Dr Dale's Zombie Dictionary: The A-Z Guide to Staying Alive

by Dale Seslick

Worried about what to do in the event of the dead rising from their graves and trying to destroy humanity? Worry no more! With the help of numerous films and Wikipedia, Dr Dale has compiled this rigorously researched A-Z list of everything you need to know about how to recognise them, how to fight them and even how to classify them. He can answer all of your burning questions

- How can a sheep help defend me against the undead?
- What will the response of the Women’s Institute be to an attack?
- What’s the most useful style of dance to know in the event of the apocalypse?

From the best kind of clothing to wear to the most appropriate soundtrack for a zombie apocalypse, this is the ultimate guide to preparing for and surviving the return of the undead.

Full money back guarantee offered should you die in a zombie apocalypse within 30 days of purchase

Genres: Zombies, Humor, Fiction, Horror, Ebooks, Reference, Fantasy

315 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Faye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read: November 2017
Rating: 4/5 stars

This was a funny, very British A-Z dictionary of how to survive a zombie apocalypse. It is not a book to read in one sitting as it would get very repetitive, but instead something to pick up and read an entry from over the course of a few days or weeks. As someone who loves The Walking Dead and World War Z, I found Dr Dale's Zombie Dictionary to be a light-hearted counterpart to the more seriously written zombie fiction.

Two of my favourite entries:
Abyss: Abyss...is a very atmospheric word that can be used when you wish to come across as a mean and moody person of action when implementing a dangerous plan. [For example] Your entire group is poised at the exit of your safe house ready to leave and seek out food and supplies. Just before you open the door you turn and say: 'time to enter the abyss', raise your eyebrow, nod slowly, and leave. The others regard you as brave and wise.

Reconnaissance Sheep: A sheep can blend into most surroundings as long as it is covered in snow or clouds. if this is the case then you can send a sheep to carry out reconnaissance work by strapping a video camera to its back. as it cannot be seen, it will be able to return to you unscathed.

[Brittany Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even the disclaimer of this book is effin' awesome!

The first few pages set my lewd zombie mythology straight... Stupid Hollywood...

This British A-Z guide was absolutely hilarious. I constantly open up to random pages and just laugh out loud.

The illustrations are of such perfection that I'm seriously considering coloring them in because it can be my mini zombie coloring book and a reader! Double win! This would be a perfect gift for anyone who enjoys the slightest bit of zombie-lore. Or you can be like me and keep it for your selfish zombie lovin' self.

This safety guide is absolutely humerous and I would highly recommend this to any zombie lover.

Thanks to the publisher Allison & Busby and author Dale Seslick for the print copy I won via a contest on Twitter. All reviews are my own and voluntary.

[V, The Reading Turtle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 4.5

It's a very funny book. I find myself hysterically laughing a lot of times. The humor reminds me of my favorite local author. I also love the pop culture references in this book like Thriller, "of the dead" movies, etc. Aside from these fun stuffs, most of the tips actually make sense. I believe this survival guide could actually be helpful if what Dr Dale fears happen.

But I'm not a fan of the illustrations. They look like illustrations from a textbook, which are kinda boring. I believe it would be better if the drawings are more "cartoony".

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredibly funny. There’s not a lot I can say about it, it’s just a dictionary with a bunch of things to consider during a zombie apocalypse. All of this has been taken from movies, books or any other kind of popular culture on zombies, but the way is presented just had me laughing through the whole book. Wonderful British comedy, I loved it.

[Marmalade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastically funny book

[T.W. Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve made it known that I am a huge fan of the British and other UK related types. I didn’t get swept up by their classic literature—although I did gain an appreciation as I grew older—but rather it was the comedy: Benny Hill and Monty Python. Shows like Doctor Who, Red Dwarf, and Black Adder along with some of their more recent entries like Ideal, The Wrong Door, and the IT Crowd. “Have you tried turning it off and on?”

So, when I cracked open Dr Dale’s Zombie Dictionary: The A-Z Guide to Staying Alive my expectations were unfairly high. I was not in the least bit disappointed. This book is truly funny in the “laughing out loud” vein and is a must for every fan of zombies.

Seldom can I heap praise on something and not have a cautionary word or bit of criticism to temper it with. Dr Dales Zombie Dictionary is that rare example. And it must be said that the interspersed illustrations by Jack Knight give an added chuckle. I am envious of Allison and Busby Limited (the publishers) for presenting such an entertaining book.

If I must find criticism, it would be in the form of a warning to the readers. You will want to share every entry with friends, family, and co-workers. You might find these less-enthusiastic-about-zombie sorts trying to avoid you on sight if you’re carrying the book in hand. And it will always start with “Hey! You just gotta hear this.” DO NOT bring this book out on your first date with that cute girl from accounting that finally agreed to go out with you. Also, this book is a bit like a fine wine. There is no need to grind through it in one night. Small doses will allow you to savor each entry.

Dr Dales Zombie Dictionary is a perfect book. I can’t stress enough for fans—old and newly converted—to pick this book up and give it a special location on your shelf. Sometimes we need to have a laugh. We read enough about the pain and misery. This is a wonderful palate cleanser. If you could use a grin, chuckle, or a belly laugh (and honestly…who doesn’t?) pick this book up today.

[Wild1 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very funny, although I can no longer watch The Walking Dead or Fear The Walking Dead, without shouting at the TV & shaking my head in a "what on earth are they thinking of" kind of way. Lol!

[Jorden Kuijper · Rating 2 out of 5]

Humour gets old pretty fast. That is basically the whole premise of this book, so it falls flat without it.

[James Belcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good read, no messing around and can relate to the day to day lives of everyone.
Obvious questions answered and random questions which make you think, different scenarios and more

[Anita Dalton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was pretty instructive, Dad Humor and intrusive cultural references notwithstanding, in teaching me some essential canonical facts about zombies. Among them:
–Zombies really aren’t interested in brains, contrary to popular opinion.
–There is no cure if a zombie bites you. There is no cure for existing zombies. This is a point that bore much repeating.
–Zombies are monsters and their weapons are their mouths, which is such a manifestly obvious statement that I had to wonder why it seemed so revelatory when I read it.
–One has to have died in order to have become a zombie, which also is a pretty obvious statement and explains why people refused to accept 28 Days Later as a zombie movie. (I still think it’s a zombie movie but I’m also not vested enough to be a purist.)
–The only way a zombie can be killed is to destroy its brain. Which, in my opinion, may have given rise to the idea that zombies somehow need brains in order to survive.

If all of that is obvious to you, chances are you are far more advanced in your study of the genre than I am but as the week progresses, I will be discussing fare that is not so obvious and books that outright subvert the genre, but you gotta walk before you can run.

Overall, this was an amusing, interesting book. Given that it is literally a dictionary of all you need to know about zombies and what you will need to do to survive the inevitable zombie apocalypse, there’s really not much I can discuss outside of just quoting the parts that I found amusing or informative. Read the entire review here.

[Kirsty McCracken · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75* Ridiculous and fun. Full of daft British humour and obscure pop-culture references that I can't help but love. Sarcky and daft and silly. Just a really fun read. The only reason I didn't score it higher is that sometimes he breached the the funny zone and ended up in the somewhat out of date and more than a little sexist zone. But only briefly on a FEW occasions, which is a plus, rather than the whole way through the book.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeez what can i say? I love zombie books as much as i love films/series about Zombies even though i terrified myself by watching The Night of the Living Dead when i was only 8! Not sure if this book would have helped alleviate that fear earlier on in my fearful years or made it worse. Witty, fun read if you have a few hours to spare.

[Vicki Orton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun book full of funny tips on how to survive the impending apocalypse! Liked the references to popular culture such as films and how it debunked quite a few myths with scientific references. Would recommend to anyone who wants a daft read.

[Jennifer Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is stupid funny. 😂 I’ve now decided which weapons I will carry with me when the zombies come: a big stick, and a sheep. So thank you, Dr. Dale.

[Rowan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very offensive language throughout.
Cheap and nasty humour that plays of people struggles in an untactful oblivious way.
Obviously in no way did I expect this to be a masterpiece but I was not prepared for the degrading language that marked this book.
Disappointed.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

For any devote zombie fan, this book is a let down. Overall humor came across as sarcastic and idiotic. Gave it the 2 stars, because i really liked the cute zombie drawings, other than that i was just disappointed.

[Lewis Stewardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did enjoy the writing, it was easy to read and some pages were more enjoyable than others. Sometimes it did feel a little repeated but nothing too much. I think this is a book you come back to every so often.

[Andrew Garvey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun, amusing book with - unfortunately - a couple of major drawbacks.

A proper, detailed review will be up at www.spookyisles.com (once I've actually written and posted it, that is.)

[Gav Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some funny bits but more of a gap filler than anything else. Never finished to be honest , maybe one day I will but doubtful.

[Paschalis]

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[andrew m conway · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good fun. Good preparation.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in one go on the train back from Liverpool, funny entertaining read, just a good book to switch your brain off and kill a hour or two.

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

EVERYTHING THAT YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT ZOMIES OR A ZOMIE APOCALYPSE BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK! AND PRETTY FUNNY AT TIMES WHICH IS A CREDIT TO THE AUTHOR WHO WROTE IT.

[Rebecca Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is very funny - but it's 30,000 words too long. The jokes wear thin after you've read them for the third or fourth time.

[Ryan Parkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really funny and one to pick up between novels

[Natasha Moore · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bought this from a charity shop as reading the back it looked quite funny, thought it would suit a quick read whilst I decided on a new book. Was quite let down to be honest by the repetitive "humour" Probably wouldn't read it again, may suit a younger reader.

[Monster]

Dr. Dale’s Zombie Dictionary is just that—a dictionary of all of the terms and phrases you might need to know in the event of a zombie apocalypse. It contains some very practical information, like what types of weapons to use; the best kind of clothing to wear; panic zones to avoid if you want to live; and where the best places are to hide. Dr. Dale even gives advice on the proper soundtrack (playing in your head of course—the zombies would hear you otherwise) to aid you in your survival. Of course one crucial bit of information that is repeated found throughout the book is that there is no cure!

Along with the practical stuff there’s also some not-so-practical information to be found in the dictionary. For instance, you can’t use a hedgehog as a weapon; musical instruments that might make good weapons; why Michael Jackson will be responsible for many deaths because of the “Thriller” video; and how to train a sheep to attack. Dr. Dale doesn’t take himself too seriously here. Even the common sense info (and there’s actually quite a bit of it) is sprinkled with comedy.

Dr. Dale’s Zombie Dictionary is a fun and practical guide to survival. It did take me a while to read but only because it’s laid out like a dictionary, not a regular book. It is definitely a fun (and informative) read. I feel I am now fully prepared to survive the zombie hoards when they finally come. Recommended.
Contains: Adult language, creepy illustrations, lots of sarcasm
Reviewed by: Colleen Wanglund

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

First Zombieland, then some zombie games, and then this book!

This book has made me paranoid. During the days I was reading this I found myself looking around and thinking what if the zombopocalypse suddenly happens? April 4 was my graduation from high school and I thought then that I was in an infection hotspot. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, in fact I'm amused.

But I was more than amused with this book. This book can convert people into zombie fans. That's what happened with me.

[Liam H. Blues · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good fun little book, but strictly for zombie fans really. Its just a jokey little dictionary and is hardly life changing but good fun, and it is clear 'Dr Dale' knows his stuff, with references from all sorts of zombie sources coming in thick and fast! An enjoyable quick read, though not much meat on them dead bones!

[Emma Addis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Zombie Dictionary is a humorous read, it would make a perfect, bathroom book. To pick up as and when you feel like it, or just look up certain words. Definitely a good book for the zombie fans! :)