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Urban Legends: The Truth Behind All Those Deliciously Entertaining Myths That Are Absolutely, Positively, 100% Not True Hardcover – September, 1999

by
Richard Roeper (Author)
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Richard Roeper (Author)
3.6 out of 5 stars 24 customer reviews
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Product Details

  • Hardcover: 287 pages
  • Publisher: Career Press; First Edition edition (September 1999)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1564144186
  • ISBN-13: 978-1564144188
  • Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,261,861 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsWhat is it about a salacious urban legend that appeals to me
By A Customer on November 2, 1999
Format: Hardcover
What is it about a salacious urban legend that appeals to my secret morbid curiosity? Gaping at car wrecks, nasty gossip about lovers' trysts, celebrity rivalries and divadom-you may not want to admit you live for this stuff, but I do and if you've found your way here than you do too. Urban Legends bring a little spunk or rush to what maybe an otherwise dull existence. Believing the story is true, knowing that "this happened to a friend of a friend of my aunt's" makes it that much more juicy. I think the lure of the UL dates back generations, because they're actually a modern-day version of folk tale and story telling, which indeed is an art. Once these stories are proven false, however, the bubble bursts, and I'm left feeling deflated. Somehow with Roeper's book though, the debunking of these urban legends is fun! He has a way of exposing the myths that is just as much of an art form as the story telling itself. He explains why we might be inclined to believe them, and that although the stories sound better had they been true, there truly is no possibility of it. He's got the journalistic talent and a thorough researcher and fact checker to back up what he's written. It is easy to see that Roeper has a passion for the ULs and years of experience tracking them. Plus, you'll never believe some of the ones he's included. You'll be surprised how many of them you've heard and believed to be true! This is a great book to read all in one night or pick up every now and then for light entertainment. I have done both. Don't miss the one that compares "The Wizard of Oz" with "Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon," "kidney harvesting" and the chapter on weddings. Those are particularly fun.
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5.0 out of 5 starsHistory Is Myth....Or....?
By K. Johnson VINE VOICE on May 3, 2003
Format: Paperback
In this book there are many of those Urban Legends that we've heard of that have been circulating since we can remember. And, there are also many tales that we haven't heard of. Today we get most of these myths via email, but before email came to be, I remember hearing...."this happened....I heard that....so-and-so said....did you know that....?" And beyond the humor, are the effects these tall-tales can have on the people and places they're about. Many of these "alleged" rumors were followed up in the form of questions from journalists during media interviews. Often, the media will investigate a rumor (urban myth) to see if there is any merit to it. Once debunked as false however, the rumor lives on in peoples' minds.
HIV positive Hyperdermic needles left in the coin returns of pay phones. Those unfortunate people who went out on the town to wake up in hotel bathtub filled with ice, and a note left to call the Doctor because their Kidney had been removed. And what's to that gerbil rumor involving a celebrity we all know? Well, that's false too. That particular myth has been tagged on other celebrities going back to the 70s.
Who started these tales? When? How did they get spread?
In addition to listing and describing these interesting myths, Roeper notes of the origins, means and methods of their growth, and the current believability status of many of them. Good coffee table book. It'll occupy some of the folks you'll bring over.
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4.0 out of 5 starsGreat fun and an enlightening expose of a host of hoaxes.
By Lisa Stach on October 5, 1999
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
Rich Roeper has done a thoroughly entertaining and very meticulous job of dispelling some of the great urban legends of our time. From the Craig Shergold business-card hoaxes to the rumors of thousands available from Disney and Bill Gates via the internet, to some of our favorite and most-hallowed backstreet Hollywood stories, Roeper takes 'em on and takes 'em down. In addition, Roeper's singularly amusing and inclusive writing style makes his deconstructions of these myths just plain fun to read. Terrific bedside reading and delightful from start to finish.
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5.0 out of 5 starsSURPRISED IT WAS AUTHOR SIGNED COPY!!!
By Robert DeCordova on June 22, 2014
Format: Hardcover
Great book for anyone interested in the truth on floating stories. The author really didn't research on getting the,fact,straight and true. It was nice to read up on some new myths.
I sincerely hope the author is working on book 2, 3, and 4. He,can just keep on,writing and will keep on reading.
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4.0 out of 5 starsFinally the truth is revealed!
By Aimee on December 6, 2000
Format: Hardcover
If you have ever questioned the truth of any story that begins with "A friend of a friend told me...." then this is the book for you. What sets this book apart from other collections of urban legends, is Roeper's investigations of the facts behind the stories. Every legend in the book has been carefully researched and although it comes as no surprise that most of these rumors have no basis in fact, it is neat to see how urban legands can become public relations nightmares!
This is a great way to pass the time while you are waiting for a check from Bill Gates after you have tested his e-mail tracking program.
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3.0 out of 5 starsPerfect for teens
By Dorrie Wheeler on October 10, 2004
Format: Paperback
"Urban Legends" by Richard Roeper is a light read perfect for a teen audience. This book touches on most of the common urban legends, the welcome to the world of AIDS urban legend, whether Tupac is really dead, Tommy Hilfiger on Oprah and other urban legends that have been rehashed over time. The book dispells what is truth and what is fiction. Overall though this book doesn't really tell readers what can't be found on the Internet or in other books. It's an entertaining book.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 starsLegends

Not impressed with the book. Not a good read. Didn't even finish it. Wouldn't reccommend it to anyone to read.

Published on February 2, 2014 by Amazon Customer
1.0 out of 5 starsA book by a "columnist" who writes like an eighth grader

While debunking an urban legend that appeared in his email inbox, author Richard Roeper makes this comment about the syntax of the email:

"You'll notice a pattern in the... Read more

Published on July 6, 2012 by Señor Khui
4.0 out of 5 starsa good, light read

It is hard to review a book like this...or is it easy? The book is a collection of modern urban legends and the truth (or untruth) behind them. Read more

Published on January 29, 2006 by Johngy's Beat
3.0 out of 5 starsPretty good book, a fun and easy read!

This book takes a lot of urban legends, some I had heard, some I had not, and proves them wrong. The author sites his research, so you know that it was actually investigated. Read more

Published on November 18, 2002 by ckdelano
3.0 out of 5 starsToo many entertainment-world rumors

"Urban Legends" is entertaining but ultimately tedious, with far too much focus on celebrity gossip and rumors. Read more

Published on August 11, 2002 by Lee Hartsfeld
5.0 out of 5 starsWhat fun!

What fun, fun, fun! I appreciate Roeper's discussing more recent Urban Legends and not retreading what Jan Brunvald has published. I loved his debunking. Read more

Published on April 2, 2002 by K. L. Uminski
3.0 out of 5 starspretty good

overall i like jan harold burnvard ul boks are better but richard roper comes off pretty well. he tends to focus more on famous people legendrs than the classic. Read more

Published on March 30, 2001 by YVETTE MOHILL
3.0 out of 5 starsGood collection, but most stories recycled

Being a fan of urban legends, I picked this one up immediately. Although a good collection of stories, I found that many of the legends presented were found in the much-suggested... Read more

Published on February 12, 2001 by Benjamin Denes
3.0 out of 5 starsInteresting, but needs more depth

I love Richard Roeper's columns, and his commentary on the local Fox channel, but this book left me with an empty feeling. Read more

Published on October 19, 2000

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