings with survivalists, billionaires, and cult leaders, each offering unique insights into self-sufficiency and resilience. /n/nStrauss's narrative is a mix of paranoia and practicality, humor and horror, as he navigates a landscape of fear and uncertainty. He learns to fly planes, handle firearms, and even considers moving his life offshore. The book is a testament to his determination to protect himself and his loved ones in a world that feels increasingly unstable.

Reviews
Ryan's Reading Reviews · Ryan · 2020-02-23
entertaining 4.00

The book is entertaining and provides some survival ideas. It's more about personal experiences than practical advice.

Ryan finds the book entertaining and enjoyable, noting that it offers some interesting survival ideas. He appreciates the author's personal experiences and the way they are woven into the narrative. However, he points out that the book is more about the author's journey than providing practical survival tips. Overall, it's a fun read that might inspire some readers to explore survival skills further.

Quick quotes

    This book won't save your life– but it will entertain you.

    Any maybe give you some survival ideas.

    I've been a fan of Neil Strauss for years, and this book is no exception to his engaging storytelling.

Brian Breslin's Blog · Brian Breslin · 2010-07-19
mixed 2.50

The book is a mix of personal introspection and survivalist advice. The author's transformation is notable, but the writing style is criticized.

Brian Breslin sees the book as a dual narrative of personal growth and survival skills. He appreciates the author's journey from a timid individual to a more confident and self-sufficient person. However, he finds the writing style lacking, describing it as whiny and poorly executed at times. Despite this, he acknowledges the book's unique perspective on modern survivalism.

Quick quotes

    Its part introspective diary of a weak whiny white guy's transformation into stronger self-confident self-subsisting white guy.

    Part survivalist high level training and part personal transformation story.

    This is one of the worst-written books I've read.

The New York Times · Jay McInerney · 2009-04-16
engaging 3.50

The book has some engaging set pieces and well-developed characters. The author's journey to Tom Brown Jr.'s Tracker School is particularly compelling.

Jay McInerney highlights the book's strong narrative moments and memorable characters. He praises the author's adventure at Tom Brown Jr.'s Tracker School, noting its intensity and the skills acquired. However, he also points out that the book's premise is somewhat overstated, as it promises more than it delivers in terms of practical survival advice. Overall, it's an entertaining read with moments of genuine insight.

Quick quotes

    Emergency does have some good set pieces and strong characters.

    Strauss's sojourn to Tom Brown Jr.'s Tracker School in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey is a highlight.

    The book promises to save your life, but it's more about personal transformation than practical survival.

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