Humor Books

The Complete Calvin and Hobbes is a great purchase. This massive set contains every C&H strip, with good printing quality, and the volumes are well-bound and sturdy. The intro written by Bill Watterson is an enjoyable read, and the strip is, of course, priceless. There's nothing like C&H, and there never will be again.

There are some glaring flaws, though, in both the printing and in the packaging. First, the strips aren't arranged in strictly chronological order. There are odd leaps and turn backs, mostly because the publisher elected to group Sunday strips. If the entire run of Calvin and Hobbes evened out to six weeklies and a Sunday strip, this would make some sense, but there are not always Sunday strips to end a week, and so sets of weeklies still end up split on opposite sides of the same piece of paper. It should have been in chronological order from start to finish.

The other complaint is that the covers and the box are made of a cheap material. It looks nice until it touches something, and then permanent marks are left. Also, the two pictures on the outside of the slipcase are pieces of paper that have been glued on. There's no reason those couldn't have been printed on. It would look nicer and last longer.

Still, a brilliant collection of a brilliant strip well worth your money.

I just received them today, I had to let you guys know that there was nothing wrong with product. No dents, scratch, etc... I didn't open the actually books, because it is a gift to someone else. I was so nervous that I would get them, and the package would be damage, but nothing!!!

I think I would not have wanted to know anything. The all experience of buying for the first time a product that I have always wanted was extremly special. I can't say anything else, only that if I had the opportunity I would buy it again

Bought this for my son, age 11, who has read and re-read every Calvin and Hobbes book there is. This is a beautiful set that will be a keepsake for him for years.

really enjoyed reading it and was nice to see the complete c&h all in one box set. I've always been a big fan. i like how its printed- almost looks like the strips are stuck on. the only complaints i have is that its too bulky and there are no finger holes in the box to pull the individual books out. nevertheless, i highly recommend it for anyone who has, over the years, enjoyed c&h- its brilliant!

I am going to make this simple. I read an old paperback copy of the original "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy". Having enjoyed reading the original, I found the "Ultimate" version in the discount section at Barnes and Noble. What a great buy for ten dollars.

Not all may like the series. For those that do, I highly recommend all additional books to the original. You will not be let down, as (the late) Mr. Adams continues to entertain again and again as things move on. Just about any science fiction fan with a sense of humor will love these books.

Great read, I didn't even know about the Zaphod short story (my own words) that was included in this book. Happy to have all of the stories all in one book and makes it easy for me to go back and reference parts from the earlier stories, especially since I enjoy noting the really good lines.

I've lost track of the number of times I've read the Guide novels over the years. This compilation of a 'trilogy in 5 parts' makes it nice and easy to read them all as one continuous story. I don't really need to elaborate on how good these stories are as those who have read them will already know. But to the uninitiated I strongly urge you to purchase a copy, prop yourself up against your towel, and eat plenty of peanuts. And most importantly, Don't Panic!

If finding out your house is about to be bulldozed to make way for a highway bypass is unnerving and life changing, imagine finding out the same is about to happen to your planet. Thus begin the adventures of human Arthur Dent in The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide by Douglas Adams.

Of course Adams is not the first writer to use science fiction to satirize the foibles of the human race and its institutions and culture (including science fiction), but he does does so with a rare combination of sophistication, style, and humor. His description of why the bypass is being built and why Arthur doesn't know about it alone starts the series off on a scathing note. In the universe of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (the book within a book), people sometimes survive government and corporate bureaucracy and personal greed and thoughtlessness, but more often destruction and waste seem to result.

Throughout his post-Earth adventures with Ford Prefect, the two-headed Zaphod Beeblebrox, fellow human Trillian (Tricia McMillan), and Marvin the perpetually downcast robot who takes lows to new highs, Arthur is the proverbial Everyman, whose struggles to make tea (and thus achieve some sense of ordinariness) in his new life result in near-destruction. At one point, he happily serves as "Sandwich Maker" on a pre-technological world that views this skill with awe.

Adams is perhaps strongest in his numerous asides in which he talks about The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, the publication for which Ford Prefect researches and writes, and the Encyclopedia Galactica; the nature of improbability; the humorously and seemingly invariable and inevitable tragic histories of various planets and races; and various theories surrounding such things as time, space, and infinity, almost always with a slyly serious wink about the absurdity of it all. These digressions allow his imagination and his intellect to soar and in many cases are more interesting than the story itself. This may go back to how The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy begins--that people want to move between Points A and B very fast, and that people at Point C in between (Everyman Arthur Dent) "often wish that people would just once and for all work out where the hell they wanted to be." There seem to be no Points A and B in Arthur's new universe; there are infinite points and lines and continuums, most of them absurd in one way or another.

With the exception of Trillian, Arthur's fellow travelers are well drawn. The most amusing is, sadly, Marvin, whose programmed depression is annoying and whose perception is accurate.

There are ingenious ideas scattered throughout the six stories, including the irony of a lorry driver who hates the perpetual rain that follows him no matter where he goes because, unbeknownst to him, he is a Rain God.

The problem is that many of these ideas, like life events, crop up randomly, play themselves out, and then seem to fall flat in the end. Undoubtedly, this is part of the universe as Adams sees it; it is made up of absurdity upon absurdity, which may not have neat Point A to Point B progressions. Some of this lack of cohesion also may be the result of transforming material written for episodic radio into book form; a certain sense and continuity may have been lost as the author diverts his tale to Points E, M, and T.

The first two books, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, are the best in the series. Life, the Universe and Everything is, almost as the title promises, too contorted and meandering. So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish, which takes place on Earth, lacks an engaging focal point, which makes it seem long and tedious at times. "Young Zaphod Plays It Safe" appears to be a throwaway story reflecting the author's views. Mostly Harmless, written at what Adams admitted was a bad time in his life, lacks the élan of the earliest books; it is more downbeat in attitude than its predecessors and borders on determined and grim. Marvin is long gone as comic relief; the weakest character, Tricia/Trillian, now moves to the forefront but without further development; and even Ford Prefect has sobered up, quite out of character. It as though Adams wanted his characters, most notably Random, to reflect his anger and depression and his universe to end without possibility of resurrection--in the same way that Arthur Conan Doyle tried to kill off Sherlock Holmes.

Underneath the satire, the humor, and the bitterness, The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide is imaginative and thought provoking, revealing a rare story-telling and writing gift that is brilliant both on the surface and in the depths.

As usual the movie can't live up to the book. This is a must-read -- one of those points of cultural brilliance that will still be read three hundred years from now. Be prepared for very dry humor, British-style...

Great anthology of Gary Larsons work takes forever to go all the way thru it but it is worth it. Great exercise just lifting the boxed set

At last the complete Far Side collection is contained in one set. Every cartoon drawn by Gary Larson is included herein. Far Side fans will revel in the fact that they no longer have to pour through old microfilm versions of local newspapers at libraries to find all the off the wall, bizarre humor of cxavemen in outhouses, or bears, cows, sheep all behaving like nerdy humans, or any of the other strange concoctions Larson came up with. This set is rather expensive, but the tru fan will find the money for it.

I would love to reccomend this fantastic collection of one of the greatest ever comic artists, except for one thing...
The Far Side should be enjoyed under the covers, by flashlight, when your parents say you should be asleep. That's how I remember enjoying the Far Side. If you really want to LOVE this comic, buy the smaller, more portable books to snuggle up with. Happy reading!

Every Far Side ever published - can't go wrong with that. Hardback with good quality paper. A perfect resource for PowerPoint presentations.

"Every one of these cartoons is just something that drifted into my head when I was alone with my thoughts. And, for better or worse, I `jotted them down. It was only later, when perhaps I received an angry letter from someone, that it struck me: Hey! Some one's been reading my diary!"
Gary Larson, from the preface to The Complete Far Side

How do you explain 'Far Side'? A brilliant comedic view of the absurd and unusual? An inspiring cartoon that entertains and inspires? My family loves cards and for each birthday we all receive more than a few cards, and most of them are from 'Far Side'. We look forward to those cards. At Christmas there are calendars and mugs. We are a family of Far Side. But it took my best friend to give me the gift of Far Side that is impressive.

When the first Far Side appeared millions of us could not get enough. The cartoons debuted in January 1980 and we have bought more than 40 million Far Side books and more than 60 million calendars. The demand for The Far Side has been insatiable. I received the hefty, deluxe, two-volume slip cased set as a gift. The slipcase is gorgeous with a lovely ribbon surrounding it. The volumes are printed in full color, milled paper, The Complete Far Side is a superb gift that takes its place alongside collector's-edition art books.

"A masterpiece of comic brilliance, The Complete Far Side contains every Far Side cartoon ever syndicated -- over 4,000 if you must know -- presented in (more or less) chronological order by year of publication, with more than 1,100 that have never before appeared in a book." publisher.

There are more Far Side cartoons in these volumes that Larson created after his retirement: 13 of them appeared in the last Far Side book, Last Chapter and Worse, and six cartoons that ran as a special feature in The New York Times' Science Times section as The Far Side of Science. Gary Larson offers a glimpse into the mind of The Far Side in quirky and introductions to each of the 14 chapters. Complaint letters, fan letters, and queries from readers appear. Actor, author, and comedian Steve Martin offers his thoughts in a foreword, and Gary Larson's former editor describes what it was like to be "the guy who could explain every Far Side cartoon."

During its 14-year run, The Far Side was syndicated to over 1,900 daily newspapers. It has been translated into a total of 17 different languages.

For his work with The Far Side, Gary Larson received the Reuben Award for Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year from the National Cartoonists Society in both 1991 and 1994. The National Cartoonists Society also named The Far Side Best Syndicated Panel in 1985 and 1987. In 1993 The Far Side was awarded the Max & Moritz Prize for Best International Comic Strip/Panel by the International Comics Salon. In 1995, Larson's animated film Gary Larson's Tales From The Far Side won the Grand Prix at the Annecy International Animation Festival in Annecy, France. His second animated film, Gary Larson's Tales From The Far Side II, premiered in 1997 in the United States at the Telluride Film Festival and in Europe at the Venice International Film Festival.

Gary Larson has always made use of biology and science. It seems he likes to put animals in human situations, like the praying mantis woman accusing another of having an affair with her mate and being told "Surely you know that I would only eat my own husband", or the cow with a bib and knife and fork sitting behind a big pile of steaks proclaiming to the herd that they tasted a bit like chicken. Surreal, crazy talk, if you like it you'll love it. Some people never understand the humour. It can vary from simple & obvious, to oblique and obscure. However, most of my family and friends understand the humor all too well:-)

It has taken me awhile to read every page of these two volumes. A laugh out loud and/or guffaw, but always, always a smile on my face when I was faced with the humor. Some are so obscure that I am still wondering what they really were all about. but I enjoyed them all the same. This is a gift of a lifetime. My family when visiting all seem to veer toward the two volumes in their slipcase perched so invitingly on my coffee table. One of us will start reading out loud, and soon we will all be engulfed in laughter.

Highly, Highly Recommended. prisrob 07-22-08

Last Chapter and Worse

Unnatural Selections

This is the ultimate Simpsons fan's book. It has all of The Simpsons seasons 1-8 in air-order, so you won't have any problem finding them. There are a lot of pictures and colors as well. There are even a list of Homer's D'ohs, Couch Gags, and Chalkboard Gags for every episode. This is well worth the money you pay for it; definitely should be bought by any simpaholic.

I bought this book when it first came out, and have re-read it often (fully, and partially) since then. It is an excellent reference for any "Simpsons" fan for the first eight seasons of the show. The pages are full of episode summaries, quotes, and trivia facts from the show. It also offers profiles of characters, and a list of who does what voice. A great source if you cannot remember what guest celebrity voiced a character or any other information like that. I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys the "Simpsons" and wants to know more about the episodes.

Almost everything you could ever think to ask about The Simpsons is in this book. What was Bart writing on the chalkboard in "that one episode"? It's in here. The plots, inside jokes, behind the scenes tales and more await in this excellent resource for fans. This book harkens from the Conan O'Brien-era prime of the series, up to about the late 90's, when the quality (sadly) slipped big time. This was the golden age of The Simpsons, back before the series "became a cartoon." (Anyone who was a fan back in the day knows just what I mean.)

The Simpsons: A Complete Guide to Our Favorite Family is probably the best book on the Simpsons that I've read. It includes, and I am taking this right from the cover, characters, episodes, and secret jokes you might have missed from seasons 1 thru 8. The book was created by Matt Groening and edited by Ray Richmond. It details each episode and even has extras: The Shorts; Homer Says, "D'oh..."; Homer Says, "Mmm..."; Couch Gags; Seen around Springfield; An Itchy & Scratchy Filmography; Who Does What Voice; and Merchandising, Thy Name Is Krusty.

The books dedication even reads:
TO THE LOVING MEMORY OF
SNOWBALL I:
WE HOPE THAT
THEY CHANGE YOUR CATBOX
IN KITTY HEAVEN MORE OFTEN
THAN WE DID DOWN HERE.

My favorite saying in the book is on p. 64, "When Flanders Failed":
"Hey, Barteleeboobely, care for a steak-a-rooney?" Homer, to Bart as he cooks on the grill that used to belong to Fladners.

I definetly reccomend purchasing this book.

I found this book so soothing. If you love the Simpsons, you will love this book. You can relive the most hilarious quotes of the series in the most convienient manner possible. No need to search through DVD's to hear Homer say, "It takes two to lie, Marge. One to lie, and one to listen." Instead, you can flip through this book and relive all your favorite moments. I read it over and over and over again. It is well worth its price.

I am currently a student teacher in a 3rd grade classroom. Several weeks ago we had a bookfair at school. One set of books that EVERY other student walked out of the fair with were these wimpy kid books. I figured if that many of them wanted them then I probably should get a copy for my classroom.

In my classroom everyday the students are read a chapter of a book. About 3 weeks ago we finished Because of Winn Dixie and we needed to start a new one. The students were very vocal that they wanted to read this book. Every day they can not wait to be read to and they never want me to stop reading. The students who have the book keep their copy at school so they can follow along and look at the pictures, which are so funny. I find both myself and my classroom teacher chuckling at several of the things in this book. They want us to continue with the blue one, when we finish the red one.

I definetly recomend this book, kids LOVE IT.

I took my 8 year old grandson book shopping and he picked out Diary of a Wimpy Kid. He finished it in two days. Diary of a Wimpy Kid Roderick Rules came next and he read it just as fast. He is now impatiently waiting for the 3rd book in the series, Diary of a Wimpy Kid The Last Straw. I've never seen him so enthralled as he is with this series.

My 9 yr. old son talked me into reading this. He sat next to me to listen to me chuckling..asking "what part are you on? and laughing at the memory of what it said. It is so funny. A very easy read, and delightful for both kids and adults. Don't miss it.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid is book is so funny! first of all I just wanna say, don't listen to any review under 4 stars. Some people find this book inappropriate, as if it sets bad examples for middle school children. For example they say it makes kids think they should lie to their parents, be mean to their friends, and think its fun to scare little kids.The people who write this reviews don't understand middle schoolers. I am one, and let me tell you that is pretty much what the average kind of middle school boy does. Also those are only the bad qualities of W.K. he also has many good qualities, but I don't really have to explain them because they are the kind of qualities anyone has.

I will admit W.K. isn't smarter than average(but that's kind of the
point) but that's how kids(who don't know this already)know not to do the bad things he sometimes does.

This book is hilarious story of new sixth grader just entering middle school, who describes all the problems of a middle schooler that most kids can relate to, in diary form. It is enjoyable to read a book as if it is talking to you. Parents who didn't like this book are probably the kind of parents who should learn not act like the parents in the book. The mother is a sort of a mom who thinks she understands children but doesn't really. the dad isn't really bad or good,but kinda weird. Both parents pay much more attention to W.K.'s little brother Manny. his older brother Rodrick is your basic mean and occasionally helpful older brother. All together this is an amazingly funny journal of Greg Heffley over the course of a year, I recommend it to any social person.Also I recommend the sequels (:Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (Diary of a Wimpy Kid) Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw (Diary of a Wimpy Kid) Diary of a Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Book

Literally would not put it down, stopped only when forced. He read the whole thing in about 24 hours. I think most boys (and probably most girls too) would enjoy this book based on my son's experience.

I find the writing Of Mr James Norton quite inspiring. Since reading this masterpeice I've made at least 7 people puke by making them smell my belly button. Bravo *Himmmy* and Happy Birthday!!!

I confess I didn't even know who Jim Norton was when I bought this on referral. The self-loathing bit gets old, but his wit is unbelievably funny at times, the stories are told with great observation humor and descriptions of hilarious uncomfortable situations. Highly recommended.

I laughed while reading this book front to back. I had heard some of the stories during his appearances on The Opie and Anthony Show but still laughed ever single moment. A must read for anyone with a sick sense of humor.

Lil' Jimmys book doesn't disappoint. He's definitely one of the best comedians going today. Hopefully his next book isn't too far away.

Absolutely hilarious. If you have heard him on Opie and Anthony and/or saw his stand up, this is a must. He holds nothing back. His tails of childhood are brutally honest showing his true colors. He takes everything on: race, handicapped, fat women, pooping, not bathing and even masterbation - several times. I honestly could not put it down. Every part is great. Quick read and very well written.

Listen to the MUSTN'TS, child,
Listen to the DON'TS
Listen to the SHOULDN'TS
The IMPOSSIBLES, the WON'TS
Listen to the NEVER HAVES
Then listen close to me
Anything can happen, child
ANYTHING can be.
~ pg. 27

I first heard about Shel Silverstein in a strange way. One of his poems is about Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout and LUSH beauty products has a shampoo with the same name. When I looked the name up online I found the amusing poem about a girl who never takes out the garbage.

These poems are at times laugh-out-loud funny and at times delightfully silly. There are quirky drawings throughout that make the poems even more enjoyable. One minute you are laughing and the next you are having memories of Alice in Wonderland or other books you read as a child like The Little Engine that Could. The only poem I question is "Dreadful" but I suppose some people think it is funny.

There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And There the grass grows soft and while,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.
~ pg. 64

A few of the poems struck me as especially profound while the poem about the Giraffe was very creative. After reading this collection I'll definitely look for more books by Shel Silverstein. While these poems may have been written for children they can be enjoyed by anyone from 9 to 120.

~The Rebecca Review

Nothing I could write here would explain how great of a book you are about to purchase. All I can say is... I loved it as a child and my son loves it. Stop wasting time and buy it now!!

I loved this book as a child. My kids like it. It is hilarious. The poems are absolutely hysterical and easy to remember. They are gross, silly and use fun words- is there anything better to a kid?

Buy this. Read it. Love it.

Of course, if you're uptight, think children should never laugh too loudly, then this would NOT be the book for you.

this is one of the best childrens books out there! i got this book from my dad back in the 70's. my brother and i spent hours reading the poems and laughing. i also totally enjoyed the drawings. everytime i see the book it brings back memories of the hours spent reading and looking at the pictures...for a long time! your imagination is really peaked while reading the poems. he did a great job of visualization...the drawings helped too. my favorites are, "sarah slyvia cynthia stout would not take the garbage out"

i think every child should have this book in there collection!

let me just say first off (and some of you may boo at me for this) that i am not a big fan of poetry, especially those that don't rhyme, layered with so much metaphor wrapped in some sort of old english language. those of you who can appreciate those, know i'm more than eager to submit in the "im not worthy! im not worthy!" throes. call it barbaric or just plain shallow, but i'd rather stick to the sing-songy rhymes of my elementary days.

now, saying that i absolutely loved Where the Sidewalk Ends should not be construed as a statement that Silverstein's work is shallow. piddling my knowledge might be about bodies of poetry, in whatever form, this one thing i am sure of: that though this book can be read to kids (and [gasp!] can actually be understood and enjoyed by them), it somehow still manages to deliver punchlines that could draw forth a surprised smile or chuckle from an adult--at least those not totally drowning in cynicism or morbid depression. but who knows...

a lot of the poetry here are funny (not outright hilarious, more like plain goofy), and yet come to think of it, still some of those are actually quite sad, with undertones about life and life experiences we take for granted. like the "Snowman", "Invention", "What's in the Sack?", "I Won't Hatch!", "The Garden", "The Little Blue Engine", and even the subtly poignant "Love".

whether you actively seek a moral in any of the poems or just want to go for some light reading, this book (in my opinion) is sure to leave you with a wistful feeling. exactly about what...well, i can't say. but i loved it. and for me that's more than okay.

A loyal follower of "Get Fuzzy" from Day 1, my life is not complete if I do not have my daily dose of "Get Fuzzy". As a matter of fact, my husband I fight over the newspaper to decide who gets to read the Fuzzy first. I can't go on without knowing what Bucky the Cat, Satchel the Dog, and Rob the Owner are doing today.

Author Darby Conley has captured what cats and dogs do, say, and think. I often wondered what cats did when they were alone... now I am worried. As a owner of three cats and three dogs, I often think he has some secret camera into my home and writes about the crazy happenings there. Certainly any pet owner will appreciate this comic strip. Even people who do not have pets laugh until tears come to thier eyes. Even a seemingly simple evening out to dinner calls for some crazy antics.

The dialogue, drawings, and madcap situations that come from "Get Fuzzy" are truly unique from any other comic strip out there. After one frame, you too will want to Get Fuzzy.

I won't go into how fantastic this comic strip is, but it is easily my favorite comic strip of all time. :)

For the uninitiated, there are eight collections so far and three treasuries. The fourth treasury is not yet released.

Please keep in mind that each treasury is two collections put together, so as far as I know the treasuries are the same as two of the collections, except I believe the treasuries have the Sunday comics in color while the collections have them in black and white.

In chronological order, the collections are:

1. The Dog is Not a Toy: House Rule #4
2. Fuzzy Logic: Get Fuzzy 2
3. The Get Fuzzy Experience
4. Blueprint for Disaster
5. Say Cheesy: A Get Fuzzy Collection 5
6. Scrum Bums
7. I'm Ready for My Movie Contract: A Get Fuzzy Collection
8. Take Our Cat, Please: A Get Fuzzy Collection

The treasuries are:

1. Groovitude (encompassing collections 1 and 2).
2. Bucky Katt's Big Book of Fun (encompassing collections 3 and 4).
3. Loserpalooza (encompassing collections 5 and 6).
4. The Potpourrific Great Big Grab Bag of Get Fuzzy (encompassing collections 7 and 8). (not yet released - release date is currently 9/1/08)

These comics are beyond hilarious, and I would highly recommend them to pet lovers/haters of all ages. :)

I liked reading the early stuff, as well as the new stuff. The book is short (as are all comic collections) and I read it in a day, but I just couldn't put it down. The only complant I have is, they should be numbered so you can get them in order, but you can take the time to figure it out by date, thats no problem!

Rob Wilco is an unappealing cigarette nosed, cigarette faced idiot who lives with a talking bad cat named Bucky and a sweet, not too sharp Sharpei-Lab mix named Satchel. Rob is always played for a fool by his bad cat.

The guy isn't much, but at least his pets talk to him. Oh, brother!

This book was pretty funny. It's obviously an older book as I have read a lot of the comics in 'Get Fuzzy', but it was still pretty damn funny. Bucky's the best

Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (8/06)

"Fine Dining Madness: The rules & realities of fine dining," should be required reading for everyone that dines out. John Galloway writes about his personal experiences in the restaurant business from the restaurant employee angle. From his experiences, I learned a lot about what not to do if I don't want bad things happening to my food. Since I am a pretty considerate diner, I always felt that I was relatively safe from waiter or chef retributions; however, I learned that dining with rude guests can result in both of us getting food that has been tampered with. There are acquaintances that I will never dine out with again. As a matter of fact, after reading this book, I would like to invite some of them over to dinner and do what some of the waiters have probably done to my food just because I was with them.

While the stories are entertaining, I also learned a great deal about dining etiquette, not just how to treat restaurant employees, but also useful information about subjects such as ordering wine. Galloway does the reader a huge favor by providing a lot of useful information in a format that is totally enjoyable to read. Galloway also talks about diners
who earned top respect and treatment from the staff, a lot of it is based on their behavior and not all of it involves how much they tip. There are some heartwarming stories about dining guests who earned a great deal of respect from the staff. To Galloway, decorated war heroes ranked highly, and this was justifiably so. He includes some historical facts that help highlight the importance of what these people were involved with.

Galloway also talks about the colorful personalities that he dealt with on a daily basis, either being his co-workers or being the guests, several of which were celebrities, including President Bush. Galloway's recollections tend to be hilarious. He uses his dry wit to make comments that instantly will make you laugh out loud.

I highly recommend this book as a gift to people who are rude restaurant diners. Hopefully, they will recognize themselves and make some needed changes. I also recommend it to people who enjoy a good, humorous, non-fiction book. The subject matter is not typical, so it will be a fun change for them. You will just have to read it for yourself to see what I am talking about. Enjoy!

After reading this work of art, to say the least, I am officialy gonna quit reading all together, cause every other book will be a complete waste of time. I'd be better off reading this book over and over again and sharing with my friends by giving them out as Christmas gifts.

OMG, This book blew me away. Most books lack depth, but not this one. I was shocked to learn what I didn't know about restaurants.

FINE DINING MADNESS is the total journey though upscale dining: from mega-celebs and U.S. Presidents served to cocaine, hookers, the Mafia, and some of the most evil people imaginable. This book has class, history, and teaches even the most novice diner how to get the red carpet treatment.

If I didn't like this book enough already, the author gives all of his book earnings to helping wounded veterans, every penny. He is also working on a memorial for those killed in Iraq and Afghanistan; a great, great idea.

The book, WAITER RANT, is also worth a look, but FINE DINING MADNESS is the master. Thank you Mr. John Galloway.

I purchased this book based on the recommendations I read here. I have to say I was disappointed with this book. Considering how everyone here raved about it, I thought it was going to be this fantastic book. It just did not live up to the reviews. There were some funny parts and the first couple of chapters with the "rules" were enlightening, but it wasn't worthy of 5 or even 4 stars, in my opinion.

Loved this book!

It's a hilarious look at the restaurant business from a waiter's perspective. The author recounts his restaurant war stories with anecdotes about patrons and waitstaff alike. From celebrities, call girls, mob bosses and crazed chefs, to all forms of addiction, wine insights, imperative tipping protocol and other useful information, Galloway shows readers how to get the maximum value from their restaurant dollar. This book is a must read for anyone who dines out, aspires to a better life, or ever wanted to know what was happening behind those swinging doors (hint: three-second floorsteak).

I love Camryn Mannheim and her book. I'd give this a 4.5 if I could, because since she wrote the book, she's lost quite a bit of weight and puts the reasoning for it on being a mother.

I hated it when Carnie Wilson went from being a NAAFA member and spokesperson for loving yourself at any size to being obsessed with being thin. She's admitted to lying about why she had WLS and has made a snootful of money pimping it to others. She has been a major factor in the deaths of hundreds of (mostly) women who didn't make it after the surgery and her recommendation of it.

And I am very saddened by Mannheim's abandonment of her principals of fat-acceptance and the people who have supported her and her book.

Isn't there anyone out there who will stay committed to the cause and not cave in when someone runs some cash under their noses or threatens their career if they don't lose weight?

Ack. Love the book. Disappointed in Mannheim today.

This was both an intertaining a introspective read. Camryn Manheim is funny, smart, human, and beautiful. This book made me look at the excuses I make for my failures and the things I allow to stand in the way of my success. I was able to relate to Camryn much more than I could relate to Oprah when I read her book. It is a book for all women, all mothers, and a book I would want my boyfriend to read. Thank you Camryn, I wish we could meet some day.

I just happened into a copy of the book when I had a little time to kill, then I could hardly put it down. I enjoyed the book and the many reviews that have been written here. I normally write reviews on obscure books where there are only a few, if any, reviews so this is different for me and I doubt if i have too much to add. Beyond the self acceptance theme that has been much reviewed (I have fat issues and support Camryn's views (mostly)), I liked the book on many other levels. Of course I liked the humor and human interest of growing up in America. The struggle for success story is good too. I especially liked the unconventional approach to the book itself. Frnakly, I did not much the Cammy--fat dialogs, but I liked many of the other, unusual things like asides and notes to herself and others throughout. There were other quirky approaches that I really liked too. I really like the book and recommend it highly.

Camryn Manheim is an sassy, award-winning actress and laugh-out-loud funny. This book is a personal account of her experiences of fat-ism and her journey to self-acceptance.

Manheim is a natural storyteller and, being overweight myself, there was a lot here to relate to, but although I enjoyed the book, there were no groundbreaking revelations for me here ... though it does make a pretty strong case against society's obsession with being thin, this book is in no way a "self-help" book (to be fair, it doesn't claim to be) and it didn't help me to "make peace" with my fat. It did however make me laugh a lot and that's reason enough to encourage others to read it!

Thank you Camryn, for speaking out for big women everywhere.

Camryn Manheim is a fat activist. Her experiences in a world where people are literally dying to be thin include getting in to the NYU Masters of Fine Arts program, gracing the cover of "fat" magazines such as Radiance and winning an Emmy for her performance on The Practice. She is a likeable, mature and attractive woman who has fought passionately for what she believes in. But does that make one a good author? In Manheim's case, it damn well does.

"Wake up, I'm fat," is a hilarious, bittersweet page-turner. This socially critical memoir mainly deals with one individual's struggles on growing up in our superficial world. Anyone who has ever felt like an outsider, be it because of their race, religion or looks, will immediately be able to relate to the amiable narrator.

Manheim manages to be honest about the ugly underbelly of today's beauty image and her struggles without sounding whiny. She uses dark humor and clever prose to describe how she got to where she is today.

Subjects such as erotic weight gain or personal ads are also dealt with in this book. They may make the reader feel slightly squeamish at first, but ultimately they just make this book a more interesting read. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about "the underdog being on top" or who simply likes a good story told well.