All other reviewers are correct. This book is a classic and while I'm glad I didn't have to pay current used prices for it, it's worth doing so if you don't have it. Just be forewarned, it's not terribly long, so you won't be getting a giant tome. One thing that no-one's pointed out - while its style is very similar to science books etc, the humor of this book was really driven home when a friend was doing a paper on Creationism. He found a book that this one clearly EXACTLY lampoons, from size and layout to ink color to picture style - everything. This makes the blast of Creationism all the better. I don't want to spoil it for those who haven't read it, but the "Evolutionist vs Creationist" bit (p. 65) is completely hilarious, especially as the "Evo" side of the argument is actually one part of the book other than the copyright that is played straight.
As stupid as it gets!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
It is a tragedy that this is out of print. It's one of the funniest books I've ever read. Anyone with any knowledge of science whatsoever finds it hilarious, and I show it to anyone and everyone who I think can appreciate it. No-one's ever been disappointed. Three thumbs up!
Can't believe this title is out of print
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
This was the funniest book I had ever read until I picked up "Dave Barry Slept Here." I still have a copy and re-read it every couple of years. Anyone who took high school science and anthropology classes, let alone college science majors, will be rendered helpless with laughter by this book, again and again and again. The human evolution section should be required material in every anthro class taught at every level.
The deeper you go, the funnier it is.
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
Every year I try to read through this book just to see what new stuff I find. Every science class I've ever taken opens up new jokes for me. As a geology major the evoltution/creationism and the new theories on dinosaurs are hilarious!
The "Airplane!" of science sendups
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
How Houghton-Mifflin let this book go out of print is beyond me. It should've been packaged with a pair of Depends & instructions to put them on before opening--it's that big a threat to sphincter control in the scienceminded. I think the copyright information is straight, but flatly doubt there is another serious word (or picture) in the damn thing. The Geologic Ages table is worth the price--as is the table of "currently understood properties of the quack"--as is the periodic table---as is The Electromagnetic Spectrum--as is... Hell, the cover drawing of T. Rex getting beaned by an asteroid is worth the price!
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