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The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
 
 
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The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy [Paperback]

Douglas Adams (Author), Neil Gaiman (Introduction)
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (610 customer reviews)

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Book Description

April 30, 2002
At last in paperback in one complete volume, here are the five classic novels from Douglas Adams’s beloved Hitchiker series.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Seconds before the Earth is demolished for a galactic freeway, Arthur Dent is saved by Ford Prefect, a researcher for the revised Guide. Together they stick out their thumbs to the stars and begin a wild journey through time and space.

The Restaurant at the End of the Universe
Facing annihilation at the hands of warmongers is a curious time to crave tea. It could only happen to the cosmically displaced Arthur Dent and his comrades as they hurtle across the galaxy in a desperate search for a place to eat.

Life, the Universe and Everything
The unhappy inhabitants of planet Krikkit are sick of looking at the night sky– so they plan to destroy it. The universe, that is. Now only five individuals can avert Armageddon: mild-mannered Arthur Dent and his stalwart crew.

So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish
Back on Earth, Arthur Dent is ready to believe that the past eight years were all just a figment of his stressed-out imagination. But a gift-wrapped fishbowl with a cryptic inscription conspires to thrust him back to reality. So to speak.

Mostly Harmless
Just when Arthur Dent makes the terrible mistake of starting to enjoy life, all hell breaks loose. Can he save the Earth from total obliteration? Can he save the Guide from a hostile alien takeover? Can he save his daughter from herself?

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

It's safe to say that The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is one of the funniest science fiction novels ever written. Adams spoofs many core science fiction tropes: space travel, aliens, interstellar war--stripping away all sense of wonder and repainting them as commonplace, even silly.

This omnibus edition begins with The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, in which Arthur Dent is introduced to the galaxy at large when he is rescued by an alien friend seconds before Earth's destruction. Then in The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, Arthur and his new friends travel to the end of time and discover the true reason for Earth's existence. In Life, the Universe, and Everything, the gang goes on a mission to save the entire universe. So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish recounts how Arthur finds true love and "God's Final Message to His Creation." Finally, Mostly Harmless is the story of Arthur's continuing search for home, in which he instead encounters his estranged daughter, who is on her own quest. There's also a bonus short story, "Young Zaphod Plays It Safe," more of a vignette than a full story, which wraps up this completist's package of the Don't Panic chronicles. As the series progresses, its wackier elements diminish, but the satire of human life and foibles is ever present. --Brooks Peck --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

“WITH DROLL WIT, A KEEN EYE FOR DETAIL AND HEAVY DOSES OF INSIGHT . . . ADAMS MAKES US LAUGH UNTIL WE CRY.”
–San Diego Union

“LIVELY, SHARPLY SATIRICAL, BRILLIANTLY WRITTEN . . . RANKS WITH THE BEST SET PIECES IN MARK TWAIN.”
–The Atlantic

Product Details

  • Paperback: 832 pages
  • Publisher: Del Rey (April 30, 2002)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0345453743
  • ISBN-13: 978-0345453747
  • Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 1.4 x 9.2 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (610 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,366 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Douglas Adams (1952-2001) was the much-loved author of the Hitchhiker's Guides, all of which have sold more than 15 million copies worldwide.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
207 of 216 people found the following review helpful
Plush Inspired Lunacy March 20, 2006
Format:Leather Bound|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have been a fan of Douglas Adams since I first read "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" when it was released. I have previously read all of these books (though I had not read the short "Young Zaphod Plays it Safe") before, some several times. When I saw this compendium I was compelled to buy it so I could have a volume with all this brilliant insanity in one place. I found Adams' introduction and explanation of the different Hitchhiker's permutations and iterations fascinating and revealing, and found all the books as whimsical and delightful as I had recalled. This edition has the added benefit of being printed on high quality ultra-thin paper, and being quite plushly bound. It definitely looks like an heirloom, but inside it is one hundred percent inspired lunacy.

Without question the original book is the crown jewel of the collection, and stands the test of time as one of the most original and brilliant novels written in the twentieth century. More than the plot following our heroes Arthur Dent and Ford Prefect (and a cast of thousands), it is Adams' amazing ability to turn a phrase into something not totally unlike any other book isn't that utterly distinguishes the first volume of the series. While that last sentence is an obvious homage to Adams, his wit and ability to redirect a line to a place that is totally unpredictable is uncanny. The book is not only brilliantly conceived, but glitters with a patina of dark humor which is utterly unique in literature, the only analog being the television and film productions of Monty Python.

I enjoyed the other volumes in the series as well, with the first three being my favorites. By "So Long, and Thanks For All the Fish" I started to see a bit of monotony creep into Adams' writing style, occasionally to the point that it almost seemed that he was forcibly imitating himself. Although I did enjoy the final two volumes in the series, I would probably have given them independent ratings of four stars, while the others are clearly five star masterworks. I did find the character of Fenchurch (introduced in "So Long, and Thanks For All the Fish") intriguing, and couldn't agree more with Adams' analogy of Mark Knopfler's guitar style to the effect of Fuolornis Fire Dragons. It is no surprise to me that Douglas Adams was a Dire Straits fan, and I found his brief tribute to the band to be an amusing buried delight.

This book is not only great contemporary literature, a level of accomplishment which most sci-fi novels aspire to, but rarely achieve, but is a great value too. The book is over 800 delightful pages long: buy this book and prepare for a wonderful otherworldly journey, but don't forget to bring your towel.
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95 of 97 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is undoubtedly the best sci-fi-comedy ever written, and I say that with confidence. Douglas Adams' wit is unmatched in this genre. I have re-read this series at least 5 times, and it gets better each time. Thanks to Adams's insight, I too am on a continual search for the reason why 42 is the answer (just look how many times it pops up randomly... or not so randomly)

In this classic story, Arthur Dent, a lovable and easily-confused Earthling gets dragged on the journey of a lifetime as Earth is destroyed by a group of Vogons to make way for a hyperspace by-pass. He is joined by a host of unforgettable characters: the easy-going researcher for the Hitchhikker's Guide to the Galaxy Ford Prefect; the hyper Two-Headed, Three-Armed President of the Galaxy Zaphod Beeblebrox; and his sexy companion former-Earth-reporter Trillian; and Marvin, the hopelessly depressed android. Together, they are off to explore the galaxy, battle with pesky mice-geniuses (no, not Pinky and the Brain), eat dinner at the end of the universe, travel through time, meet the man who designed Norway, redefine "improbability," patronize and annoy countless alien races, search for a decent cup of tea in an unforgivig universe, and continue the eternal quest to find out why 42 is so darn important.

Adams is a visionary. This is unlike any series I have ever read. Although "Mostly Harmless" was a slightly disappointing conclusion(?) to such an entertaining series, I will always consider the Hitchhikkers' "Trilogy" to be among the greats. If you do not own or have never read these books, then this compilation is a necessity for you. I recommend that you purchase it immediately, call in sick from work, school, or whatever, put up a small Somebody Else's Problem (SEP) field around you, and read it and again and again.

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68 of 70 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
While often embarrassing in a public place, laughing out loud while reading is an example of pure pleasure that so rarely occurs that any author capable of producing this effect should be commended. Douglas Adams is such an author. The only problem is his writing style should be taken in small doses, because when read all together you start to get buried in all the clever little comments and they lose their effectiveness. The first two novels in this series are two of the funniest books I have ever read. The basic plot is simple: Earth is destroyed to make way for an interstellar highway and Arthur Dent, one particularly hapless Earthman, is taken along by an interstellar hitchhiker to the far reaches of space. This synopsis does not do justice to the incredible universe Adams drags us into: Ships that run on improbability factors or restaurants checks, a two headed former president of the galaxy who is looking for a real good time, and other events and people too bizarre and numerous to summarize. The problem is that each succeeding book seems to jettison some whimsy for a more serious form of science fiction until in the last book the laughs are hard to find. The first two books deserve the highest rating, but this review is based on all the content contained within. But once you start, you'll want to read all of them, Adams does make sure that the reader wants to know how it all turns out. Hopefully you'll enjoy the journey.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Seems Fitting, Really
While reading The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy again, I couldn't help but think how Douglas Adams would have approved of being able to read an electronic book which revolves... Read more
Published 1 day ago by Paul Crow
Blitheringly stupid
Reading The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is like sleeping with the town slut... everyone tells you she is good, so you give her a try. Read more
Published 13 days ago by Moon Donkey
The books are great
Since it is the complete story, the book contents is awesome. However, I was expecting just a little bit more about the quality of the paper. Read more
Published 19 days ago by Juan Romero
The best sci-fi/comedy anything, ever
I had only vaguely heard of these books, when i bought this collection on a whim. That was two years ago, and I have read it three times. Read more
Published 25 days ago by Nick the drummer
Beautiful!
This book was seriously mint condition upon arrival. It came before I was expecting it and the price was awesome, less than what I spent on it 9 years ago at Barnes and Noble.
Published 25 days ago by kaidyn
Wow, outside the box...the whole universe box!
In ten minutes you will love it or find it stupid. Give it ten minutes. Then see if you can stop!
Published 1 month ago by donnied
Nice, light hearted sci-fi trip.
I could've given it 4 or 5 stars, I guess, its a well written, cute little book. but I just finished Enders Games, Dune, and Foundation , and this isn't even in the same league as... Read more
Published 1 month ago by mick
Hilarious series
It doesn't get much better than this. Seriously. As far as science fiction goes, this book (this series) is a gem. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Kevin
Awesome!!
Awesome book, funniest ever written. Easy read-compelling and super creative along with some intellectual horse power usage (very limited though). Read more
Published 2 months ago by KJ
One of my all-time favourites
Who could not love the Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy? I remember first reading it as a student, and loving it. Nothing has changed since then, and I re-read it periodically. Read more
Published 2 months ago by gillian
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Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
Far out in the uncharted backwaters of the unfashionable end of the Western Spiral arm of the Galaxy lies a small unregarded yellow sun. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
total perspective vortex, pikka bird, central mission module, jynnan tonnyx, stomping throb, supernova bomb, intergalactic cruise, new hyperspace bypass, white robots, large friendly letters, herring sandwich, galactic sector, supervising program, security robot, battle machine
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Ford Prefect, Arthur Dent, Zaphod Beeblebrox, Deep Thought, Heart of Gold, Old Thrashbarg, Number Two, New York, The Hitcbbiker's Guide, Sandwich Maker, Hotblack Desiato, Gail Andrews, Wonko the Sane, Perfectly Normal Beast, Improbability Drive, President of the Galaxy, Stavromula Beta, Sirius Cybernetics Corporation, Ultimate Answer, Dust Cloud, Sub-Etha Sens-O-Matic, Frogstar World, Number One, Disaster Area, Frogstar Fighters
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