Books in The World's Most Dangerous Jobs series

Robert Young Pelton, a professional adventurer, and his team of international war correspondents have updated this indispensable handbook for the intrepid adventurer-- a "how-to" in getting in and out of the world′s hot spots. We are living in a dangerous world, and now more than ever people want to know what is going on where (and why). Featuring 25 countries, The World′s Most Dangerous Places, 5th Edition offers a brief up-to-the-minute history of each nation, provides tips on how to get in, out and around safely, and uncovers their dangers, from diseases, land mines, and kidnapping to mercenaries and militias. Completely revised, this edition has a number of countries who have been added to the hot list. With firsthand accounts of breathtaking adventure in each country, the book also provides the latest indispensable information on contacts for nongovernmental and rescue organizations, environmental groups, political activists, training schools in outdoor survival, commando techniques, and other potentially life-saving advice.

In 2002, John Tull and his wife, Lucinda, were visiting New York City when they both fell gravely ill. They experienced pounding headaches, strange swellings, and bone-crushing body aches. Doctors then made a startling discovery. Blood tests revealed that John and Lucinda had the bubonic plague—a rare disease transmitted by fleas! Read John and Lucinda’s harrowing tale of survival, and learn all about fleas and the deadly diseases they carry in this engrossing new narrative nonfiction book for young readers.

After a trip to the Dominican Republic, Katie Stephens and Eddie Zytner noticed their feet starting to swell. Then their skin became covered with swirly red marks and fluid-filled blisters. The pain became so intense the couple couldn’t walk. Soon, they discovered the cause of the problem—parasitic hookworms living in their flesh! Read Katie and Eddie’s harrowing tale of survival, and learn all about parasitic worms and the deadly diseases they cause in this engrossing new narrative nonfiction book for young readers.

Erich Burger was on safari in Africa when a small, brown fly bit him. Soon after, he began experiencing a high fever, severe aches, and horrible fatigue. He went to the emergency room and was diagnosed with a life-threatening disease caused by bloodsucking tsetse flies! Would he survive his dangerous encounter with a tiny fly? Read Erich’s harrowing tale of survival, and learn all about flies and the deadly diseases they carry in this engrossing new narrative nonfiction book for young readers.

The whiny buzz of a mosquito is a familiar sound, as is the insect’s red, itchy bite. However, did you know that a mosquito bite can be deadly? A young nurse named Dawn Dubsky became deathly ill after a mosquito bit her. She was so sick, doctors had to take drastic measures to save her. Read Dawn’s harrowing tale of survival, and learn all about mosquitoes and the deadly diseases they carry in this engrossing new narrative nonfiction book for young readers.

These army pilots fly the most demanding helicopter in existence. Only 3% of existing army helicopter pilots qualify to fly it. Trainees have to learn to train their eyes to work independently of each other while the right eye sees flight and weapons information in the helmet's monocle, the left eye is free to look outside the aircraft and scan for threats and other obstacles. This book lifts the lid on what life is like for these men and women; their training; the aircraft; the missions, and what its actually like to be under fire while trying to protect soldiers on the ground.

Piloting experimental aircraft is more dangerous than most other types of flying. Test pilots are generally military aviators who fly new and modified aircraft, allowing the results to be measured and the design to be evaluated. Despite their image as fun-loving daredevils, these pilots have to be ruthlessly precise and professional when flying. This intriguing book looks at what type of people become test pilots; how they train; what the job includes; how it feels to be the first person to fly a new design; the aircraft they fly; and how they analyze and report on each flight.

The role of bodyguard or "close protection officer is highly misunderstood. In action films, threats are obvious: ski-mask wearing gunmen fire at the client from a speeding black Suburban truck. In real life, threats may be harder to assess. If a crowd of unarmed protesters blocks the client's access to his or her car as well as the building they are being escorted to, this poses a threat. However, bodyguards have no legal right to use force in a public place unless they are being attacked. Usually bodyguards are the ones who call the police. This interesting new book examines the different types of bodyguard police, military and civilian; their training; typical roles; the equipment they use; weapons; bodyguards and the law; evasive driving; and life as a bodyguard.