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How to Survive Against the Odds: Tales and Tips for Animal Attacks and Natural Disasters – Real Stories of Grit, Willpower, and Lifesaving Strategies
Inspired by Wondery’s hit podcast with 1.3 million monthly listeners, Against the Odds takes you inside the stories of everyday people confronted by life-or-death situations and shows you how to survive nature’s most extreme scenarios.
In our most dire moments, humans will fight, struggle, and triumph—no matter how unlikely the chance for survival. Against the Odds transports readers into first-person accounts of real-life survivors, detailing the harrowing, moment-to-moment events that brought them to death’s door. Including dynamic illustrations, sidebars, and callouts, each story explores the physiological responses of the human body under unbearable conditions, how to counteract them, and strategies for survival from doctors and psychologists. Through these lived experiences, we see the grit, determination, and willpower needed to navigate out of a host of merciless situations.
Broken into three parts—Extreme Environments, Attacked by Animals, and Natural Disasters—these stomach-twisting stories include guidance on how to survive
ADRIFT AT Includes info for curing turtle meat, procuring potable water, and how to survive on a life raft.MAULED BY A Black bears? Fight back. Grizzly bears? Play dead. Polar bears? Start praying. You’ll learn how to triage wounds using the MARCH method and how to gain leverage by spotting a bear’s “bluff charge.”BURIED BY AN There’s still hope after being buried alive. Find out how to survive the crush, maintain your sanity if trapped under the rubble, and “think away your hunger.”And many more!Conveyed through the lens of fifteen engaging and exhilarating true stories of survival that will help you remember the tips and tricks herein, this might just be the most important book you’ll ever read. Armed with the information in Against the Odds and when faced with similar threats, you may also find that you have what it takes to defy death and live to tell your story.
In our most dire moments, humans will fight, struggle, and triumph—no matter how unlikely the chance for survival. Against the Odds transports readers into first-person accounts of real-life survivors, detailing the harrowing, moment-to-moment events that brought them to death’s door. Including dynamic illustrations, sidebars, and callouts, each story explores the physiological responses of the human body under unbearable conditions, how to counteract them, and strategies for survival from doctors and psychologists. Through these lived experiences, we see the grit, determination, and willpower needed to navigate out of a host of merciless situations.
Broken into three parts—Extreme Environments, Attacked by Animals, and Natural Disasters—these stomach-twisting stories include guidance on how to survive
ADRIFT AT Includes info for curing turtle meat, procuring potable water, and how to survive on a life raft.MAULED BY A Black bears? Fight back. Grizzly bears? Play dead. Polar bears? Start praying. You’ll learn how to triage wounds using the MARCH method and how to gain leverage by spotting a bear’s “bluff charge.”BURIED BY AN There’s still hope after being buried alive. Find out how to survive the crush, maintain your sanity if trapped under the rubble, and “think away your hunger.”And many more!Conveyed through the lens of fifteen engaging and exhilarating true stories of survival that will help you remember the tips and tricks herein, this might just be the most important book you’ll ever read. Armed with the information in Against the Odds and when faced with similar threats, you may also find that you have what it takes to defy death and live to tell your story.
- GenresNonfictionSelf Help
304 pages, Hardcover
Published June 3, 2025
13 people are currently reading
5334 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 28, 2025
ARC for review. To be published June 3, 2025.
3.5 stars
This clever non-fiction book is based on a podcast that presents a true-life story for a number of extreme events, for example, adrift at sea, attacked by a bear, caught up in a tornado, then tells you how those involved survived and how you can b st survive. I always manage to forget whether I’m supposed to play dead or fight back when attacked by a grizzly, so this was perfect for me!
3.5 stars
This clever non-fiction book is based on a podcast that presents a true-life story for a number of extreme events, for example, adrift at sea, attacked by a bear, caught up in a tornado, then tells you how those involved survived and how you can b st survive. I always manage to forget whether I’m supposed to play dead or fight back when attacked by a grizzly, so this was perfect for me!
May 27, 2025
It feels weird to say this, since this book contains accounts of people being seriously injured or dying, but all of the accounts were amazing. I learned SO much while reading this!
Some things I took away from this:
—Bring a freaking radio with you!!
—Weather can be entirely unpredictable…do not assume the weather report is spot on because the event can come upon you much faster.
—That “one more trip into the house” is NOT. WORTH. IT.
—Stay the freak away from a rattlesnake’s head, even after you’ve decapitated it!
—Reaching the summit of a mountain is not worth your life.
Above all, if you’re being attacked by a predator, GO FOR THE EYE!!!
I am astounded at how some of these people survived. I would bet most, if not all of them have PTSD, and my heart goes out to them. I hope they’ve been able to get the treatment they need, both physically and psychologically, and that they can at least begin to heal.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Some things I took away from this:
—Bring a freaking radio with you!!
—Weather can be entirely unpredictable…do not assume the weather report is spot on because the event can come upon you much faster.
—That “one more trip into the house” is NOT. WORTH. IT.
—Stay the freak away from a rattlesnake’s head, even after you’ve decapitated it!
—Reaching the summit of a mountain is not worth your life.
Above all, if you’re being attacked by a predator, GO FOR THE EYE!!!
I am astounded at how some of these people survived. I would bet most, if not all of them have PTSD, and my heart goes out to them. I hope they’ve been able to get the treatment they need, both physically and psychologically, and that they can at least begin to heal.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 18, 2025
I am not really a big fan of these survival books because your survival in dangerous situations depends on multiple factors. It would also be difficult in certain situations to remember any tips when you're scared and panicking.
This book is okay it uses real life stories of people who survived the attacks and disasters discussed. The accounts include extra information as well as ccomments from doctors about what is happening to the body. With these comments there was a lot of information you're expected to remember if you want to survive.
I may never experience these situations except tornados so its a pointless read to pass time. Understand that no matter what you do to survive it's not always up to us if we live or die.
This book is okay it uses real life stories of people who survived the attacks and disasters discussed. The accounts include extra information as well as ccomments from doctors about what is happening to the body. With these comments there was a lot of information you're expected to remember if you want to survive.
I may never experience these situations except tornados so its a pointless read to pass time. Understand that no matter what you do to survive it's not always up to us if we live or die.
September 15, 2025
I love this podcast so this was a fun audiobook. Although I've already heard a lot of the stories in the book on the podcast, I enjoyed the recaps and the survival tips. I'm not sure how practical everything they shared was, but it was interesting and hopefully I'll never find myself in any of these situations.
June 2, 2025
Thank you Goodreads for the advanced copy
I've never tuned into the podcast, was unaware this even was a podcast when I went for the giveaway. The book provides a story for each type of survival situation they chose to focus on. Among the story there are asides from various medical professionals talking about some of the physical reactions going on in this particular crises. I have mixed feelings on them. In some ways, they are often useful pieces of information but they sometimes interrupt the flow of the storytelling. Some of the info was also repetitive from one story to the next. However, I got an "uncorrected proof" so it's possible that those bits may have been adjusted for the final version. I do like that they are all in a different color so that there is no way to mistake them for the normal text.
After the stories there is some general information to help the reader survive in similar circumstances. I quite liked those pages, especially as it touched on some info that I was taught as a child growing up in "Tornado Alley" and how some of it is actually no longer recommended (or at least not as full proof as I had been taught to believe, i.e. sheltering in a bathtub during a tornado. But seriously, who even has a metal bathtub these days?)
Overall, a useful and engaging read
I've never tuned into the podcast, was unaware this even was a podcast when I went for the giveaway. The book provides a story for each type of survival situation they chose to focus on. Among the story there are asides from various medical professionals talking about some of the physical reactions going on in this particular crises. I have mixed feelings on them. In some ways, they are often useful pieces of information but they sometimes interrupt the flow of the storytelling. Some of the info was also repetitive from one story to the next. However, I got an "uncorrected proof" so it's possible that those bits may have been adjusted for the final version. I do like that they are all in a different color so that there is no way to mistake them for the normal text.
After the stories there is some general information to help the reader survive in similar circumstances. I quite liked those pages, especially as it touched on some info that I was taught as a child growing up in "Tornado Alley" and how some of it is actually no longer recommended (or at least not as full proof as I had been taught to believe, i.e. sheltering in a bathtub during a tornado. But seriously, who even has a metal bathtub these days?)
Overall, a useful and engaging read
April 13, 2025
My thanks to Goodreads and William Morrow for an advance copy of this new book that looks at how quickly things can change in life; a simple hike becoming a war against water, or against a bear, or even being chased by a wolf while simply riding a bike, and what can do to make it home again.
At my age most of my outdoor excursions begin and end with walking to my car, and back again. The only animals I see are dogs on leashes, and squirrels looking for food. When the weather is cold and or rainy, I stay inside, and thankfully I live in an area that has no real earthquakes, few fires, and nothing in the way of avalanches. I do however enjoy reading stories about people who are faced with difficulties, and get out alive. Not only for the stories of people persisting, but I love to share facts about nature with my grandchildren. Bite strength of bears, how igloos keep one safe, and facts about nature that might not come up in school. This book has much to share. How to Survive Against the Odds: Tales and Tips for Animal Attacks and Natural Disasters is based on episodes of the Wondery podcast series Against the Odds, and details real people in real situations from natural disasters, nature's creature's and taking nature for granted.
The book features fifteen stories about people surviving when things go wrong. From being lost at sea, to avalanches, to bear and shark attacks, and earthquakes. Each chapter discuses how people found themselves in the situation, mistakes made, and good decisions, along with how the situation became resolved. Along with the telling are bits of information, and explanations for why things happen, and comments on the things the people did wrong. There is medical advice, lists of equipment that people should have, discussions with professionals, and more. Discussions of malnutrition, altitude sickness, why people get lost, and the dangers of nature.
This book has lots of information, and features a lot of riveting narratives, but there is a bit of sadness here. Some people don't make it. Lives are ended and destroyed, along with towns and larger communities. So the book is not all fun and games. What the book does tell people is that don't treat nature like a joke. One of the stories features a couple lost at sea for over 100 days, because the husband thought that having a radio was cheating. Going for walks without checking the weather conditions, or thinking signs don't mean me, it means other people. If anything this would be a good book for those who think, usually men, they could fight a bear. Spoiler, no you can't. The writing is good, giving a personal feeling for those stuck having a very bad day, or months, and breaking down what went right, what went wrong, and what could keep a person alive. All of which can be very helpful, and might keep someone alive.
At my age most of my outdoor excursions begin and end with walking to my car, and back again. The only animals I see are dogs on leashes, and squirrels looking for food. When the weather is cold and or rainy, I stay inside, and thankfully I live in an area that has no real earthquakes, few fires, and nothing in the way of avalanches. I do however enjoy reading stories about people who are faced with difficulties, and get out alive. Not only for the stories of people persisting, but I love to share facts about nature with my grandchildren. Bite strength of bears, how igloos keep one safe, and facts about nature that might not come up in school. This book has much to share. How to Survive Against the Odds: Tales and Tips for Animal Attacks and Natural Disasters is based on episodes of the Wondery podcast series Against the Odds, and details real people in real situations from natural disasters, nature's creature's and taking nature for granted.
The book features fifteen stories about people surviving when things go wrong. From being lost at sea, to avalanches, to bear and shark attacks, and earthquakes. Each chapter discuses how people found themselves in the situation, mistakes made, and good decisions, along with how the situation became resolved. Along with the telling are bits of information, and explanations for why things happen, and comments on the things the people did wrong. There is medical advice, lists of equipment that people should have, discussions with professionals, and more. Discussions of malnutrition, altitude sickness, why people get lost, and the dangers of nature.
This book has lots of information, and features a lot of riveting narratives, but there is a bit of sadness here. Some people don't make it. Lives are ended and destroyed, along with towns and larger communities. So the book is not all fun and games. What the book does tell people is that don't treat nature like a joke. One of the stories features a couple lost at sea for over 100 days, because the husband thought that having a radio was cheating. Going for walks without checking the weather conditions, or thinking signs don't mean me, it means other people. If anything this would be a good book for those who think, usually men, they could fight a bear. Spoiler, no you can't. The writing is good, giving a personal feeling for those stuck having a very bad day, or months, and breaking down what went right, what went wrong, and what could keep a person alive. All of which can be very helpful, and might keep someone alive.
June 3, 2025
This is a really interesting concept for a book! I have never listened to the podcast that inspired this book, but it does seem helpful as these things tend to happen more frequently than we would think. The book is broken down into three parts: 1-stories of extreme environment survival. 2- stories of animal attack survival. 3- stories of natural disaster survival.
I love how they take a minute to explain how the body reacts which is information that appears to be taken from credible sources and quoted. This is helpful to find what you should/shouldn’t do in certain situations. These quotations I found sometimes hard to read I don’t know if it was the font change/gray background combination that made it difficult or a printing issue. Regardless they were helpful in understanding why certain things occurred.
The illustrations I thought were a nice touch BUT I would have loved them to be just a little more advanced it felt a bit like a middle schooler was providing the illustrations and I also sometimes felt they were fuzzy and hard to read well especially maps. Again not sure if it was the choice of picture or printing issue.
Some of these stories are ones that you think of in a nightmare of getting trapped in the jungle and attacked by fire ants or getting mauled by a bear. Oh you haven’t had that nightmare yet, just me? But this is real life which is a bit terrifying but also felt a little relief that I now know not to pee on myself because it attracts insects? Noted. In all seriousness I thought this was very interesting overall and thought the structure was well thought out and just some minor formatting and illustration choices/printing issues that were not the end of the world but did impact my reading. #goodreadsgiveaway
I love how they take a minute to explain how the body reacts which is information that appears to be taken from credible sources and quoted. This is helpful to find what you should/shouldn’t do in certain situations. These quotations I found sometimes hard to read I don’t know if it was the font change/gray background combination that made it difficult or a printing issue. Regardless they were helpful in understanding why certain things occurred.
The illustrations I thought were a nice touch BUT I would have loved them to be just a little more advanced it felt a bit like a middle schooler was providing the illustrations and I also sometimes felt they were fuzzy and hard to read well especially maps. Again not sure if it was the choice of picture or printing issue.
Some of these stories are ones that you think of in a nightmare of getting trapped in the jungle and attacked by fire ants or getting mauled by a bear. Oh you haven’t had that nightmare yet, just me? But this is real life which is a bit terrifying but also felt a little relief that I now know not to pee on myself because it attracts insects? Noted. In all seriousness I thought this was very interesting overall and thought the structure was well thought out and just some minor formatting and illustration choices/printing issues that were not the end of the world but did impact my reading. #goodreadsgiveaway
July 16, 2025
I wanted to give this book 3 1/2 stars. It was pretty good, mostly because it dramatized emergency situations that were actually experienced in the past and what the people experiencing them did right and wrong. After each experience the author quoted experts who list a few bullet point suggestions on what to remember in such a situation. It was all good information. I would have liked it to be more detailed, but for the purposes of this type of book, it was a good balance.
March 24, 2025
***These are my random thoughts after finishing the book. Some of the thoughts are an overall review of the book, or any questions/feelings that nagged at me throughout. There will almost definitely be spoilers. Read at your own risk.*** ‐----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you to publishers for ARC
4 stars
Good for what it is, some good stories and tips to remember (not sure how well I'd be able to apply them though)
Format makes for a quick read of individual stories
Thank you to publishers for ARC
4 stars
Good for what it is, some good stories and tips to remember (not sure how well I'd be able to apply them though)
Format makes for a quick read of individual stories
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this book. I like the format of this book, a short story about someone in a perilous situation, with doctor's notes and explanations peppered throughout. At the end of the story are notes on what to do in order to survive the situation. An interesting and helpful book!
June 23, 2025
I follow one of the narrators on his travel journeys and that’s how I got into the podcast. This book was fantastic and so much fun! Personal, short, true stories with tips on how to survive all different kinds of natural dangers - animals and weather. I wish it was longer, honestly! Highly recommend!
January 21, 2025
I won this book as a giveaway. Book has some useful tips, I have added it to my bug out bag just to have in there. The illustrations are funny to me.. like the wolves chasing a guy and the croc roll. Has some interesting stuff in it. Thank you for the free copy
Want to read
January 14, 2025I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways. It is an uncorrected proof.
March 24, 2025
Excellent and compelling read. Kept my attention throughout.
June 28, 2025
Cute and informative
July 23, 2025
Very interesting, and great for a quick 10 minute break since this is a collection of short stories!
December 29, 2025
I really hope I don't find myself in a situation where I need to remember what I learned in this book.
December 7, 2025
📚📚📚📚📚
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews