I have to admit that I simply love this book.  It is obvious from reading through it that Brooks is passionate about zombies and has certainly done his research.  There really isn't an area of zombie lore left untouched.  A section on zombie history chronicles different incarnations, even touching on voodoo zombies.  There are parts detailing the best types of weapons to use (and not use) against the undead.  I especially enjoy the survival strategies such as on the defense, on the run, and on the attack.

There are a lot of "survival guide" books out there, but Brooks' actually delivers.  I highly recommend reading the book from cover to cover and engross yourself in it.  The book captures the feeling that zombies are a real threat and that the book contains the means for survival.  You can't help conjuring up famous zombie movie moments as you read through the book.

The amount of detail in the survival guide is unprecedented.  There is the obvious, like different levels of outbreaks, and then the crazy, like actually distinguishing between one and two-level homes.  Distinctions go further than the superficial (air versus ground travel) and into great detail (fixed-wing aircraft versus helicopter versus balloon etc.).  It all adds to the flavor of the book.

The final section of the book is dedicated to "recorded attacks" and is definitely the foundation of what would become World War Z.  This significant chunk focuses on zombie attacks throughout history, starting in 60,000 BC up to the present day.  While not as filled out as World War Z (obviously) it does provide a distinct change from the pages that preceded it, adding more layers to the many layered book.

If I had to make one criticism, it would be the illustrations.  With all of these "survival guides," illustrations played a big part.  In the Zombie Survival Guide, they just seem forced and sometimes out of place.  Unlike other survival guides, they do not provide any helpful information and even from an artistic standpoint are mediocre at best.

This book is fun, plain and simple..  It is pure entertainment and personally an invaluable tool when it comes to thinking/writing about zombies.  Comparisons to World War Z are unavoidable, but this is a completely different animal, and dare I say, better?  That would be zombie-blasphemy I know, but I can easily say that The Zombie Survival Guide is as good as, if not more enjoyable, than World War Z.  If you haven't read it yet, and are a fan of Max Brooks, it is a must.  In fact, it is a must for any zombie fan.  So read it.  And have fun.