Reading up on WWZ.

Halakbalakbalak · 08-06-2007

Solanum
The guide attributes the zombie outbreaks described to the virus "Solanum" (not to be confused with the plant genus). The virus is said to be neither waterborne or airborne; the only way to become infected is through direct fluid contact, in which context the virus is 100% communicable with a 100% mortality rate. This virus is unique in that it converts the brain of its victims into a specialized organ that needs no oxygen, water or food to survive. The virus also makes the undead body tissues toxic, resulting in the zombies having a much slower decomposition rate due to most carrion feeders and bacteria avoiding the poisonous flesh.

Pre-War
Brooks uses the term "pre-war" to refer to the time before the first infection of the Class Four outbreak, which is the main focus of the novel. The pre-war world largely reflects the modern real world. Some events that Brooks refers to in the pre-war take place in the near future. While there is no mention in World War Z of any encounters with zombies before the initial outbreak, in The Zombie Survival Guide the author does include a number of references to minor and moderate-sized outbreaks that occurred during this time period. Brooks has not stated if these two timelines are identical, but The Zombie Survival Guide is a real book in the World War Z timeline, as it is referred to indirectly. The flap copy on the hardcover edition's dust jacket is written from an in-universe perspective and mentions The Zombie Survival Guide directly.

[edit] The Beginning
China witnesses the first reported outbreaks; refugees carry the virus to other nations. As the plague spreads through Africa, it is first referred to as "African Rabies" or "Jungle Rabies." This time period is characterized by a combination of denial and profiteering. (Brooks likely based this on the Western response to the AIDS virus.)

In this section, we learn more about the infection: for example, the term "slow-burn", the classification for a person with a minor bite who may take a few days to become a zombie -- long enough to spread the plague to another continent if travelling by airplane. We also learn that organs taken from infected still hold the virus. When these organs are passed to others during transplants, they turn the receiver into a zombie.

Some government military and intelligence organizations begin to identify the threat, but most world leaders dismiss the possibility of a large scale outbreak or the presence of a virus that would reanimate the dead. A corrupt pharmaceutical developer sells a vaccine ("Phalanx") for the zombie virus, earning a fortune. However, Phalanx is only a vaccine against real rabies, and just a placebo against the zombie virus. The decrease of cases over the first winter is credited to Phalanx but is really due to zombie-immobilizing freezes. "Alpha Teams" are deployed by the US government to combat isolated infestations. By spring, a female journalist breaks the news that Phalanx is useless against the virus. This alerts the public, but shatters morale.

The only nation to take effective measures against the spread of Solanum is Israel, which enacts a voluntary quarantine. This quarantine also contributes to the next major event in World War Z.

[edit] The Great Panic
The Great Panic is the name given by Brooks to the time of mass hysteria surrounding humanity's realization of the reality facing them. The Panic began when the infection started to overrun countries in Europe and the Western Hemisphere. Refugees escaping from blighted areas helped to speed up the rate of infection in other nations. At the same time, the undead were beginning to outnumber the living in Africa and India. Because of the level of denial that the USA was in over the nature of the zombie threat through the first winter, the public was unprepared. No large-scale warning was made, and due to the media-as-big-business culture in the United States at the time, many news outlets had treated warnings of the zombie plague as yet another disease outbreak like Ebola or SARS outbreaks of previous years. As a result, the first that many typical middle-class suburban Americans knew of the undead threat was when zombies came crashing through their living room windows. Soon, the number of zombies was increasing exponentially.

Many in North America attempted to migrate to northern Canada. However, no planned exodus was organized, other than news channels urging viewers to "Go North!". Many people who reached northern Canada were unprepared to camp there, and supplies ran low. Cannibalism occurred in several areas. Many had not expected the zombie crisis to last long when they left in mid-summer, and when the next winter hit (the worst on record, because of all of the particulate matter in the air from the fires of burning cities) large numbers were not prepared. An estimated 11 million people froze to death that first winter in North America alone.

The peak of the Great Panic was the Battle of Yonkers, where the U.S. military suffered a tremendous defeat in a highly televised battle against millions of zombies in Yonkers, New York, due to poor military planning. The catastrophe had devastating consequences for the morale of the public, and marked the end of a coherent American response for some time. Less than two weeks after Yonkers, the eastern United States were abandoned in a massive retreat by the military to establish a new defensive line at the Rocky Mountains.

[edit] Turning the Tide
The Redeker Plan was developed by an ex-Apartheid government official, Paul Redeker, and copied by other nations (with varying names and details). Due to danger of infection and low resources, it was determined that not everyone could be saved. 'Safe zones' would be established for some civilians and cleared of all zombies by military personnel. However, some percentage of the population would simply be used as live zombie bait. They would be set up and supplied in other sanctuaries, to draw zombies away from the safe zones and allow the people there time to regroup and reorient.

[edit] Homefront USA
During this time immediately following the Great Panic, the United States restructures its government, military, and civilian population. Many of the changing tactics of the military and new tools of war and industry are discovered and implemented. The seat of the government is moved to Honolulu, Hawaii, and the majority of surviving Americans are encamped west of the Rockies.

[edit] Above and Around the World
This portion of the book deals with the consequences of the Great Panic and how people around the world respond to the undead. Part of the chapter portrays aerial tactics and air combat. The rise of Cuba as an economic and military power is also covered. Another development is the beginning of an Oceanic society (the "Pacific Continent"), made up of shipboard refugees. This section also refers to the destruction of the Three Gorges Dam and a second Chinese Civil War. The retreat of many Europeans to castles and other strongholds is also covered. Finally, a plan is put into action by the UN to retake zombie-infested zones. The section also has a story on the crew of the International Space Station.

[edit] Total War
This section deals with the war to reclaim the planet from the undead. Some old military tactics and technology -- infantry squares, bolt action rifles, airships, and canine corps -- prove better than more modern methods. Deep-sea combat is also covered.

[edit] Post-War
Post-War is the time used to describe the age after Total War. All major cities have been retaken. The majority of temperate and tropical areas have been cleared. Many zombies remain in cold areas (such as Finland, Iceland, and Siberia), where the undead are frozen solid over much of the year; cleanup must be done during the brief summer thaw. These heavily infested areas are known as "White Zones". Bodies of water are also dangerous -- their millions of undead occasionally make it to land. The most heavily infected area other than the ocean floor is Iceland, due to a pre-war lack of military resources and an abundance of infected refugees.

World War Z significan'tly altered the geopolitical and economic landscape. In particular, many governments collapsed, and the political ties between certain nations grew stronger. The environmental effects of the war also held great portent for the countries emerging from the depths of Total War.

[edit] Enemies of World War Z
Zombies were not the only threat to soldiers trying to take back the planet from the Undead hordes. They were also faced with feral animals, feral children, "Quislings" a term for those people driven to act like the zombies in an attempt to be accepted by them, and survivalists who had managed to avoid/survive the zombies but were ready to shoot anything that moved.

(Info taken from wikipedia and wwz fan sites ^^)

From all the stuff of wwz one of the many thigns that doesnt fit is the new phalenx system... im not shure if you ment it to be like the fake cure but in the book it had no effect.

The World War Z game forum is [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. Edited by HeroOfLegends

King Stubby · 08-06-2007

Shouldn't this be moved to "Urahara's Book Cafe" or something? Because that forum is about books, this is a book, and the "Cafe" is kind of empty!

Mercutio · 08-06-2007

hmmm

nice summary !

Halakbalakbalak · 08-06-2007

^^ thnx lol
remember a zombie threat is a very smelly thread -.-.

TheRussianLord · 08-06-2007

Israel was not the only country to effectively act against the zombies. You're forgetting Cuba. (damn Zionist nationalists!!! j/k)

Halakbalakbalak · 08-06-2007

I was going on as the first nation not one of many... cuba south africa and a few other faired much better :/

King Stubby · 08-06-2007

So Africa did really badly, except for South Africa that did really well?

Halakbalakbalak · 08-07-2007

Ya pretty much :/
If im correct south africa managed to hold out same as the zulu tribes...

Serenity · 08-07-2007

The Zulus are in South Africa if I remember right.

King Stubby · 08-07-2007

So the tribal people were more effective at killing zombies than the american military at Yonkers?

Halakbalakbalak · 08-07-2007

Ya because zulus are badasses ^^.

Serenity · 08-07-2007

The book explains why actually
So go read it :P

Halakbalakbalak · 08-07-2007

I shall >>
OOO EEE OO AAAHH AAHH OO EEEE WADA WADA BING BANG OOO EE OO AAH AHH TING TANG WADA WADA BING BANG.

HeroOfLegends · 08-07-2007

I would like this to be moved over to my cafe but y'know....y'all all pretty much hate books unless its made into a game....stupid anti-readers...

DashBake · 08-08-2007

/yawn black on zombie action it r bested. africa =teh pwnzors

TheRussianLord · 08-08-2007

South Africa is a huge mix of completely different cultures. Read up if you're interested. [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Actually I love reading. I've read thousands of books, and have hundreds lining the shelves in my room.

King Stubby · 08-08-2007

I say we move it to the book cafe, because it's a book topic, and Urahara's Cafe needs more topics!

HeroOfLegends · 08-08-2007

Well Russian, could you move this to the cafe?

King Stubby · 08-08-2007

Welcome to Urahara's cafe, topic!

Halakbalakbalak · 08-09-2007

You know what nvm then... the cafe has 0 ****ING THREADS
this thing will never even get another post so move it back its a wwz topic!

King Stubby · 08-09-2007

Two things. there's at least one topic already (this one) and this is another post.

Serenity · 08-09-2007

Shhh shhh Halak likes to Rant a lot from what I see lately. :/

HeroOfLegends · 08-09-2007

Well It's not going back to the wwz forum because they have enough posters there anyway, you people just hate me!

Magura · 08-12-2007

Whyd they win?

HeroOfLegends · 08-12-2007

Whyd who win?

08-06-2007	#1
Halakbalakbalak Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,640	Reading up on WWZ. Solanum The guide attributes the zombie outbreaks described to the virus "Solanum" (not to be confused with the plant genus). The virus is said to be neither waterborne or airborne; the only way to become infected is through direct fluid contact, in which context the virus is 100% communicable with a 100% mortality rate. This virus is unique in that it converts the brain of its victims into a specialized organ that needs no oxygen, water or food to survive. The virus also makes the undead body tissues toxic, resulting in the zombies having a much slower decomposition rate due to most carrion feeders and bacteria avoiding the poisonous flesh. Pre-War Brooks uses the term "pre-war" to refer to the time before the first infection of the Class Four outbreak, which is the main focus of the novel. The pre-war world largely reflects the modern real world. Some events that Brooks refers to in the pre-war take place in the near future. While there is no mention in World War Z of any encounters with zombies before the initial outbreak, in The Zombie Survival Guide the author does include a number of references to minor and moderate-sized outbreaks that occurred during this time period. Brooks has not stated if these two timelines are identical, but The Zombie Survival Guide is a real book in the World War Z timeline, as it is referred to indirectly. The flap copy on the hardcover edition's dust jacket is written from an in-universe perspective and mentions The Zombie Survival Guide directly. [edit] The Beginning China witnesses the first reported outbreaks; refugees carry the virus to other nations. As the plague spreads through Africa, it is first referred to as "African Rabies" or "Jungle Rabies." This time period is characterized by a combination of denial and profiteering. (Brooks likely based this on the Western response to the AIDS virus.) In this section, we learn more about the infection: for example, the term "slow-burn", the classification for a person with a minor bite who may take a few days to become a zombie -- long enough to spread the plague to another continent if travelling by airplane. We also learn that organs taken from infected still hold the virus. When these organs are passed to others during transplants, they turn the receiver into a zombie. Some government military and intelligence organizations begin to identify the threat, but most world leaders dismiss the possibility of a large scale outbreak or the presence of a virus that would reanimate the dead. A corrupt pharmaceutical developer sells a vaccine ("Phalanx") for the zombie virus, earning a fortune. However, Phalanx is only a vaccine against real rabies, and just a placebo against the zombie virus. The decrease of cases over the first winter is credited to Phalanx but is really due to zombie-immobilizing freezes. "Alpha Teams" are deployed by the US government to combat isolated infestations. By spring, a female journalist breaks the news that Phalanx is useless against the virus. This alerts the public, but shatters morale. The only nation to take effective measures against the spread of Solanum is Israel, which enacts a voluntary quarantine. This quarantine also contributes to the next major event in World War Z. [edit] The Great Panic The Great Panic is the name given by Brooks to the time of mass hysteria surrounding humanity's realization of the reality facing them. The Panic began when the infection started to overrun countries in Europe and the Western Hemisphere. Refugees escaping from blighted areas helped to speed up the rate of infection in other nations. At the same time, the undead were beginning to outnumber the living in Africa and India. Because of the level of denial that the USA was in over the nature of the zombie threat through the first winter, the public was unprepared. No large-scale warning was made, and due to the media-as-big-business culture in the United States at the time, many news outlets had treated warnings of the zombie plague as yet another disease outbreak like Ebola or SARS outbreaks of previous years. As a result, the first that many typical middle-class suburban Americans knew of the undead threat was when zombies came crashing through their living room windows. Soon, the number of zombies was increasing exponentially. Many in North America attempted to migrate to northern Canada. However, no planned exodus was organized, other than news channels urging viewers to "Go North!". Many people who reached northern Canada were unprepared to camp there, and supplies ran low. Cannibalism occurred in several areas. Many had not expected the zombie crisis to last long when they left in mid-summer, and when the next winter hit (the worst on record, because of all of the particulate matter in the air from the fires of burning cities) large numbers were not prepared. An estimated 11 million people froze to death that first winter in North America alone. The peak of the Great Panic was the Battle of Yonkers, where the U.S. military suffered a tremendous defeat in a highly televised battle against millions of zombies in Yonkers, New York, due to poor military planning. The catastrophe had devastating consequences for the morale of the public, and marked the end of a coherent American response for some time. Less than two weeks after Yonkers, the eastern United States were abandoned in a massive retreat by the military to establish a new defensive line at the Rocky Mountains. [edit] Turning the Tide The Redeker Plan was developed by an ex-Apartheid government official, Paul Redeker, and copied by other nations (with varying names and details). Due to danger of infection and low resources, it was determined that not everyone could be saved. 'Safe zones' would be established for some civilians and cleared of all zombies by military personnel. However, some percentage of the population would simply be used as live zombie bait. They would be set up and supplied in other sanctuaries, to draw zombies away from the safe zones and allow the people there time to regroup and reorient. [edit] Homefront USA During this time immediately following the Great Panic, the United States restructures its government, military, and civilian population. Many of the changing tactics of the military and new tools of war and industry are discovered and implemented. The seat of the government is moved to Honolulu, Hawaii, and the majority of surviving Americans are encamped west of the Rockies. [edit] Above and Around the World This portion of the book deals with the consequences of the Great Panic and how people around the world respond to the undead. Part of the chapter portrays aerial tactics and air combat. The rise of Cuba as an economic and military power is also covered. Another development is the beginning of an Oceanic society (the "Pacific Continent"), made up of shipboard refugees. This section also refers to the destruction of the Three Gorges Dam and a second Chinese Civil War. The retreat of many Europeans to castles and other strongholds is also covered. Finally, a plan is put into action by the UN to retake zombie-infested zones. The section also has a story on the crew of the International Space Station. [edit] Total War This section deals with the war to reclaim the planet from the undead. Some old military tactics and technology -- infantry squares, bolt action rifles, airships, and canine corps -- prove better than more modern methods. Deep-sea combat is also covered. [edit] Post-War Post-War is the time used to describe the age after Total War. All major cities have been retaken. The majority of temperate and tropical areas have been cleared. Many zombies remain in cold areas (such as Finland, Iceland, and Siberia), where the undead are frozen solid over much of the year; cleanup must be done during the brief summer thaw. These heavily infested areas are known as "White Zones". Bodies of water are also dangerous -- their millions of undead occasionally make it to land. The most heavily infected area other than the ocean floor is Iceland, due to a pre-war lack of military resources and an abundance of infected refugees. World War Z significan'tly altered the geopolitical and economic landscape. In particular, many governments collapsed, and the political ties between certain nations grew stronger. The environmental effects of the war also held great portent for the countries emerging from the depths of Total War. [edit] Enemies of World War Z Zombies were not the only threat to soldiers trying to take back the planet from the Undead hordes. They were also faced with feral animals, feral children, "Quislings" a term for those people driven to act like the zombies in an attempt to be accepted by them, and survivalists who had managed to avoid/survive the zombies but were ready to shoot anything that moved. (Info taken from wikipedia and wwz fan sites ^^) From all the stuff of wwz one of the many thigns that doesnt fit is the new phalenx system... im not shure if you ment it to be like the fake cure but in the book it had no effect. The World War Z game forum is [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. Edited by HeroOfLegends Current Projects [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] Halted Projects Conflict Rising 2.0(A much better balanced, much better made version of the original.) Barbarus Incursio

08-06-2007	#2
King Stubby Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Underground Posts: 5,865	Re: Reading up on WWZ. Shouldn't this be moved to "Urahara's Book Cafe" or something? Because that forum is about books, this is a book, and the "Cafe" is kind of empty! And now, directly from chip's signature...

08-06-2007	#3
Mercutio Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 7	Re: Reading up on WWZ. hmmm nice summary !

08-06-2007	#4
Halakbalakbalak Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,640	Re: Reading up on WWZ. ^^ thnx lol remember a zombie threat is a very smelly thread -.-. Current Projects [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] Halted Projects Conflict Rising 2.0(A much better balanced, much better made version of the original.) Barbarus Incursio

08-06-2007	#5
TheRussianLord Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,002	Re: Reading up on WWZ. Israel was not the only country to effectively act against the zombies. You're forgetting Cuba. (damn Zionist nationalists!!! j/k)

08-06-2007	#6
Halakbalakbalak Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,640	Re: Reading up on WWZ. I was going on as the first nation not one of many... cuba south africa and a few other faired much better :/ Current Projects [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] Halted Projects Conflict Rising 2.0(A much better balanced, much better made version of the original.) Barbarus Incursio

08-06-2007	#7
King Stubby Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Underground Posts: 5,865	Re: Reading up on WWZ. So Africa did really badly, except for South Africa that did really well? And now, directly from chip's signature...

08-07-2007	#8
Halakbalakbalak Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,640	Re: Reading up on WWZ. Ya pretty much :/ If im correct south africa managed to hold out same as the zulu tribes... Current Projects [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] Halted Projects Conflict Rising 2.0(A much better balanced, much better made version of the original.) Barbarus Incursio

08-07-2007	#9
Serenity Join Date: May 2007 Location: Holy Terra Posts: 501	Re: Reading up on WWZ. The Zulus are in South Africa if I remember right. HTML Code: By the will of the Emperor! _/-\_ This is my hat I wear it when I hunt witches

08-07-2007	#10
King Stubby Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Underground Posts: 5,865	Re: Reading up on WWZ. So the tribal people were more effective at killing zombies than the american military at Yonkers? And now, directly from chip's signature...

08-07-2007	#11
Halakbalakbalak Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,640	Re: Reading up on WWZ. Ya because zulus are badasses ^^. Current Projects [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] Halted Projects Conflict Rising 2.0(A much better balanced, much better made version of the original.) Barbarus Incursio

08-07-2007	#12
Serenity Join Date: May 2007 Location: Holy Terra Posts: 501	Re: Reading up on WWZ. The book explains why actually So go read it :P HTML Code: By the will of the Emperor! _/-\_ This is my hat I wear it when I hunt witches

08-07-2007	#13
Halakbalakbalak Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,640	Re: Reading up on WWZ. I shall >> OOO EEE OO AAAHH AAHH OO EEEE WADA WADA BING BANG OOO EE OO AAH AHH TING TANG WADA WADA BING BANG. Current Projects [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] Halted Projects Conflict Rising 2.0(A much better balanced, much better made version of the original.) Barbarus Incursio

08-07-2007	#14
HeroOfLegends Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 480	Re: Reading up on WWZ. I would like this to be moved over to my cafe but y'know....y'all all pretty much hate books unless its made into a game....stupid anti-readers... <br /><br />

08-08-2007	#15
DashBake Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 98	Re: Reading up on WWZ. /yawn black on zombie action it r bested. africa =teh pwnzors

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08-08-2007	#16
TheRussianLord Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,002	Re: Reading up on WWZ. South Africa is a huge mix of completely different cultures. Read up if you're interested. [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] Actually I love reading. I've read thousands of books, and have hundreds lining the shelves in my room.

08-08-2007	#17
King Stubby Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Underground Posts: 5,865	Re: Reading up on WWZ. I say we move it to the book cafe, because it's a book topic, and Urahara's Cafe needs more topics! And now, directly from chip's signature...

08-08-2007	#18
HeroOfLegends Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 480	Re: Reading up on WWZ. Well Russian, could you move this to the cafe? <br /><br />

08-08-2007	#19
King Stubby Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Underground Posts: 5,865	Re: Reading up on WWZ. Welcome to Urahara's cafe, topic! And now, directly from chip's signature...

08-09-2007	#20
Halakbalakbalak Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,640	Re: Reading up on WWZ. You know what nvm then... the cafe has 0 **ING THREADS this thing will never even get another post so move it back its a wwz topic! Current Projects [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]** Halted Projects Conflict Rising 2.0(A much better balanced, much better made version of the original.) Barbarus Incursio

08-09-2007	#21
King Stubby Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Underground Posts: 5,865	Re: Reading up on WWZ. Two things. there's at least one topic already (this one) and this is another post. And now, directly from chip's signature...

08-09-2007	#22
Serenity Join Date: May 2007 Location: Holy Terra Posts: 501	Re: Reading up on WWZ. Shhh shhh Halak likes to Rant a lot from what I see lately. :/ HTML Code: By the will of the Emperor! _/-\_ This is my hat I wear it when I hunt witches

08-09-2007	#23
HeroOfLegends Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 480	Re: Reading up on WWZ. Well It's not going back to the wwz forum because they have enough posters there anyway, you people just hate me! <br /><br />

08-12-2007	#24
Magura Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 177	Re: Reading up on WWZ. Whyd they win?

08-12-2007	#25
HeroOfLegends Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 480	Re: Reading up on WWZ. Whyd who win? <br /><br />