these days, you can never know enough......

First, Kirsten Potter performed a stellar narration. The book goes into some interesting detail about why some survive and others perish in disasters. In the last 30 or so minutes of the book, there is an amazing story about a security guy at MorganStanley who was on-site during the 9/11 terrorist attack. It describes who this guy was, what he did, and how it made such a positive difference in the survival rate on that terrible day.

17 people found this helpful

fascinating

This (audio)book is endlessly fascinating. The author reveals that human behavior in disasters and emergencies often differs greatly than we'd expect. Interesting for a broad audience, and easily understandable.

29 people found this helpful

Essential Listening for Survival

I found this book interesting from multiple perspectives.

As a self-defense instructor (LEO, Martial Arts and Women’s ) I found this to confirm some training methodologies and explain some of my students’ successes. The lesson that Ms. Ripley showed in multiple contexts is that realistic repetition is the key to success in a survival situation. This runs counter to many self defense and martial arts methodologies that teach multiple techniques for differing situations. As a self-defense instructor it reinforced my instinct of teaching the basics in realistic situations until muscle memory is developed.

As an emergency preparedness professional (part time collateral duty), it has reinforced the need to focus on individual preparedness and the need to conduct a risk assessment of the most probable and dangerous contingencies. The analysis of the Beverly Hills Supper Club fire, the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks, and the D.C. plane crash were very interesting and illuminating on human behavior in crisis situations and provide recommendations for how professional emergency preparedness officials could reduce loss of life. The realization gained from this book is that I was previously too focused on regulatory requirements and not on the bottom line - reducing loss of life. I will use this book as a reference in my Emergency Management course work. As a citizen it has motivated me to be more responsible and prepared for my families survival in natural and manmade disasters.

As a retired U.S. army infantry officer with five combat tours, it increased my understanding of my PTSD and explained the behavior of other people involved in previous traumatic experiences that I was involved. All of the information that Ms. Ripley presented made sense to a combat infantryman.

This book is worked well in the audible format. Although this book is essential listening, it is not something that I would use as a reference, although I would listen to it again. I would buy this in hard copy only to gift it to other people. The narrator was not annoying and I was motivated to listen to this book in all of my spare time. Listen or read this book now before you are in a life or death situation!

16 people found this helpful

We all need to think about the unthinkable.

I hate to fly, but if I want to see my oldest son who lives 1700 miles away, I pretty much have to. When I was four months pregnant with this son, I was on a flight that had a fire in the cabin shortly after takeoff, so the pilot told us we needed to assume the crash position, return to the airport, land on a runway surrounded by fire trucks, and exit using the wing evacuation slides. Everything turned out fine, but it was pretty darn scary at the time. I've been terrified to fly ever since, asking my doctor for four Xanax four times a year when I had to fly. She has become less willing to prescribe them, so now I just have a drink before boarding.

When I saw this book at the library, even the title made my heart pound, but I decided to check it out and face my fear. Instead of being scary, I found this book to be interesting, informative, empowering, and a positive look at how people react when faced with a disaster. I hope I never have to learn what my "disaster personality" (how you respond in a crisis) would be if I was in the middle of a real disaster, but this book has given me a lot to think about, and at least listen to the safety presentation before takeoff, identify the plane exits as instructed, and learn where the fire exits are when I check into a hotel. I'm still afraid to fly, but after reading The Unthinkable, I can recognize that as an emotional response, and move beyond it by planning, preparation, practicing, and executing my plan. It's a fine line between telling yourself that the chances of a disaster happening to you or a loved one are slim and expecting disasters around every corner, but The Unthinkable provides an educational, logical, and positive approach to risk, fear, and disaster planning.

7 people found this helpful

Loved this book on many levels.

What made the experience of listening to The Unthinkable the most enjoyable?

They looked at data, personal experience and MRI's to determine how and why people respond the way they do to trauma and that has value.

What other book might you compare The Unthinkable to and why?

Maybe Tipping Point or Freakenomics to make a far fetched corollary.

What about Kirsten Potter???s performance did you like?

She sounded vested in sharing the story and was easy to listen to for long stretches.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Your world has just been torn apart by the scariest thing imaginable how will you respond?

4 people found this helpful

The Mind In Crises

Would you listen to The Unthinkable again? Why?

I would listen to this again. Everybody reacts differently in emergencies.This could save your life.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Are you ready when the sh** hits the fan.

3 people found this helpful

Fascinating and enlightening!

Took away all my fear and dread by giving me information on what happens during the most major emergencies, and what happens to human minds and groups of people. I'm gonna prepare.

2 people found this helpful

Fascinating!

First, this book is full of stories of actual survivors - and non-survivors -- of disasters, the stories are inspirational and motivational. Second, this book delves into the physiology and sociology of disasters which is so fascinating and presents a challenge I am trying to meet -- to be aware and be prepared.

2 people found this helpful

Very interesting book about human reactions

What did you love best about The Unthinkable?

I loved how the author showed you through several ministories about real people and what I did correctly... at least in that particular incident and what was going on in their brain. The author effectively debunks some myths and has enough detail from anaytomy to psychology to satifsy a reader. FYI the stories are personal and interesting and not overall "touchy feely" which is great for me. She gets you to sympathy with the people in the story without going on and on as many books do.

What does Kirsten Potter bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She is very clear to understand and uses enough verbal skill to make it actually seem like a dialog and interpersonal chat.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Honestly too many parts were so good, but I would say how a person survived both Twin Tower attacks; it was utterly fascinating.

Any additional comments?

I do not think this book would be good for simply reading so you know what to do. Not saying most people buy it for this, but it is interesting and greatly helps you understand society and individuals when disaster strikes.

2 people found this helpful

Approachable by laypeople and professionals

Engaging, but informative. This is not a how to for every disaster, but a way to create and maintain the proper mindset to prepare for and react to dangerous and stressful situations.

1 person found this helpful