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uosdwisrdewoh's review
4.0
Another great book of fake trivia from John Hodgman, a bit better, in fact, than The Areas of My Expertise. He at once adds more odds and ends (a "Today in the Past" sidebar on every page, for instance) while also giving it a tighter structure, overcoming the slightly patchwork quality of the earlier book. In this book, Hodgman further details the fake inner workings of the world, giving us the ins and outs of the Electoral College (Rutherford B. Hayes won the election of 1876 by promising the Electors "more and better nutrient slime.") and hinting that he's almost forgiven Jonathan Coulton for forgetting to feed his cats that one time. He even manages to sneak a touching story about his marriage into a fantastic discursive rumination on the existence of aliens.
Just skip the 700 mole-man names. Even Hodgman later writes, "I BEGGED YOU NOT TO READ THEM."
Just skip the 700 mole-man names. Even Hodgman later writes, "I BEGGED YOU NOT TO READ THEM."
gimchi's review against another edition
3.0
chuckle-worthy, but not in the mood to read funny, but utterly false facts.
minty's review against another edition
2.0
The perfect, mindless brain candy for a day spent sewing a quilt. However I tapped out midway through the names of molemen at the end because it just lost me. Felt like this one dragged, unlike some of the other of his books, despite starting very strong.
kurtwombat's review against another edition
3.0
My review of Hodgman's previous book of bald face lies masquerading as reference material can ALMOST equally apply to this entry. While still a delightful distraction from real facts, I didn't care for this one quite as much. While the first book returned to the Hobo Rebellion as a central touchstone (and tickled me every time) this entry uses tales of Mole Men dwelling beneath the earths crust as a similar touch stone with much less consistent success. The entry also seemed to smother the reader a little bit at times as if too accurately spoofing old academic journals. But that being said, if you liked the first you'll still like this and if you should happen across this one first go ahead and read it. No matter what order you read them in, it's still funny and still not true. Amuses me, and I imagine it might amuse John Hodgman too, that second among the top genre/shelves listed by Goodreads readers for this book is "Non-Fiction". This book is many things...but that it ain't.
nicolemhill's review against another edition
3.0
Really, it's a 3.5. I just think I'd rather watch The Hodge perform this book instead of reading it myself. Probably because I'm a Mole Man.
thefancypants's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
jesssicawho's review against another edition
5.0
Read my review here: http://www.hipsterbookclub.com/reviews/copy/1208/more_information_than_you_require_john_hodgman.html
derrickmitchell's review against another edition
3.0
This book was pretty funny and I really enjoy listening to it being read by John Hodgman. The guest stars were really welcome especially when one does the review blurbs for the book. However it loses points for the This Day In History which I imagine has one on each page in the book, rather than being read in sequence for 2 hours or the list of 700 Moleman names and occupations which also takes almost 2 hours. I still don’t know why I listened to those sections.
steds's review against another edition
3.0
As audiobook- very funny, adapted well to the format (Paul Rudd), and like an intro to Judge John Hoffman in some ways.
pharmdad2007's review against another edition
3.0
Quite funny, made me laugh many times. Full of sarcasm and Moleman names.