A is for Awesome

Fellow survivors, long have I searched for the proper way to teach my children the alphabet. I have found it.

The book is called, "Z is for Zombie: An Illustrated Guide to the End of the World" by Adam-Troy Castro and illustrated by Johnny Atomic. This book is filled with the simple facts like, "...everywhere we were, they are." And "Either you hit the ground running or you hit the ground in pieces." It does not go into details on how it happened or why, but simply that it has in fact occurred, the zombie apocalypse.

Every page is chalk full of simple yet sound advice that every survivor must have ingrained in his head to continue that survival. As I reread the book at this very moment I am simply blown away by the simple statements that are so true. This alphabet is like a rulebook, the very basics of survival that no person should be without. Every survivor can be reminded of the principles set forth in this book, one particular reminder for myself is the eyes. Adam-Troy describes the eyes of a zombie as "T for Terrifying" because the eyes are the window to the soul and how much people rely on looking into each others eyes: to discern lies, to engage lovers, to welcome, to communicate. But to look into a zombie's eyes is to see absolute nothing, a void that is as the author describes it "enough to shatter all will to live."

The book takes the reader step-by-step through the apocalypse giving some reassurance that the trials and tribulations are ones that must be faced by every true survivor. It also ends off with a stern warning and a truly chilling idea of what can be expected should you turn. The idea that undeath is a worse fate then simply dying and your body becoming something else. The idea that being a zombie means having to not only watch but actually do the horrible acts entailed; with no choice, no will, no mind, simply an awareness. Still knowing who you were and what you've done and what you are currently doing. Feeling the never ending, ever growing hunger, and all the pain that goes with it but not having a choice or a way to stop any of it. Ideas like this, the unknown aspects of turning, there are reason enough to always make sure you have one extra round.

Don't miss out. Educate yourself and your family, buy this book.

Stay vigilant, may the infection never reach you, and those close to you have the resolve to do what is needed should you be so unfortunate, Mike D.