World War Z by Max Brooks

Doctor Glyndwr · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 32624

I am 1/4 of the way in. This is brilliant. Have you read it, Dimmers? It's very much Your Kind Of Thing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_Z
http://www.amazon.co.uk/World-War-Z-Max ... 0715637037

Quote:

World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War (abbreviated WWZ) is a 2006 horror, post-apocalyptic novel by Max Brooks. World War Z is follow-up to his previous book, The Zombie Survival Guide (2003). Rather than a grand overview or a single perspective, World War Z is a collection of individual accounts in the form of interviews of the characters by the author. Brooks plays the role of an agent of the United Nations Postwar Commission who published the novel a decade after the Zombie War in this fictional future after the United Nations left out much of his work from the official report, as it chose to focus on the facts and figures of the war rather than the human aspects he included. The novel charts a decade-long war against zombies from the view point of many different people and nationalities. In addition, the personal accounts describe the changing religious, geo-political, and environmental aftermath of the Zombie War.

It's brutal and harrowing, telling tiny little tales of slaughter and heartache and incompetence and loved ones left to die. It also manages to make zombies chilling again whilst having a nifty patter of social commentary mixed in (such as the interview with an unrepetent businessman who sold a cure for the Walking Plague that he knew didn't work). Heartily recommended.

Cras · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 49237

It's a very, very good book.

Dr Lave · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 5979

Aye, it is acebest. I very much recommend it.

Apparently Brad Pit, of all people, loved it so much that he bought the rights and is getting a film made. And I think the guy who did Babylon 5 is writing the script.

Curiosity · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2009 14:18

How odd. I have resisted buying this book (and his other one) based on loads of people telling me that it's a bunch of crap.

I could have sworn it was on this forum, but perhaps not.

Hmmm, maybe I shall get it after all.

Dr Lave · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 5979

I've not read his first book but everything i've heard indicates it is shit compared to WWZ.

Doctor Glyndwr · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 32624

Dr Lave wrote:

Apparently Brad Pit, of all people, loved it so much that he bought the rights and is getting a film made. And I think the guy who did Babylon 5 is writing the script.

Yeah. There was a bidding war between Plan B, his firm, and DiCaprio's one; Plan B won and the script is finished, I think. No casting yet.

Grim... · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2009 14:32

I concur with everyone else - a great little book.

Curiosity · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2009 14:33

Dr Lave wrote:

I've not read his first book but everything i've heard indicates it is shit compared to WWZ.

Ah.

Maybe it is from this that my confusion arose.

NervousPete · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2009 14:40

I read this in America. It is quite good. Moments of brilliance (the submarine, the initial outbreak, the deadly Northern US winter, the transport planes) and clod-hopping wrongness (Japanese cyber-otaku with sword, occassionally forced dialogue and blunt satire). Overall it's pretty good though. Well worth a read, especially if you love the zomb genre. I twinned it with playing Left 4 Dead for the first itme, and much fun was had.

Morte · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2009 14:42

The Zombie Survival Guide is not bad at all, even having a pseudo scientific explanation of the causes of the Zombie Apocalypse.

If you enjoyed the WWZ book you should look for on (online retailers - Ed) for the Audio Book which is more of a play with such luminaries as Henry Rollins and Alan Alda in it.

Tiq · **Joined:** 3rd Mar, 2009 **Posts:** 133

World War Z is immense, as is the zombie survival guide.

Cras · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 49237

Pretty sure it was only about 8"x6", actually.

Zardoz · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2009 15:27

Oooh it's cheap too, going to be my holiday book I think. The Necronomicon* I ordered is a tad large to lug about with my hand luggage.

*http://www.amazon.co.uk/Necronomicon-Weird-Fiction-Lovecraft-Gollancz/dp/0575081562 not started this yet but it's lovely looking book.

Morte · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2009 15:30

Zardoz wrote:

Oooh it's cheap too, going to be my holiday book I think. The Necronomicon* I ordered is a tad large to lug about with my hand luggage.

*http://www.amazon.co.uk/Necronomicon-Weird-Fiction-Lovecraft-Gollancz/dp/0575081562 not started this yet but it's lovely looking book.

I saw that in Waterstones last week but realised I've got most of the stuff in there aready. It's a lovely item though.

Zardoz · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2009 15:32

Lovely x 1000000000 for me. Because I didn't have any of his stuff until now!

Tiq · **Joined:** 3rd Mar, 2009 **Posts:** 133

Craster wrote:

Pretty sure it was only about 8"x6", actually.

Sleep with one eye opened tonight sir, lest I come into your room and get all stabby.

Don't think I wont do it, Craster... I'm a man on the edge.

Dimrill · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2009 16:12

Doctor Glyndwr wrote:

Have you read it, Dimmers? It's very much Your Kind Of Thing.

It's on my shelf waiting to be read. I've been working my way through the Horus Heresy series first, but I'm stumbling on the mostly excremental Fallen Angels book (Dark Angels, yawn. Fucking DAEMONS MAN! DAEMONS! NOW!)

If you like good zombage, like An Excellent Person should, get City of The Dead. That's well bostin.

Cras · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 49237

Dimrill wrote:

It's on my shelf waiting to be read. I've been working my way through the Horus Heresy series first, but I'm stumbling on the mostly excremental Fallen Angels book (Dark Angels, yawn. Fucking DAEMONS MAN! DAEMONS! NOW!)

Just skip it. It doesn't affect anything and the later ones are better.

Doctor Glyndwr · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 32624

Dimrill wrote:

I've been working my way through the Horus Heresy series first

I can't imagine WH40K tie-in novels would be any good at all. Some of the older ones, back when GW employed some real writers rather than just accountants, were OK; the fantasy collection Red Thirst I remember being pretty good.

Curiosity · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2009 16:20

If we're just recommending books at the moment, then everyone should read 'The Gone Away World' by Nick Harkaway.

It contains, amongst other things:

Ninjas, pirates, science, friendship, growing up, armies, war, mimes, science fiction, businesses, and other fun things. It is also the best book I've read in years.

Cras · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 49237

Doctor Glyndwr wrote:

Dimrill wrote:

I've been working my way through the Horus Heresy series first

I can't imagine WH40K tie-in novels would be any good at all.

Dan Abnett's Gaunt's Ghosts series is gold-plated magic.

NervousPete · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2009 16:23

I believe that Kim Newman wrote some WK40 books under a pseudonym, I'm reasonably curious as to those. Not sure what his pen-name is though. He of course did write the excellently titled, 'Dracula, Cha Cha Cha'.

The only novelisation/spin off book I've ever been tempted to read is the Hugo award winning and supposedly amazing 'Spock's World' by Diane someone or other. It looks quite interesting.

Tiq · **Joined:** 3rd Mar, 2009 **Posts:** 133

Other than the entire discworld series, the one book I'd massively recommend is I, Lucifer by Glen Duncan.

Satan is offered a human body for one month, provided that he does nothing which will permanently harm the host. If he can live out the month blamelessly, he can keep the body until its eventual demise. If he lives virtuously and repents, he can return to Heaven, though not regaining his angelic status.

Utterly fantastic book.

Dimrill · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2009 16:40

Doctor Glyndwr wrote:

I can't imagine WH40K tie-in novels would be any good at all.

See, that's where you're going wrong. Try reading them instead of imagining what they're like. The first 4 books have been supahbostin.

Doctor Glyndwr · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 32624

Dimrill wrote:

Doctor Glyndwr wrote:

I can't imagine WH40K tie-in novels would be any good at all.

See, that's where you're going wrong. Try reading them instead of imagining what they're like. The first 4 books have been supahbostin.

The memories of Weis & Hickman run deep, man. Deep.

Dimrill · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2009 16:42

Bleh Dragonlance. Shit biscuits. I need to sort out our library at some point. Yes, I have an entire room of our house just for our combined book collections.

The Rev Owen · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2009 16:42

Zardoz wrote:

Oooh it's cheap too, going to be my holiday book I think. The Necronomicon* I ordered is a tad large to lug about with my hand luggage.

*http://www.amazon.co.uk/Necronomicon-Weird-Fiction-Lovecraft-Gollancz/dp/0575081562 not started this yet but it's lovely looking book.

I got that for Christmas. My wife stole it and read through it all cover to cover, I've not even started it yet.

Cras · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 49237

Doctor Glyndwr wrote:

Dimrill wrote:

Doctor Glyndwr wrote:

I can't imagine WH40K tie-in novels would be any good at all.

See, that's where you're going wrong. Try reading them instead of imagining what they're like. The first 4 books have been supahbostin.

The memories of Weis & Hickman run deep, man. Deep.

Were they tie-ins? Did Dragonlance as a setting exist before 'Chronicles'?

Dimrill · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2009 16:44

I'd be interested to know which stories were in that, being an owner of the 3 omnibuses that they put out a few years back.

Doctor Glyndwr · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 32624

Craster wrote:

Doctor Glyndwr wrote:

The memories of Weis & Hickman run deep, man. Deep.

Were they tie-ins? Did Dragonlance as a setting exist before 'Chronicles'?

Yes. Admittedly not long before, the release of those novels was co-ordinated to the release of Dragonlance itself, if memory serves. As a cross-promotional thing.

Edit -- the glowing amazon reviews of Chronicles (for example) are making me question my sanity.

Grim... · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2009 18:01

I read a book about a Space Marine. He got addicted to pain, or something. He put his hand in acid and drew on his bones at the end.

Dimrill · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2009 18:16

Grim... wrote:

I read a book about a Space Marine. He got addicted to pain, or something. He put his hand in acid and drew on his bones at the end.

I think it was callled "The Bus That Couldn't Slow Down"

Morte · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2009 18:46

Now this is interesting, because I've always wondered who bought those types of books? According to wiki they've released over 190 novels in the Dragonlance universe...190. The original modules were terribly written, god knows what the books are like.

Dimrill · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2009 18:49

I've always considered them the Mills and Boon of the fantasy genre. Useless fast food for the mind.

Cras · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 49237

I used to read them as a kid. I like my books trashy, to be honest. I spend all day being challenged so I do like a bit of escapism.

MaliA · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2009 19:31

Craster wrote:

I spend all day being challenged.

Heh.

Dimrill · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2009 20:14

Well it's completely up to you what you read, dude. Just giving my taste on them.

Doctor Glyndwr · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 32624

Dimrill wrote:

Well it's completely up to you what you read, dude. Just giving my taste on them.

You've inspired me to maybe read one of the 40K books. Any one in particular should be on my Amazon Wishlist?

Dimrill · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2009 20:53

Horus Rising.

Doctor Glyndwr · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 32624

Dimrill wrote:

Horus Rising.

Added to wish list. Ta.

MrChris · **Joined:** 1st Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 30498

Some of the 40k books are good. The Gaunt's Ghosts ones are good fun - I still need to get the Horus ones on your recommendation, Dimmers.

The Dragonlance books were shite. The Forgotten Realms books were brill, though.

Hugh · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2009 22:21

Mr Chris wrote:

The Dragonlance books were shite. The Forgotten Realms books were brill, though.

Agreed. I read quite a few of them as a teenager. The stand-out ones in my beer-addled memory were The Dark Elf Trilogy and The Avatar Series. I quite liked Ravenloft as a young Hugh, Vampire of the Mists was a good'un.

Also, I read World War Z a couple of years ago and thought it was tough to read but ultimately rewarding.

Has anyone here read I am Legend, by Richard Matheson? It farts on the face of the awful Will Smith film.

MrChris · **Joined:** 1st Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 30498

Sir Hugh wrote:

Mr Chris wrote:

The Dragonlance books were shite. The Forgotten Realms books were brill, though.

Agreed. I read quite a few of them as a teenager. The stand-out ones in my beer-addled memory were The Dark Elf Trilogy and The Avatar Series. I quite liked Ravenloft as a young Hugh, Vampire of the Mists was a good'un.

I did rather enjoy all the Drizzt books, silly as they were.

It's amusing that it tends to be the same writers who do tie ins. Stackpole, Anderson, Savlatore, etc, they all seem to do D&D, 40k, Star Wars etc.

Quote:

Has anyone here read I am Legend, by Richard Matheson? It farts on the face of the awful Will Smith film.

Oh dear, sir. Whilst I am willing to accept that the book is better than the film (that oft being the case), the film was not "awful". It was an acceptable journeyman's effort. Improved slightly with the alternate (proper) ending.

Hugh · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2009 23:10

I have cancelled my subscription to Mr Chris monthly. The first half an hour of I am Legend was excellent and then it took a rather severe, field-smashing nosedive.

Pundabaya · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 5016

The Zombie Survival Guide is alright, though I thoroughly disagree with some of Max (son of Mel... no seriously!) Brooks' conclusions.

For example, he suggests that a katana is the awsomest anti-zombie melee weapon available... which isn't true. Don't believe the hype!

For a start, the latana has a curved blade, meaning that it would be much harder to pull off the precise stab required to kill a zombie if there isn't room to swing it. Blah de blah, draw cutting weapon, yaketty-schmacketty, no cross guard, yadda yadda.

World War Z is cool though.

Rodafowa · **Posted:** Thu Apr 16, 2009 11:16

Mr Chris wrote:

It's amusing that it tends to be the same writers who do tie ins. Stackpole, Anderson, Savlatore, etc, they all seem to do D&D, 40k, Star Wars etc.

Jedi Search, the first book of the Jedi Academy trilogy by Kevin Anderson, is the single worst book I've ever read.

And I've read a Dan Brown novel.

MrChris · **Joined:** 1st Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 30498

Rodafowa wrote:

Mr Chris wrote:

It's amusing that it tends to be the same writers who do tie ins. Stackpole, Anderson, Savlatore, etc, they all seem to do D&D, 40k, Star Wars etc.

Jedi Search, the first book of the Jedi Academy trilogy by Kevin Anderson, is the single worst book I've ever read.

And I've read a Dan Brown novel.

Kevin Fucking Anderson is one of the worst writers in the history of writing. He has, to my knowledge, never created even so much as a two dimensional character. His Dune prequels were a particularly excellent example of his craft. His own series of something to do with big glass balls in gas giants and some space pikeys is a close second.

I mean, christ, how can you fuck up a story about space gyppos? That's gold there, GOLD.

Doctor Glyndwr · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 32624

Mr Chris wrote:

His Dune prequels were a particularly excellent example of his craft.

Dammit, last time I found out he'd been alllowed to shit all over Frank Herbert's amazing universe, I had to scoop the knowledge it out with a spoon. Fucking thanks.

Cras · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 49237

A challenge for anyone with a masochistic taste for appalling writing. If you can read Appleseed by John Clute (no relation to the manga) cover to cover without killing someone, you're a better man than I, Gunga Din.

MrChris · **Joined:** 1st Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 30498

I managed about 4 pages of that book before I flung it back in your direction with a curse on his ancestors.

Be Excellent To Each Other

World War Z by Max Brooks

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