ABOUT THE BOOK
Dr. Ashely Alker is a self-described death escapologist—or, in more familiar terms, an emergency medicine doctor. She has seen it all, from flesh-eating bacteria to the work of a serial killer to the more mundane but no less deadly, and her work outwitting the end has uniquely prepared her to write this book.
Dr. Alker manages to shock readers while making them laugh, educating them on how to outsmart a wide range of deadly situations and conditions. Many of the chapters include stories from her experiences in life and medicine, at times heartwarming, others heartbreaking. Sections include explorations of sex, poison, drugs, biological warfare, disease, animals, crime, the elements, and much more.
An Anthony Bourdain-style greatest hits tour of death, 99 Ways to Die is entertaining while it informs. Full of valuable advice and wild stories, this riveting read might just save your life.
MY REVIEW
When reading a medical book, you expect it to be dry. Dr. Alker not only organizes the information into easy-to-follow chapters that contain some real eye-openers, but she also sprinkles it with humor to offset the shocking content.
Dr. Alker is an Emergency Room doctor, which means she’s seen it all when it comes to the various ways life can throw us a curveball. From infections and diseases to the repercussions of not being vaccinated, STDs, overdoses, biological and chemical weapons, and dangerous animals, this book dives into the myriad of dangers lurking around us.
A couple of terrifying takeaways from this book for me are: rethink eating pork because swine can carry up to 40 parasites, go to the hospital if I find a bat in my room because you cannot feel a bat bite, and don’t believe everything you see on TV!
What I appreciated most about this book is that Dr. Alker doesn’t just regurgitate medical jargon. She lays it out plain and simple, highlighting that some threats are entirely out of our control, such as being bitten by a venomous snake or being exposed to toxic substances. But she also emphasizes that there are plenty of danger zones we can actually manage, like drug use, neglecting our health, and overall lifestyle choices. It’s one of those reads that may inspire you to take a closer look at your health and take action before it’s too late.
I don’t recommend this book to hypochondriacs if you want to stay sane, but if you’re looking for a book that’s both educational and a little sobering, this book might be your next read. Stay safe out there!
Thank you to Dr. Alker for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ashely Alker, M.D., M.Sc., is an emergency medicine physician on a mission to improve public health. While completing her master’s degree, Ashely studied at Harvard School of Public Health’s multinational institute in Cyprus, where she lived near the United Nations Green Zone and worked in humanitarian affairs at the Unit for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture.
After graduating from the George Washington University School of Medicine, Dr. Alker served as a healthcare advisor for a U.S. Congressman. During her residency in emergency medicine at the University of California, San Diego, Dr. Alker became a technical consultant and medical screenwriter, improving medical accuracy on over twenty shows, including TV and film for Netflix, HULU, HBO, and Disney. Her non-profit, Meaningful Media, connects writers, artists, and reporters with certified public health experts to develop scientifically accurate messaging.
Follow Dr. Alker on her website, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.
