World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War [abridged audiobook]

After hearing Max Brooks on the Nerdist podcast, I was interested in listening to the audiobook of his novel World War Z. He mentioned getting a variety of actors, including some family friends, to read the various sections. I hadn’t realized the book was a series of interviews as opposed to a more linear, plot-based story. I don’t listen to audiobooks often but this premise sounded too interesting to pass.

I finished the audiobook the other day at the gym. It was definitely worth listening to this book rather than reading it. I loved the distinct voices, especially since the interviewees are varied and international. The accents would not have risen from the page with the same immediacy.

The premise of World War Z the novel is very show more different from the movie which was fine in its own right. The novel is a compilation of work conducted by a man on behalf of the UN to report on the zombie war. However, most of his work is rejected as too personal. So he takes it upon himself to publish the accounts he collected.

It begins with an Asian patient zero then moves to the Middle East where Israel is the first to build walls to protect their citizens from African rabies. Then some of the accounts are heavily military which is fascinating. Max Brooks referenced working with West Point in some capacity, which I’m so curious about, but the research shows. With no personal military experience and without enough discernment to realize elements made up to deal with a zombie war, the tactics and tools of the military came across as real and viable. Discussions about historical strategies and which would or wouldn’t work was very interesting.

The story that got to me and made me tear up on the treadmill was the account of the female pilot who went down on her way to Florida to drop off supplies. **Spoilers** She maintains radio contact with a sky watcher who guides her to a pickup point. Her contact – call sign Mets – yells when necessary, insults her, to keep the pilot pushing forward. She makes it to the point and is picked up by a helicopter as planned. Only it’s a private helicopter, not search and rescue, who happened to see her flare. She knows the doctors think she made Mets up to keep herself sane and alive but she doesn’t care; she’ll remember Mets for the rest of her life.

That got me and I love when a story gets me. A book can be good because overall the tale is enjoyable and engaging. A book can also be good because of a single moment that stays with you. I collect them like stones in my mind and when I recall one the rest follow. I have a new one to add thanks to World War Z. Mets saved her and will always be real. show less

I picked this up in audiobook format hoping for a good listen while on a road trip. What I got was one of the most engrossing stories I've read (or heard, in this case). This book chronicles the events of a war between humanity and zombies, but in the form of interviews. Each interview focuses on a different aspect of the war - the initial discovery, the military response, the refugees, the relief to war-torn areas. Many different countries are represented, including Israel, the U.S., China, and Cuba; instead of focusing on a small group of similarly-oriented people, the reader is shown how almost the entire world reacts to this catastrophe. The political aspect of the book is interesting, as it provides a glimpse into the (sometimes show more shaky) cooperation between various countries during both crises and peace. The military details got a little tedious every now and then, but the narration kept it moving, so any monotonous sections were quickly followed by accounts of the actual battles and dynamics, whether zombie vs. human or human vs. human.
Some highlights: the story of the blind Japanese man, the memories of a childhood refugee, the survival of a pilot deep within zombie territory, recollections of an American involved in multiple battles against the zombies, and the Chinese doctor who first encountered the infestation.
All in all, an engaging read or listen, and I highly recommend it. show less

I was told to read this by a couple of friends and was not disappointed. It was a book that told the story of the war against zombies. What was nice was that it was a bunch of different stories from all over that all were interconnected. It was really well written and kept me reading. It wasn't very technical or with too many war details but enough for you to get the picture.

I recommend it to anyone who likes a good read.

I missed a few of my favorite sections (I hate abridged audiobooks), but overall, an excellent production. Also, once again I got through the whole thing going, "That guy's voice sounds kind of familiar," only to discover that that guy was Mark Hamill.

I loved how up close and personal this book made the zombie war. A must read for any zombie fan.