Customer Reviews

The Government Manual for New Superheroes

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I first realized I wanted to be a superhero was when I discovered that I could emit painful, intrusive thermal deathrays from the palms of my hands.

I thought about how the police are essentially incapable of stopping crime; but my deathrays - my deathrays could really do a number on a perp.

The problem was I lacked any knowledge as to how to go about becoming a registered superhero. What should my name be? What do I wear? Should I carry a utility belt or pray for a Walgreens to be close by at all times?

Defeated and confused, I walked around my fair city contemplating keeping my secret hidden forever. On my way home, I stumbled into Border's books to sit for four hours reading books I'd never buy. This is how I found The Government Manual for New Superheroes.

From this book I learned everything I would ever need to know to be a competitive, valuable member of the superhero persuasion. I learned how to create a wonderful looking costume from some Dior I stole off some stuffy old aristocrat. Insignia, masks, tips on keeping my identity secret - it was all there.

All prospective superheroes need to buy this book.

The authors of this government manual admit right off that it is aimed at the Caped Crimefighter class of superhero, those who set out to fight evil with nothing but their expertise in martial arts and/or genius for inventing useful gadgetry. However it also has some useful tips for those of us who've gained strange powers through the bite of radioactive animals, scientific experiments gone awry and the like.

The illustrations are rather hilariously dated, but this is a government publication after all.

I have to say that without this book, I would never have discovered my secret identity as The Parentheses (Not the same as my associate Grammar-man) and taken my rightful place in the universe as a superhero. Without this books' much-needed guidance, one will be left wondering how to come across a secret headquarters (getting those permits is often tricky), what organizations to join (some can be very selective and you must make an informed choice), how to get a sidekick (particularly, how to get a sidekick who can actually do something useful), how to BE a sidekick (if you're unsure about the whole being a superhero thing), and how to court and win over that perfect villan (perhaps even steal him/her/it from another superhero's spandex-covered fist).

This book is a must-buy. I command you to get it.

This book was one of the most delightful surprises to come across my nightstand in recent memory -- and this from an avid reader, but NOT an avid reader of comic books or superhero mags (unless Calvin & Hobbes counts). How can I be clear? I loved it. Absolutely had a ball from start to finish -- a clever, smart, fast, hilarious romp through choosing a superhero name, donning a costume and finding an arch enemy, and everything in between. And when was the last time you laughed out loud skimming an index? I couldn't recommend a book more highly -- to anyone.

This book is for people who like to laugh. And laugh often. It's great for kids, parents, grandparents, teachers, babysitters, Halloween costumes, Purim costumes, parties, and so much more. Adults will appreciate the humor and will read the book over and over again. Kids will be entertained for many, many hours. There is no end to the number of superhero names, costumes, equipment, and lairs that they and their friends (or caregivers) will create after reading this book. As a pediatrician, I know a lot about kids, and this book is definitely good for them. I'm sure if I asked nine other pediatricians, they'd all agree with me.

Oh, and this book is also good for you if you're a new superhero.

These guys know their superhero lore, and their maniac humor and inventiveness make the "Manual" a really fun read for anyone who's at all familiar with the literature. Highly recommended!

I laughed, I cried, I levelled a small building (responsibly).

I can't write anything that will match the glowing reviews here but I'd just like to add that rarely I come across a book that displays such an intelligent, well-crafted and fun sense of humor. I highly recommend you get this, or at the very least steal it from someone.

Please read responsibly.

I'll admit, I almost didn't buy this book. Usually, I steer clear of anything written by the Government. I mean, really, when was the last time anyone can honestly say they read a Government Manual worth recommending?

Exactly. But this one - *this* one is different. And not just because it's reasonably priced and you can buy it without the extensive background check. The Government Manual for New Superheroes is surprisingly useful, well written, and well organized, for a Government Manual...or really any book that measures 6.9" x 5.1". It demonstrates a truly impressive use of the English language (note to high school juniors and seniors: read this book to help you get into college! it's got more good SAT words than a Kaplan study guide, and it's *way* more fun to read). Furthermore, it is one of those rare instruction manuals that leaves you less confused than when you started; the index is indescribably superb, and I highly recommend reading and referring to it early and often.

In short, this book is an indispensable guide for (1) anyone considering embarking on the long, but ultimately rewarding road towards becoming a superhero, (2) those interested in learning more about the steps involved in becoming one, should they ever change their mind in the future, and (3) everyone in need of the perfect bedtime read or sure-to-be-appreciated gift for a friend/parent/neighbor/sister/nephew/boss/grandma/other person you know.

One more thing: for the first time ever while reading a Government Manual, I found myself laughing *with* - and not at - the Government! Laughing out loud, even. Embarrassingly loud. It was the kind of reading experience that leaves you free to skip the gym for a day, because you've already had your ab workout. Yes, it was truly that funny.

The bottom line: I completely rescind my initial skepticism regarding the title of this book. The Government Manual for New Superheroes is without a doubt the best Governmental Publication ever published, and I highly recommend it to all readers and aspiring superheroes, everywhere.

It seems to me that lately there has been a veritable explosion in the output of guides on surviving assorted plagues of zombies and robots and Cthulhoids and Girls Gone Wild, which has been accompanied by an outburst of advice manuals on becoming superheroic. This must have something to do with the zeitgeist. I can't be certain, but frankly I've just always wanted to use the word "zeigeist" in a sentence.

This slim volume provides helpful tips to the neophyte costumed crimefighter, such as selecting a cool and pithy name, designing an fearsome costume with memorable logos, choosing a sidekick, and developing an appropriately hateful relationship with the archnemesis of your dreams. It's all very droll, and the authors have a nice mastery of deadpan bureaucratese.

My problem is that this exact topic was covered earlier and better in Barry Neville's "How To Be A Superhero", which came out a year before this book. I found Neville's take to be far more hilarious; this manual only elicited chuckles and the occasional guffaw.

It's not bad, and if you want to kill an hour or two you can power through it speedily and hand it off to a friend. It just suffers by comparison. Try Neville's book first, and if your appetite is still not whetted, then come back to this one.

The Government Manual is an excellent book where indeed there are very few. It serves as a concise yet thorough guide to all the ins and outs of superherodom. Younger readers will like it for its humor and wit, while older readers will appreciate its relatively large type. I think this book would be appropriate for an advanced undergraduate or introductory graduate level course on superheroism. I plan to use it in my course next semester.