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The Survivors Club: The Secrets and Science that Could Save Your Life
by
Ben Sherwood
Which is the safest seat on an airplane? Where is the best place to have a heart attack? Why does religious observance add years to your life? How can birthdays be hazardous to your health?
THE SURVIVORS CLUB
Each second of the day, someone in America faces a crisis, whether it's a car accident, violent crime, serious illness, or financial trouble. Given the inevitability ...more
THE SURVIVORS CLUB
Each second of the day, someone in America faces a crisis, whether it's a car accident, violent crime, serious illness, or financial trouble. Given the inevitability ...more
Hardcover, 400 pages
Published
January 26th 2009
by Grand Central Publishing
(first published 2009)
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(showing 1-30)
I really liked the first few chapters. In fact, I couldn't put it down. I spent all of yesterday reading this book. I have been drawn to stories of survival and have read a few books about people who have survived harrowing experiences (One of my favorites being "Dead Lucky" by Lincoln Hall).
However, I got to the chapter on faith and was completely turned off. According to the author and his research, faith in God is one of the determining factors on whether or not you survive something. His exa ...more
However, I got to the chapter on faith and was completely turned off. According to the author and his research, faith in God is one of the determining factors on whether or not you survive something. His exa ...more
Though reading this book gave me the same sort of dirty, guilty feeling that I get if caught gawking at a car accident, I have to admit, most of it was pretty fascinating. This title consists of matter-of-fact essays that tell the amazing stories of ordinary people who have defied the odds and survived unbelievable accidents. Interviews with plane crash survivors, a young man who lived after jumping off the Golden Gate bridge, a woman attacked by a mountain lion, another who punctured her heart
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Book Overview
The subtitle of the book, "The Secrets and Science that Could Save Your Life," pretty much sums up what this book is about—learning about what it takes to survive and determining what type of survivor you might be.
The first part of the book is devoted to exploring different survival scenarios and examining why ordinary people ended up surviving in extraordinary circumstances. As Sherwood relays these stories—ranging from plane crash survivors to Holocaust survivors to a bicyclist wh ...more
The subtitle of the book, "The Secrets and Science that Could Save Your Life," pretty much sums up what this book is about—learning about what it takes to survive and determining what type of survivor you might be.
The first part of the book is devoted to exploring different survival scenarios and examining why ordinary people ended up surviving in extraordinary circumstances. As Sherwood relays these stories—ranging from plane crash survivors to Holocaust survivors to a bicyclist wh ...more
When I started off, I couldn't put this book down. Then I started skimming because the relentless press of survivor stories got a little old, plus I was looking forward to taking the Survivor Profiler test at the end.
Well, it's not going to happen, since the test isn't actually in the book - it's online and you access it with a code printed on the inside of the dust-jacket. Just one problem: I got my book from the library and while I'm probably only the second or third person to read this partic ...more
Well, it's not going to happen, since the test isn't actually in the book - it's online and you access it with a code printed on the inside of the dust-jacket. Just one problem: I got my book from the library and while I'm probably only the second or third person to read this partic ...more
The topic of this book is so similar (read: almost identical) to the one I read just previously (The Unthinkable by Amanda Ripley) that I'm afraid it suffers just because of the order I happened to pick them up. And it's impossible to write this review without comparing the two of them. Several of the same disasters were discussed, the same scientific findings analyzed, the same experts quoted. The Survivors Club adds some interesting tidbits - like the best place to have a heart attack is in a
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I was really psyched about finally getting this book from the library, after having been on a wait list for quite some time, but found myself fairly disappointed by it in the end.
The Survivors Club is pretty much what it sounds like - an in-depth look at the science of survival: why some people live through disasters while others don't. I will admit that there is some very useful information in the book, things that I had not previously known about human reactions during crises, about the workin ...more
The Survivors Club is pretty much what it sounds like - an in-depth look at the science of survival: why some people live through disasters while others don't. I will admit that there is some very useful information in the book, things that I had not previously known about human reactions during crises, about the workin ...more
This was a recommendation from mom and dad (i.e. not on our reading list). Not a novel, but more of an exploration of real-life traumatic scenarios and the people that survived them. It was a really cool book, though I do give fair warning to anyone easily worried. There are lots of descriptions of horrible scenarios, but luckily it usually points out why you shouldn’t worry too much about it (though it still tells you how to be better prepared). Case in point: It talks about several plane crash
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This is not a book I would have picked up on my own, had it not been a selection of my book club. After all, I thought, isn't it pretty intuitive what makes for a good survivor? For example, what does it take to survive when lost in the woods? Be prepared by being in decent physical shape and carrying a daypack with some basics such as water. Don't lose your head. Look for water so you don't get dehydrated. Don't give up. Try to get oriented by climbing a tree or climbing a hill.
All of that is ...more
All of that is ...more
A fascinating look at the qualities that help people survive in extreme situations, be it ejected out of a plane, burned by acid, or overcoming cancer. The author was very thorough in the topic and shared many survival stories. The role of faith in so many survivor's lives was explored, as was the will to live, the science of luck, and ways to increase your own chances of survival.
Particularly interesting to me was the chapter on how adversity is actually good for you. Talking to those who worke ...more
Particularly interesting to me was the chapter on how adversity is actually good for you. Talking to those who worke ...more
What an interesting read. After completion, I immediately took the test to see if I had any of the qualities that Survivors of terrible disasters have. I did not want to be a Victim or Fatality. I was pleased to find myself in the Believer catagory. Yeah! Just right! This book has forever changed the way I look at the world, my situations and environment. As I get older, I instinctively tend to be more cautious anyway, unlike my somewhat, carefree teen and college days. But now, I know just wher
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In some ways this book is like the proverbial train wreck; you just can't stop reading because the stories are just so compelling. Admit it, we are all fascinated by stories of survival so why NOT learn from the people who have survived horrible accidents or terrifying imprisonments. The book shows how certain people react differently in crisis situations and the author goes on to show studies of the survivors. Of why they survived. I was drawn to this book because I was faced with a life threat
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Did you know that right-handers live longer than lefties? That if you are impaled by an object, you shouldn’t try to remove it? That if you’re lost without a compass or any other implements of survival that you should just stay where you are and let the searchers find you?
How about that 10 percent of all parachuting deaths result from the person forgetting to pull the parachute cord (even though s/he may have jumped many times before) or pulling it too low to the ground? What happens that these ...more
How about that 10 percent of all parachuting deaths result from the person forgetting to pull the parachute cord (even though s/he may have jumped many times before) or pulling it too low to the ground? What happens that these ...more
This was a solid 'survival psychology' book. I really like the facts interspersed with the 'hmmms.' For example, there is a lot of explanation of the physics and science behind what happens when we get into dangerous or scary situations. But there is also some soft explanations such as trying to quantify luck, hope, etc. The middle-end of the book which focused on the belief in God in the likelihood of survival was a bit repetitious, but the early chapters and the end chapters really grabbed me
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This was a really fast read because I found the material so interesting. The author does a great job of dissecting how people have survived (almost miraculously) horrible things, such as getting impaled in the heart by a knitting needle… jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge… being a prisoner during the Holocaust… and much, much more. There’s also a lot of practical advice as well (from research studies and from field experts).
Below are some of the survival lessons from the book:
MISC. TIPS:
- NEVER ...more
Below are some of the survival lessons from the book:
MISC. TIPS:
- NEVER ...more
I really enjoyed this book and found it to be quite captivating. However, it ended on a sour note for me because I couldnt take the quiz. I guess the website is no longer supported so that was disappointing with all the lead up to it in the book, I really wanted to take the quiz. Otherwise, it was an insightful book that I enjoyed and it made me think so I guess in the end thats what matters. I probably would've just discovered Im not much of a survivor anyways, so maybe its for the best ;)
In any disaster situation who lives and who dies largely comes down to chance and dumb luck. However, there are things an individual can do to spin the dice in one’s favour, argues Sherwood. Presenting a range of scenarios and survivor anecdotes, you can find a few practical and, more importantly, mindset development tips on how to be better prepared for life’s inevitable cruel curveballs. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
I think the author lost his way a little on this topic. The subject matter holds some personal interest and I found it engaging initially, but there was too much redundancy overall to keep my attention. Not wanting to waste my money, I got through the whole thing... eventually.
As I neared the end though, I had an uptick in interest - as Mr.Sherwood teased a unique Survivor Profiler online exam. It sounded great - except his website thesurvivorsclub.org no longer exists (and you need that for an ...more
As I neared the end though, I had an uptick in interest - as Mr.Sherwood teased a unique Survivor Profiler online exam. It sounded great - except his website thesurvivorsclub.org no longer exists (and you need that for an ...more
This is really more like a 2 1/2. It is a lot like Freakonomics, except just dealing with different senarios that people survive and why. There is an interesting chapter on where you should sit and what you should wear to improve you chances of surviving an airplane crash. (It recommends choosing an aisle seat and wearing tennis shoes that you should keep on your feet at all times during the flight, but I must admit that I still chose a window seat for my next flight overseas because I want some
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This was a very interesting book. I have always been fascinated with the survivors in any extreme situation from accident survivors to cancer survivors. This author interviews them all and explores the reasons why some survived and why others perished. Would I be one of the survivors of an airplane crash or of the Holocaust? Probably not. I don't think I'm scared enough of dying to fight for survival like others do. My main reason for wanting to survive......my husband and kids. They need me and
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I am not adequately equipped to express how powerful this book was. This book fixed something inside of me that was broken. I became a different and better person after reading it. It is one of the most important books I have ever read.
I do not know how to say more than this without cheapening the profoundness of the experience for me and how it changed my life. All I can say is that I think everyone can learn from this book or benefit from it, or at the very least gain a healthy dose of perspec ...more
I do not know how to say more than this without cheapening the profoundness of the experience for me and how it changed my life. All I can say is that I think everyone can learn from this book or benefit from it, or at the very least gain a healthy dose of perspec ...more
Sherwood's journalistic background makes this a well written, well researched, and highly engaging book. You'll discover a few secrets and possibly some science to help save your life in an emergency, but if that's all you hope to gain from the book you might feel shortchanged. While there are certain traits that survivors (of all kinds of disasters) seem to share, the bottom line is that most (if not all of us) have those same traits. Nevertheless, the numerous accounts of survivors make for tr
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The survival tales in here are not for the easily squeamish, stabbed in the heart with a knitting needle, burnt with acid and bridge jumping suicide (there is detail on how the ribs compress to shred your internal organs).
What I learnt from this book was:
* Blunt force trauma is the worst kind of injury to sustain
* You can smell fear, trust your senses
* Try to stay calm in a disaster and escape
* A belief in a higher power will help you survive
I also liked the motto of "hug the monster" and embrac ...more
What I learnt from this book was:
* Blunt force trauma is the worst kind of injury to sustain
* You can smell fear, trust your senses
* Try to stay calm in a disaster and escape
* A belief in a higher power will help you survive
I also liked the motto of "hug the monster" and embrac ...more
Lots of really fascinating accounts of inidivuals surviving the most insane events. An in-depth look into what personal character traits helped these people live when others didn't. Strategies and stats to help you improve your chances of getting out alive. Take the online survivor profiling test at www.survivorprofiler.org and find out what your greatest survival strengths are. The stories are well written and it is easy to read. I recommend this book to all my friends.
Elie Wiesel - "Those who have not ived through the experience will never know. Those who have will never tell; not really, not completely."
"They were ordinary individuals , chosen by sheer accident of history to bear witness to one of its most awful periods. . . . The story of survivors is one of courage and strength, of people who are living proof of the indomitible will of human beings to survive and of their tremendous capacity for hope. It is not a story of remarkable people. It is a story o ...more
"They were ordinary individuals , chosen by sheer accident of history to bear witness to one of its most awful periods. . . . The story of survivors is one of courage and strength, of people who are living proof of the indomitible will of human beings to survive and of their tremendous capacity for hope. It is not a story of remarkable people. It is a story o ...more
Was really on the verge of 5 stars for this one, but the initial thrill at the beginning had somewhat dimmed by the end of the book. Lots of interesting anecdotes throughout, but somehow I felt a little let down by the time I made it to the end, though I learned a lot and enjoyed the information that was presented. I feel a little more world savvy having read it, but still not anywhere near being a Navy SEAL.
This book takes an interesting look at those who have survived ordeals both big and small and looks to science to showcase the traits and qualities that allowed them to do so. Overall, this approach is fine. I found that there were times where I wished more of the survivor's story was told in a lot more detail, and there were many times where I felt the scientific follow-up was lacking in detailed explanation or empirical data, especially as the book continued on from the first two or three chap
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An incredible book!!! I took the Survivor's Club test and learned that I am a "connector." Such an interesting and hopeful collection of stories that should be shared with anyone/everyone in your life. Reveals the strength of the human spirit along with the science and secrets (as the tag line says...) that can help save your life. Doesn't come out till january...but preorder now!!!!
Summary: What would you do if the ferry you were on overturned? What if the plane you were on started to crash? Or you were mauled by a mountain lion? Learn what these people did and what they believe led to their survival.
Why I Read This: I had been moderately interested in this title, so I put it on my iPod. Driving home from Traverse City over Labor Day, I was in the car with two people I didn't know who both liked different kinds of nonfiction, and this seemed like the best middle ground.
Re ...more
Why I Read This: I had been moderately interested in this title, so I put it on my iPod. Driving home from Traverse City over Labor Day, I was in the car with two people I didn't know who both liked different kinds of nonfiction, and this seemed like the best middle ground.
Re ...more
Ben Sherwood creates an entertaining read as he goes about trying to discover why some people survive tragedy and others die. Are there personality traits that survivors possess? Does their belief in God act as a shield? Ben interviews everyone from psychologists to survival experts and leaves no stone unturned. He talks to cancer patients, those who have escaped plane crashes and survived horrific mountain lion attacks. Not only does Ben give some great advice (you have 90 seconds to escape a b
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This would have been a five star book if it wasn't for all the talk about the test that is no longer available on the internet. It was weird to spend so many pages about the test, its development, and its interpretation, especially since it no longer exits. Apart from that however, it was a fascinating read. I am a little more nervous about surviving things like plane crashes because I have overactive imagination and a tendency to worry, but I am more knowledgeable too about HOW to survive, so t
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| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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| Very Timely | 4 | 25 | Jul 18, 2013 11:55AM |
Ben Sherwood is a bestselling author, award-winning journalist and founder of TheSurvivorsClub.org. From 2004 to 2006, he worked as executive producer of ABC’s Good Morning America during the two most successful seasons in the program’s history. Sherwood guided prize-winning coverage of the tsunami in Southeast Asia, the devastation of hurricane Katrina, and the presidential election of 2004
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“In a critical sense, doing nothing can mean doing something. Inaction can be action and embracing this paradox can save your life.”
—
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