A Field Guide to the Apocalypse

“If Aktipis seems too cheery, that’s the point. ‘Having fun is an extremely important tool, ’ she writes. “We need each other, we need art, we need opportunities for self-expression and communication, and we need to feel embedded in a community that has a stake in our well-being.’ This is a weird, weirdly encouraging book from a scholar who understands the risks of volcanoes, killer robots, militarized pathogens, space aliens, nuclear weapons, wildfires and the greenhouse effect, but still she refuses to be terrified into inaction. Signing off, she writes, ‘Don’t fret. This is just the beginning.’ ” –Ron Charles, Washington Post Book Club“Terrific. Aktipis is a talented writer, with an engaging style, sly humor, and an ability to incorporate remarkably diverse sources into a fun and information-packed book.”–Robert Cialdini, New York Times best-selling author of Influence“This feel-good book about the end of human existence comes just in time to remedy the winter doldrums. The basic message is yes, we are living in apocalyptic times, but we should calm our fears and prepare for whatever comes. Aktipis is by turns witty, insightful, reassuring, silly, and always interesting. Aktipis’ advice seems a sensible response to it all. Teens will also enjoy both the topics and tone of Aktipis’ survival guide.”

–Booklist

“ This guide doesn’t sugarcoat our apocalyptish circumstances, but it demands radical optimism by reminding us of who we are: a species built for change, compassion, and survival.” –Rachel Feltman, author of Been There, Done That

Athena Aktipis is an evolutionary psychologist and professor at Arizona State. She is the co-Director of the Human Generosity Project, hosts a podcast called Zombified, and is the chair of the Zombie Apocalypse Meeting. Her most recent book is The Cheating Cell: How Evolution Helps Understand and Treat Cancer.