Customer Reviews

Contingency Cannibalism: Superhardcore Survivalism's Dirty Little Secret

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Okay, my title isn't exactly accurate, but I just had to go for the lowbrow humor. Honestly, though, the book was entertaining at first, and was also fairly informative: it did actually answer most of the morbid questions I had about cannibalism. But I found the book a bit lacking for a couple of different reasons. First, the humor got on my nerves after a while. It's essentially one joke: "I like eating people." Second, the real information (history, facts about cannibalism, etc.) kinda stops 2/3 of the way through the book, and is replaced with more "humor" like recipes and such. Anyway, think of the book as "Cannibalism for Dummies" and you won't go too wrong...

This book reminds me of conversations with friends sitting around the fire at midnight with wine. Things get a little silly, there is some swearing (I believe this is what other reviewers are calling "adolescent language"). Sometimes in the book it works, other times it is tiresome. But most importantly....you come away from the get together knowing that some blatant truths have been revealed. Sometimes in language that is blunter than you like....but truth is truth.

This book is like that. The dark humor? It's VITAL. Without it, you can't be expected to survive long in any situation.

There is a LOT of truth in this book. Not all of it's pretty, and human nature can be pretty ugly at times.

The most important thing I came away with from reading this book, if it looks like cannibalism may be necessary, DON'T WAIT too long! While you waffle over the blackened remains of "morality" and "ethics", your body is engaging in cannibalism ALREADY.....on the LAST person you want to see eaten!

This is an excellent book. If you only want to read one book on the subject, I'd say go with this one. If you are sqeemish, genteel, or want to put your hands over your ears at the thought....why are you looking at this page at all? Accept your morbid curiosity for what it is! Either get the book, or remain content to surf the internet on the subject.

If you can tolerate the funny looks from the girl at the cash regester, you will be in for a treat. The book was filled with interesting facts and funny stories. It is also great to have out by the couch when guests come over! It's only flaw was that it was a little vague about how to actually prepare "the meat". I'm not sure if I could actually do it properly if the "need arose". Until then that jerk next-door is safe...

Funny, Funny Book. I didn't know what to expect when I saw, but I picked it up and couldn't put it down. Lot's of interesting facts mixed with a clever sense of humor. I bought 2 more copies as gifts for friends.

Contingency Cannibalism was given to me by a writer friend that has lots in common with Shiguro Takada, they could be one in the same. The disclaimer states vividly on the back cover blurb and again in the author's note on the first page, "For Entertainment Purposes Only!" (note the exclamation point!) and boy was this anthronerdalistic work entertaining.

This book inspires me to present my athletic (and very well endowed) vegetarian neighbor a T shirt inscribed, "Eat Me".

This book is great! Very easy to read and very practical. It was surprising to find a book with so much humour on such a serious topic. Plus it includes great recipes!

Although Shig's writing style tends to be a bit adolescent, he nonetheless does an excellent job of arguing his case for cannibalism in emergency survival situations.

A unique book for a unique topic.

His only omission that I can see is in the recipe section: he has no recipe in which curry is a primary ingredient. 'Nuff said.

The only thing I would consider a factual error is his disdain of internal organs such as heart, liver, etc.- I believe that he over-emphasizes the risk of disease. If cooked thoroughly and completely, all parasites, virus, and bacteria are destroyed and internal organs provide extremely valuable vitamins and nutrients otherwise missing from a starvation diet. Washing hands after handling is important, of course.

Otherwise, a fairly good book.

Book was okay. More of a joke than anything. Author seems to take light of the fact that survival cannibalism is very real. Also fails to see the stigma that it places on those unfortunate to have to resort to cannibalism.

Okay, let me get the puns out of the way. This is a "tongue in cheek" book in which the author "eats his heart out" about a taboo topic, yet still gets to the "meat" of the matter. The gallows humor can be annoying at times, and can be a matter of "taste" (all right, I'll stop), but it does deal with something that we'd rather not think about (yet may have to deal with in a worst-case scenario). I'm certain that the author had very good intentions in writing this book...but I can just imagine the jokes he must get ("Hey Shiguro, gonna barbeque this weekend?")

This guy can write! This book is an unusual mixture of humor and facts. I read this book straight through and passed it on to my friends.