billsimoni's review against another edition
1.0
Either this was an unfunny effort or his material doesn't translate into the printed word. It was a supreme effort to get through this.
plaidbrarian's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't realize it was possible to both funny and kind of tedious at the same time. I'm sure this reads fantastically well in little snippets here and there - it'd make a terrific bathroom book, I'm sure, right up there with The Book of Lists or any volume in the Uncle John's series - but when you try and plow through like any other book, the whole concept wears thing pretty quickly.
sharonfalduto's review against another edition
Hodgman is some kind of bizarre genius. This is an almanac of almost completely made up "knowledge," with just a few facts here and there to make it all the funnier. Includes things like a list of 700 names (the names continue into the next chapter, written along the margins), names and descriptions of eel-related jobs during Colonial times, when the colonies teemed with eel. His listing of state mottoes and descriptions is fictional, but close enough that a native of each state would recognize something familiar. (He is also, incidentally, the dour P.C. in the Mac ads.)
spectacular_k's review against another edition
5.0
I can't really explain my love for John Hodgman, but I would highly recommend the audio versions of his books as HE READS THEM HIMSELF. They are perfect for listening to while knitting, trying to sleep, while on an ancient overnight train from Budapest to Prague, and so on.
penly4522's review against another edition
1.0
i think that i should like this book, but everything in it is so random that i guess i just dont get the jokes. that is sad, so i stopped reading it about 1/2 way through. the cover was funny though. go to the bookstore, read the cover and then put it back. :)
brookamimi's review against another edition
3.0
This was a nice way to pass the time on a long road trip home. (Unfortunately, what should have more than filled the time now leaves me with 43 minutes left of being stuck in desert traffic. This has little to do with the rest of the review.) Fun cameos from JoCo himself and Paul Rudd aside, it still was interesting to me as a listener of 2016 Hodgman the "point A" of 2006 Hodgman.
whitneyborup's review against another edition
4.0
The part about the mole people is the worst part. If that says anything...
shinychick's review against another edition
1.0
You can tell this guy worked with Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, because it is really damn clear that he thinks he's slyly funny, much in the same way Colbert does. This is what I end up hating about the both of them. Maybe that makes me devoid of a sense of humor, maybe it just means I don't like 'sophisticated' comedy, but this was not what I was looking to read; I wanted a book of little facts and tidbits, like in Schott's Miscellany.
jwicking's review
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-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
3.0
tuckerbohm's review against another edition
5.0
Okay, if you don't find the prospect of a list of 500 hobo names including Lil' Jonny Songbird, the Songbird-Eater and Stick-Legs McOhio funny, then this may not be a book you'd enjoy. Needless to say, I found this hilarious.