This entertaining yet serious book examines the probability of apocalyptic scenarios the world could face in the future. Exploring all types of disasters, including natural crises like flooding, famine, asteroids, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions, as well as man-made disasters such as nuclear war, and biological and chemical terrorism, this guide thoroughly evaluates and rates the likelihood of each possible event. A history of previous global catastrophes--the extinction of dinosaurs, the droughts faced by the Mayans, and the poisoning of the Roman Empire--is also included. Concluding chapters investigate ways in which mankind can avoid earth's total destruction.