Three Things We Learned From a Zombie Book

With thanks to The Year’s Work at the Zombie Research Center (IU Press, Sept. 19):
1. There are zombie snails (created by Leuchochloridium paradoxum), roaches (by Ampulex compressa), and rats (via Toxoplasma gondii—although they’re the parasite-infected variety, not the brain-eating kind.
2. FEMA produced a report about preparing for the zombie apocalypse, justifying it by saying that preparing for fictional disasters can teach us about readying for real ones.
3. There isn’t really a Zombie Research Center (bummer). However, Edward Comentale—an IU professor who co-edited the book—is now two for two. The Year’s Work in Lebowski Studies (2009) was equally delightful.