I just finished this book, which has been mentioned by a couple of other members here, and I just can't say enough good about it.
The book explores the psychological attributes of survivors of various disasters, but frankly it provides a much more insightful view of human psychology than this description suggests.
I recommend this one highly. Among other things, it is sort of a bibliography of many other books examining the issues surrounding humans' survival instincts, the way the modern world has dulled them, etc. There are now about 10 other books I want to read on the topic.
There are books that are best read at a certain time in your life, and I read this one at just the right point, I think. I'm not sure I would have appreciated it as much if I had read it 10 years ago.
If you take a look at the Amazon reviews, there are some reviewers who were not as impressed as I was. The book is not perfect, but after finishing it, I am glad that I didn't let a few lukewarm comments stop me, because it is one of the finest books I have read in quite a while.
It is one of those books that makes you feel like multiple parts of your brain are "lighting up" simultaneously.
I'm sure others who have read it will have interesting comments as well.
PeakOil is You
"Deep Survival" by Laurence Gonzales
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Re: "Deep Survival" by Laurence Gonzales
by smallpoxgirl » Sat 14 Jun 2008, 14:20:43
Absolutely phenomenal book! Very important insights into the thought patterns and psychological factors that differentiate who lives and who dies in life threatening situations.
"We were standing on the edges
Of a thousand burning bridges
Sifting through the ashes every day
What we thought would never end
Now is nothing more than a memory
The way things were before
I lost my way" - OCMS
Of a thousand burning bridges
Sifting through the ashes every day
What we thought would never end
Now is nothing more than a memory
The way things were before
I lost my way" - OCMS
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smallpoxgirl - Expert
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Re: "Deep Survival" by Laurence Gonzales
by SILENTTODD » Sat 14 Jun 2008, 15:02:38
Ok you convinced me. I just 1-clicked it at Amazon.com. They're getting Rich off me!
All the books I have to read now on top of a full time job, I feel like I'm back in college again!
All the books I have to read now on top of a full time job, I feel like I'm back in college again!
Skeptical scrutiny in both Science and Religion is the means by which deep thoughts are winnowed from deep nonsense-Carl Sagan
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SILENTTODD - Tar Sands
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Re: "Deep Survival" by Laurence Gonzales
by BigTex » Sat 14 Jun 2008, 17:42:32
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('SILENTTODD', 'O')k you convinced me. I just 1-clicked it at Amazon.com. They're getting Rich off me!
All the books I have to read now on top of a full time job, I feel like I'm back in college again!
All the books I have to read now on top of a full time job, I feel like I'm back in college again!
I would put this one on the top of the stack.
I've got my own stack I'm working through and I picked this one up the other night and finished it in a couple of days.
Just a tremendously thought provoking book.
I was flipping through the bibliography earlier and it must cite 40 books and articles about survival stories and psychological studies on survivor personalities. Whew. Big topic. Very interesting and relevant to the future, I think.
The one thing that comes through his analysis is the critical role of humility in survival situations. Mother Nature is very unforgiving and the same self-assurance and swagger that may work beautifully in one's career is often meaningless and even dangerous when facing the impersonal forces outside the lines of civilization.
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BigTex - Intermediate Crude
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Re: "Deep Survival" by Laurence Gonzales
by truecougarblue » Sat 14 Jun 2008, 19:56:33
I agree wholeheartedly, this book is a must read. The examples for circumstance he uses are really outstanding.
Cougar
"Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without." - Brigham Young
"Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without." - Brigham Young
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Re: "Deep Survival" by Laurence Gonzales
by cynthia » Sat 26 Jul 2008, 18:09:20
Ditto on the recommendation. I was worried during the first chapter when he was writing about fighter pilots landing on the ship since I am not into military topics. But Gonzales is a gifted writer and put me into the story so that I understood and wanted more.
He does reasonable connecting of the dots. And it 's a thinking book that sits with me still.
I bought a copy to give to a 25 yo co-worker who has been hit on his bicycle twice since February. He appreciated it too.
cynthia
He does reasonable connecting of the dots. And it 's a thinking book that sits with me still.
I bought a copy to give to a 25 yo co-worker who has been hit on his bicycle twice since February. He appreciated it too.
cynthia
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