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The Zombie Combat Manual: A Guide to Fighting the Living Dead
During a zombie outbreak, 98% of individuals will have to destroy an undead opponent without the aid of a firearm. Will you be ready?
The Zombie Combat Manual is a comprehensive guide that demonstrates how anyone, from seasoned fighter to average citizen, can become an effective warrior in the inevitable battle against the undead.
With detailed illustrations and firsthand accounts from zombie combat veterans, this manual provides readers with the information they need to emerge victoriously from a close combat encounter with a walking corpse. Now is the time to learn how to survive a hand-to-hand battle against the advancing army of the undead - lest you fall prey to their growing ranks.
The Zombie Combat Manual is a comprehensive guide that demonstrates how anyone, from seasoned fighter to average citizen, can become an effective warrior in the inevitable battle against the undead.
With detailed illustrations and firsthand accounts from zombie combat veterans, this manual provides readers with the information they need to emerge victoriously from a close combat encounter with a walking corpse. Now is the time to learn how to survive a hand-to-hand battle against the advancing army of the undead - lest you fall prey to their growing ranks.
320 pages, Paperback
First published April 5, 2010
42 people are currently reading
3178 people want to read
About the author
Roger Ma
11 books17 followersRoger Ma specializes in hand-to-hand combat against the undead. He is the author of The Zombie Combat Manual: A Guide to Fighting the Living Dead and The Vampire Combat Manual: A Guide to Fighting the Bloodthirsty Undead. His work focuses on battling the undead using only hand-to-hand weapons and unarmed combat. He was featured as a zombie expert on the History Channel documentary "Zombies: A Living History." He is a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and lives in New Jersey.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
July 15, 2012
If the primary goal of a fictional work is to transport you into its alternate reality, Roger Ma does this astonishingly well, considering his chosen method of transport. Ma uses a survival/combat manual to paint the picture of a world not only overrun but perennially and hopelessly infested by the scourge. It is a world where the people have got used to this reality and is adapting to and surviving in pockets of ‘secured areas’. The short combat reports which pepper the manual is effectively used to enhance the pathos of this devastated world, giving a human element to the otherwise monochrome delivery style. The manual is Ma’s way of describing the true horrors of this world where the most outlandish methods and survival techniques are now part of a standard manual issued by the government for the perusal of all its citizens.
Even though written in a language meant to reproduce the dry tone of a technical manual, the book is still strangely compelling and can, quite surprisingly, be even called a page-turner, in spite of being so repetitive page after page in its admonitions and entreaties.
As for the techniques and the numerous advises given, I thing this cartoon would do a better job of readying you for a zombie outbreak than the entire book:
October 24, 2010
It’s safe to say that I love zombie books. Movies, I’m not always a fan of, because I prefer my horror to be suspenseful instead of gory, and most zombie flicks seem to think they can cover gaping plot holes with a pile of torn off limbs. Books, on the other hand, don’t usually have the option of typing [INSERT FLESH RENDING HERE] over and over again. There has to be plot, description, and character development, even if it isn’t very good. Zombies as a genre has become mainstream enough to include things like zombie poetry, graphic novels, adaptations from historical literature, religious thought, and cook books.
So I was pleased to see a book which promised to be both zombie-related and actually useful. Roger Ma foresaw the comparisons to Max Brook’s Zombie Survival Guide and swerved around them by focusing on the human body itself. It doesn’t assume that you have access to a variety of guns, swords, or other military weapons – in fact, among those it does list are notes as to how realistic it would be to assume that you could find one. It also handily points out the destructive power and flaws of the everyday items you might have at hand, saving you from making a risky attempt to get past a shambling horde for something like a chef’s knife, which would actually require a “very high” amount of skill to use. Make sure to take note of the lifespan of the items as well – it doesn’t do you any good to rely on something sharp and dangerous which will certainly break after the second time you use it to bash in a head.
If the undead apocalypse does come, there will probably be more than two zombies in it.
One of my favorite sections was Ma’s discussion on combatant body types. He gives the pros and cons for three kinds of zombie fighters (based on the tradition of diagnosing people as eco, edo, or mesomorphs), and follows it up with workout routines which can get you into fighting shape. His “Zombie Basic Fitness Circuit” can be done in a small room with nothing but your own body required. His “Combat Exercises” only require an old tire and a tree (to swing a small axe against). Even better, Ma gives you a reason for each of the exercises he recommends, showing how jumping jacks can save you from a broken ankle, and your deltoids are necessary for thrusting swords or spears.
I would recommend this to any serious zombie fan looking to expand their book collection, writers who want to add an authentic voice to their tales of the undead, or people hoping to spice up their workouts by envisioning themselves preparing for the next zombie war
* originally posted on my book review site http://cuinnreviews.wordpress.com/
So I was pleased to see a book which promised to be both zombie-related and actually useful. Roger Ma foresaw the comparisons to Max Brook’s Zombie Survival Guide and swerved around them by focusing on the human body itself. It doesn’t assume that you have access to a variety of guns, swords, or other military weapons – in fact, among those it does list are notes as to how realistic it would be to assume that you could find one. It also handily points out the destructive power and flaws of the everyday items you might have at hand, saving you from making a risky attempt to get past a shambling horde for something like a chef’s knife, which would actually require a “very high” amount of skill to use. Make sure to take note of the lifespan of the items as well – it doesn’t do you any good to rely on something sharp and dangerous which will certainly break after the second time you use it to bash in a head.
If the undead apocalypse does come, there will probably be more than two zombies in it.
One of my favorite sections was Ma’s discussion on combatant body types. He gives the pros and cons for three kinds of zombie fighters (based on the tradition of diagnosing people as eco, edo, or mesomorphs), and follows it up with workout routines which can get you into fighting shape. His “Zombie Basic Fitness Circuit” can be done in a small room with nothing but your own body required. His “Combat Exercises” only require an old tire and a tree (to swing a small axe against). Even better, Ma gives you a reason for each of the exercises he recommends, showing how jumping jacks can save you from a broken ankle, and your deltoids are necessary for thrusting swords or spears.
I would recommend this to any serious zombie fan looking to expand their book collection, writers who want to add an authentic voice to their tales of the undead, or people hoping to spice up their workouts by envisioning themselves preparing for the next zombie war
* originally posted on my book review site http://cuinnreviews.wordpress.com/
September 19, 2016
Este libro es del 2011, me lo regalo una amiga para mi cumpleaños de ese año. Se que diréis dios cuanto has tardado en leerlo no?? ya es que hubo una época en la que estuve leyendo solo de zombies y llego un momento en el que dije stop!. Desde entonces no he vuelto a leer ninguno sobre esta temática pero ya tenia ganas así que por el reto GOT de este mes me tocaba una con la portada naranja y dije...es tu momento. La verdad es que no es que haya sido una maravilla, el libro de mi vida no es pero la verdad es que dentro de lo que cabe me ha sorprendido. En este libro podemos encontrar lo mismo de siempre, es decir, siempre se centran en armas, que hacer para sobrevivir, vamos que dentro de lo que cabe todos tocan los mismos temas. Pero sin embargo este me ha sorprendido porque ha tocado temas que otros no, como por ejemplo el tema de transportar bebes que parece que no existe cuando llega el mundo apocalíptico o el tema de mantenerte en forma durante el dia realizando diferentes ejercicios al dia. No sé puede ser que me haya gustado mas de lo que me suelen gustar o que haya visto cosas que no he visto en otro porque también hace muchos años que no leo este genero y me esta picando otra vez el gusanillo. Otras de las cosas que por ejemplo si me ha gustado es que muchos suelen meter como historias al final, y te meten como 50 o mas paginas solo de historietas, pero en este caso han metido una en cada final de capitulo y eso lo ha hecho mas entretenido. La verdad es que todas las historias excepto las dos ultimas me han parecido interesantes, las ultimas no porque una trababa sobre un tío que se había vuelto corredor solo para huir, de echo en un momento dado decía que dejaba a toda su familia atrás y le daba igual y el ultimo es que simplemente era un tio hablando de nada en si. Bueno libro recomendable cuando se trata de esta temática.
April 13, 2020
It took me somewhere, and I'd like to learn more lol. Interesting and imaginative I enjoyed reading
July 11, 2011
I picked up THE ZOMBIE COMBAT MANUAL by Roger Ma because it overlaps with a project I am currently working on. It was mixed in with a pile of similiar books that I passed over as unimpressive. A quick glance inside this one, however, had me hooked.
Not only is the book very well written, illustrated, and organized but it also delves deeply into its subject matter. You'll never look at baby strollers the same way after reading the chapter on Child Protection. My favorite part of the book is the combat report in nearly every chapter, giving a first person account on each element of the zombie apocalypse: weapon selection, physical conditioning, escape and evasion tactics, martial arts, special forces deployment, or just insight into the causes and timeline of this fictional world. If you liked the zombie incidents of Max Brooks' ZOMBIE SURVIVAL GUIDE and the oral histories of WORLD WAR Z then you will definitely enjoy this book. Ma does a wonderful job of creating an assortment of characters and locations quickly while giving each person a distinctive voice.
There were a few things I did not like, such as the dry description of every detail (maintaining foot wear, for example) and the idea that these zombies are so contagious that it is better to put on a hazmat suit and hide rather than engage in any zombie combat. Feel free to dismiss these complaints as the grumblings of a zombie geek who has been oversaturated by the genre.
If you buy just one book to prepare yourself for combat with the living dead I recommend Roger Ma's THE ZOMBIE COMBAT MANUAL.
Not only is the book very well written, illustrated, and organized but it also delves deeply into its subject matter. You'll never look at baby strollers the same way after reading the chapter on Child Protection. My favorite part of the book is the combat report in nearly every chapter, giving a first person account on each element of the zombie apocalypse: weapon selection, physical conditioning, escape and evasion tactics, martial arts, special forces deployment, or just insight into the causes and timeline of this fictional world. If you liked the zombie incidents of Max Brooks' ZOMBIE SURVIVAL GUIDE and the oral histories of WORLD WAR Z then you will definitely enjoy this book. Ma does a wonderful job of creating an assortment of characters and locations quickly while giving each person a distinctive voice.
There were a few things I did not like, such as the dry description of every detail (maintaining foot wear, for example) and the idea that these zombies are so contagious that it is better to put on a hazmat suit and hide rather than engage in any zombie combat. Feel free to dismiss these complaints as the grumblings of a zombie geek who has been oversaturated by the genre.
If you buy just one book to prepare yourself for combat with the living dead I recommend Roger Ma's THE ZOMBIE COMBAT MANUAL.
October 2, 2011
So i like horror and paranormal and zombies as much as the other person does. I got this book because I thought that this was going to be an interesting read and a fun one at that. Let me say that it was okay. I do like the artwork in the book and that's what made it for me. Yes really it's not about what to do and don't do but Roger Ma, details all of the weaponry that would work when fighting off zombies as well as the physical anatomy of zombies. Some of the review stories at the end were pretty cheesy. There was only one that I really liked. I thought the review at the end was supposed to sum up what we learned in the chapter but really it was other peoples reaccounts as to what happened to them while either fighting off zombies or training to kill them.
June 27, 2011
This just seemed to be a blatant rip-off of Max Brooks' book. Although the content was geared toward killing zombies, it was too cut and dry. There was no filler, or interesting stories, just "here's what to do in this scenario."
Pass on this one.
Pass on this one.
February 25, 2013
No pude leerlo muy en serio por obvias razones, pero está muy bien, es mucho más llevadero que "Guía de Supervivencia Zombie".
Los relatos de supervivientes son de personajes más verosimiles, son el fuerte del libro aunque solo sean un 20% de él.
Los relatos de supervivientes son de personajes más verosimiles, son el fuerte del libro aunque solo sean un 20% de él.
November 5, 2011
Brooks did it better
December 8, 2011
Wow, this book was gory :/
It was still an interesting read, although I wouldn't recommend it to kids under 13 years old...
It was still an interesting read, although I wouldn't recommend it to kids under 13 years old...
October 18, 2018
Discreto, ma davvero troppo debitore ai bellissimi libri di Max Brooks (The Zombie Survival Guide e World War Z)
December 31, 2023
An essential guide to surviving a zombie apocalypse. Lots of practical information weaved in with fictional ‘recounts’. Informative read if you enjoy the zombie genre. Easy, handy reference point in case of a zombie emergency!
November 17, 2012
I just completed the section on weapon selection and was rather disappointed. This books chooses to focus purely on the combat aspects leaving other details of zombie survival (transportation, fortification, etc) to other texts. As such, it would be expected that the weapon section would be rather expansive. The author states upfront that he is going to avoid range weapons such as firearms and bows, which is fine, but he still does a mediocre job covering weapons. He breaks the weapons down into several classes and for each class, evaluates several weapons. However, his weapon selections are incomplete and random. While he repeatedly mentions katana blades, there is no evaluation of them in the edged weapon section. There is only one sword, a random German design, included whereas others such as samurai, long, or shorts swords are neglected. Additionally, there is no mention of axes but tomahawks are included. For a book purely about zombie combat, I expected there to be more detail and analysis of weapons compared to a more general book like the zombie survival guide. However, there is better analysis and details of weapons in the survival guide compared to the combat manual.
Overall the book was decent but it didn't add much not already covered in books like the zombie survival guide other than some specific hand to hand techniques for fighting zombies.
Overall the book was decent but it didn't add much not already covered in books like the zombie survival guide other than some specific hand to hand techniques for fighting zombies.
March 13, 2012
"In times of peace, prepare for war"
Remarkable book that takes itself completely seriously and somehow makes it work. This is not your average zombie read. Inside are complete and detailed tips on how to prepare yourself, both mentally and physically, for the zombie apocalypse.
Weapons, tactics, and maneuvers are all carefully broken down. Zombie anatomy, tactics (or lack thereof), strengths and vulnerabilities are all examined, as are the strengths and weaknesses of the typical human combatant in various scenarios against the undead.
Interspersed through the book are interviews with those who have faced the undead as well as excerpts from other eyewitness accounts, that really break it up nicely and keep it from reading entirely like a text book.
Read this book. Regardless of whether you live to see the inevitable zombie apocalypse or not, the tips and techniques in here with get you through whatever may come along because (with the possible exception of needing to destroy your opponent's brain) this really is more "survival guide" than "zombie story".
Remarkable book that takes itself completely seriously and somehow makes it work. This is not your average zombie read. Inside are complete and detailed tips on how to prepare yourself, both mentally and physically, for the zombie apocalypse.
Weapons, tactics, and maneuvers are all carefully broken down. Zombie anatomy, tactics (or lack thereof), strengths and vulnerabilities are all examined, as are the strengths and weaknesses of the typical human combatant in various scenarios against the undead.
Interspersed through the book are interviews with those who have faced the undead as well as excerpts from other eyewitness accounts, that really break it up nicely and keep it from reading entirely like a text book.
Read this book. Regardless of whether you live to see the inevitable zombie apocalypse or not, the tips and techniques in here with get you through whatever may come along because (with the possible exception of needing to destroy your opponent's brain) this really is more "survival guide" than "zombie story".
April 11, 2010
For those who say this is a retread of Max Brooks' Zombie Survival Guide, I say 'nuh uh!' Sure, there are similar elements and themes, but Ma expands in areas Brooks glossed over and goes over some completely different aspects of survival in a Zombacalypse. Yes, he has narratives from survivors of the undead plague, as does Brooks, but so what? Isn't that what we love about our zombie books and movies? The tales of survival and destruction? Ma is an excellent writer and has obviously put a lot of time and thought into his book. Both Brooks and Ma have a place on any zombie fan's bookshelf - no need to make this about whose zombie dick is bigger...
August 7, 2010
This book has given me sooooo much pleasure. First was the sweet little old lady on the plane next to me who would be willing to swear to her friends that she was sitting to the spawn of satan himself. Next was the eyes of our desk clerk as I checked in to my hotel. His eyes got big I thought he might of escaped from a Tex Avery cartoon. As for the book itself it has some quite funny moments on of the best is the sad tail of a group of fantasy role players who think they are the Queen's Royal Guard of Silly Weapons..quite yummy. Not a great book but it sure was a fun book, and that might make it a great book after all.
July 3, 2010
I bought this book for my Kindle when one of the people I work with talked endlessly about it.
Not only does it add to the Zombie mythology, but it does so in an informative and witty way. This book reads like a Army training manual, with illustrations, and the added bonus of "testimonials" from "first-hand" accounts from several key individuals.
I was able to read this book in one evening, and am now prepped and ready to deliver a second death to scores of the undead (should the need ever arise).
Not only does it add to the Zombie mythology, but it does so in an informative and witty way. This book reads like a Army training manual, with illustrations, and the added bonus of "testimonials" from "first-hand" accounts from several key individuals.
I was able to read this book in one evening, and am now prepped and ready to deliver a second death to scores of the undead (should the need ever arise).
Currently reading
January 17, 2012I've read up to the end of the physical preparation segment. Upon reading how to do jumping jacks, I put the book down and "facepalmed". I think I'm done with this. The author spent a twenty page segment describing basic body types, as well as their advantages and disadvantages, then spent a few pages with a basic disclaimer stating that most people don't fall into any of those categories. I expected this book to be time well spent, not a pitiful attempt to entertain the reader.
Pages 34-59
Pages 34-59
August 1, 2021
This book does as it advertises; gives combat techniques for zombie fights. Gives thoughts on weapons recommendations, looking at weapon ability as well as weapon availability and tactic/weapon recommendations for long, medium and short distance zombie fights.
I feel more prepared having read this book
I feel more prepared having read this book
Read
December 8, 2011This book is fun to read, so long as I keep a pen close by, with which to annotate, dispute, and generally tender my opinion as I go. This is part of why it's taking so long to read it -- I keep stopping to argue.
July 16, 2010
Pretty thorough coverage of the topic of battling the undead. I love that the only background of the zombie apocalypse is in the context of the field reports. Clever, subtle, and refreshing for the genre.
October 25, 2011
This is a must-read for any zombie-apocalypse fan, unless he or she wants to be one of the undead. Review available at http://moonlit-librarian.blogspot.com...
May 10, 2010
3.5/5 - An enjoyable read. Short and to the point.
July 15, 2010
I was bored. I skipped the interviews. The combat stuff was great. I think I shall be properly prepared in case of a Zombie attack. :)
September 14, 2010
Ma is no Max Brooks, but really, who else is? This has its moments. At times the "combat manual" material on handling zombies is really good. The interviews are not as awesome, for the most part.
October 13, 2010
A fun little book. A surprisingly researched out piece of mental floss. A must for any zombie apocalypse fan.
December 8, 2010
May be the most important book you'll ever read!!!
December 28, 2010
Definetly the book to have for a zombie outbreak!
February 13, 2011
A great book. I didn't think that I would like this sort of subject. But this was a well thought and entertaining book. I would recomend it to anyone.
March 7, 2011
If you need me to explain why this is amazing, you're loser and I hate you.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews