The Thackery T. Lambshead Pocket Guide to Eccentric & Discredited Diseases (Paperback)

~ Mark Roberts (Author), Jeff Vandermeer (Author) "For a variety of reasons, including several complaints, we have decided (with Dr. Lambshead's approval) to label three unfortunate conditions pertaining to the diseases described..." (more)
Key Phrases: bone leprosy, discredited diseases, disease psychologist, Diseasemaker's Croup, United States, Sarah Goodman (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The talented and prolific VanderMeer (Veniss Underground) and co-editor Roberts have here created perhaps the oddest theme anthology in the history of fantasy literature. The heavily illustrated volume does exactly what its title implies, collecting short, fictional medical descriptions of such diseases as Ballistic Organ Syndrome, Delusions of Universal Grandeur and Razornail Bone Rot. Each disease receives a carefully laid out history, list of symptoms and cure (although many seem to be invariably fatal). The Thackery T. Lambshead of the title, a sort of medical Indiana Jones, supposedly published the first edition of the guide more than 80 years ago, and the book also includes a series of short "essays" outlining his many outrageous adventures. The volume's own rather outrageous list of contributors, nearly 70 strong, includes such esteemed physicians as Neil Gaiman, Michael Moorcock, China Mieville, Michael Bishop, Kage Baker, Cory Doctrow and Brian Stableford. Though occasionally uneven, this is on the whole an amazing book. Not for the faint of heart, the easily shocked or those who see fantasy fiction primarily in terms of warring elves and interminable quests, VanderMeer's anthology plays delicious postmodernist games that are sure to delight the discerning (and slightly warped) reader.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

“An amazing book … plays delicious postmodernist games that are sure to delight the discerning (and slightly warped) reader.”
—Publishers Weekly

“Lambshead is just what the doctor ordered.”
—Village Voice

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (April 26, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553383396
• ISBN-13: 978-0553383393
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #324,710 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't Read All at Once! Savor These Bites of Dadaism...., September 28, 2005

By	Chris Ward (Costa Rica) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This guide to uncommon and unlikely diseases is, to be blunt, the perfect bathroom book. It invites brief visits to sample the latest absurd malady and then wonder to yourself, "Dear God! I think I may be SUFFERING from this horrid and loathesome disease MYSELF!" Indeed, some of the illnesses here can be CONTRACTED by merely READING about them-- so beware! But a close study of these bite-sized descriptions of alternate realities is stimulating, and you'll be amused at the cross-referenced sicknesses that dot the book-- the editors are nothing if not attentive to detail. And fans of H. P. Lovecraft and J. L. Borges and Wm. S Burroughs will be especially pleased...

If you're a lover of elaborate hoaxes and like humor mixed with your fantasy/sf, you'll enjoy this immensely.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every Doctor Should Have One, July 20, 2005

By	Daniel Read "Software Developer" (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

There are many great things about this book: the stunning visual design (made up to look like a 19th century medical guide, complete with original line drawings of all of the diseases and strange medical devices), the great line-up of authors, and the writing itself. I also like that the disease entries themselves are short, allowing for great bathroom or bedtime reading. The best thing about this book, though, is it's sense of humor. There is a lot of funny stuff in here.

There are a lot of genre-oriented writers posing as doctors (such as Dr.'s Alan Moore and Michael Moorcock), but the appeal is in no way limited to people who like to read fantasy, science fiction, etc. In particular, all medical doctors (real ones, that is), should own a copy of this book. If you have a doctor, nurse, or other medical professional on your gift list, grab one of these and give them some good laughs.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars good for a rainy day, August 26, 2008

By	B. Alexander - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A very imaginative and amusing read. I am a medic in Iraq and bought it on a hunch and the fact that i am a huge fan of the editor, jeff vandermeer. The book has been religiously passed around the aid station and quoted. Everyone enjoys it. Buy it, youll enjoy it too.