The Log: A Dwarfer's Guide to Everything [Paperback]

Craig Charles (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1999

Lister, the last human being alive in "Red Dwarf", decides to leave a log detailing mankind's greatest achievements, just in case there is a posterity to find it. All these deeds have a distinct "Lister" swing to them, and feature many of the "Red Dwarf" crew .

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Penguin UK (October 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140268626
• ISBN-13: 978-0140268621
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,215,678 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Log -By Craig Charles, December 23, 1999

By 

John Cartwright (Cambridge, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Log: A Dwarfer's Guide to Everything (Paperback)

This book is a fabulous conglomeration of fiction and humour. Its basis is that it is a fictional record of mankind's achievements, written by the last survivor of the human race. Hence 'The Log'. Included are modern definitions of everything from mathematics and genetic engineering, to the law (and evading it). In a break from tradition, the first chapter of the book takes up over 80% of the pages. However this is justified, as the subject is, in fact 'Everything'. If, being a pedant, you wonder what could be in the rest of the book, the answer is obvious: 'Everything else' of course. If you fail to properly grasp this concept, then you have obviously bought the wrong book. Still, Craig Charles is a master writer, and some of the concepts in this book are truly hilarious to read, and even funnier to think about. This is an essential in my own personal collection, and should have pride of place with anyone who thinks that they're funny. Craig Charles really is a master of his art.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars I can't believe I'm gonna say this, but...., June 15, 2000

By 

A. Maxham "Just trying to help..." - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Log: A Dwarfer's Guide to Everything (Paperback)

This book was.... disappointing. I know I'm disagreeing with everybody else, but hang in here with me. I love British humor. I'm a huge Douglas Adams fan. Craig Charles cracks me up- aside from Red Dwarf episodes, I've got Smeg Ups, Smeg Outs, and I even watch Robot Wars. I love Red Dwarf. But this, sir, has NOTHING to do with Red Dwarf.

The associations between this book and Red Dwarf are as follows. It was written by the guy who plays Lister. There are pictures of Craig Charles in his Listerwear throughout the book. The set up of the book is that if he was the last person on earth (like Lister), here's a little information that some other civilization should have about humans, as well as some best guesses as to what's going to happen. And he refers to Danny John Jules when he's discussing cats. THAT'S it. If you are interested in this book because you feel compelled (as I did) to own all things Dwarf- don't bother. This is essentially Dwarf-free.

The other problem is that, well, it's not that good (or original). I've probably seen at least a quarter of this material already- as some sort of forward in my email inbox. For example, there's a whole section called "What the Human Race is All About"- and it's the Darwin awards (he doesn't call it that, but that's what it is)- and all the stories from the Darwin awards are in here- The guy who strapped a rocket to his car and splattered himself into a mountain, the whole family that drowned trying to save a chicken who survives... they're all here.

I can't tell you how heartbroken I was when I read this book and had to admit to myself that it stank (generally- there were some funny bits- but overall- stinkaroo). But I spent [that kind of money]... and I was all excited, and well,... it was Dwarf-free and not that great. Charles is clearly a funny guy with a great sense of humor, and I'm still gonna get his biography, but this... well, if you see it at auction [for way less money]... go ahead and get it and leave it on the back of your john to read periodically.

3.0 out of 5 stars It was Funny, June 30, 2010

By 

Harold Buchanan (Leavenworth, KS) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Log: A Dwarfer's Guide to Everything (Paperback)

Yes many of the humor was old.

The Author (or Authors depending on reality) switched back and forth between his Lister character and his real life being from time to time - was odd.

Was worth reading once - and IIRC I bought it used so - I paid about the right price. Put it next to my Red Dwarf Collection - and will prolly never read it again.