The Survivors Club: The Secrets
and Science that Could Save Your Life
by Ben Sherwood
audio book: 11.5 hours
and Science that Could Save Your Life
by Ben Sherwood
audio book: 11.5 hours
*** About the Book ***
What is it that causes certain people to survive physical and/or emotional disasters while others who have the same experience don't make it through? Is it luck? Coincidence? Faith? Something else? According to this book, it is a combination of those things, plus genetics, attitude, and lots more. This book attempts to identify all the factors that make a person into a survivor ... and also show the reader how to become a survivor (if the need ever arises).*** My Thoughts ***
This is a fascinating book! It combines amazing stories of survival with a discussion of the science of surviving. The stories in the book are simply amazing - some you've likely heard on the news, others will be new to you, but they are all incredible. The author really wanted to understand the WHY behind these survival stories and he sought out scientists and survivalists to help him in that quest.
What I learned is that yes, part of survival is pure luck, but there is a great deal that you are actually in control of. You CAN improve your luck, and you CAN survive just about anything by using the personality tools you already have.
At the end of the book you are directed to a website where you can take a Survival IQ test. The test shows which of the 5 types of survivor you are and also the top 3 (of 12 possible) "tools" you have the most of. According to my test results, I am a "Believer" and my tools are "Hope, Love, and Flow." After reading the description of those results I'm convinced that it is correct in my case.
This is a unique book, different than anything I've read/listened to before, and I quite enjoyed it.
*** The Narrator ***
This book is narrated by the author and he did an excellent job. I've said before that I prefer authors to narrate their own books if possible because it adds an extra dimension to the listening experience for me. That was true in this case as well.
*** Other Reviews ***
If you've reviewed this one I'd love to add your link here.
- At Home With Books - also enjoyed this one
- Rhapsody in Books - highly recommends it
16 comments:
Sounds fascinating! I think I would enjoy the stories of what got them into their survival situations.
Sounds interesting but I'm afraid that I might find out that I have no survival skills and will be the first to die!
Natasha - Yes, the stories were fascinating. Better than how they got INTO the messes was how the got OUT of tehm!
Lit and Life - You'd be surprised at what the quiz takes into account. Sometimes what seems like a weakness is really a strength. That's how I felt about my "FLOW" tool (check my quiz results page for details) - I thought that would be a bad thing, but it is actually good.
I really liked this book too! The link to my review is here: http://rhapsodyinbooks.wordpress.com/2009/02/18/review-of-the-survivors-club-by-ben-sherwood/
I'm glad to see that you enjoyed this one so much. I thought it was a fascinating read too. Thanks for linking to my review!
I won this book in a giveaway and completely forgot about it until I saw your post. I must dig it out of the pile.
rhapsody - added you in. :)
Alyce - no problem.
Ti - Ooh, go read it and tell me what you think!
This sounds fascinating - I'll be on the lookout for it. Thanks for the review!
Most people seem to like this book, but I was disappointed in it. I like the beginning but when they got to talking about luck, it just didn't work for me. Glad you liked it.
Not sure this is something I'd actually read, though it does sound interesting. Thanks for the review.
--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
Darla D - I hope you enjoy it.
bermudaonion - I was already familiar with the "science" of luck that they talk about in the book so maybe that's why that section kept my interest.
Anna - To each her own I say. ;)
Thanks for the review.. I think I am going to buy this book, looks like a collectors item for my personal library.
Freedom Debt Relief
William - I hope you enjoy it!
Argh - I read the book, but was then unable to take the test with the provided access code because it was a library book. Argh!
This sounds like a fascinating find! I just read Cancer Vixen by Marisa Acocella Marchetto and found her tools for coping to be interesting. She explores different religions and even tries to purge toxic events and thoughts from her life in an attempt to deal with her cancer. This book reminds me of the many ways people have of coping and surviving.
Anonymous - My audio book was a library copy too, but I was still able to take the test ... Did your code not work?
Coffeegrl - Yes, they do sound a bit similar - let me know if you decide to read this one!
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