Prank the Monkey: The ZUG Book of Pranks (Paperback)

~ Sir John Hargrave (Author)
Key Phrases: prohibitory order, royal pain, penis pills, Michael Jackson, John Hargrave, Ashton Kutcher (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Devilishly creative....Sir John Hargrave's exploits have given 'balls' a new meaning." -- Alan Abel (legendary prankster)

"Easily the funniest thing I've read in the last six to eight minutes." -- Drew Curtis, FARK.com (updated every six to eight minutes)

"John Hargrave has taken pranking to the next level....It's safe to say that I have become a blubbering fanboy." -- Maddox, author of The Alphabet of Manliness

"The CIA and FBI should get a hold of Hargrave, not to arrest him but to have him run things." -- Jonathan Ames, author of Wake Up, Sir!

"The ulitmate prankster." -- Ze Frank, creator of zefrank.com

Product Description

From Legendary Internet Humorist Sir John Hargrave comes Prank The Monkey

Each month, over 1.5 million people tune into Sir John Hargrave's comedy Web site, zug.com, which shronicles his cleverly crafted pranks on such high-profile targets as Michael Jackson, Ashton Kutcher, and the entire U.S. Senate.

Born on April Fool's Day, Sir John secretly began his site on a company computer in 1995, making it the world's oldest comedy site. Co-workers loved reading about his hilarious, real-life stories such as subsisting on a diet of Olestra-laden potato chips for a solid week, or trying to kiss Microsoft CEO Bill Gates at a technology Industry party.

That kind of establishment-tweaking stunt became Sir John's speacialty. But it was a 2001 piece called "The Credit Card Prank" that turned the Internet humorist into an Internet Celebrity. "I was tired of being asked to sign my name every time I used my credit card," he explains,"So I started signing every wacky name I could think of. to see if anyone would notice."

No one did. But the photos of his credit card receipts--forged with names from "Mariah Carey" to "Zeus"--did get noticed by bloggers, who passed around the article nearly 20 million times.

In his new book, Prank The Monkey, Sir John goes after targets like Wal-Mart, Starbucks, e-mail spammers, Madonna, and even the British Royal Family, skewering each target with a cleverly orchestrated prank. He challenges the IRS by filling out his tax returns in Roman numerals; he tricks Elizabeth Hurley into signing a will the bequeaths all her assets to Hargrave estate.

Despite its bad-boy stylings, Prank The Monkey is a wickedly funny book, proving that one man armed with nothing but a cell phone and a computer can take on the world's most powerful institutions. And in the process, he might just become an Internet institution himself.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Citadel (February 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806527803
• ISBN-13: 978-0806527802
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #368,064 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You'll get high and give up drugs!, April 5, 2007

By	Alan Abel - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Sir John's book can be described in one word: WOW! It's hilarious reading as I vicariously joined him in his wild, wonderful and welcome escapades. As a professional prankster myself, I resent the fact he is so skillful in not only performing satirical stunts, but also writing about them with such great style. Buy the book and find out for yourself how clever this guy is. Sorry, but I can't help hating him a little. Alan Abel

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A laugh for anybody that's up to no good., February 7, 2007

By	W. Soden (Long Branch, NJ USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book was absolutely hilarious. Whether your a frequent visitor to his equally funny website [...] or a newcomer on the pranking scene, this is a definite read. Each page provides a good laugh and it just gets better as you turn the pages. One of the best books I've read in a loooong time. Kudos to you Sir John Hargrave (even if Britain won't recognize your royalty). Everyone should grab a copy of this book and enjoy. Highly Recommended.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put the book down, April 11, 2007

By	Jonathan Weinraub "CaptainJon" (Wyckoff, NJ) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I been reading Sir John's pranks for quite some time on his web site. I've laughed so hard one day when reading this at work, the guy in the next cubicle from me had to ask what I was laughing at!

Soon as I got the book, I knew it was going to be just as good as his site. Rereading some of the classic pranks was just as fun as it was the first time I read it. And all the new pranks will certainly keep be entertained for quite some time. I definitely hope a sequel is in store, because I can't get enough of Sir John's pranks!