The Unthinkable

Today, nine out of ten Americans live in places at significant risk of earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, terrorism, or other disasters. Tomorrow, some of us will have to make split-second choices to save ourselves and our families. How will we react? What will it feel like? Will we be heroes or victims? In her quest to answer these questions, Amanda Ripley traces human responses to some of recent history's epic disasters, turns to leading brain scientists, and even steps into the dark corners of her own imagination. The Unthinkableescorts us into the bleakest regions of our nightmares, flicks on a flashlight, and takes a steady look around. Then it leads us home, smarter and stronger than we were before. "Fascinating and useful...[shows that] the most important variable in an emergency is your own behavior."New York Times "Engrossing and lucid...facing the truth about the human capacity for risk and disaster turns out to be a lot less scary than staying in the dark."Oprah Magazine "This book might save your life." Bloomberg News

A senior writer for Time magazine, AMANDA RIPLEY has been extensively involved in the magazine’s “Person of the Year” cover stories and now writes about homeland security and risk in Washington, D.C. Her disaster reporting recently helped Time win two National Magazine Awards. For more information about Amanda and this book, go to www.TheUnthinkable.com.


From the Hardcover edition.