From the Bookshelf of Apocalypse Whenever…

World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War

Max Brooks

Start date: December 1, 2012

Finish date: January 1, 2013

Discussion: AW BOOK CLUB (spoilers)

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AW BOOK CLUB (spoilers)

* What is a good book for AW discussion? (Nominations pool)
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* AW Book Club: what we've read
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last updated Dec 10, 2019 09:01AM

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What Members Thought

Jun 11, 2011 Tabatha rated it liked it

Shelves: dystopian, post-apocalyptic, horror, zombies, sci-fi

I was actually kind of disappointed in this book. I have previously read The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks and found it amazing, so I thought this one would be too. In fact, World War Z has been quite a popular read. I guess that just goes to show that popular isn’t always the best.

Okay, now you probably think that I really hate this book. Absolutely not. I prefer stories driven by characters, where this one is characters driving a story about war. War books were never really my forte. I ...more

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Dec 12, 2011 Terri rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: horror, apocalyptic-dystopian-fiction

I really loved this book. The different stories from different perspectives made it seem even more comprehensive feeling than a straight narrative. And, this being an audio book, the various narrators enhanced the experience. Look forward to the movie!

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Jul 17, 2007 Sherrie rated it really liked it

Shelves: myfavorites, 2006booklist, zombielit

I must warn you. I was in stuck in a huge Zombie tidal wave starting in late October. I love zombie movies and I got caught up in them during the Halloween movie wave. Sooo..what did I do? I went online to get a listing of zombie books. This was the first. What a fun, well-written book! A tongue in cheek nod to the present day Iraqi war, written without all the “winkwink” crap it could have had. Each chapter is an interview with an individual who played a role in the world-wide fight against the ...more

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Jan 24, 2011 Joanna rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, post-apocalyptic

This book is awesome. As the title suggests, the oral history is a series of interviews in chronological order. Fascinating and really well thought out.

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Feb 23, 2009 Cindywho rated it liked it

Shelves: fantasy-sf, dark

As the author himself admits, this is a mashup of Studs Terkel and George Romero. There is something fascinating about taking the horrific/ridiculous idea of a zombie plague and writing war stories. I liked that he finally tried to touch upon what such a holocaust would do to the environment, other animals, how different countries fought and survived - or didn't. It was a great T read, but I'm glad I didn't get the audio version for my bedtime listening.

Ended up listening to the audiobook (only ...more

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Mar 06, 2007 Brandon rated it it was amazing

Shelves: horror, multiple-reads, war, zombies, disaster

With The Zombie Survival Guide Max Brooks demonstrated himself to be one of the most original writers in the zombie genre. His follow-up novel, World War Z, has shown that he is not a one trick pony, but rather a true master in the field. If rumors are true Brad Pitt's production company bought the rights to this book, before it was even released! Needless to say I look forward to this making its way to the big screen. ...more

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Jan 19, 2012 Rick Muir rated it really liked it

This is a great history of a great imaginary war. Should make a fine movie.

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Dec 15, 2009 Jason rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: library, audio-book

This is closer to 4.5 stars. It is an excellent book. I love the post-apocalyptic stuff and this really hits the mark. Like Earth Abides kind of book, but short and only interviews with survivors. But these interviews had great stories. ...more

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