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Reviews (4)

Research that appears absurd, almost always is, but sometimes there is a potential gold nugget
While the criteria for receiving an Ig Nobel prize:
Silly Science (& Some Serious Stuff)
Virtually all of the topics treated are a hoot to read, though this sometimes owes more to the comedic skill of the writers than the to the nature of each subject itself.
Is Science Funny? You Bet!
I have kept up with the 'Annals of Improbable Research' for several years, and must say that this book reflects the best of the highbrow, yet offbeat sense of humor found in 'AIR'. Read more

Subjects:  1. Science    2. Miscellanea    3. Research    4. American Satire And Humor    5. Science (General)    6. Humor    7. Research & Methodology    8. General    9. Bargain   

Editorial Review

While comic books trace their origins to the late 19th century, Superman, who debuted in 1938's Read more

Reviews (18)

Beautiful visuals, company-approved history
As with Daniels's other comics histories, this is a beautiful coffee table book, thoroughly illustrated and full of much fascinating trivia about the medium.When reading it, though, it's important to remember that the book was fully approved and virtually coproduced by DC Comics, and so basically represents DC's PR department view of its history.For example, it mostly rationalizes or dismisses the company's appalling treatment of Superman's creators, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.For history, there are non-corporate approved books that do a much more realistic job.But for beautiful pictures and an overview of the comics themselves, this is great.

COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE GREATEST HERO EVER!
He's the first, and greatest superhero ever, the man who not only was faster than a speeding bullet, but more importantly the man who was able to survive the golden age fallout of superhero comics and continue to thrive almost 70 years later.Les Daniels' magnificent book traces the history of Superman from his humble beginnings, to the major marketing franchise it is today. It's the story of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, a couple of young men from Cleveland who putting the ideas for this new and fantastic character down on paper as early as 1933, and then struggled for years to get the feature sold.We see a rare cover, the only page surviving from 1933, after Joe Shuster burned the rest of the pages in frustration.The spotlight reviewer contends that Daniels does not give credit to Siegel and Shuster and even takes stabs at the pair.Nothing could be further from the truth.The book details the pairs drive to get the character sold, and their diligence is well documented by Daniels.It's a tribute to their persistence that Superman is around today.Had they thrown in the towel after their many rejections Superman would never have seen the light of day.I think that pays them high tribute.There's no doubt that DC comics made millions...no billions off Superman and that Siegel and Shuster did not benefit much from this.Unfortunately, the pair, so desperate to get the idea in print, signed away their rights to the character.It may have been cheap on DCs part, no doubt, but creators simply did not own their characters back then.
Good overview of Superman's history
This is a great book for anyone who is interested in reading about the history of The Man Of Steel in all of his media incarnations (it's a few years old, so misses out on any info on the tv series Smallville). Well written and illustrated, it's a must-have for any fan of Superman. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Graphic Novels - Superheroes    2. Graphic Satire And Humor    3. Mass media    4. Pop Arts / Pop Culture    5. Popular Culture    6. Popular Culture - General    7. Social Science    8. Sociology    9. Superman (Fictitious character    10. Superman (Fictitious character)    11. Superman (Fictitious character) in mass media    12. Techniques - Cartooning    13. American English    14. Art / Cartooning    15. Comic book & cartoon art    16. Graphic novels   

Reviews (16)

Good writer gone stale
I found her first book fresh, new and laugh-out-loud funny perspective on the human condition.Her "sequel" books rehash the success of the original book with a few new tales contributed by her wannabes thrown in; dull, flat, uninteresting.
The "Queens" make everything fun!
The Sweet Potato Queens find humor in everything, and it is infectious.It's hard to stop reading Jill Connor Browne, she's so darn funny.
More of the same...
More rehashed stories from the authors website, not interesting, not funny... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Satire And Humor    2. Divorce    3. Humor    4. Topic - Relationships    5. Weddings    6. Humor / General   

Subjects:  1. 18th Century English Poetry    2. 18th century    3. English poetry    4. English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh    5. History and criticism    6. Literary Criticism    7. Mock-heroic literature    8. Poetry    9. Verse satire, English    10. British Isles    11. Dunciad    12. English    13. English poetry--18th century--History and criticism    14. Literary Criticism & Collections / English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh    15. Poetry & poets: 16th to 18th centuries    16. Pope, Alexander    17. Rape of the lock   

Reviews (1)

Rip-off
I like Zit's, but it's scandalous that this and other Andrews McMeel books don't specify overlapping content. Sunday strips are colored. That aside, Crack of Noon contains nothing other than the contents of Thrashed and Pimp My Lunch. I wasn't happy to learn that I spent (not counting S&H) over $17 for what I could have had for $11. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Comic books, strips, etc    2. Comics & Cartoons    3. Form - Cartoons & Comics    4. General    5. Graphic Satire And Humor    6. Humor    7. Comics & Graphic Novels / Comics & Cartoons   

Subjects:  1. American Satire And Humor    2. American wit and humor    3. American wit and humor, Pictor    4. American wit and humor, Pictorial    5. Encyclopedias    6. General    7. Humor    8. English    9. Sociology, Social Studies    10. USA   

Reviews (3)

A wild military science fiction tale
Never Dead Ned has spent eternity dying, but he never stays dead as he always returns to life.As a soldier that is a pretty good trait to have as your superiors are grateful for saving the cost of mortuary bills; but as a person it is annoying to return.You never know where your next tour of duty will end up as you are unable to argue the assignment while you are dead.
This Company is a Good One to Keep
Never Dead Ned, the protagonist of this book, should be called "Dying Often Ned." He's the everyman- a drudge not particularly skilled at anything- who keeps dying and being brought back to life by a goddess. Why does she do this? That is, of course, the key to Ned's existence and the driving force of the plot.
"And we don't want another @$$hole!We want Ned!!!"
He may not be as famous as Stephen King or John Grisham, but A. Lee Martinez is a writer to watch.His first novel _Gil's All Fright Diner_ is a hilarious romp that combines pseudo-Lovecraftian menace with Joe R. Lansdale styled blue collar humor.So I waited and waited for his next novel _In the Company of Ogres_ to arrive at my local Barnes and Noble.The wait was worth it.
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Subjects:  1. American Satire And Humor    2. Fantasy    3. Fantasy - Contemporary    4. Fantasy - General    5. Fantasy fiction    6. Fiction    7. Fiction - Fantasy    8. Fiction - General    9. Ghouls and ogres    10. Humorous    11. Science Fiction And Fantasy    12. English    13. Fiction / Humorous    14. USA   

Subjects:  1. (Fulton John),    2. 1895-1979    3. American - General    4. Apologetic works    5. Catholic Church    6. Inspirational - Catholic    7. Pop Arts / Pop Culture    8. Quotations    9. Religion    10. Roman Catholic Church    11. Sheen, Fulton J    12. Sheen, Fulton J.    13. Religion / General   

Reviews (14)

I guess I'm a snob then...
I wanted to like this book, but unfortunately the author seems to have put more effort into trying to be entertaining than getting things right. Starting on page 4, an omitted closing quotation mark might have been a simple typographic error, but an insistence on page 23 that the word "up" in "The baby can sit up" is an adjective (no, it's an adverb - up modifies sit, not baby) made me throw up my hands in resignation and, I confess, stop reading. I find no pleasure in reading a book on grammar that not only makes mistakes but vehemently defends them.
Informative but more prose than reference
I have a few grammar books that I turn to in times of need when editing my magazine. I've added this book because I was looking for something that was a bit more conversational and explanatory, rather than a list of rules. This is by no means a "complete" book, but more a collection of chapters that deal with common contentions in grammar. Casagrande repeatedly tells the reader to trust his/her ear and that many of the rules that are constantly foisted on us are wrong, misunderstood or have exceptions that the sticklers or "snobs" don't know. I found a couple of chapters still confusing, but others were enlightening. Also, the snob angle got a little tired, but her humor was appreciated. She does include a good list of references that I'll check out to fill out my "reference" section. I'm not trying to be an exemplary grammarian, just someone who can write clearly, concisely and compellingly. I think Casagrande's book will help me on my journey, even if it isn't the total answer.

Will the Real Grammar Snobs Please Stand Up?
I made a startling discovery in the opening pages of "Grammar Snobs are Big Meanies" by June Casagrande.There are actually newspapers that publish grammar columns? The thought of this fascinated me - and I wondered if all of the grammar columns were cranky or if they were actually helpful in a positive sort of way. I continued reading and was delighter at what I found.
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Subjects:  1. American Satire And Humor    2. English Grammar    3. English language    4. General    5. Grammar    6. Humor    7. Language    8. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    9. Usage    10. Reference / Writing Skills   

Reviews (11)

Whimsy can civilize anyone!
Before I acquired this volume (in its original self-published edition), I could be found trudging my city's streets clad in vaguely humanoid-shaped advertising logos that were held together by little more than inferior quality, pseudo-organic strings of solid dirt. In other words, I almost completely blended into my surroundings. Contrasted against my rather unusual face, it was quite a "before" picture, let me tell you. Thankfully, through the gentle intervention of this volume and its blatantly heroic author, I underwent a complete transformation, came to my senses, and arrived at the final vision of gentlemanly composure I am widely regarded as projecting today. I credit our friend Whimsy with awakening within my person various aspirations that I had never before considered for myself. It could be said that this volume served as a glass through which, for the very first time, I could finally see my own soul -- clearly. Alas, Whimsy had long peered at us through this and other similar devices, lovingly assessing our individual progress, until finally satisfying himself that we were prepared to take on the responsibility of wielding the glass for our own general use. Such is this man's tactful generosity! The betterment of all mankind was within reach, lacking only the responsible use of the appropriate tools, and so along came Lord Whimsy with his Affected Provincial's Companion (ne Almanack). It is a contribution to be praised.
Stride in Iambic Pentameter!
In this book, Lord Whimsy graciously allows us a peek into his inquisitive, impeccably attired lifestyle.Lacking any trace of the modern malaise (boredom/cynicism/sportswear), this country gentleman shares his fine taste in tie knots, his visits to arcane museums of taxidermy, and--most importantly--his joie-de-vivre. Delightful
There is nothing else quite like this book - from the beautiful, boldly colored binding, to the lively, witty commentaries, it is completely unique.The author audaciously, yet lovingly, guides the reader through the maze, towards an escape from the apathetic muck of the modern world, and into a full and civilized life.Admidst a whirlwind of ingenious phrasing and wordsmithing, one is encouraged to open eyes, ears, all the senses, and wake up.Getting more out of life requires putting more care and effort into it.There are smiles and insights on every page.
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Subjects:  1. American Satire And Humor    2. Dandies    3. Form - Parodies    4. General    5. Humor    6. Humor / General   

Reviews (1)

nice day for somethin'
The ART of S. CLAY WILSON is one hundred fifty-four pages of non-stop art.As always, Wilson's art is wild, visceral, violent, sexual, sincere, and enormously playful.The work is arranged chronologically, 1961 through 2006, and it's a helluva freewheeling ride.
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Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Commercial - Illustration    4. Graphic Arts - General    5. Graphic Design    6. Graphic Satire And Humor    7. Individual Artist    8. Underground comic books, strips, etc    9. Wilson, S. Clay    10. Comic book & cartoon art   

Reviews (12)

Funny and insightful
I bought this book on the recommendation of a few who are malcontent with the evangelical life.I thought it was definitely a good laugh, but if you are evangelical, be prepared to laugh at yourself and not get offended!Though mostly accurate, there were some definite dated things...such as I doubt many evangelical teen girls have Michael W. Smith posters on their walls anymore...a whole new slew of Christian music talent has overthrown the exclusivity of one act.Otherwise, it's a quick easy read.

Laughed Outloud
Joel Kilpatrick is hilarious. This book guts the subculture of evangelicalism in America, and then picks itapart with irreverent, though never disrespectful, insights. Loved it!
Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you laugh
Funny, funny, funny. Mr. Kilpatrick corrals all the sacred cows of the evangelical church, then lights a barbecue. Very well written, and did I mention that it's funny? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Satire And Humor    2. Christianity - Evangelism    3. Evangelicalism    4. Humor    5. Religion    6. Topic - Religion    7. Humor / Topic / Religion   

Reviews (2)

beyond a great jokebook
This book is fun for people who like a good laugh, as well as those interested in the inner workings of what's funny. This book doubles as a bathroom reader and a hilarious guide book.

funniest book ever!
This book is the funniest book I have ever read. It has jokes for all occassions and has helped me become a much better joke teller. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Form - Jokes & Riddles    2. Humor    3. Satire And Humor    4. Reference / General   

Reviews (1)

Hilarious
This book was so funny.I could picture all the wacky things the officer's were doing. I was laughing out loud. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Humor    3. Political Freedom & Security - Law Enforcement    4. Satire And Humor    5. Humor / General   

Subjects:  1. Comic books, strips, etc    2. Comics & Cartoons    3. Form - Cartoons & Comics    4. Graphic Satire And Humor    5. Humor    6. Topic - Political    7. Comics & Graphic Novels / Comics & Cartoons    8. Sale Books   

Reviews (2)

Funny Money!
Did you lose money on tech stocks in the last two years?Do you still hold dot com stocks?Are you worried about your 401k?Barron's Book of Cartoons will cheer you up! Some best cartoons I have ever seen
This books contains 100 cartoons, many of which are the best I have ever seen.They are related to businesses, job, interviewing, stock investments, and would make a good cartoon book for house guests or companyclients to read, on the coffee table or in the waiting room. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American wit and humor, Pictor    2. American wit and humor, Pictorial    3. Barron's (Chicopee, Mass.)    4. Business    5. Caricatures and cartoons    6. Comics & Cartoons    7. Comics & Graphic Novels    8. Form - Cartoons & Comics    9. Graphic Satire And Humor    10. Humor    11. Investments    12. Humor / General   

Subjects:  1. Form - Essays    2. General    3. Humor    4. Satire And Humor    5. Parodies & spoofs   

Reviews (5)

More therapeutic reading
Hopefully the second book from these two talented men will not be the last.

Horribly fabulous!!!
This book is everything I could have hoped for in a follow-up to the first. A few of my favorites? "kinky as a garden hose" and "your proctologist called. they found your head". Slightly twisted humor, has me in fits of laughter each time I look at it.

Hysterical!
This is a hysterical little book filled with vintage advertising images from the 40s and 50s with witty little snippets about life and love added to them. My favorite of the saucy little sayings are "You must have me confused for the maid we don't have" and"I finished your laundry, the ashes are in the fireplace".
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Subjects:  1. General    2. Humor    3. Satire And Humor    4. Topic - Relationships    5. Women    6. Humour   

Subjects:  1. American Satire And Humor    2. American wit and humor    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography And Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. Comedians    9. Entertainment & Performing Arts - Comedians    10. Form - Essays    11. General    12. Humor    13. Personal Memoirs    14. United States    15. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs   

Reviews (11)

Absolutely Hilarious...
I just finished reading the book and I truly loved it.
Sexual Healing...Is Hard to Come By
In Paul Feig's memoir of adolescent lust and desire, "Superstud", he regales us with his lusty tales of ripping the bodices off nubile young women and having his way with them...okay, more like getting stuck watching someone else rip off those bodices. You see, Feig was something of a "late bloomer" when it came to the art of love and sex. The fact that he's willing to talk about it, openly and honestly, makes for a good tale.
Sex And The Semi-Geek
"Superstud", the sequel to "Freaks & Geeks" creator Paul Feig's childhood memoir "Kick Me", bills itself as a humorous recollection of the author's struggles dating the opposite sex. For those of us who know about being a casualty of love, there's undeniable appeal to such a project, and Feig delivers with comedy and surprising poignancy on occasion.
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Subjects:  1. American Satire And Humor    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    4. Feig, Paul    5. General    6. Human Sexuality    7. Humor    8. Man-woman relationships    9. Sex Relations    10. Sexual behavior    11. Sexual ethics for youth    12. Teenage boys    13. United States    14. Humor / General