Customer Reviews

The Taming of the Screw

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Yes, the title of my review (and the the title of the last chapter in the book) pretty much sums up this book. The Time-Life series on home repair has absolutely nothing on this book.

Dave Barry is easily one of the top humor writers in the world, and this hilarious book surely shows why. In this book, he explains how to avoid the pitfalls of everyday home-maintenance tasks. His helpful tips, such as flushing a lit cherry bomb to clear up those tougher toilet clogs, are outright hysterical, and somewhat useful in the most extreme situations.

Jerry O'Brien, once again, is the perfect compliment to Barry's book with his remarkably funny illustrations. The illustrations in the chapter on Walls are beyond hilarious.

On the whole, this book is tremendous. Dave Barry makes the most difficult task seem easy, mainly because it is physically impossible to perform them, but it still makes for great reading. This book is a can't miss, and sure to make you laugh.

In 15 hilarious chapters Dave Barry takes on the DIY topics of Tools, Wood, Electricity, Plumbing, Walls, Heating and Cooling, Insulation and Weatherproofing, Masonry, Easy Projects, Impossible Projects, Household Pests, The Lawn and Garden, Car Repair, Home Redecoration, and Building Your Own House.

He defines a tool as "an object that enables you to take advantage of the laws of physics and mechanics in such a way that you can seriously injure yourself."

Barry has the following to say about wood. "Wood has been the preferred building material for thousands of years, because it is one of the few materials that will rot as well as burn."

On electricity, Barry defines alternating current as "electricity [that] goes in one direction for a while, then goes the other direction. This prevents harmful buildup in the wires."

Mr. Barry says the first step in fixing a broken pipe is to "go down to the dankest corner of the basement and locate the valve that turns off all the water in the house. This will be the valve that is covered with slime and a spiderweb containing a spider and the festering bodies of dead insects."

According to Barry, walls "keep the roof from falling down and damaging your television set."

Barry on solar energy: "The easiest way to heat your house with solar energy is to move it to Central America, which is located directly under the sun."

Barry on Masonry: "Any kind of building material that can fall on you and kill you."

Barry on cockroaches: "The only surefire way to get rid of roaches is to remove all the liquor from your house. Roaches can mate only when drunk. Can you blame them? Would you mate with a roach if you were sober?"

Finally, a DIY book for people who don't know anything about the subject and don't want to learn. You can read this book and it's totally frivolous Index without learning anything about home repairs. You will have a good laugh and never be tempted to do any home projects. So relax and enjoy the outlandish humor of Dave Barry safe in the knowledge that this book has no socially redeeming value.

I remember getting he original version of this book in the 80's, with the fanged screw on the cover. This book screamed 'read me', and this is for a woman yet! I found it quite funny. The play on words, and the hilarious depiction of tools was just precious. It's a book with a certain amount of toilet humor, but not overly done, and is still one of the finest humor books for its uniqueness. It also hits a nerve for many homeowners - anyone who has done home repairs themselves can instantly identify with it, and with a good laugh. This will always be one of my favourite books. It's great to read when you're having a bad day, a really bored day, and need laughs for whatever reason.

Silly fun, classic Dave Barry through and through. Also dig the illustrations, especially Mr. Screwy.

I ordered "The Taming of the Screw" book on line and was pleased with the results. The book was in good condition, as stated by the seller. Delivery was prompt. I am quite satisfied with the handling of the order.

This is typical Barry. Free flowing narrative, always funny, always consistent, never crosses the line by too much, a book you wouldn't be ashamed to have your mother catch you with...

My only complaint - it's too short! 96 pages?!!! If you're going to sell a book of that length, you had better give it to us at a reduced price. Please!

This is a funny book, but I can't fully recommend it because of the length. Instead I'd say by Money Secrets. Dave Barry's Money Secrets: Like: Why Is There a Giant Eyeball on the Dollar?

This book is funny, don't get me wrong. But it's from VERY early in Dave Barry's career, (copyright 1983) and while subtlety has never been Dave's hallmark, (even his later work generally has the subtlety of a trainwreck) this book has significantly less of it than his later and better work, hard as that is to believe. It's similar in style to "Homes and Other Black Holes" and "Dave Barry's Guide to Life", if not quite as funny. But it can't hold a candle to any of his later works, such as "Dave Barry Is Not Making This Up", "Dave Barry Turns 40", and "The Only Travel Guide You'll Ever Need".

Everyone who loves Dave Barry should buy this.....he just keeps getting better