Uncle John's Presents: The Book of the Dumb (Uncle John Presents) [Paperback]

John Michael Scalzi (Author)

Book Description

Series: Uncle John Presents | Publication Date: November 6, 2003

In every field of human endeavor, there are people, things, and ideas that rank among the best mankind has ever produced—the Book of the Dumb isn't about any of that. This volume from Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader teaches us one valuable lesson: Never underestimate the power of human stupidity.

Since 1987, the Bathroom Readers’ Institute has led the movement to stand up for those who sit down and read in the bathroom (and everywhere else for that matter). With more than 11 million books in print, the Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader series is the longest-running, most popular series of its kind in the world. Where else would you find so many examples of the worst ideas, most regrettable utterances, and biggest crackpot theories in the fields of art, science, politics, sports, entertainment, and more? Uncle John rules the world of humor and all things ridiculous, so get ready to be thoroughly entertained. Read all about…

Crashes…on Mars
Vegetable-flavored Jell-O
Land wars fought during the winter…in Russia
And much more!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

A frequent contributor to the Bathroom Reader series, John Scalzi's other books include The Rough Guide to Money Online and the Rough Guide to the Universe. He lives in Bradford, OH.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Portable Press (November 6, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592231497
• ISBN-13: 978-1592231492
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #900,546 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John Scalzi writes books, which, considering where you're reading this, makes perfect sense. He's best known for writing science fiction, for which he won the John W. Campbell Award (2006) and has been nominated for the Hugo Award for best novel (2006, 2008, 2009). He also writes non-fiction, on subjects ranging from personal finance to astronomy to film, and was the Creative Consultant for the Stargate: Universe television series. He enjoys pie, as should all right thinking people.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smart Buy!, December 16, 2004

By 

James N Simpson (Gold Coast, QLD Australia) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Uncle John's Presents: The Book of the Dumb (Uncle John Presents) (Paperback)

This is a sensational collection of tales of stupid people, governments or decisions which span for one or two pages each. This easy to read format makes the book ideal to read as either a few stories at a time or from cover to cover. Dumb movie festival is an excellent inclusion in this collection as well where you get to actually read negative reviews by real publications and not just the positive ones the public relations departments of the film industry put out. I have read many of this genre of books such as The Darwin Awards Trilogy, Ripley's Believe it or Not and other Uncle John's collections and I have no doubt that this is the best of them all. You'll laugh, you'll smile, you'll be glad you bought this masterpiece.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Very funny, but too quick a read for the price, March 5, 2005

By 

Charlene Vickers (Winnipeg, Manitoba) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Uncle John's Presents: The Book of the Dumb (Uncle John Presents) (Paperback)

The anecdotes, stories and articles featured in Uncle John's Presents The Book of the Dumb are very, very funny. It's hard for me to believe that so much idiocy exists in the world (well, outside of the men in my family), but writer Scalzi's collection of dumb acts, dumb criminals, dumb movies, and dumb quotes proves that stupidity is everywhere.

The only thing that bothered me was that I felt somewhat stupid for having bought this book, or should I say this half-book. Large type, wide margins, and lavish use of white space makes this book seem far smaller than 312 pages. Perhaps this book would better suit a reader who enjoys reading at a very leisurely pace, say ten pages a day. Those who like to plow through a book might feel disappointed.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Dissapointed faithful reader of the series, January 6, 2006

By 

A Microbiologist (VT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Uncle John's Presents: The Book of the Dumb (Uncle John Presents) (Paperback)

I love the bathroom reader series, and the content of this book is mostly up to their usual standards, but I have to agree with the last reviewer. Uses large text, wide margins, and half empty pages to get the page number so high. Could have easily fit into less than 100 pages.

Funny, but not worth it for the money.