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Zombies of the World [Kindle Edition]

Ross Payton , Ean Moody , Violet Kirk , Tom Rhodes
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)

Digital List Price: $3.99 What's this?
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Book Description

Zombies menace humanity, yet we barely understand them.

There are books that show you how to kill the undead but this is the first study to explain the importance of zombies to us. Zombies of the World reveals the undead to be a valuable part of our ecosystem and the key to new discoveries in medicine and technology.No other book covers these topics. Zombies of the World brilliantly documents that evolution has led to a wide variety of species.

Few outside the scientific community even realize that creatures like the Egyptian Mummy (Mortifera mumia aegyptus) are actually zombies. Some species are even harmless to humans. The Dancing Zombie (Mortifera immortalis choreographicus) only seeks to thrill humans with elaborate dance routines. Destroying the undead isn t always the answer. Even if we could annihilate all zombies, we would lose knowledge potentially vital to our own survival.

After decades of research, we have no idea why zombies never tire or stop. They possess an endless source of energy to shamble or (in some cases) sprint after us. Unlocking this mystery could benefit all humanity. Only Zombies of the World tackles this issue and many other paradoxes.

Book Sections:

Mystery of the Zombie: The greatest mystery of the zombie is how it remains active without digesting food. Even when one eats the flesh of the living, the meat rots in its belly. Furthermore, many species, like the Egyptian mummy, never eat at all. Scientists have this dubbed this unknown source of energy powering the undead as the Omega Anima. Scientists have tried to understand this mystery but have so far only identified the basic traits of all zombie species and its basic evolutionary and migratory history.

Zombie Species: 20 prominent species of zombie are described and illustrated. Their habits, method of reproduction and range are listed. The species range from the common gray shambler to exotic species such as the revenant and draugr.

Surviving Zombie Attacks: The most dangerous threat you face in a zombie-related crisis is not from the undead but from other humans. By learning how to identify untrustworthy humans, you can maximize your chances of survival.

A Social History of the Zombie: Humanity has had several views of the zombie over the ages. In ancient times, the zombie was viewed as a supernatural being, an agent of divine vengeance. In the Enlightenment, they were a public health hazard to be exterminated. Only in the last century have scientists realized that the zombie is a natural part of the ecosystem that must be protected and studied.

The Science of Zombies: Researchers work to uncover the secrets of zombies. Linguists teach Egyptian mummies sign language to learn what they believe. Engineers develop ways to harness the Omega Anima in order to generate clean energy from zombies. Doctors think they can also use the Omega Anima to discover a way to make humans immortal.

Cover art by Ean Moody and Tom Rhodes

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ross Payton is a writer and podcaster. His first two books - Curriculum of Conspiracy and Road Trip - are tabletop RPG campaigns that satirize fantasy and horror clichés. He has directed a horror comedy movie, Motor Home From Hell, about an RV driven by a demon. His podcast, Role Playing Public Radio, discusses tabletop gaming and pop culture issues and attracts listeners from around the world. Ross lives in Springfield, Missouri, a relatively zombie-free area.

Product Details

  • File Size: 1441 KB
  • Print Length: 112 pages
  • Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
  • Publisher: Slang Design (June 28, 2011)
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B005A1J6TA
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
  • X-Ray: Not Enabled
  • Lending: Enabled
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #576,799 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
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Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
(14)
4.7 out of 5 stars
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Payton's meticulous attention to detail make this an impressive work of pastiche. Academic Zombie Lover  |  4 reviewers made a similar statement
This is a book for us: the only reference guide made specifically for zombies. Splenda  |  4 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A must for every zombie-lovers collection. July 4, 2011
By Splenda
Format:Paperback
If you're like me, you'll watch anything so long as it has zombies in it: low-budget or blockbuster, old or new. The same goes for zombie-related books, everything from WWZ to Pariah to Monster Island. And while people like us might debate our specific brands of undead purism, be it the running v. shambling debate or any of those old arguments, what we can both agree on is that, first and foremost, we are there for the zombies. The zombies got us to the theater/bookstore in the first place, and we support anything that adds meaningfully to the brain-eating canon.

This is a book for us: the only reference guide made specifically for zombies. It belongs on the shelf next to your machete and copy of the Zombie Survival Guide. This book covers everything that could ever be called a zombie, ranging from the traditional Romero-esque shamblers to more exotic "species" like the "Chinese Hopping Corpse" from 1982's Kung Fu Zombie or the "North American Cabin Lurker" from the Evil Dead series. No mention of zombies in film or folklore is too insignificant to be covered, and each zombie receives its own entry and detailed portrait.

Subsequent chapters detail all those discussions true zombie lovers have had with themselves over the years: possible tactics and weaponry; what type of survivors to avoid; the science and biomechanics of the undead. The whole book takes the stance that every breed of zombie is real and deserving of preservation. One can easily imagine middle-aged hobbyists taking to the quarantine zone for a three-day weekend of zombie spotting, armed only with this book and a pair of binoculars.

In any household with zombie-interests, this book belongs on the coffee table as a definitive guide.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Learning to spot a shambler. October 7, 2011
By Tomas
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed this book. It gives a different view on the whole zombie-thing; they're not all bad and we can learn from them.

As far as fiction is concerned this book has taught me a great deal about different types of zombies, and attempts at domestication. The survival-angle is nearly gone, and it just shows off interesting aspects about the undead.

A must read for those interested in zombies, and different takes on them.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Zombies of the World takes a refreshing approach to the incredibly popular field of monster-fiction, in that the book presents itself as a textbook or reference manual. Anyone who's spent a minute nose-deep in an anthropology or sociology text will find much to enjoy within, and doubly so should they delight in the simultaneous satire and celebration of that perennial undead delight - the zombie.

What must be commended first is the text itself, which is an excellent straddling between dry exhortation and sly winking. Fans of horror will find a bevvy of easter eggs and hidden jokes among the manual's many definitions and side notes. The manual never takes itself too seriously, and never comes off as condescending to its reader. It's simply smart writing, with just the right bite that'll tickle anyone with even the most cursory interest in the subject matter.

All this writing is complemented excellently with a wide variety of lush illustrations made by many different artists, and it's clear that their creators had great fun with the material. The 20 presented species of zombies come with insightful footnotes sure to please anyone who has divided a biology textbook at some point in their life. These illustrations are used judiciously and wonderfully to complement the entire contents of this book.

A zombie-fan cannot help but find everything to enjoy about this book. And even those who have not yet given their hearts - or brains! - to these creatures can still find the strangely clinical-yet-amusing approach to these pop-culture icons to be ultimately winning.

A fun, sharp, and smart book. Highly recommended.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars This book doesn't disappoint! September 30, 2011
By Ami
Format:Paperback
Zombies of the World is an extremely well written book with beautiful illustrations that really stick with you. This book is a must for anyone who loves zombies perhaps a bit more than is considered "normal". This book will satisfy your craving for the rotted flesh of the undead, and serves as a handy reference for when Z-day comes.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Serious Satire September 23, 2011
Format:Paperback
The most impressive thing about Zombies of the World is how Ross Payton manages to satirize a genre that works so hard to satirize itself. Payton's meticulous attention to detail make this an impressive work of pastiche. Who says that postmodernism is dead -- when it comes to zombies?
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Could save your life one day... August 6, 2011
Format:Paperback
If you're like me, you probably never knew that there were different types of zombies other than "dead" & "really dead". Ignorance of the different species can not only be deadly but it can also lead to the extinction of several rare & intriguing zombie kinds. By shooting first & asking questions later, you might be missing out on the chance to watch the the well choreographed Dancing Zombie. Or you could anger a Revenant, which is insanely hard to kill & will most likely end with you being a greasy smear on the pavement.

Fortunately for you & I, this book covers at least 20 species of the undead. We're given not only a brief synopsis of the specific species's history but also images telling us where they can be located & how plentiful they are. (Joining a zombie sight seeing tour is discouraged without properly checking their credentials, year the company was formed, & their CorpseFax, which details all of the skirmishes, fatalities, & infections they've had. More than one person has lost their lives by signing up with a fly-by-night zombie tour!) The book also lists which humans (living ones, not dead ones) you should try to avoid if you're trapped in a zombie attack. If you're reading this book (or this review) then your chances of survival are already far better than that of the uninformed citizen.

We're also treated to a brief but highly informative history of the zombie race in general, starting from its ancient beginnings to the present day. Author Payton also treats us to a bright, hopeful vision of the future where zombie science will eradicate death, illness, & enable us to lead better and happier lives.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars Not a story but still fun
While this isn't necessarily a story, it is a fun read and it gave me a bunch of ideas for assorted role playing games I have in the works. A good reference book for zombie fans.
Published 1 day ago by J. Heivilin
5.0 out of 5 stars A fine, scary book
The hard copy made for a nice gift for a teenaged boy, and the PDF that came with the purchase meant that I could have my cake and eat it too, sending the hard copy off and keeping... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Gideon Kalve Jarvis
4.0 out of 5 stars Exactly what you want from a zombie book.
I had a ball with this book. In the same vein ass books like 'How to survive a robot apocalypse' and 'World war Z' it presents a world where zombies are as diverse as any other... Read more
Published 7 months ago by T. Smalley
5.0 out of 5 stars Don't Leave Home Without It!
A fun yet thoroughly useful guide for the next zombie apocalypse!

All kidding aside, Payton's book is a great read - especially with his mix of descriptions and imagery. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Diana D. Botsford
5.0 out of 5 stars If you need a singular source of Zombie info...
...then this is the ultimate guide! Well crafted and laid out in a easy to understand manner. Quick indexing for the offhand zombie emergency, including detailed artwork for aid in... Read more
Published 16 months ago by DrFoster
4.0 out of 5 stars Zombies
Most people probably know by now that I am not a huge fan of zombies. So I was a little sceptical about accepting Zombies of the World to review. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Stormi Johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing Undead Supplement on the Kindle
Let me preface this first by saying I got this for Kindle, and it looks fantastic. Ross Payton obviously put a lot of time and effort formatting the book for Kindle use and it... Read more
Published 23 months ago by John T Vincents
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More About the Author

Ross Payton is a writer and podcaster. His first two books - Curriculum of Conspiracy and Road Trip - are tabletop RPG campaigns that satirize fantasy and horror clichés. He has directed a horror comedy movie, Motor Home From Hell, about an RV driven by a demon. His podcast, Role Playing Public Radio, discusses tabletop gaming and pop culture issues and attracts listeners from around the world. Ross lives in Springfield, Missouri, a relatively zombie-free area.

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