Self-Helpless: The Greatest Self-Help Books You'll Never Read [Paperback]

Jonathan Bines (Author), Gary Greenberg (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

They rule the best-seller chart, but self-help books are still wide open to ribbing. In this wickedly droll parody, stand-up comics Bines and Greenberg skewer familiar advice tomes and the people who love them. Our favorite titles: Life's Little Insurrection Book ("Sticks and stones may break their bones, so aim for the extremities") and The Complete and Utter Idiot's Guide to Life ("Take heart, cretin!"). There's also a Further Reading section containing such guffaw-inducing suggestions as Buns of Steely Dan; Eat Bait, Lose Weight; and Martha Stewart Prison Living. Cheaper (and much more fun) than therapy. A- -- Entertainment Weekly, March 26, 1999

From the Back Cover

Self-help books are an American obsession and the most popular genre in the history of publishing - an amazing fact considering that nobody will ever admit to reading any of them. Now, two evolved young satirists bring you the definitive send-up of the genre's greatest hits. In Self-Helpless, you'll browse such unforgettable titles as:

* I'm OJ, You're OJ

* When Bad Things Happen to Good Humor People

* What Color Is Your Parasite

* Embraced by the Lite FM

* Women Who Love To Mulch: The Feminist Gardening Guide

...and many more!

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Career Pr Inc (March 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1564144119
• ISBN-13: 978-1564144119
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #676,111 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HEAL THROUGH LAUGHTER-Self Helpless is just the right dose!, November 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Self-Helpless: The Greatest Self-Help Books You'll Never Read (Paperback)

A hilarious and refreshing antidote to the self-help world! As a clinical social worker dedicated to Mind/Body theory and practice, I am committed to helping my clients use humor and laughter as an effective coping mechanism for depression and stress. This book is filled with wildly outrageous parodies (e.g. When Bad Things Happen to Good HUMOR people, The CON Artist's Way) evoking just the right dose of healing. It is now my choice of gifts to everyone! Laugh and heal yourself!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Humor IS the best medicine!, April 28, 2000

By 

Barbara A. Bolek - See all my reviews

This review is from: Self-Helpless: The Greatest Self-Help Books You'll Never Read (Paperback)

I laughed till I cried. For those out there who think that self-help books can solve all your problems, this may not be for you. But those of us who think this whole self-help thing has gone too far, will be highly amused by the authors' creative parody of the most popular books in this area.

The authors create book blurbs around their made-up titles. The text is evenly funny throughout. Even if this was created one or two nights in a bar over some drinks, it's a hysterical romp.

Some zany book titles include: I'm OJ, Your OJ, Embraced by the Light FM, and a spoof on all those helpful travel guides -- Let's Go Hell.

It makes for some great bathroom reading, or might be perfect as a gag gift for friends who may be hapless victims of this self-help syndrome. My advice, quit reading books about how sick you are and how you need to change, and start reading more books such as this and develop a sense of humor. Laughter IS the best medicine.

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than Monty Python?, April 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Self-Helpless: The Greatest Self-Help Books You'll Never Read (Paperback)

OK, I don't mean to be provocative, but I really did think Python's deliciously sick brand of humor had kind of died (like Graham Chapman). I was wrong. This book is sick, funny, hilarious, sick, knee slapping. I got it as a gift and plan to send copies to every friend I've ever had.

READ THIS BOOK. It's guaranteed to make you laugh out loud!