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The Unthinkable
- Who Survives When Disaster Strikes - and Why
- Narrated by: Kirsten Potter
- Length: 9 hrs and 35 mins
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The Unthinkable
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Summary
Discover how human beings react to danger—and what makes the difference between life and death
“Fascinating and useful . . . [shows that] the most important variable in an emergency is your own behavior.”—The New York Times
Today, nine out of ten Americans live in places at significant risk of earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, terrorism, or other disasters. Tomorrow, some of us will have to make split-second choices to save ourselves and our families. How will we react? What will it feel like? Will we be heroes or victims?
In her quest to answer these questions, award-winning journalist Amanda Ripley traces human responses to some of recent history’s epic disasters, from the explosion of the Mont Blanc munitions ship in 1917–one of the biggest explosions before the invention of the atomic bomb–to the journeys of the 15,000 people who found their way out of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. To understand the science behind the stories, Ripley turns to leading brain scientists, trauma psychologists, and other disaster experts. She even has her own brain examined by military researchers and experiences, through realistic simulations, what it might be like to survive a plane crash into the ocean or to escape a raging fire.
Ripley comes back with precious wisdom about the surprising humanity of crowds, the elegance of the brain’s fear circuits, and the stunning inadequacy of many of our evolutionary responses. Most unexpectedly, she discovers the brain’s ability to do much, much better–with just a little help.
Critic reviews
“Engrossing and lucid . . . facing the truth about the human capacity for risk and disaster turns out to be a lot less scary than staying in the dark.”—O: The Oprah Magazine
“The thinking person’s manual for getting out alive.”—NPR’s “Book Tour”
“The Unthinkable isn’t merely a book about disaster; it’s a book about survival—maybe yours.”—Gavin de Becker, New York Times bestselling author of The Gift of Fear
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What listeners say about The Unthinkable
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Elliot Blackburn
- 26-08-18
Incredibly interesting, despite no prior interest
I picked up this book after a recommendation from Alec Steel on YouTube just because I had a spare credit. This book was phenomenal, so incredibly interesting and eye opening. My only regret is underestimating how intriguing the topic could be.
The book is very accessible to those with no prior experience or interest in disaster situations, and I learned loads from listening to it. I've now recommended this to friends as a result. Also, Kristen Potter has a very soothing voice with excellent clarity for such a topic.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 16-02-24
so interesting and eye opening
i am a 14 year old girl and did not expect to like this book but i was absolutely hooked. i finished this in about 3 days i could not stop listening and was actually upset when i finished it. it was so interesting to hear the weird but helpful ways our brain reacts and the stories are just amazing. would 100% recommend this to anyone.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Andyjn
- 02-01-19
Informative
This is a very informative book. It certainly gives you a lot to think about.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Justine
- 17-12-09
Engaging
This book is very engaging, and quite emotive. The disasters discussed are modern, and the science that accompanies is relevant and well researched.
There are some things in this book that everyone should be told about, and for that reason I think that you should get this book right now!
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9 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- A Clicks
- 20-03-23
Incredibly interesting!
Disaster is one of those words we use and hear in the news all the time without giving it too much thought about the finer details.... Earthquake, fire, terror... disaster. This really well structured and written book takes a deep dice into human nature, what happens when we're exposed to an emergency or life threatening moment and why some people are better at surviving than others. The author (Amanda Ripley) has clearly spent a long time doing her research and the book is well worth a listen.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Ms
- 06-05-18
Fascinating & reassuring!
I first listened to this book after the death of my older brother as I was trying to make sense of his death. It is riveting to understand how we behave, how we react and to understand the things we can do to help ourselves is reassuring. It means that we can make a difference to our own survival. I am taking my 13yr old nephew to a concert in Manchester & he just asked me if it’s the venue where there was a recent bomb attack. We talked about the data & the likelihood of another bomb & I asked what was the single biggest thing he could do at any venue .... and then explained it is to know where the nearest exits are. Highly recommend this book!
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 27-09-20
Riveting
Found this incredibly easy to get through - good narration, fascinating topic.
How people respond to disaster - broad scale or every day car crashes - can be affected by planning.
This book has enough research notes to give the reader comfort that it's backed by the research.
I'm going to get to know my disaster personality, and I'm going to keep my eyes open for risk in a whole new way because of this book.
I hope it sticks.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Rebecca
- 08-12-23
Fascinating
One of the best books I’ve ever listened to. I was worried it would be one horror story of survival after another but couldn’t have been more wrong. Really delves into the fascinating reasons that people play in both their own and other survivals and why. My mind is blown! Telling everyone I know to read it!
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 02-06-23
Devious plug - uninspiring book-
only bought this because of some sly marketing by a guest on Joe Rogan. I'm not sure who this book would apeal too? The Wannabe soldier types who wants to spout some shit to his next date he just met on plenty of fish.
Completely lost me when they were reciting the 9-11 fairy tale as if it were actually true! then again, if you are the type of person to believe the official version of events, then I guess you would enjoy this book.
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