Includes bibliographical references (p. [347]-368) and index.

Contents: 1. What it takes to survive. A knitting needle through the heart : the three rules of the survivors club ; The statues in the storm : why so many people die when they shouldn't ; Ninety seconds to save your life : the wrong (and right) things to do in a plane crash ; The organ recital : who lives and dies in the ER ; The supersonic man : how much of life (and death) do you really control? ; Rescued from the lion's jaws : prayer, miracles, and the power of faith ; The dancer and the angel of death : how did anyone survive the Holocaust? ; The science of luck : why good things always happen to the same people ; Hug the monster : how fear can save your life ; Too mean to die : does the will to live make any difference? ; The resilience gene : who bounces back and who doesn't? ; What does not kill me : why adversity is good for you -- 2. Are you a survivor?: -- The survivor profiler : discovering your survivor personality ; Your survivor IQ : what type of survivor are you? ; Your survivor tool kit : what are your top three strengths? -- Afterword: How to eat an elephant : the lessons of the survivors club --

From award-winning journalist Sherwood comes a fascinating exploration of survival that can help prepare you for life's inevitable struggles, from cancer and crime to car accidents and airplane crashes.