My granddad used to say that if you hadn’t wrestled a shark you hadn’t lived. Of course, he hadn’t. He never quite saw the irony. Had he read this little gem, he would have been fully prepared to do the deed if and when it arose.

Providing not-entirely-serious advice on life’s little inconveniences (escaping from a mountain lion, landing a plane, surviving being lost in a desert, etc.), it proves to be an indispensable guide to modern living.

Whether you’re a conspiracy theorist, a desperately unlucky type who always ends up in the wrong places at the wrong times, or just want to be amused, this is the book for you. If you’re all three, then this book could actually save your life (if all else fails, shove the book in the alligator’s mouth). Some people do really encounter these situations, so don’t laugh.

Filled with over 40 essential tips, all (technically, not romantically) illustrated, you can take The Worst Case Scenario… however you like. The information is factually correct (we think – certainly looks like it is), interesting, and easy to read and understand, but the authors certainly know that survivalists (for ‘survivalists’ read ‘nutters’) won’t account for most of the sales.

Anyone who is anyone should own this book. It’s a reference guide to sit up there with Roget’s Thesaurus.