1,003 Great Things About America (Paperback)

~ (Author), Patricia Marx (Author), Ann Hodgman (Author) "Our oranges are much more orange than foreign oranges..." (more)
Key Phrases: New York, United States, New Jersey (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Being American has always been a wonderful thing. But after September 11, 2001, patriotism soared. Not since the 1940s had America been attacked with such unexpected and horrible decisiveness. From sea to shining sea, the response was deafening. Americans raised their flags, raised their voices, and vowed to stand united.Of course, we're still bound by our sense of humor, a cornerstone of our country's proud past and present. In 1,003 Great Things About America, authors Lisa Birnbach, Ann Hodgman, and Patricia Marx perfectly sum up that combination of humor and hope, wit and wonder, that makes America so magnificent.What are some of the best things about America? As this talented trio of authors remind us:o Apple pieo John Wayneo Mount Rushmoreo Elviso BaseballThe list goes on and on. From beginning to end, 1,003 Great Things About America serves as a keen and admiring look at those elements that give our nation its indefatigable character. From Frank Sinatra to the Super Bowl, from hamburgers to the Hamptons, 1,003 Great Things About America rings true and timeless.Our other 1,003 Great Things books have focused on everything from kids to moms to teachers. Most recently, 1,003 Great Things About Getting Older sold more than 150,000 copies. 1,003 Great Things About America is certain to become a best-seller, as citizens from coast to coast yearn to remind themselves about the best parts of the place they call home.

About the Author

TV commentator Lisa Birnbach, author of The Official Preppy Handbook and Lisa Birnbach's College Books, is a contributing editor for Parade and the mother of (at least) three children. Ann Hodgman is the author of 40 children's books, several works of humor, and three cookbooks, including Beat This and One Bite Won't Kill You. Patricia Marx, author of How to Regain Your Virginity and Meet My Staff, has also written screenplays for television shows such as Saturday Night Live. The three collaborated on 1,003 Great Things About Getting Older, 1,003 Great Things About Moms, 1,003 Great Things About Teachers, 1,003 Great Things About Kids, and 1,003 Great Things About Friends.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing (May 14, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0740729497
• ISBN-13: 978-0740729492
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 4.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 1.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,363,072 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars What were they thinking?, July 22, 2002

By	Barry Molefsky "City Slicker" (Reston, VA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I really, really wanted to like this book. I was expecting a humorous compilation of things which make these United States the greatest nation on the face of the earth. There is some of that. The book starts off with a paean to American-grown oranges (they are more orange than oranges grown elsewhere).

Then on page 4 we are treated to this great "thing": "You'll always remember your senior prom, especially if you weren't invited." Huh? This does not compute.

On page 61 we are informed that "Reading scores for kids can't possibly get lower." Well, yes they can. But how is that a great thing about America.

I also found several factual errors. For example, on page 20 the authors write "Even the District of Columbia has representatives to Congress." No, DC does not have representatives, DC has a nonvoting delegate in the House. Maybe this is splitting hairs, but the residents of DC thinks it matters.

Going through this book left a sour test in my mouth. There are so many great things about the USA, the authors could have done better.

1.0 out of 5 stars swindling my money!, December 5, 2009

By	Dawn King - See all my reviews

I am not sure if this "1003 great things" can be called a book. When I bought the book, I thought the content could be some stories about American history, cultures and traditions, something which I long to understand deeply, as a foreigner. But all there is in the book is a bunch of meaningless sentences. I have learnt nothing at all from this book.
To speak about particulars in this book, I find that most things the author mentioned are not "great things about America" at all.
"Kids get lots of attention." Surely this is true for America, but this is the same for almost every other country. "There's always a place in America to go on vacation" "we get to vote" every sentence mentioned is true for the majority of countries on this planet. so what's so great about America, judging from these sentences?
and I am almost piqued by the trivias:"A trip to Disney World is every American child's birthright" "the mouth of the presidents' faces on Mount Rushmore are 18 feet high" &c. I never know what's good to know that a child's birthright of going to Disney Land or the height of the mouth of Presidents on Mount Rushmore. Rubbish.
the other extremity besides providing too many trivias is, little information on many things. "Julia Child could only have been born in the United States" -who's Julia Child? what's her accomplishments and uniqueness? I believe many people who were not reared up in America(like me) don't know this person. Take another example:"Naturally, the smile button was designed here"-if I have not known the history of computer science in Carnegie Mellon University, I shall never understand the story behind this sentence.( people at School of Computer Science at CMU was the first to use smiley icons decades ago) the story of smiley icon is a great story and should have at least one whole page allocated for it.but there's only ONE sentence to summarise it all. GEE... the author probably know something great, and unqiue about America, but too short sentences on too many things only aroused my dread for this book.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Save your money-book is pointless & has factual errors, June 27, 2006

By	Keith Norris "Keith" (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Lisa Birnbach & company are milking the "1003 Great Things about......." concept in much the same way that comedian Jeff Foxworthy milked the "You might be a redneck if......." idea. The book is full of pointless "great things," many of which appear to be nothing more than random thoughts from the authors.

As a Kentucky resident, I was particularly annoyed by a factual error on page 126, which goes as follows: "Christian County, Kentucky is wet, while Bourbon County, Kentucky is dry. Barren County has the most fertile land in the state." Unfortunately, this claim, while it is a widely held belief, is incorrect. This myth was most recently spread as fact by Vince Staten in his dreadful book, "Kentucky Curiosities." Bourbon County, Kentucky has always allowed the sale of alcohol, except during prohibition, when alcohol sales were prohibited everywhere in the US. A visit to the Paris-Bourbon County Tourist Commission website debunks th "Bourbon County doesn't allow alcohol sales" myth. Also, the authors' claim that Barren County has the most fertile land in the state is dubius at best. The Native Americans called this area "the barrens" because it was flat and had less vegetation relative to the surrounding areas. Hence, the name Barren County.

Under "Great American past times," the authors list running under the sprinkler, toasting marshmallows, spin the bottle, skinny dipping, breaking in a new pair of jeans, trying to confuse the substitute teacher. What, these things can only be enjoyed in America? Under "We Allow Everyone a Second Chance," O.J. Simpson is cited as an example. Okay, the authors believe it is a great thing that O.J. got away with murdering his ex-wife and her friend. I could go on and on indefinitely, because the book has 300 pages of such non-sense.

My theory is that when the three authors come up with another idea for a "1003 Great Things about...." book, they get together and get drunk, and laugh the night away while writing down whatever comes to mind until they reach their magic number of 1003. This is the only plausible explanation, as the books are neither humorous or factually correct. Obviously, they are cashing on it, or they would keeping writing books along that concept. Please don't aid and abet them in this venture: save your ten bucks and go buy yourself some cheap wine or liquor. At least then you will have a little fun while working on a headache.