The Walking Dead Psychology
Psych of the Living Dead
Edited by Travis Langley

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Book Presentation:
Aim for the brain! The characters of The Walking Dead live in a desolate post-apocalyptic world, filled with relentless violence and death. In reality, how would such never-ending stress and trauma affect the psyche? By understanding the psychological forces that drive the series' action, fans can better grasp Robert Kirkman's compelling fictional universe. Which characters suffer PTSD, which show the most hope for recovery, and which instead show posttraumatic growth? Has Rick Grimes lost his mind? What's it like for kid like Carl growing up during the zombie apocalypse? Is the Governor a psychopath, a sociopath, or something even worse? What does that make Negan? What is the emotional cost of killing a walker or even another living person? What does Terror Management Theory tell us about what it means to fight constantly or survival? What is groupthink and how does it affect the decisions made by the people of Woodbury, Terminus, Alexandria, and Rick's "family"? How do they find hope? In 19 chapters from a range of esteemed contributors, plus a foreword by George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead co-creator John Russo "Case Files" sidebars on the villains (the Governor, the Whisperers, the Claimers, Negan, and more), The Walking Dead Psychology: Psych of the Living Dead answers these and many other questions in a way sure to fascinate the millions of passionate graphic novel readers and TV viewers. What does it take to stay human when humanity has lost the world? Contributors include:
John Blanchar * Megan Blink * Colt J. Blunt * Josue Cardona * Adam Davis * William Blake Erickson * Frank Gaskill * Jennifer Golbeck * Jonathan Hetterly * Katrina Hill * Alan Kistler * Dana Klisanin * Stephen Kuniak * Martin Lloyd * Stephanie Norman * Patrick O'Connor * Katherine Ramsland * Clay Routledge * John Russo * Billy San Juan * Janina Scarlet * Steven Schlozman * Lara Taylor * Dave Vergaagen * Mara Wood * E. Paul Zehr *
About the Author:
Travis Langley, PhD, is a professor of psychology at Henderson State University, the author of Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight (Wiley, Turner), and editor of The Walking Dead Psychology: Psych of the Living Dead and Star Wars Psychology: Dark Side of the Mind (Sterling). He regularly speaks on the subjects of heroism and popular culture at psychology conferences, fan conventions like San Diego Comic-Con, and universities throughout the world. Psychology Today carries his online column, "Beyond Heroes and Villains." Documentaries such as Legends of the Knight, Comic Book Literacy, and Necessary Evil: Super-Villains of DC Comics have featured him as an expert interviewee. The New York Times (front page), Huffington Post, CNN, ABC News, MTV, and many other news outlets have featured his work and views. As @Superherologist, he is one of the 10 most popular psychologists on Twitter.His analyses of The Walking Dead appeared in several early letter columns of the comic book series and he interviewed most of the original cast last before he knew he needed to make this book happen. Weapon of choice: long crowbar - quiet, deadly, and unlikely to get stuck in a zombie skull. Walkers and locked doors, beware!
Press Reviews:
"The Walking Dead Psychology is the perfect blend of insightful scholarship, pop-culture savvy and bloody good fun. Highly recommended!" - Jonathan Maberry, New York Times bestselling author of Patient Zero and Rot & Ruin.
"Those interested in #TWD and/or psychology, check it out." - actor Andrew J. West (Gareth on The Walking Dead).
"Anyone who's a fan of the show or comic and who's at least slightly interested in psychology would find much to take away from this book. Not only will it enrich your appreciation of The Walking Dead, but the way it uses entertainment to explain the importance of psychological concepts, ...is quite simply good for your braaaains!" - The Pop Mythologist.
"If you watch The Walking Dead and are even only a little bit interested in delving deeper into the show, you owe it to yourself to pick up this collection of essays examining the psychology behind the show." - MOARGeek.
"It gave me a completely new understanding for the series and made me really appreciate the work the writers put into truly developing these characters... Don't stress out thinking that you need to know a good bit about psychology before picking up this book... Thankfully, each contributor is great at breaking down their topic in understandable terms... this book should be next in your to To-Read list. It's an enjoyable and informative read. And once your finished reading the book, you can go back to your zombie survival plans." - All Geek to Me.
"One of the most fascinating books I read this year.... Required reading for zombies with brains." - Brian Keene, bestselling author of The Rising, Ghoul, and The Last Zombie.
See the publisher website: Union Square & Co.
See The Walking Dead (TV Series) (2010) on IMDB ...
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