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Extreme Fear: The Science of Your Mind in Danger
Fear is a mysterious force. It sabotages our ability to think clearly and can drive us to blind panic, yet it can also give us superhuman speed, strength, and powers of perception. Having baffled mankind for ages, fear is now yielding its secrets to scientific inquiry. The simple model of "fight or flight"--that people respond to danger either by fleeing in terror or staying to fight through it--has been replaced by a more complex understanding of the fear response. Veteran science journalist Jeff Wise delves into the latest research to produce an astonishing portrait of the brain's hidden fear pathways. Wise, who writes the "I'll Try Anything" column for Popular Mechanics , favors a hands-on approach, volunteering to jump out of an airplane while wearing sensors and to endure a four-hour simulated missile attack on a Navy destroyer. He returns with a tale that combines lucid explanations of brain dynamics with gripping, true-life stories of mortal we watch a woman defend herself against a mountain lion attack in a remote canyon; we witness a couple desperately fighting to beat back an encircling wildfire; we see a pilot struggle to maintain control of his plane as its wing begins to detach. By understanding how and why these people responded the way they did, Wise argues, we can better arm ourselves against our own everyday fears. Full of amazing characters and cutting-edge science, Extreme Fear is an original and absorbing narrative that will force you to reconsider the limits of human potential.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
42 people are currently reading
531 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Wise
15 books19 followersJeff Wise is a science writer, outdoor adventurer, and pilot of airplanes and gliders. A contributing editor at Popular Mechanics and Travel + Leisure, he has also written for The New York Times Magazine, Esquire, Details, Popular Science, Men’s Journal, and many others. In the course of his journalism career he has surfed in Alaska, scuba dived the South China Sea, piloted a WWII fighter plane, and mushed a dog team in Montana. He lives in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 20, 2015
Extreme Fear examines the science behind fear—particularly the fear of life and death situations. In doing so, the author presents findings from scientific research as well as cases that demonstrate the concepts behind those findings. People are often so close to their fears that they take them for granted, and feel that there’s nothing to be done about them. However, there’s a great deal to be learned about how fear operates and how one can improve one’s performance in fearful situations. By replacing the lens of shame with one of science, one can see what fear is objectively, and make the emotion more of a help and less of a hindrance.
A central idea in the book is that fear evolved to maximize one’s chance of survival against the age-old threats facing mankind. These pre-historic threats were relatively straightforward: saber-tooth tiger attacks, clubbing by members of warring tribes, fire, famine, flood, etc. Ancient threats often called for hauling ass, freezing in place, or getting stabby. The problem is that our present-day threats often call less for gross motor skills (run, kick, or throw) and more for creative or nuanced solutions to technological problems (i.e. sliding cars, falling planes, or malfunctioning assault rifles.)
Motor learning is one means by which this mismatch between what our brain tells our body to do in a stressful situation and what is called for in our modern world. Take the case of the infantryman with the jammed rifle. Without training, he might pick up the rifle like a club, intending to use it to unleash blunt force trauma. That is, if he’s still alive then the enemy gets into cudgeling range. Alternatively, the soldier may drop the rifle and run for his life. However, because he had a drill sergeant who made him practice clearing his weapon over and over, his body can go to that behavior while his conscious mind is blinking out.
Still, motor learning only takes us so far. Sometimes creativity is called for, and that’s a tall order in the face of where our body / brain want to put limited resources. In fact, Wise begins the book with the story of a pilot who was flying an old plane when the wing support broke and the wing flipped up, threatening to rip off. Somehow the pilot figured out—based on a vague memory and lots of experience—that he could flip the plane over and fly it upside-down and the wing would snap back into place. Then he had to figure out how to land: a.) upside-down crash, or b.) try to flip the plane over at the last second. The brain systems that this pilot smoothly accessed are among those that one doesn’t expect to be operating in life or death situations—e.g. those involved with long-term conscious memory and abstract problem solving.
The question of how some people can keep their wits about them, as the above pilot did, while others crash and die is the one that Wise really wants to answer. It turns out that it’s not such and easy question. During World War II, the military conducted studies to try to determine which soldiers could be counted on under life and death stress. The answer didn’t readily present itself. Among the problems in finding an answer is that courage and fearfulness aren’t as unitary or straightforward characteristics as one might think. Wise presents the case of Audie Murphy as a prime example. Murphy was at once one of the most decorated American soldiers in World War II—a man who’d taken on a company of Germans single-handedly—and a man of great social anxiety.
The book’s 13 chapters are divided into three parts. The first part presents fear and its effects. The middle section deals with various forms, aspects, and facets of fear, including: social v. life-and-death fear, choking behavior in sports, and fear of fear v. fear of an outcome. In the last part of the book, Wise suggests how one might achieve better performance in the face of fear.
I found this book to be informative and interesting. Wise did a good job of picking cases to illustrate the concepts discussed in the scientific literature. I’d recommend this book for individuals who are interested in the science of the brain and the ways to achieve ultimate human performance.
A central idea in the book is that fear evolved to maximize one’s chance of survival against the age-old threats facing mankind. These pre-historic threats were relatively straightforward: saber-tooth tiger attacks, clubbing by members of warring tribes, fire, famine, flood, etc. Ancient threats often called for hauling ass, freezing in place, or getting stabby. The problem is that our present-day threats often call less for gross motor skills (run, kick, or throw) and more for creative or nuanced solutions to technological problems (i.e. sliding cars, falling planes, or malfunctioning assault rifles.)
Motor learning is one means by which this mismatch between what our brain tells our body to do in a stressful situation and what is called for in our modern world. Take the case of the infantryman with the jammed rifle. Without training, he might pick up the rifle like a club, intending to use it to unleash blunt force trauma. That is, if he’s still alive then the enemy gets into cudgeling range. Alternatively, the soldier may drop the rifle and run for his life. However, because he had a drill sergeant who made him practice clearing his weapon over and over, his body can go to that behavior while his conscious mind is blinking out.
Still, motor learning only takes us so far. Sometimes creativity is called for, and that’s a tall order in the face of where our body / brain want to put limited resources. In fact, Wise begins the book with the story of a pilot who was flying an old plane when the wing support broke and the wing flipped up, threatening to rip off. Somehow the pilot figured out—based on a vague memory and lots of experience—that he could flip the plane over and fly it upside-down and the wing would snap back into place. Then he had to figure out how to land: a.) upside-down crash, or b.) try to flip the plane over at the last second. The brain systems that this pilot smoothly accessed are among those that one doesn’t expect to be operating in life or death situations—e.g. those involved with long-term conscious memory and abstract problem solving.
The question of how some people can keep their wits about them, as the above pilot did, while others crash and die is the one that Wise really wants to answer. It turns out that it’s not such and easy question. During World War II, the military conducted studies to try to determine which soldiers could be counted on under life and death stress. The answer didn’t readily present itself. Among the problems in finding an answer is that courage and fearfulness aren’t as unitary or straightforward characteristics as one might think. Wise presents the case of Audie Murphy as a prime example. Murphy was at once one of the most decorated American soldiers in World War II—a man who’d taken on a company of Germans single-handedly—and a man of great social anxiety.
The book’s 13 chapters are divided into three parts. The first part presents fear and its effects. The middle section deals with various forms, aspects, and facets of fear, including: social v. life-and-death fear, choking behavior in sports, and fear of fear v. fear of an outcome. In the last part of the book, Wise suggests how one might achieve better performance in the face of fear.
I found this book to be informative and interesting. Wise did a good job of picking cases to illustrate the concepts discussed in the scientific literature. I’d recommend this book for individuals who are interested in the science of the brain and the ways to achieve ultimate human performance.
September 16, 2013
Wise dives into the many contradictions that our minds and bodies manifest when we have extreme fear - sometimes with live research.
We all know about fight or flight, but as per usual, the human brain is more screwed up than that - with a complex dance of several areas of the brain involved in what might happen in a given situation.
Wise brings some humour and a good dollop of "I'll try that" to the research (he writes the "I'll Try Anything" column for Popular Mechanics). For example, he dives out of a plane with sensors... for science!
I found the research and the human interest parts to be a little bit uneasy with each other (Mary Roach does it better), but I did learn a bit about cognitive processing and fear.
We all know about fight or flight, but as per usual, the human brain is more screwed up than that - with a complex dance of several areas of the brain involved in what might happen in a given situation.
Wise brings some humour and a good dollop of "I'll try that" to the research (he writes the "I'll Try Anything" column for Popular Mechanics). For example, he dives out of a plane with sensors... for science!
I found the research and the human interest parts to be a little bit uneasy with each other (Mary Roach does it better), but I did learn a bit about cognitive processing and fear.
December 28, 2015
Brilliant. A quick read but gives lots of user-friendly insight into the brain's processing and authoring of the fear response.
January 6, 2020
It's not only an excellent book by itself, but it includes also a comprehensive list of other books for further reading.
September 14, 2019
Neurology, psychology, and brief, but detailed stories of bear attacks, plane crashes, and the stage fright of Laurence Olivier - all explore the different kinds of fear. Sometimes fear will freeze you up, sometimes make you run, sometimes make you fight, and can even make you serene.
Wise examines these, illustrating with real life examples. An easy read.
Wise examines these, illustrating with real life examples. An easy read.
October 3, 2025
A Solid Look At Fear Responses And Coping Mechanisms
Wise has nicely laid out in easily understandable language the range of physiological, psychological and emotional reactions that make up our reactions constituting fear. Clear examples are given along with references for more in depth reading. Very enjoyable and informative.
Wise has nicely laid out in easily understandable language the range of physiological, psychological and emotional reactions that make up our reactions constituting fear. Clear examples are given along with references for more in depth reading. Very enjoyable and informative.
February 6, 2020
Really interesting insight into the mechanisms of fear in the mind, and how different parts of our brains react.
July 15, 2025
Surprisingly useful even in everyday life. I loved this book - it crystalized a lot of what I have observed during the course of my life into a comprehensive set of ideas. Very thought provoking.
January 15, 2013
When I think non-fiction and science in the same sentence, I’m thinking at the least I’m going to take forever to finish this book. But Jeff Wise has managed to bring out the science in a captivating narrative style.
Extreme fear is a book about the science of the mind in danger. It talks about all the inner workings of the brain under stress, be it life threatening immediate situation or ongoing stress.
The book starts off by talking about stress that leads to superhuman abilities. Or in other circumstances shuts down altogether. The author explores the workings of the brain and parts of it which are responsible for either behavior.
In the next chapter, the author provides interesting insights on the fight or flight experience adding two other dimensions to this phenomenon – freeze and fright. The author then dives into another type of stress – fear of fear itself. The thing that leads to golfers’ yips and stage performers’ chokes.
Having explored these, the reader is eventually taken to thoughts on how to accept and deal with these fears though there is no simple and direct formula for it.
The writing style is delightful. What I particularly liked was how the author uses stories; the science is so intertwined in the stories, and vice versa, that the reader is never taken away from narration and thereby doesn't feel like an analysis of the human brain is underway. The use of a single story to begin and end the book was a brilliant idea; the book comes full circle with the same story and leaves the reader in deep wonderment.
Extreme fear is a book about the science of the mind in danger. It talks about all the inner workings of the brain under stress, be it life threatening immediate situation or ongoing stress.
The book starts off by talking about stress that leads to superhuman abilities. Or in other circumstances shuts down altogether. The author explores the workings of the brain and parts of it which are responsible for either behavior.
In the next chapter, the author provides interesting insights on the fight or flight experience adding two other dimensions to this phenomenon – freeze and fright. The author then dives into another type of stress – fear of fear itself. The thing that leads to golfers’ yips and stage performers’ chokes.
Having explored these, the reader is eventually taken to thoughts on how to accept and deal with these fears though there is no simple and direct formula for it.
The writing style is delightful. What I particularly liked was how the author uses stories; the science is so intertwined in the stories, and vice versa, that the reader is never taken away from narration and thereby doesn't feel like an analysis of the human brain is underway. The use of a single story to begin and end the book was a brilliant idea; the book comes full circle with the same story and leaves the reader in deep wonderment.
January 8, 2011
This book does a good job of explaining the neurophsiologic mechanisms of fear. Although the title suggest "extreme" fear and many of the examples are of people who have experienced extreme fear, it also discusses more "ordinary" fears, such as panic disorder, stage fright, test fright and even sexual performance anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy -- with or without medications -- proves to be the best treatment for different kinds of anxiety. This book can help axiety sufferers understand the mechanism of their anxiety, and this knowledge will help control this disabling symptom.
At times some of the examples of extreme fear appear a bit repititious, but in general the case studies given are informative.
Cognitive behavioral therapy -- with or without medications -- proves to be the best treatment for different kinds of anxiety. This book can help axiety sufferers understand the mechanism of their anxiety, and this knowledge will help control this disabling symptom.
At times some of the examples of extreme fear appear a bit repititious, but in general the case studies given are informative.
June 22, 2010
Great. Consistently entertaining. Clean measured prose. Mixes fascinating anecdotes with scientific explanations easily understandable to the layman. Discusses amazing feats people are capable of in spite of overwhelming fear (like performing their own appendectomies), and due to the superpowers that fear bestows (like lifting cars off bicyclists). Also, how fear can cripple your entire life (War hero Audie Murphy's severe social anxiety), if not kill you (man who accidentally flew his plane into downtown NYC apartment building). Some advice on how to conquer fear responses, though it turns out there's only so much you can do.
February 3, 2010
With a healthy mix of riveting stories and insightful science, this is such a great book about fear. Examining fear from a physical, physiological, and psychological point of view, the author explains how fear comes about, how people react to it, how it can affect performance and memory, and how it can be used positively (or least how to keep it from making a negative---and potentially negative---impact).
I will reread this book when the nervous system is covered in my upcoming physiology class.
I will reread this book when the nervous system is covered in my upcoming physiology class.
Currently reading
December 10, 2009I am enjoying this book - and I am in it!! Mr. Wise interviewed me for quite a while about my experiences with Panic and Anxiety. He did a great job of telling the story without making me appear foolish.
And, the other parts of the book are quite believable and, in many ways, very comforting. There is a lot of science about fear - and we don't have to just be afraid of it.
I'm almost finished... it is a good read!
And, the other parts of the book are quite believable and, in many ways, very comforting. There is a lot of science about fear - and we don't have to just be afraid of it.
I'm almost finished... it is a good read!
December 25, 2011
Gripping stories of accidents, animal attacks, and disasters that are punctuated by very readable explanations of what the brain and body are doing. The same "sandwhich" structure in each chapter gets a bit old, but it's easy to skim for the stories or the biopsychological explanations, as the reader desires. Fascinating insights into how fear works to motivate us but can also get us killed.
September 8, 2012
I liked becoming reacquainted with the importance of the amygdala, and new respect for the ventral striatum an locus ceruleus. The examples are the core reading of the book, which kept it entertaining. Broaching the subject of what to do about response to 't' stimuli was interesting, and also refleXive versus refleCtive response.
Want to read
June 24, 2016* 8 Great Adventure Reads
Extreme Fear (MacSci), by Jeff Wise, is both a journalistic account of some brave encounters (a woman coming face-to-face with a cougar in a canyon, for example) and a smart scientific analysis of what happens in the brain when we experience fear—and how we can turn that fear into an advantage.
Extreme Fear (MacSci), by Jeff Wise, is both a journalistic account of some brave encounters (a woman coming face-to-face with a cougar in a canyon, for example) and a smart scientific analysis of what happens in the brain when we experience fear—and how we can turn that fear into an advantage.
June 9, 2010
It's just a tad bit dry...at parts...so it's not quite a full five stars, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Okay, and I'm kind of a geek as well...if you've got a tiny geek in you as well, add this to your summer reading list.
It's just what it says it is: the science of fear.
Okay, and I'm kind of a geek as well...if you've got a tiny geek in you as well, add this to your summer reading list.
It's just what it says it is: the science of fear.
July 19, 2010
Very interesting look into the neurology and the psychology of fear situations. I love getting to dissect human responses without ever having to get out of my chair. I have a whole slew of pages marked for future reference and that's always a sign of a good book.
May 3, 2011
Fascinating look at what goes on inside our brains when we feel fear. Wise's anecdotes of people in terrifying situations actually had me all tensed up in my chair (there goes empathy doing its job!).
September 28, 2015
Fascinating study of the physiological and psychological effects of fear. It is well researched and wonderfully written. Wise summarizes the latest research in the field and makes his points with real life anecdotes. A must read for first responders or anyone who must go in harms way.
paused
April 13, 2017Had to stop. Too many other things to read. Looking forward to picking it up again.
November 26, 2012
Fascinating, informed, and useful.
May 5, 2013
Strong science with compelling anecdotal backup. The how-to segments are almost humorously basic and vague, but that's to be expected.
March 26, 2014
Read for school, quite interesting.
June 1, 2014
Wonderful book!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews