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rocketiza's review against another edition
2.0
As much as I love Hodgman, this book had too much nonsense to do anything but skim. There wasn't any build to payoffs, just heavy doses of fictitious things presented as fact. This did not diminish my love of him, just probably won't try reading any more of his books.
jenmcmaynes's review against another edition
4.0
A very silly, very funny book. I sped through this in just 3 days, so it may have been the case that I was just really in the mood for something to make me laugh. But man, there were so many little "factoids" that had me, literally, laughing out loud and reading them to my husband, who also laughed out loud. Not everything works, of course. I skipped the list of 700 Mole-Men names and, in general, found the Mole-Men bits all a bit too over-the-top. But for the most part, this book of completely made up information hit my comedy spot, and I will very likely be reading his 1st and 3rd books some time soon.
ivanssister's review against another edition
3.0
Hodgman is correct. This IS more information than I require - I really didn't need all the Mole Men information. Otherwise, random and humorous.
uosdwisrdewoh's review against another edition
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 against another edition
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