Customer Reviews

The Complete Idiot Letters: One Man's Relentless Assault on Corporate America

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book is pretty much hit and miss. Rosa writes stupid (although often amusing) letters to various companies and organizations. The fact that these companies respond (usually with an impersonal form letter) is the punch line of this book and this one-joke premise wears thin pretty quickly.

For example, regardless of the company he's writing, Rosa ends every letter by asking for a complementary t-shirt, thereby tipping his hand that it's all a joke. It's this approach that differentiates a so-so book like his from a truly great one like those by Ted Nancy (or even Don Novello). Nancy's letters are both hilarious and outrageous, but they also always have just enough plausibility that his targets ignore them at their own peril. It's the walking-on-eggshells responses Nancy gets that are (almost) as much fun as the letters he writes. By contrast, Rosa tries to carry his book solely on the humor of his letters and, although there are many bright spots, he often fails in the attempt.

Paul Rosa has a sense of humor that is out of this world. I love his letters! I actually read the book and tears streamed down my face from laughing so hard! I definately recommend this book to everyone! Kudos Paul! (Hey, can you send me an XL t-shirt for my eloquently written review?)

I read Paul Rosa's first book of idiot letters a few years ago and enjoyed it so much my friend and I got kicked out of the library. We then proceeded to write our own "idiot letters" and got quite a lot of loot - I cherish my "Citgo" T-shirt to this day. Rosa's 2nd book is just as funny - just make sure you don't laugh too loud in the library.

- Zuzu - An "idiot Letters" fan.

What can I say that Paul Rosa hasn't said so eloquently before in his two volumes of prophetic knowledge? Unlike other masterpieces, he allows the reader to witness history as it happens in "real time" (whatever that is). Paul is a true inspiration who proves that the more than passionate consumer can get a response from corporate figure heads, or their kissable middle management. Send him an XL t-shirt whenever you can.

My plane was delayed, and most passengers were upset, including me. After all, we all had places to go and people to see. I sat on the floor, against the wall, and began reading Paul's book. My anger quickly faded into laughter, and then a happiness came over me. I found myself laughing out loud. I realized how much a little laughter can change my mood, and I felt sorry for everyone sitting there reading the bad news in the newspapers. I wanted to read Paul's book out loud, but instead I held the book up and proudly laughed so people could hear me, in the hopes that they would in turn read Paul's book one day, and realize that a little laughter is good for the soul! I was glad my plane was late, because I learned a valuable lesson that day! Thanks Paul!

I borrowed Paul's Idiot Letters from my English teacher and it has been the coolest 'assignment' ever. But the best part is when I wrote to Paul myself and he's proven himself to be the real thing!!! He's the best, and even better..

Paul Rosa has a unique gift for intentionally misconstruing some things, taking others too literally, and generally (ostensibly) missing The Point. Reading his book not only guarantees hours of laughter, but also offers a most singular perspective of the buisinesses with which we interact every day. Sometimes the funniest parts are the letters written by the unwitting butts of his jokes--it makes you wonder who's writing the real "idiot letters."

A caveat: If you loan it to your friends, don't expect it back any time soon.

Heather Hewitt

I am a business major at Sam Houston State University. After taking a business writing class, a friend introduced me to this book. I have never laughed at any book in my life, until I ran across the first Idiot Letters, by Paul Rosa. My favorite is the one about the eagle in a gas station advertisement. You will cry laughing! Lonnie Lee Best

Even funnier than the original Idiot Letters; Mr. Rosa strikes fear into the hearts of Corporate America, and giggles in their mail rooms.

I feel almost compelled to write a review of this book. Why? Because I'm partly responsible for its publication! I reviewed Paul's first book here at Amazon.com, and he thanked me for writing the review. I emailed him back asking when another one of these books was coming out. He didn't have a publisher. Well, my dad's in the business, and my dad liked the first one, and it turns out he thought the second one was funny enough to publish. It is a great book, too: again, Paul is the master idiot letter writer! The letter to Ford Trucks and Toshiba Televisions are the best (including the letters in the first book!). Paul's request to be one of the Fruit of the Loom guys was also quite funny. And to all you other would-be authors out there: I'm not a referral service, this is the only book I've ever referred, and so please don't flood my email box!