Bumper Sticker Wisdom: America's Pulpit Above the Tailpipe [Paperback]

Carol Gardner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1995

Perhaps the most eccentric expression of the right to free speech, the ubiquitous bumper sticker is a mirror of America's many moods and sentiments. Whatever their stance on the issues of our time, professional drivers and RV enthusiasts, carpoolers, and fans of the use and abuse of the English language will find Bumper Sticker Wisdom an unusual portrait of America.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Beyond Words Publishing (October 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 188522317X
• ISBN-13: 978-1885223173
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,997,318 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "rear end" view of America and its people

, November 24, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: Bumper Sticker Wisdom: America's Pulpit Above the Tailpipe (Paperback)

Know why Santa wears a red suit?
Cause fat people don't look good naked

The profound statement above is:

a. A question from "Christmas Trivia for $100" on Jeopardy!

b. An excerpt from Santa Claus' revealing new book, "Real Men Wear Red."

c. A bumper sticker that is located on the back of Santa Claus' car.

If you guessed, "c" then you are correct! This revealing bit of information about
Santa's preferred style of dress is actually a bumper sticker that is located on the rear
window of Papa John O'Brien's car. Papa John, who bears a remarkable resemblance to
you-know-who, is employed as Santa Claus in real life.

This and other bumper sticker wisdom can be found in the humorous and
informative book, "Bumper Sticker Wisdom - America's Pulpit Above the Tailpipe" by
Carol W. Gardner.

Bumper stickers. Some are funny and some are profound. Some are just plain
strange. We see them every day, every where and on every type of car. Yet did we ever
stop to think what they mean beyond the obvious message or why the owner of the car
put them there? Author Carol Gardner spent two years searching for the funniest and
most interesting bumper stickers in America. As a result, she waved and flagged down
people from all walks of life - from farmers to stockbrokers, from migrant workers to
scientists. In "Bumper Sticker Wisdom" she explores the meaning behind a wide variety of
stickers - from views on religion, politics, and education to work, family, and
relationships - and provides us with a snapshot look at the person behind the message.

If you've ever stopped for a red light and strained your neck to get a look at the
couple who put "Nudist families have more fun," on their bumper or wondered what
"Subvert the dominant paradigm" really means than "Bumper Sticker Wisdom - America's
Pulpit Above the Tailpipe" is for you!

Caroline Kent
[e-mail]

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sociology book disguised as coffee-table fare, December 28, 2002

By 

Kim (Alaska) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bumper Sticker Wisdom: America's Pulpit Above the Tailpipe (Paperback)

I LOVE this book! Carol Gardner just amazes me, page after page, with her absolutely non-judgemental interviews of some of the most colorful characters in the United States.

This book is not just to read and say "Ha ha, wasn't that a good bumper sticker?" This book is about people: their sense of humor, their dreams, their dramas, their lives. Every bumper sticker page includes a photo of the person, some basic facts about them (age, occupation, favorite pastimes, etc.) and a concise interview explaining why they put the sticker on their car.

Ordering information is also included in the back for many of the featured stickers. I actually purchased "Christians - can't live with them, can't throw them to the lions anymore" from the manufacturer.

My only question is - WHERE IS BUMPER STICKER WISDOM II? The back page said it's in the works, but this book was published in 1995.