Triumph of the Straight Dope [Paperback]

Cecil Adams (Author), Slug Signorino (Illustrator), Ed Zotti (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 16, 1999

Why do parachute jumpers yell "Geronimo"?

Is it aerodynamically impossible for bumblebees to fly?

Will watching too much TV ruin your eyes?

Fresh from the popular newspaper column by CECIL ADAMS!

WHAT IS CECIL ADAMS'S IQ?

"Do you want it in scientific notation? Little Ed, get out the slide rule."

--Cecil Adams

For more than a quarter of a century Cecil Adams has been courageously
attempting to lift the veil of ignorance surrounding the modern world.  
Now, in his fifth book, he takes yet another stab, dissecting such classic
conundrums as

--If you swim less than an hour after eating, will you get cramps and die?
--What's the difference between a Looney Tune and a Merrie Melody?
--Can you see a Munchkin committing suicide in The Wizard of Oz?
--Was The Texas Chainsaw Massacre based on actual events?
--Did medieval lords really have "the right of the first night"?

And much more!

THE CRITICS: STILL RAVING AFTER ALL THESE YEARS!

"Trenchant, witty answers to the great imponderables."

--Denver Post

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA-Adams's appeal cuts across all age groups, and his fans will enjoy this fifth compilation of questions and answers from his popular newspaper column. His humorous and well-researched replies to questions about swimming right after eating or if watching TV will ruin one's eyes make the book entertaining and informative. The writer's Web site has an archive of columns back to 1994 and allows for reader queries.
Judy McAloon, Potomac Library, Prince William County, VA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Inside Flap

Why do parachute jumpers yell "Geronimo"?

Is it aerodynamically impossible for bumblebees to fly?

Will watching too much TV ruin your eyes?

Fresh from the popular newspaper column by CECIL ADAMS!

WHAT IS CECIL ADAMS'S IQ?

"Do you want it in scientific notation? Little Ed, get out the slide rule."

--Cecil Adams

For more than a quarter of a century Cecil Adams has been courageously
attempting to lift the veil of ignorance surrounding the modern world.  
Now, in his fifth book, he takes yet another stab, dissecting such classic
conundrums as

--If you swim less than an hour after eating, will you get cramps and die?
--What's the difference between a Looney Tune and a Merrie Melody?
--Can you see a Munchkin committing suicide in The Wizard of Oz?
--Was The Texas Chainsaw Massacre based on actual events?
--Did medieval lords really have "the right of the first night"?

And much more!

THE CRITICS: STILL RAVING AFTER ALL THESE YEARS!

"Trenchant, witty answers to the great imponderables."

--Denver Post

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books (February 16, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 034542008X
• ISBN-13: 978-0345420084
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #873,017 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars ITs not the best, but still pretty good, April 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Triumph of the Straight Dope (Paperback)

The entire straight dope series is a hilarious and thought provoking group of books. I highly recommend all of them. The one problem I have with the more recent ones, however, is the inclusion of cyberchats involving the "teeming millions." They kind of take away from what we want to read( Cecil) and instead gives us egotistical neurotics who want to spout off a snide remark about some topic with not nearly the wit nor the intelligence of Mr. Adams.

Kudos to Cece for another great accomplishment in ridding the world of ignorance (a little at a time). Lets ditch the AOL chats though.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well Cecil, you did it again..., November 10, 2000

By 

Arthur Kevin Rabago (Quezon City, NCR Philippines) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Triumph of the Straight Dope (Paperback)

Hmmmmmm- as an avid fan of SD I was happy to learn that Cece has produced his 2nd best work ever (sorry about that I'm a fan of the 1st SD). The topics are still interesting, the wit- dry and razor sharp- but- it could have been better without the Straigh Dope message board fillers (such a waste of good space for such drivel).

Nonetheless- this book will surely be a great tool in killing time (with a few yuks pitched in).

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The best thing to come out of Chicago (after my Wife), June 18, 2001

By 

Robin Lauezzari "chandos60" (New Jersey USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Triumph of the Straight Dope (Paperback)

My Mother used to say that "no one likes a smartass" - Sorry Mom but I dont agree; not when the smartass in question is Cecil Adams. Here is a man who clearly loves to confound us with his wide and deep knowledge and has an engaging way of keeping the "teaming millions"on their toes. I secretly suspect that he gets a little help in his research but hey, who am I to quibble. This is great light reading - informative and interesting and the best thing to come out of Chicago (since my Wife)

I bought this book ( and some of the others in the series) for my daughter but read them first and enjoyed them so much that I kept them for myself. Dont worry , I'll let her borrow them from time to time So try this book - you won't regret it