Parodies Books

The Devil's Dictionary / 0-19-512627-0

DICTIONARY, n. A malevolent literary device for cramping the growth of a language and making it hard and inelastic. This dictionary, however, is a most useful work.

This "dictionary" by Ambrose Bierce is witty, scathing, and totally hilarious. In his characteristic style, he dishes out his contempt and distaste for those societal norms which he sees as foolish, hypocritical, and dangerous. This is not a book to read, but - truly - a dictionary to reference whenever the mood takes. The aphorisms ring true, even today, and the only real complaint is that we would wish for so much more - the dictionary is "only" 219 pages long, and while that is quiet a fair lot of words, oh, we wish he could have left us even more...

A GREAT read! Just open the book anywhere and peruse the definitions. Bierce is satirical and puts his finger right on the nub of the thing!

Ambrose Bierce obviously had some fun at the expense of his fellow 19th century Americans with the cynical and sarirical word entries in his wicked dictionary.

Also known as "The Cynic's Workbook" this collection is classic and belongs in any library. Ambrose Bierce, like Mark Twain and few other of his contempories, had a biting wit that always left a mark.
Here is just a taste of his humor.

Philosophy: A route of many roads leading from nowhere to nothing.

Eulogy. Praise of a person who has either the advantages of wealth and power, or the consideration to be dead.

The large font is a plus in this book. Good illustrations.

Good good stuff.

.
If you, from time-to-time, need a little whimsy in your day; a little humor to add a smile when else it would not shine, then open to any page and read at will. You will be rewarded with a chuckle and perhaps a laugh and perhaps a new perspective on the word you just learned.

If you think you have a potent vocabulary, read this book; because you will get the most from it. These definitions, while not literal, are in fact most accurate and as it seems, timeless.

It must have been a great privilege to know and converse with such a man as Ambrose Bierce.

I can't believe that they made a movie out of this but there you go. It's a funny, cute book that is actually pretty well written for what it is. The drawings are naive but very effective. I enjoyed it a lot and congratulate the authors on their success.

I don't understand the hype from the other reviews. Am I reading the same book - I found it a bit of a yawn that thankfully didn't take very long to read (15 minutes)? And I didn't laugh once. I just don't get it. But I loved the movie.

A short read, but well worth the money in re-reads and showing to friends. This book had me laughing when I viewed it in the store and still does today. The insane behavior described from the girl, coupled with the goofy stick-figure pictures, make this book a joy to read. I think Day Two is my favorite: "If you think it's time, tell him you love him." Sheesh ...

Not a serious dating guide, but a good way to laugh at yourself. Or your crazy friends/relatives. (My Mom still says stalking a guy at a gym is a good idea).

Wow, reading this is like looking in a mirror. It's all YOU! My boyfriend and I both loved it, and that's a pretty impressive statement. (And yes, I told him he reminded me of my father. Ugh!!)
I also recommed NO ONE'S EVEN BLEEDING & DELANO for lots of laughs.

This book is an illustrated manual of how to drive a man away from a newly formed relationship. It presents a list of tried and terrible actions that are guaranteed to make a man think twice before calling again- -do too many of these things, and the guy may quickly do something desperate like sign a two-year contract to work in Mongolia just to get away. The book includes suggestions ranging from calling the guy frequently when he's not home and not leaving a message on the machine, to spraying perfume on his pillow, as well as some other stuff that can't be described in detail on Amazon. The book is definitely good for a few laughs, but if you find your life story contained on more than a few of its pages, it's time to start working on a different approach.

His other text-heavy books are much better; this one felt either too mean spirited or too forced.

The book has great ideas to keep you happy at work, at the expense of others. Adams gives his justification for why you need to be happier at work, and flashes a glimpse of that cynicism many white collar workers share when working for a big corporation. One of my favorite parts of the book was his explanation for what makes things funny, the 2 of 6 rule. If you have any interest being funny, it's a helpful recipe for concocting humor that I found to be helpful and accurate.

Very funny and comprehensive collection of interesting and amusing commentaries, observations, cartoons, emails and evil take-over-the-world plans! Great for lightening your heart if you're in a high pressure job. I loved this book. Even bought it for friends.

I usually prefer the Dilbert strips by themselves, as opposed to a book containing strips and Adams' commentary. However, this one was funny. Adams' chapter on "Office Pranks" had me in stitches!

This book, by the creator of the Dilbert comic strip, offers tips on surviving the workday. The author includes mischievous stories from other professionals as well as some of his own. The book is an entertaining look at overcoming workplace stress and still funny five years after publication.

These stories generally lack Kightlinger's sarcasm and bite, with the exception of the discussion on the items left in grandmother's casket. Her frankness and lonliness still make the stories a good read. It was not all that funny like I was expecting it to be.

I enjoy Laura's standup but the book was classified as a comedy and I think I laughed only once while reading the book. Dark humor is something I'm quite found of and I'm a huge fan of movies like the Royal Tenebaums which is why I've been drawn to Laura. (Not to mention she's unnecessarily attractive) The book is depressing and even though I found her teen years interesting, it was harder to identify with her being male. I was also disappointed with Laura's ability to see life so one dimensionally, I understand she's been through a lot, but then so has everyone! I wanted to just give her a hug and so life isn't so bad, or good, its just life. I'd recommend this book to my cynical female friends who enjoy dark humor, that's about it.

This book is one of the worst I've read. Can't believe my friend convinced me to waste my money on this.

She's honest? Right. That's what she wants you to think. Try unconvincingly cynical in the most brattiest possible way. Go spend your money on something that's actually worth it. Like Clifford the Big Red Dog.

Great book! A seminal work by a first-time author. Plus, I loved Laura in "Mulholland Drive," but she needs to know that she doesn't have to take her shirt off if she wants to get movie parts.

Laura Kightlinger, like no one else, finds the humor in some of life's darkest most awkward moments! I laughed out loud. For that matter, I cried out loud! Looking forward to more from this talented woman!

I have been doing some of my own writing but I've never read a book about organizing jokes, or ever cared about those books. A play writer talked me into reading "The Comic Tool box", and it was more then a little odd to have my jokes explained and defined. John Vorhans book has been great for new ideas, along with new ways to arrang humor in my writing.

Simply put, the book is filled with excellent methods for creating comedy. If you do not have strong comedic instinct, your results will be formulaic. The author comes from a background of cheap laughs and sitcoms like Married With Children. The jokes inside are corny at best. While Vorhaus isn't particularly funny himself, he does have a good eye for what makes a joke funny. If you have a facility towards joke writing, this book will help you perfect your art; but don't look for laughs inside the book because they just aren't there.

I am a pro comedian and I am about halfway through the book and I am finding it very useful in developing new material. You won't be disapointed with this one.

Practically worthless. Boring. The old 1 in 20 ideas you brainstorm is worth using trick, is the only worthwhile thing you learn. Now that you've read read about the trick, you don't have to buy this boring book that isn't funny.

The title doesn't really explain what this is. I was expecting more tools and methods for stand-up comedy. However, this is for scripting and writing shows, movies, screenplays, novels. The method breaks down into the simplest elements, giving the reader lots of great tools for building humorous stories. The writing style is direct and clear.

Reading The Onion 'newspaper' as it comes out should be a part of the regular education of anyone who can read English, as it is consistently and outrageously funny. The Onion has issued a series of what are mostly reprints in book form, of which this is one. It's not quite as good the second time around, especially if you remember the stories from when you first read them - but if a friend of yours has never seen them in the original, this is a great gift or coffee table book or whatever to shove their way.

The book is technically broken down by chapters, each of which has a lead-in article or editorial by the centenarian 'editor' Zweibel, which for reasons unknown are basically very, very lame attempts at humor, by far the weakest part (and only original part) of the book. Oh well.

The rest of the articles are a jumble of stuff, much of it hysterically funny, some of it not so much, depending on your taste. If you like the Onion but only see it once in a while, you should have this book. Maybe leave it in your bathroom or at bedside or something; best read one or two pages at a time, after that the recommended adult dosage may be exceeded.

I enjoyed this book. It was funny, not their best but still good.

This is yet another great example of brilliant and witty writing on the part of the Onion's writers. From GM introducing "new, instant-win airbags" to Saddam Hussein stepping down because of a sex scandal and a local child destroying an ant colony, the writing is better than ever. The writers' ribald and vulgar sense of humor is sharper than ever, too, as Monica Lewinsky gets subpoenaed to "re-blow Clinton on Senate floor." It's tough to pick a favorite Onion book, but this one is right up there. Even the offensive ones are somehow funny. Get it, read it, and laugh again and again. Makes a great coffee table book.

I stumbled upon the Onion while in New York where I came upon a bunch of free copies. It was hilarious. This was the first book from the Onion that I got. The articles aren't in chronological order but are instead bits and pieces from many different issues; a "best of" collection I guess. Anyway, as for "The Onion," there's nothing really like it in the world today. It is a satirical newspaper that has humorous headlines such as "Richard Simmons Fighting for Life in Estrogen Tent" as well as community voices with titles like "Those Motherf*cking Robins are on Thin Ice" in which an old man tells about how robins have caused him so much trouble (It's funnier if you read the article I guess). Some other funny stories include how Civil War enthusiasts march on Atlanta and emancipate the NFL Falcons team as well as an article entitled "Tibet Freedom Fighters Seize Yak. 'Whatever' say Chinese." Like I said, if you appreciate political humor and satire, this is definitely for you. There is some bad language, but if you can handle this, you will be crying by time you are finished because it is so funny.

I discovered The Onion (its website) by accident, one day while searching on the Internet. And I was instantly hooked. The site is incredibly funny, and satirical and points the right amount of fun and directed political commentary at the key issues making the headlines. This is is simply important reading. While it is important to keep abreast of the serious journals and commnetary, its important to remember that satire and comedy are often as illustrative and explanatory than the serious stuff. Highly recommended.

I have walls of humor books in my collection and Sky Maul sits proudly on the top shelf.

This is one of the funniest and most creative books I've ever read. There are some "R" rated items, so be aware. But this is well worth buying for laughs from page to page.

If you've ever been on a plane and browsed through the original SkyMall magazine, you'll love this play on the products inside.

I want Reality Cancelling Headphones!

This catalog is full of wonderful items! From the ultra useful (Crack pipe chess sets, bandana-ganizers, rabies-detecting poodle spray, etc.) to just plain silly (i.e., blueberry muffin of the month club memberships, racial globe toaster), Sky Maul has everything you could ever need to live your [consumer-whoreish] American Dream.

I have been fiber-loading, just so I can spend more time in the bathroom reading this delightful gem. Every page is full of joy and funny things. You should buy it and find out for yourself.

Actually, you should buy two copies, because you will want to lend a copy to your stoner friend who will 1. forget to read it, and 2. forget to give it back. Then you will be stuck cursing that darn high-fiber diet, as you are left to read bottles of shampoo and hair remover whilst on the throne.

Very very hilarious for the offbeat humor. Best used as a surprise slipped into the seat-pocket of your traveling mate and watch as they thumb through it unknowingly. lol...really. We could barely catch our breath, tears in the eye laughter (while trying not to disturb fellow-passengers). No luck though, so we ended up passing it around and enjoyed the mirth speading through the cabin. Best if you fly Southwest, of course....that crowd gets it. Here's a thought...slip it into the seat pocket of a perfect stranger and watch him/her come unglued...
NOTE To Authors...eliminate the few off-color ads and we would keep it on the coffee table where younger eyes could enjoy.

I bought this for my grandpa. He was disappointed with the book, as was I. The jokes were not very creative. It's new home is the bathroom, next to the enquirer.

This book is very clever and a cute little gift for the holidays. You can't help but laugh at the pictures

Ms. Bower knows the Bible VERY well, and she is absolutely ruthless in pointing out its millions of contradictions and hypocrisies.

What Richard Dawkins ("The God Delusion") and Christopher Hitchens ("God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything") did to religion using meticulous research and ultra-sharp minds, Betty does with wit and humor.

God is exposed to ridicule and put in its place in a hilarious way.

Also recommended: "Da Gospel According to Ali G".

Think of this fine book as the "cheese" that would go very well with your wine and crackers during Holy Communion.
Although no book could ever take the place of the Bible, this book is a fantastic accompaniment to the Word of God.
Mrs. Betty Bowers truly is America's Best Christian, and her "What Would Betty Do?" book totally blows "Gone With The Wind" out of the water.
God Bless Betty Bowers, God Bless Landover Baptist, and God Bless America!

I read this book from cover to cover in one night! Yes, it was that funny that I neither wanted, nor could put it down! Seriously....enjoy!

Neither God nor the Devil would DARE mess with Ms. Bowers! Guaranteed, not a politically correct syllable to be found anywhere between the covers. If you have had it up to here with puerile religion-mongering and blatant attacks on the U.S. Constitution over the last 6 years by the willfully ignorant and superstitious you will love this book. And as with some of the believers who have commented, if you have the ability to laugh at yourself you will love it just because it's funny. Don't pass up the chance to be counted amongst Betty's unworthy!

My pastor and I immediately identified Betties traits among three women in the congregation. Her traits are unfortunately too common in the main stream Christian Churches, as well as among Betty's Southern Baptists. You will meet her kind in every church you go to. Smile, and think of Betty

I found this book by accident and ended up reading it in a couple of days. I loved it so much I'm passing it on to others to read. This author is hilarious and I wish he'd write another edition.

Gustavo Arellano's "Ask a Mexican" is a brilliant book. What's obvious when reading a book's length worth of his answers is how well-researched they are. It's a nice balance of referenced scholarship, combined with the observations of a street-savvy guy. First-time readers beware though: Arellano's work is culled from columns that appear in alternative weeklies, and it's got the language to prove it. It can be jarring and off-putting at times. However, most times it works, because the questions match in tone.

Arellano's main role here is as myth debunker and as one who tries to put Mexican immigration in a historical context for his readers. I've selected this passage from p. 40 as emblematic of his approach. A reader writes "Why don't Mexicans want to assimilate and accept our way of life?" The Mexican answers (in part) that "(i)n the case of reverence for one's roots, it boils down thusly: gabachos long-removed from Ellis Island can love their ancestors without shame because they're the descendants of immigrants, and immigrants made this nation great; Mexicans can't because they _are_ immigrants, and immigrants are turning America into the Third World."

Like that opinion or not, you have to give Arellano credit for superbly crafted sentences like that. The book is rife with them. It makes for a great read.

Oh my God , This dude is so funny.
I LOVE THIS BOOK

Mike,
Whittier, CA.

Gustavo Arellano is a good Mexican to ask questions about Mexicans.
About this book: Read it, have fun and do not take life too seriously.
I like it and had quite a good laugh at too many of the explanations of why Mexicans.......?

By the way, not all Mexicans call our neighbors to the north Gabachos, I knew them as Gringos while growing up in Tijuana, from there San Diego was "tierra de Gringos" (land of the Gringos). But Gabacho is a very Mexican word, we love our "CH" sound.

One of the funnest books of the Mexican language and what we thought words meant. Like I said - hilarious!

I would probably find this tome quite amusing, if only I could read. I cannot, therefore, my opinions are as useless as a shoe mirror under a nun. Gordon, may your colon be stretched across a waffle iron for writing such a farce.

Has anyone outside of Dallas ever read this book? I have nothing against Buff Tanner. I met him in person and he is a really nice guy. However, I don't think anyone other than people that constantly listen to one radio station in Dallas would enjoy this book. It's amusing at the most. It was a chore getting through it. Gordon Keith (the co author, and reason most of these books were purchased) works for "The Ticket" , a sports radio station in Dallas. He does little voices and characters for the morning show, and sometimes plays a shock jock. In my opinion, the station targets the white american male born and raised in the south. If you are one of those hardcore Ticket listners that go around quoting "drops" in your office and at happy hour then this would be a good purchase for you, otherwise steer clear.

PANIC! I couldn't believe that it was written on such high quality recycled paper.

Good morning to you Muser.

Baby arm.

I bought this book because i listin to the ticket and a friend suggested this book to me but once i read the first chapter of this book i was done i listin to the ticket and am a big fan of Davey Lane but this guy Gordon Keith is just not funny and needs to strongley consider giving up comedy

All I got to say is, "Baby Arm."