1 of 3

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 2

personal traumas, crushed hopes, rekindled desire to live, and psychological aftermath. This is not a book with a cast of heroes; there are just as many failed humans whose greed and scavenger instincts brought them through alive as there are people who made sacrifices and who struggled to help others survive. All of these tales are brought and woven together to form both a global and deeply personal portrayal of a epic and horrifying event.

'World War Z' is a book of depths, covering the political, economic and social changes that the zombie war brings about in an incredible level of detail. There is no simple moral advantage point which renders the characters and their actions 'good or 'bad', but instead Brooks' lays out a contextual tapestry in which despicable acts are undertaken for the greater good and in which individual courage does not always shine through.

Although describing a horrifying global disaster against which humanity initially fails because it is divided by race, country, greed, and discrimination, this is ultimately an uplifting book to read. It tells how the better parts of human nature come to the fore as humanity is forced to come together and overcome old prejudices and divisions in order to survive a shared threat. 'World War Z' seems to suggest that if only we could achieve this without the external threat of extinction then the future would be brighter for us all.

9/10 - An excellent and moving book that transcends genre limitations to tell a story and deliver a message that we all should hear. Any book labelled "An absolute must have" by British comedian and zombie fan Simon Pegg gets my vote.

Learn more about this author, Nicholas Cockayne.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

Add your voice

Know something about Book Reviews: World War Z - An oral history of the zombie war, by Max Brooks?
We want to hear your view. Write now!