This was an interesting and enjoyable book, considering the subject matter. The author gives a great insider view of what it's like to be a professional journalist. She leads with her story of surviving the September 11 terrorist attack, and goes on to many other perilous situations. Her sense of humor lightens what otherwise could be a bit gloom-and-doom. It helped me think through what it would really take to be prepared, especially while traveling (if that ever happens again).

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

I actually really enjoyed this. Having been on a bit of a kick with books like this after reading "The Unthinkable" by Amanda Ripley, this had a lot of really good information on personal safety, travel, etc. The main difference with this book is that the author is really funny. She shares useful information but does it in a way that definitely lightens the mood. Also, it's a great introduction to just what it's like to be an international journalist (it's not glamorous). I’m extremely grateful that I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Even though I don't plan to be in many of the situations Matloff describes at this point of my life, I've always felt it was necessary to "be prepared." Notice... I did NOT say "live in fear"; I mean to be aware of possible unplanned-for situations and think ahead about possible ways to successfully negotiate coming out of those situations alive and well.

Matloff mainly speaks to this type of person, I believe; although she does try to also give tips to people that are fearful about situations like those she discusses. I learned several new things to keep in mind and ways to "McGyer" stuff, so I'm a satisfied reader.

It was also interesting to learn more about the situations that Matloff and other war correspondents encounter. The anecdotes used as illustrations to much of the advice here are worth reading, even if you aren't planning to use the survival data.

The title is aptly chosen to catch the attention of readers like myself. The cover illustration did not grab me, but I'm unsure what else would. They had me at the title...

I received an ARC from the publisher and Netgalley to read.

This book was a lot more serious than I imagined it would be. I thought it would have some helpful advice but like in a funny, satire-like kind of way. Instead, it really goes into emergency prepared-ness.

Straightforward and imminently practical, while still raising a chuckle throughout, I found Ms. Matloff's brisk approach very welcome (she really knows how to distill potentially complex or overwhelming information which I'm contributing to her journalism background). Some of these scenarios may seem like they'll never touch your life, yes, but YOU NEVER KNOW! I don't plan on living in a bunker but now I know that constipation is the bunker's friend. Anyhoo, I recommend for sure!

This book was a fun and interesting read, especially since I enjoy planning for the worst case scenario and being prepared. The author's sense of humor and writing style made this book easy to read and enjoyable.

This is not a prepper, living off the land and off the grid, aiming to survive a nuclear holocaust kind of book. I didn’t learn how to hunt game, can veggies, or set up tripwires around the old homestead. Instead, journalist Matloff mixes stories of her years covering news stories in some less salubrious areas of the world that convinced her that she needed to get serious about surviving drunk teenagers with assault rifles at international checkpoints and also drunk and also gun totting thugs musing about dragging her and her fellow female correspondent off into the bushes. Some of the things she covers and situations she attempts to prepare readers for will be triggering – very triggering.

The advice runs the gamut from detailed (dealing with tear gas at protests) to maddeningly vague (if you don’t know about some new bit of computer tech, maybe you know a teenager who would). Some is very practical – advice on what to pack in a to-go bag, the number of people you should attend a protest meeting with, how long certain foods should last if stored properly, and working on putting authority in your voice as you confront someone invading your personal space. Some is good advice but not as useful – internet security tips or asking your doctor to pre-prescribe a vast array of medicines to take on overseas trips.


Though the illustrations are not helpful, there is a wealth of resources listed at the end. It is the kind of stuff you hope you’ll never need – how to act in a live shooter situation, staunch bleeding, fend off a rapist – but just having read about possible situations and ways to survive them might increase your confidence and skill set enough to make it out alive. C+

This book goes really in-depth into situations, so much so that everything suggested sounds like a great idea but man I have no idea how I'd carry all of it!

3.5 ★★★✪☆ :

From the extreme to the interesting, Judith Matloff ensures you'll be prepared and then some in situations both dire and inevitable, the unexpected and the unlikely. Most times the book came across with the message of "just in case" and I appreciated that, but other times were borderline...hmm...hypochondria-ish/OCD-ish. And that very well just could have been the manner in which I was perceiving said information. Still, I took away tips and suggestions that I intend to implement and I think the book is worth considering; in the least, whatever section would pertain to you.

Thanks to netgalley I got to read an advance copy. This is exactly the kind of book that we love to peruse during slow moments at the public library. It’s actually full of important information. Yes, it’s funny and full of wit but you can learn something too! Alas, nothing on surviving a pandemic but some advice comes close. 3.5 stars

This was an interesting book. I've always liked reading survival books, and this one is definitely unique. I have a few friends that would like this book.

Practical tips from a former war correspondent. Be prepared for the unexpected. What should you do if you unexpectedly find yourself caught up in a protest? What if you’re actively planning on attending one? Tips for domestic and international travel, weather disasters and more. A good handbook to get you thinking about how you would prepare and be ready to react.

As a child, I LOVED reading survival books like Hatchet and Julie of the Wolves and as I got a little older, I started reading a bunch of survival manuals (Boy Scout Handbook, The Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook, etc). Now, as a full fledged adult (oh god), this was really helpful! I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it read, with short sections and Matloff's humor making it fly by. I read it during the COVID-19 pandemic and thought it would be heavy (and it was at times), but I walked away from it feeling a little more prepared about things. I also feel motivated to compile documents together in case of my death now and know what I should put in my emergency kit in my house and car.

Not what I expected when I requested this title on Netgalley, I thought this would be a more humorous book than it was but it was completely different. Great details with some humor about what to do in a crisis situation and hoping you never have to use the advice given. Obviously a lot of research went into writing this and I love the different stories from across the globe of war and catastrophic situation, but this book wasn't for me. Still ok of a read. I wasn't "I love it" or "this sucks" but was underwhelmed; just my opinion.

Thanks to Netgalley., the author and publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Available: 5/19/20

A fun read that's easy to dip in and out of. A recommended first purchase for most general nonfiction collections. Potential crossover appeal for HS markets as well.

Believe it or not, one of my favorite books from the past decade is The Action Heroine’s Handbook. It took itself seriously - interviewing real experts to give real step by step instructions for each task - but in such a tone that made me laugh out loud. I haven’t read it in about six years, mostly because in my current profession I don’t have to seduce the enemy, maintain a secret identity, subdue anyone with a whip, fake my own death, or accomplish any number of other action heroine skills. Not that I had to in my previous profession either...

When I picked up How to Drag a Body, I was fervently hoping for this same mix of seriousness and sarcasm, practicality and ridiculousness, heaviness and hilarity. I was still hoping to laugh out loud, and possibly snort my coffee. However, this was definitely not that type of book. It was predominantly dense didactic text about how to prepare for, act during, and thrive after a wide variety of man made emergencies and natural disasters. Illustrations were extremely sparse - although there was one depicting proper and improper methods for dragging a body. The author used a mix of anecdotes from the her life as a war correspondent, as well as anecdotes from her safety training classes, to add dimension to the book’s neurotic instructions for planning, preparing, surviving, and thriving. However the combination did little to break up the density and seriousness of the text. There was just so much text that, without the benefit of illustrations or creative formatting, reading this book was an effort.

I was disappointed to see that the author did not take advantage of a chapter dedicated to drinking to catalogue planning and mitigation strategies for scenarios that involved an excess of alcohol. However, that disappointment was somewhat alleviated by an excellent chapter on mental toughness and emotional resilience.

This book was an entertaining look at how to handle whatever emergency situation might be thrown your way. In these days of uncertainty, it's a good read for us all, as knowledge is power. Pre-covid, I spent a lot of time traveling overseas solo and was in the Peace Corps in Africa for 27 months as well. A lot of the travel section reminded me of some of my own misadventures I had along the way. The highlight though was hearing Judith's experiences of her own time as a foreign correspondent. I'd love to read more about the crazy things she experienced. I may just check out her other books next.

This is pretty much another prepper-type book, but a little less hardcore and a little more real-world. The author is a journalist who has travelled the world and seen her share of scrapes! Some of the chapters are female-specific, and I would be more apt to recommend this book to a coming of age female than male.

This book was absolutely fascinating! When I came across it on NetGalley, I knew I needed to read it. I'm always dreaming up worst case scenarios and would love to be better prepared. And journalist/author Judith Matloff has clearly lived a fascinating life. Reading about her career experiences was worth the price of admission alone.

There's a lot of great information in here detailing how to plan for and react in a crisis, including some helpful advice for medical aid I hope to never need. And I loved the chapter on natural disasters. That being said, I don't think a lot of this book is going to be relevant to the average reader. My trips consist of mainly Disney World these days, so I don't think I'll be on any mercenary places or will be in danger of coming across a bribery-wanting policeman in a war-torn African nation any time soon. And I don't attend protests in any form. A lot of Matloff's advice comes from her perspective of travelling in some of the most dangerous countries and conditions. But it was a great read nonetheless and I'd heartily recommend it.

Thank You to NetGalley and HarperCollins for providing this copy for review.

A very interesting guide to survivalism; certainly a timely issue to be covered! Not into survivalist ideals myself but I know lots who are.