Humor Books

I'm going to meet this guy some day and laugh as loud with him as I did when I read his book. Yet, it's almost satire. Penetrating, poignant and schizophrenic. I loved it.

Seldom does a theological work that is full of depth in its scholarship bring gut wrenching guffaws that cause my husband to actually ask me why I'm laughing so loud. Rathbun's work is as easy to read as it is poignant in its message. This is a must read for anyone who has ever wondered, "What's up with that whole Christian thing?" A Christian reader will never again be so steady nor so sure nor so quick with all the answers. This is a book that reminds us of the core of Jesus' message, "Love as you are loved."

I guess this book has been out for awhile and I'm probably behind the times (or maybe the author was ahead of his time). I underlined a lot in this book. Here's one of my favorites:

"After all, what takes more faith - to believe that God can save you and offer personal fulfillment and comfort, or to believe that God can reorient the whole world from one of hate, greed, fear and personal gain, to one ruled by peace and justice? A world where there is Good News for the poor, releases for the captives, the recovery of sight for the blind - where the oppressed are free, and all live according to God's good favor. What takes more faith - to believe that God can save you or that God is going to save the whole world and wants you to help?" - pg. 86, Rev. Lamblove (aka russell rathbun)

The best line is on page 110, but don't skip ahead. You gotta read the whole thing, then the punchline will blow you away.

I hope it's not too late - I want to join the revolution!

Russell Rathbun has just raised the bar for Christian fiction. Post-Rapture Radio is fiction - forget for a moment the adjective Christian - at its very best. It is inventive, humorous, shocking, provocative, philosophical and at times quite depressing. It's almost existential. Rathbun has a message, to be sure, and it's directed at Christians. However, unlike most "Christian novels with a message," the message does not weigh the writing down.

In the book, the narrator discovers a box containing various writings of "unknown crazy preacher" Richard Lamblove. The writings include sermons, journal entries & miscellaneous scribbled notes by this man, whose only proof of existence appears to be the documents in the box. Most of the book consists of these various writings, interspersed with notes by the narrator, who is trying to make some sense of the writings. Lamblove is at odds with what he perceives as the "Contemporary Christian Church Conspiracy" that surrounds him and it's either driving him crazy, or driving him sane. Or perhaps both.

There will be a number of people who simply "don't get" the book, which to me only shows how brilliant the book is (all great books are not understood by the masses). Some will hate it because it pushed various buttons, and we all hate when our buttons get pushed. Many will love the book, just because it's so well-written and relevant. My reaction, however, was that I began to identify so closely with Rev. Lamblove that I experienced moments of near despair (a near existential moment - another sign of a great book).

The only shortcoming of the book, in my opinion, was that the Lamblove character is a pastor. The way the book resolved (I won't give the ending away) was fine for Lamblove, but what about the majority of people in the church? What options are open to those trapped in their own Contemporary Christian Church Conspiracy, but without the resources and opportunities of the leadership (not that he gave any specific answers there, either)? I need to ask Rathbun ... perhaps he'll write a sequel.

Ouch!! Once I got his literary device, his satirical critique hit home with both humorous and distressing poignancy! The sad truth is that many leaders in desperate need of updating of their methods and models will fall victim to a wholesale exchange of contemporary style for contextual substance. Russell Rathbun's critique of ultra-modern Christianity is a must read poking fun at our attempts to contemporize ministry without the accompanying and necessary spiritual depth, character, and authentic (and ancient) substance of the gospel. Ouch, ouch, ouch!!!

Gosh! Am I the only one who gets it? Quimby is not about a mouse. Well, OK, there's alot of micey stuff here- but it is just subterfuge; distraction; sleight of (virtuosic) hand! This is a poignant work of genius- concealing a deeply emotional event- the death of Chris' grandmother. ASTONISHING! Thank you, CW. You 'n' me.

Chris Ware demuestra como ningún otro autor, las posibilidades únicas del noveno arte en esta recopilación de comics del Ratón Quimby y su amigo Sparky. Un libro que no puede faltar en ninguna biblioteca de comics.

This book showcases works mainly published in the author's college newspaper, and as he points out with humor and apologies in tiny print, are mainly a request of his publisher after the success of "Jimmy Corrigan". The scenes in his comics are each different, each experimental in a way. And if you take the time (and I highly suggest you do) to read all the fine print scattered throughout the book, you will find that he drops the shield of humor and sarcasm in parts, to tell an autobiographical account of his life at the time he was creating the "Quimby" strips. After reading this, it is apparent that all of them carry a deep personal meaning for the author, and even without that knowledge - they would be fantastic. With it though, they are heartbreaking, thoughtful, and amusing - more often all three at the same time. Chris Ware has an amazing gift.

Nice layout and lettering almost makes up for the unfunny mouse cartoons and the miniscule text of the "confessional" autobiographical ramblings of this "genius". Gorgeous colors. Exquisite cover. Some of the pages have been "defaced". Mrs. Knoll thinks this book is "Beautiful". You will too. Bravo, Mr. Ware, bravo. 5 stars.

Quimby the mouse is very very good; better than any of the pretentious little comics that Fantagraphics calls "the best..blah blah blah..works of art...blah...of the century!" Honestly, most of them aren't better than the Marvel and DC comics that they facetiously mock (I'd much rather meet Batman than David Boring).

I am not going to tell you it's "the best thing I've read all year (!)" or "true brilliance (!)" like some excited putzy twerp who thinks they've found a niche for themselves in comics ("Oh why don't I fit in anywhere! woe is me! nobody understand my art pain!")

It's just good. Very good. That's all. Quit reading.

All of these long revues are worthless. look at the stars, go with the gut.

Absolutely hilarious. I enjoyed this book immensely. Milt Pupique has truly revolutionized humor as we know it. I even bought copies for my family.

This book makes you expand your mind and think in directions that you may have never gone. Very humorous and enjoyable.

One truly incredible book, a major tour de force in humor.

Simply put, the creation of this book lies well beyond the capabilities of the human mind as we know it.

Ergo, Mr. Pupique must be an extraterrestrial... and a mutant one at that.

I bought REVELATIONS thinking that it was a good religious book. In this day in age of uncertainty, I was looking for some answers. But it seems that this book is not religious; it is not even serious.

I gave it to a friend in the hopes that someone might enjoy it. She seems to love it, and keeps quoting me passages. The 4-stars above are an average of my review and hers.

This book gives no answers, only jokes: humor-jokes.

One truly incredible book, a major tour de force in humor.

Simply put, the creation of this book lies well beyond the capabilities of the human mind as we know it.

Ergo, Mr. Pupique must be an extraterrestrial and a mutant one at that.

This book is funny! Get one for your friends or family, as they make great gifts even for those that don't draw or paint! The commentary will have you laughing at humanity and their quirks, as well as the stunning cartoon faces and extreme exaggeration. You will love to leave this book on your coffee table for everyone to see when they visit- a great conversation starter and party piece for all. I would never recommend this product if I didn't love it, and I have to love and try to sell it, because I made it. ;) And in all honesty, I think you will love it.

Rejects is all it is promised to be. These caricatures really capture the subjects personality and outstanding features whether they like it or not. Most people really don't like their bad features pointed out especially for the world to see, which is why they probably rejected the artist's rendition in the first place. If you are an artist you can appreciate these interpretations.

I bought this book a few months ago, and it rules! It's full of awesome caricature drawings, by an obviously highly skilled artist.

If you like caricature art, you can't go wrong with this one. I have shown this book to a lot of my friends and they all love it!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

I once heard a caricaturist describe Joe as a "monster talent." Yep.

His passion for creating is evident and infectious on every page. This book is a MUST for anyone interested in stretching his/her ability to push exaggeration and invent an image from reference while not copying or compromising likeness.

Every face - regardless of how "out" he takes it - looks like someone you may have met. You won't find plug-in features here. Joe's approach to each subject is as unique as the individual in his chair.

Some people are sensitive regarding their appearance. I'm personally grateful for the character flaw as it's the catalyst for this book. If DA Vinci or Michelangelo drew retail caricatures they'd have a box full of "REJECTS" too.

I worked with Joe for many years drawing caricatures at a theme park in Orlando, and have had the privilege of witnessing him draw first hand. I can honestly say that he has no fear when it comes to his craft. While many of us would back down from drawing that strange looking woman in our chair the way we truly wanted to (for fear of rejection, bodily harm, or perhaps both), Joe would create a grotesque masterpeice with every sketch and display it proudly.

His boldness has paid off. This collection of under-appreciated park sketches is almost as fun and inspiring as watching Joe draw in person.

Great for artists or anyone with a sense of humor!

Of the three Straight Dope books I've read so far--this is the third in the series--I would say that this is the best one yet.
Cecil Adams is hilarious, even if Wikipedia claims he is a committee and not an actual individual...which I hesitate to believe. Slug Signorino's drawings are just perfect for the material and often laugh-out-loud funny. And in conversations lately, thanks to reading this, I feel as if I've had a lot more to say than I ever have before.
Five stars for "Return of the Straight Dope."
Another great read in a series of great reads.

The second book of Cecil Adams' Straight Dope is here...
A good follow up for the fabulous first part and full of astounding data...
Get ready for hilarious laughter and information absorbtion...

You have to love this guy - he gives you quality information and manages to do it in an entertaining way. He has found the perfect middle ground with the "Teaming Millions" who maintain endless dialogue over the weighty issues of life- He asserts his knowledged when challenged, ( even on the rare occasions when he gets it wrong)and injects a healthy dose of humour into the process to entertain us .

I have all these books - they are great - I just wish they were bigger

If you don't know who Cecil Adams is, its unlikely that you will find yourself purchasing this book. As the lucky initiated know, Adams has been writing his weekly column, "The Straight Dope" for alternative newpapers for nearly thirty years now. Adams is a good-natured arrogant know-it-all who uses reader questions both to show off his knowledge and flex his keen sense of humor. He is at the same time both hilareous and informative. He also tackles plenty of subjects that mainstream journalists will not touch. For example, in this book he discusses the little known practice of eating the human placenta. There is no one quite like Cecil. And for that we must be thankful.

Cecil Adams is a hoot. It's that simple. I'm the first to admit that his style may not be for everyone. If you don't enjoy the smart-alec humor of David Letterman, the irreverence of Saturday Night Live, and the take-no-prisoners approach of James Randi, than maybe the "Straight Dope" isn't for you.

For the uninitiated, The Straight Dope is a weekly newspaper column (appearing mostly in local "freebie" papers such as Madison's Isthmus) wherein Cecil (the smartest human alive) answers all manner of questions put to him by the "teeming millions." Do fish breathe? Do birds pee? Are there really 57 varieties of Heinz Ketchup? No question is too trivial for Cecil, and he applies a surprising degree of scholarship to all queries, mixing it all with a sharp-tongued wit and repartee with his correspondents that will leave you laughing out loud, guaranteed.

The books, numbering 5, collect the best of his columns into loosely organized chapters and include occasional updated information since the questions and answers were originally printed.

A few examples from 3rd book (Return of the Straight Dope, 1994), which is the one I happen to have from the library right now:

p. 338: Why do stars twinkle? Cecil supplies the correct answer, embedded as always, firmly within his razor sharp wit: "Ben, you amateur, stars don't 'twinkle.' They exhibit 'stellar scintillation.' The Pentagon isn't going to fund a damn twinkle study."

p. 63-64: A straight-down-the-pipe debunking of Uri Geller, as only Cecil can do. James Randi (whom Cecil sites as a source) has nothing on Adams. This is also a good example of Cecil's "dialog" with his readers. A reader wrote in to tell of his first hand encounter with Geller years before, and why Geller couldn't possibly have faked the spoon bending (or whatever) because this reader never took his eyes off the spoon, yada yada. Adam's reply shows his appropriately skeptical approach to such situations, where he stresses how many supposed "experts" were completely bamboozled by Geller's slight of hand and misdirection.

p. 349: The inertia of air, as seen in the helium balloon in a car experiment; p. 146 if you toss a ball in the air while inside the cabin of a flying airplane, does the total weight of the craft decrease by the amount of the ball's weight? (no, and he does a great job handling the physics involved).

The "Straight Dope" collections are a skeptical reader's delight, and totally entertaining to boot. I highly recommend them for casual reading, but don't be surprised if you learn something along the way.

By the way, there's apparently some debate about whether Cecil's a real person or not. I don't have an answer ... but it doesn't matter to me. The books are well written and right on target scientifically.

One more tidbit (this one from the straightdope.com web site), to a reader who asked what the deal is with Nostradamus, Cecil replied: "There are two schools of thought on Nostradamus: either (1) he had supernatural powers which enabled him to prophesy the future with uncanny accuracy, or (2) he did for ... what Stonehenge did for rocks. I incline to the latter view."

Cecil goes on to give a more detailed (and very accurate) response re: the whole Nostradamus thing, showing again his serious attempt to combat the epidemic of silly pseudoscience that so many of the "teeming millions" seem inclined to accept at face value.

And that really seems to be the bottom line for Cecil, and the best reason to read the column and the books.

Thompson's art style has such a fun and spontaneous look, you just can't help but be tickled by it. Combined with his smart and whimsical sense of humor, this book packed full of his cartoons is a real gem. I'd be hard pressed to categorize "Richard's Poor Almanac", but that's what's so great about it. It's such a marvelously idiosyncratic creation, that it's in a class all by itself.

I highly recommend this book.

The perfect combination of brilliant drawing and a great sense of humor.
This one surpassed my expectations and will be severely thumbed through on a regular basis.

Richard Thompson's collection of cartoons from the Washington Post are great! It's really first rate cartooning and writing... please check it out.

This has to be Richard Thompson's WORST ALBUM! For one thing, there's no singing! Maybe it's someone else trying to cash in on Thompson's fame, but at least he should sing something, even "It's a Small World" or "Hava Na-Gilah", at least...

At last! A great collection of masterpieces! Richard is a true genius and the artwork shines. A treasured book!

Although a bit dated, containing strips related to the Y2K craze here and there, this little book is still otherwise as funny and timely as any commentary on the computer industry could be. The X-Men and Borg references are absolutely hysterical. If you work in a tech job, you should be reading User Friendly.

It's a good book, but I think previous books have been funnier.

"Am thinkink. Erwin, to fight such big powerful company as AOL, am to be fightink fire with fire. Da?"
"Umm...what did you have in mind?"
"Am to becomink half computer, half human, like Borg. Then to become super administrator of all Borg functions."
"That means...you'll become..."
"Da. I will becomink root of all evil."
"Don't do it, Pitr! Don't go to the bad place!"
- Pitr the techie and Erwin the AI, in conversation

After opening with a few post-Y2K-bust strips, the Columbia Internet crew having stockpiled lots of soda and pork rinds for the occasion, the book settles into its more usual long-running plot threads.

Stef's been given the title "Manager: S&M." ("It stands for SALES AND MARKETING you depraved monkeys.") In his efforts to sell a line of products the same way that the Pokemon empire does their stuff, he persuades Pitr to make collectible Unix text editors. Pitr, in fact, goes through several evil little anti-Unix projects in the book to keep his hand in as a budding Evil Genius.

Other developments in the continuing story:
- AJ struggles to figure out how to court Miranda properly (badly timed in light of the "I love you" virus).
- Stef (who as a Windows user sees Unix holy wars as an added bonus of his job) makes the mistake of interfering in Miranda's life, which leads to a lot of Matrix crossover references.
- Mike becomes a Sims addict. ("Hey! Are you *allowed* to have four wives?")
- Greg's tech support calls turn into a game-help hotline.
- Pitr has an evil twin brother in Sales who affects the same fake accent.
- Introducing Sid Dabster, the aging ex-HP tech who becomes something of a blood enemy of Pitr's.

And, of course, the fantasy elements, such as:
- Parallels between Steve Case of AOL and Anakin Skywalker.
- Greg's Linux daemons (think "shoulder angel" here).

You have to be a computer geek to understand the humor. If you are, and especially if you have a unix/linux background and/or have worked with internet or other computer support you will find this one of the most hysterical comics around.

If you don't find at least some of the strips very funny, you should have your geek status removed. :)

rutkowski is hard edged and deeply moving, simultaneously. it's imposssible not to identify with the troubled young man he creates. He's also riotously funny.

I've known Thaddeus Rutkowski since he was bringing in early chapters of this novel to a writing workshop. They were powerful then, and put together as a novel, they make a short, sharp shock of a book.

The voice is especially strong, at first seeming like an expressionless monotone,the pressure builds through the arc of the book, until the tragedy and hilarity of the narrator's family takes on huge dimensions.

Also...if you ever get a chance to hear him read his own work, DEFINITELY go. He's a marvelous reader/speaker.

There are many bruises here, pain and little healing. At first I was curious about why this book obsessed with the darker side of family relationships, but I realized that this dark side was what the protagonist was forced to see in the light--grief is apparent, not concealed. These sound bytes of reality are like snippets of information, or severed knowledge. How true to life. Overall a challenging and difficult read, because of its subject matter. But rewarding.

"A man's home is his castle." Taken to heart--the wrong heart--the notion can lead to the most grotesque kind of tinpot tyranny, like the one dispassionately described in this brilliant novel of black humor. The narrator's father is a fascinatingly twisted s.o.b. who abuses his family in a myriad of ways. Depicting an apparently semirural lower middle class existence, the book thrives on bizarre convolutions: one of them is that Dad is an Artist. Another: Mom is Chinese. Dad is also a drunken gun-nut who torments his sons and molests his young daughter. The narrator grows up to be an artist, too, or at least an art student. He acts out his own compulsions in what by contrast seems like the much saner and socially acceptable outlet of mutually-consented s & m. A darkly comic masterpiece!

Rutkowski fondly recollects his boyhood days as a moving target for his father's tortured artist angst. In his past he uncovers horrors but also discovers a curious kind of redemption. This may well turn out to be a classic study of the birth of a conceptual artist.

I can only rate the service of the delivery and the accuracy of the description of the book. I haven't had a chance to read it yet.

The book arrived fast & in great shape. My nephew loves it! He loves it so much that he had to have the Scarne book on magic.

Many magicians own the Classic book "Scarne on Card Tricks." But it is said if you want to keep a trick a secret, put it in print! Most of what's in Scarne on Card Tricks is no doubt a complete mystery to most laymen--and many magicians! Its a great book for the card beginner.

On the other hand, there's a lot of boring and tedious count-down stuff in there as well.

The book is BIG--over 300 pages of carefully detailed effects. It can be a little overwhelming to someone the first time he picks it up. How do you separate the wheat from the chaff?

Best, in my view, are the tricks that can be done TOTALLY impromptu, with very little or no stacking, when a deck is shoved into your hands and somebody says "Do a trick!".

Here are some of the effects that I have judged to be best, based on the above criteria:

The Upside down Deck by Francis Carlyle
Hit the Deck
Scarne's Follow the Leader
Cardini's Color Discernment
Card on the Ceiling
Card through the Handkerchief

Of course, You Do as I Do is also a classic, though it is fairly well known among magicians.

In short, a little work digging out the best tricks will make you a true card magician in most people's eyes, with enough practice and performing experience.

John Scarne is today perhaps best remembered as a leading authority on gambling scams and card cheats. However, in his prime, he was one of the best magicians in America. In the late 40s, as stated in the Introduction, Scarne decided to gather for magicians a set of card tricks involving no sleight-of-hand. The result is "Scarne on Card Tricks". The 155 effects in the book range from quick tricks and puzzlers to more elaborate card demonstrations. All of the effects are attributed to either the originator of the effect or to a magician who used the effect frequently. The book clearly bears Scarne's unique genius not only in the selection and variety of effects, but in Scarne's improvements of the original effects. There is no doubt that anyone can put together a most entertaining routine with the material in this book. Two words of caution. First, the copyright of the book is 1950 and so some of the patter is clearly dated and needs to be revised for contemporary audiences. (Patter is the words or story that accompany the effect.) Second, because the effects are easy to do when practiced, there is a tendency to perform the effects before fully thought out. For every hour learning the basic effect itself, two hours should be spent on how to present it in an entertaining and interesting manner. The book itself, however, remains one of the very best in card magic. Scarne's work clearly stands the test of time. Frankly, the book is a steal at the published price. I bought two copies because I knew I'd wear one book out. I did. The book is that useful.

This is the definitive collection of non sleight-of-hand (you don't have to be quick with your hands) card tricks. I bought my first paperback copy in 1974 when I was still a schoolboy. Some of the tricks are easy but astounding, such that I've memorised two of them and have amazed my friends over the years until now. Since then, there hasn't been any other card trick manual that can beat this one, to the best of my knowledge.

I was lucky enough to have met the author and her ultra-cool sons at a holiday party before I purchased her book. Trust me, she's as fascinating and charming in person as she is in her prose. The only complaint I have of the book is that it's too damned hard to put down. The book will make you realize that EVERYONE has a story to tell, and I doubt that anyone can tell it as well as Rene tells it! Excellent.

Despite the "one, two three strikes" approach to internet dating, this funny, entertaining book about the author's experiences with finding, (or not finding), love online reveals her sweet side, and is a serious and insightful look into both the advantages and dangers of the internet blind date. She is unfailingly kind to even the most absurd beau, even when moving on. It is a must read for everyone with a sense of humor and a love of adventure.

This book made me laugh out loud! I had so much fun reading it. I found myself rooting for Renee with each and every date. Each date is a new chapter so you can grab a quick read if you want, but I found it hard to put down. Men who are considering online dating might want to use some of her (not so) subtle hints :)

I've been Internet dating for a few years and still haven't found my 'best friend.'But I know he's out there and that is what keeps us all going. Some of her dates remind me of mine! Same story--different town! Now, everyone can get a first hand glimpse as to some of the characters that are out there. She has hit the nail on the head with her candid, straight-forward sense of humor and the stuggles with Internet dating. Everyone has a story--she put it in a book! This is a fast, fun read. I recommend this book to everyone who loves to laugh! Maggie

I loved this quick read! Some of Rene's dating experiences are laugh out loud funny, while others are more serious. The mix of both is perfect. My sister did the internet dating thing after being married for 25 years, then divorced. She found the man of her dreams on an internet dating site! I'm married with two teenage daughters and I want them to read this book. It'll show them what they can expect from dating and how to be strong and confident enough to know who is good for them and who can go jump in a lake!!! I highly recommend this book!