The Odd Index: The Ultimate Compendium of Bizarre and Unusual Facts [Paperback]

Stephen J. Spignesi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1994

Guaranteed to alarm and entertain, this madcap collection of weird lists contains thousands of the most peculiar, outrageous, mind-boggling, infuriating, enlightening, and just plain useless tidbits of trivia ever assembled. Subjects range from weird laws concerning women's feet to sexual phobias, from notable criminals' last meals to celebrity sightings of UFOs.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Plume (August 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0452271037
• ISBN-13: 978-0452271036
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,097,839 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A good read during a "cargo dispatch", then flush it, January 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Odd Index: The Ultimate Compendium of Bizarre and Unusual Facts (Paperback)

This book would be a great resource for aspiring mystery, suspense or porn writers. From the stages of rigor mortis to squeamish curiosities, it's all covered, or uncovered, as the case may be. Some items are not appropriate for non-adults -- excerpts describing photos from Madonna's sex book, excerpts describing graphic murders from American Psycho... there's a reason people avoid these items. Choice. For reference or amusement purposes only, but be warned, some items warrant skipping to retain your lunch. Received as a joke gift; not a self-chosen purchase.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating compendium of strange information., October 8, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Odd Index: The Ultimate Compendium of Bizarre and Unusual Facts (Paperback)

This is one of those great fun books that you keep beside your favorite chair to pick up and browse through while the commercials are running on tv and you're waiting for 'Seinfeld' to resume. To quote from the introduction: " The Odd Index is the ultimate compilation of humorous, peculiar, outrageous, gross, mind-boggling, raunchy, infuriating, enlightening, disgusting, and just plain useless information ever assembled........... Just reading the table of contents will be enough to suck you in." unquote. It's all true. This is a delightful little book that will provide hours and hours of informative browsing. For instance, did you know that at one time Mickey Mouse was banned in the United States? Well, he was, back in 1932. There's a list of 51 banned books and one cartoon. Examples of banned books are The Bible in the Soviet Union as late as 1926 and The Merchant of Venice in the US in 1931. In Spain in 1720, the book Robinson Crusoe was denoted as a banned. These are only a few examples of the titles listed. The book contains various sorts of lists that include 40 euphemisms for the Devil, including Old Harry, The Arch Fiend, Scratch, and Queed. There's 195 names for the penis, including Mr. Happy; 75 aliases for female breasts such as The Upper Works, Hooters, and Begonias. For sexual intercourse we are exposed to no less than 228 different names that are used for this activity, including Boink Someone, Dance the Matrimonial Polka, and Parallel Park. Do you know the 9 types of angels? Well, it seems they are divided into 3 choirs and under each choir are the names of each category. There's a list of 22 things invented by Leonardo da Vinci hundred's of years before they were 'reinvented' to include the alarm clock, the flying machine, and the telescope. Under the 31 Peculiar Tourist attractions are listed a urinal once used by JFK, and Hobbiton, a life-size reproduction of Bilbo Baggins' hometown. There are 36 really long movies listed that have running times from 5 hrs-2 min to 85 hrs! The 8 levels of IQ evaluation are listed with a score of over 141 being in the Genius category. There is a listing of 20 odd names of animal groups to include a crash of rhino, a sloth of bears, and a knot of toads. I would recommend this book to all aspiring authors. It contains a multitude of information that could be useful. Information that would entertain and delight your readers if it is skillfully woven into your story.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Odd, Shocking, and Interesting, June 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Odd Index: The Ultimate Compendium of Bizarre and Unusual Facts (Paperback)

Not for kids. But an interesting read and filled with amusing information. If you're a prude, you do not want to read this book. Otherwise, you'll enjoy it.