Mad's How to Be a Successful Dog

What makes this book from the usual gang of idiots at "MAD" magazine different is that it is not a reprint of choice material. It is, instead, a revised edition of the 1984 version of "MAD's How to Be a Successful Dog," which may or may not have been a reprint of choice material from "MAD" magazine. I assume so because this is the first "original" volume "MAD" that I have come across. "MAD: How to Be a Successful Dog" is aimed at the "misinformed canine" in need of guidance as well as any dog owners who stumble upon this look at their relationship from the other side. The book is written by Spot, but told to Larry Siegel, the Emmy Award winning writer whose previous claim to fame had been replacing Hugh Hefner as the editor of "Shaft," the University of Illinois humor magazine. So Siegel has been waiting a long time to have a successful comeback. The book is illustrated by John Caldwell, a regular contributor to "MAD" Magazine, who won be over with the drawing on the table of contents of a dog wearing a t-shirt that says: "MY DAD PEED ON A GIANT CALIFORNIA REDWOOD AND ALL I GOT WAS THIS LOUSY T-SHIRT."The book provides a comprehensive look at a dog's life, dealing not only with critical topics like "The Importance of Cute" and "Choosing the Right Master," but dealing in a forthright manner with the dark side of being a dog, such as "The Fine Art of Living with Guilt" and "Facing Up to Punishment." The book is filled with practical advice in terms of what to lick and when, three reasons why not to waste time chasing cats, and when to bark while traveling in a car. Spot ends with a chapter entitled "Everything You Have to Know About Sex--So Why Ask" that talks not only about the importance of engaging in meaningless small-bark but the problems of trying to light a couple of cigarettes with your paws when it is all over. At that point there is nothing left to talk about and Spot leaves his readers to return to the dog-eat-dog world from whence they came. WARNING: This book is not intended for younger readers, even if they are being weaned on "MAD" Magazine's brand of satire. Spot know what the term is for female dogs and he is not afraid to use it. Of course, if your kids gets to the end of the book and is reading about doggie sex, one little five-letter word is hardly going to do much additional damage.

This is another of the greatest MAD books of all time! It's funny, and the idea of the book is unique! Tha book is riotous! Larry Siegel has pulled it off, with great illustrating by John Caldwell! Tha two are a perfect match for this great book that just keeps me laughing to this day!

MAD produced over 200 paperbacks and this one was one of the best. Larry Siegel hits the mark about dog ownership. Angelo Torres did the art for the original release for Warner books. John Caldwell steps in for this release and does a great job.

I thought this book was great!!! Very humorously written, whether your a dog or cat lover you will find much here to tickle your funny bone.