The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Holidays [Paperback]

Joshua Piven (Author), David Borgenicht (Author)

Book Description

Series: Worst Case Scenario | Publication Date: September 1, 2002

Turkey on fire? No plans for New Year's Eve? Obnoxious relatives headed your way? The authors of the best-selling The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook are here to help you survive the dangers of the holiday season, from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day. Learn how to rescue someone stuck in a chimney, survive the office holiday party, and escape a runaway parade balloon. Expertly deal with a meddling parent, silence a group of carolers, and treat a tongue stuck to a frozen pole. Illustrated, step-by-step instructions guide you through these and dozens of other festive scenarios. With a helpful appendix of holiday excuses, last-minute gift ideas, and creative drink recipes for when the liquor runs out, this is truly the perfect gift. Gleaming silver cover. Fits all sized stockings.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The unstoppable Piven and Borgenicht are at it again, producing another in the seemingly endless series of "Worst-Case Scenario" books. This time, the authors turn their attention to the potentially disastrous holiday season, and the result is more or less the same-an entertaining quick read in the bookstore aisle. To be fair, though, this volume does contain some interesting information: for instance, it's good to know how to extinguish a burning turkey, put out a grease fire, drive in a blizzard, handle a canceled flight, "repurpose" a fruitcake, and resize a Christmas tree. Some readers will welcome this addition to the Worst-Case family, as the books make reliable all-purpose gifts and their oddball advice (how to dodge an angry reindeer, how to "thwart gift snoopers") is always good for a few chuckles. Those who've reached their saturation point with the genre, though, may very well wonder when someone will release a book explaining how to repurpose one of Piven and Borgenicht's ubiquitous guides.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Joshua Piven , writer, editor, and fixture on the holiday party circuit, is co-author of The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook series. He lives in Philadelphia.

David Borgenicht is a writer, editor, husband, and father who has survived dozens of holiday traumas. Co-author of The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook series, he lives in Philadelphia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (September 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811835995
• ISBN-13: 978-0811835992
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,289,754 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the REAL how-to guide on surviving holidays!, November 14, 2002

By 

Chess Heart "paxbear" (Canton, OH) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Holidays (Paperback)

In their successful 1999 publication, "The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook", the authors Piven & Borgenicht gave us useful advice for surviving everything from a shark attack, to how to take a punch in the face with the minimum of injury. Now, as we swiftly approach the holiday season, they give us their latest work which focuses on holiday survival.

While you won't find information on how to safely jump out of a 2 story window into a trash dumpster, you WILL find information on how to gain control of a one-horse open sleigh, how to defend yourself against a charging reindeer and how to extricate yourself or someone else who is stranded in a chimney.

For the "rest of us" who aren't likely to find ourselves descending chimneys or dodging rutting male reindeer, there are LOTS of very helpful bits of advice for those things you're very LIKELY to encounter during this holiday season, including How To Wear Tight-Fitting Clothing that you've "outgrown" due to holiday eating, how to guess at what's inside a present (and how to PREVENT people who snoop on their presents!), as well as how to avoid kisses under the mistletoe and how to prevent yourself from being swept away by a marauding crowd of holiday shoppers.

Some survival tips are pure fun, like How To Repurpose A Fruitcake (doorstop, object d'art and tire block for your car are just a few), while others may actually be quite helpful in an actual situation: How To Prevent A Turkey From Exploding; How To Extinguish A Burning Turkey; and How To Treat Mistletoe (and food) Poisoning In Both People And Pets (you DID know that the berries of mistletoe are poisonous, didn't you?)

Naturally, this book is heavier on how to act in social settings (like dealing with meddlesome relatives and annoying carolers) and entertaining guests (how to open a bottle of wine with a broken cork, how to make an emergency menorah) than it is on actual dangers, but for anyone who's looking for a fun read and some practical advice, this and the other Worst-Case books are definitely worth getting! With it's festive, reflective silver cover, it's a perfect gift for the holidays as well as displaying prominently among your holiday displays. Besides, you just never know when disaster might strike, and you should always Be Prepared!! Highly recommended!

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, Fun, Fun, October 22, 2002

By 

Erika Sorocco (Southern California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Holidays (Paperback)

Being a big fan of the holidays, the snow, lights, decorations, etc. I decided to pick-up the newest addition to "The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook" series. And I am pleased to add, that this was definitely worth the money. The scenarios in this book are so stupid, yet so funny. They remind you of an MTV show entitled "Jack---" From tips on how to fend off a charging reindeer to how to treat a tongue stuck to a pole, you won't be disappointed.

The humor of "The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Guide: Holidays" goes on an on. You'll even find yourself rolling on the floor laughing out loud. This is a must read for everyone.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Mediocre, November 15, 2004

By 

A. Vegan (Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Holidays (Paperback)

While you won't find information on how to safely jump out of a 2 story window into a trash dumpster, you WILL find information on how to gain control of a one-horse open sleigh, how to defend yourself against a charging reindeer and how to extricate yourself or someone else who is stranded in a chimney.
Some survival tips are pure fun, like How To Repurpose A Fruitcake (doorstop, object d'art and tire block for your car are just a few), while others may actually be quite helpful in an actual situation: How To Prevent A Turkey From Exploding; How To Extinguish A Burning Turkey; and How To Treat Mistletoe (and food) Poisoning In Both People And Pets.