#1591

Mentioned in 15 episodes

The Unthinkable

who survives when disaster strikes and why

Book • 2008

In 'The Unthinkable', Amanda Ripley delves into the human responses to some of history’s most epic disasters, from the explosion of the Mont Blanc munitions ship in 1917 to the World Trade Center attacks on September 11, 2001.

She consults leading brain scientists, trauma psychologists, and other disaster experts to understand the psychological and neurological aspects of survival.

The book outlines the 'survival arc' of denial, deliberation, and decision, and provides practical advice on increasing one’s chances of survival in disaster scenarios.

It also explores themes such as crowd psychology, the brain’s fear circuits, and the role of heroism and resilience in the face of disaster.

Mentioned by

Edward O. Thorp

Dave Stachowiak

Mentioned in 15 episodes

Mentioned by

Edward O. Thorp

as a book exploring decision-making in crisis situations.

#604: Master Investor Ed Thorp on How to Think for Yourself, Mental Models for the Second Half of Life, How to Be Inner-Directed, How Basic Numeracy Is a Superpower, and The Dangers of Investing Fads

Mentioned as the book where

Amanda Ripley

uncovers the myths and realities of survival psychology.

From Plane Crashes to Terrorist Attacks — Who Survives, and Why

Mentioned by

Tim Harford

, who vividly describes the Beverly Hills Supper Club incident based on the book.

Fire at The Beverly Hills Supper Club (Update)

Mentioned by

Dan Harris

as one of the author's previous books.

Conflict Is Normal. Here’s How To Keep It Healthy And Avoid Disaster. | Amanda Ripley

Mentioned by

Mike Glover

while discussing the freeze response in traumatic events, referencing the Virginia Tech shooting.

386: Be Prepared. With Green Beret and Field Craft Survival Founder, Mike Glover

Recommended by

Mike Glover

for its insights into the freeze response during traumatic events.

#656 - Mike Glover - Green Beret Teaches You How to Survive Any Situation

Mentioned by

Amanda Ripley

as the book she wrote about surviving disasters.

1106: Amanda Ripley | The Secrets to Surviving an Unthinkable Disaster

Mentioned by

Dave Stachowiak

as the author's previous works.

529: The Way Out of Major Conflict, with Amanda Ripley

Mentioned by

Stacey Abrams

when talking about how we respond to crisis.

How Trump Is Selling Out America to Elon Musk

Mentioned by

Amanda Ripley

, it followed people who had survived hellacious disasters of all kinds.

Conflict, crisis, consumption: What’s eating our nation? Amanda Ripley: Full Interview

Mentioned by

Amanda Ripley

as the book where she followed people who survived disasters.

Your brain’s survival algorithm is outdated. Here’s how to upgrade it | Amanda Ripley

Mentioned by

Tim Harford

when describing the Beverly Hills Supper Club fire.

Fire at The Beverly Hills Supper Club

Mentioned by

Amanda Ripley

as her own books.

The one mistake to resist post-election: Good vs. evil | Amanda Ripley

Mentioned by

Amanda Ripley

as a book detailing her research on human behavior during disasters.

Who will you become during a crisis? | Amanda Ripley

Mentioned by

Tim Harford

as a source for the podcast episode.

That Turn To Pascagoula

Mentioned by

Joe Rogan

for its insights into why people live or die in disasters, using the Virginia Tech shooting as a case study.

#1931 - Mike Glover

Mentioned by

Robert Glazer

as

Amanda Ripley

's latest book, focusing on disaster survival.

Amanda Ripley on Changing Education and Building Resilience

Mentioned by

Dylan Matthews

as the author's memoir recounting his experience of January 6th and its aftermath.

Rep. Jamie Raskin on living through the unthinkable, twice

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