This is equal parts survival guide, medical memoir, and darkly comic “well, that escalated quickly” trivia compendium. Dr. Ashely Alker takes you through the many indignities and absurdities of human mortality—from venomous creatures to bad romantic decisions—with the brisk authority of an ER doctor and the dry wit of someone who’s seen it all and still shows up to work anyway.

As a practical resource, it covers a lot of common-sense territory (wash your hands, wear sunscreen, don’t antagonize hippos), which can feel a touch obvious at times, I wouldn’t call these “the most terrifying ways to die,” but Alker sprinkles in humor and oddly specific anecdotes that keep even the more familiar advice from becoming a total slog. It’s not quite a life-changer, but it is the sort of book you can dip into before bed or with your morning coffee, leaving you better informed and maybe slightly more paranoid to live life.

Think of it as a dressed up safety manual: a little outrageous, a little educational, but not above using a dramatic death scenario to make sure you remember to hydrate.

3.5 stars

This was this book I didn’t know I needed.!
What I loved:
The simplistic explanations of the different diseases
The variety of diseases covered
The parasites were the most interesting of the book and the animal section.
And the afterlife section.
Really the whole book was extremely interesting.

It was information delivered the best way. and it kept me reading to learn more

What I didn’t love, nothing. Although photos would have been really cool.

It was an interesting book, definitely a book I have not seen before. I enjoyed the knowledge of different diseases, etc.