The Pocket Guide to Brilliance

Bart King, the author of The Big Book of Boy Stuff, The Big Book of Girl Stuff, and The Pocket Guide to Mischief is back! In this book, Mr. King looks at Brilliance, what it is, who has it, and where you get it. OK, not really. As the back of the book makes clear, this is a book of "Little-known historical trivia that will enlighten and delight." And, for once, here is a bit of advertising you can trust. This book is chockfull of strange and interesting bits of historical trivia - some I already knew (such as the interesting career of the pirate Anne Bonny), and some I didn't (such as that President Ford was well known for his bad gas!). Now, on one comedy show, a character dismissed a book by saying, "As a bathroom book, it's a triumph." Well, forgive me for saying it about this book, but truly, as a bathroom book it is a triumph! This book has lots of fun and interesting trivia, all bundled up in short articles, quick sidebars, and silly asides. I really enjoyed this book, and passed it on to some coworkers, who enjoyed it as well. We really enjoyed this book, and highly recommend it!

Portland author Bart King has one of the quirkiest writing styles I know, and it may well be why I like his work so much. His latest book, The Pocket Guide to Brilliance, is a humorous look at the history of the United States down through the years, and showcases why we Americans are so brilliant (or not-so-brilliant, as the case often is). It's definitely good for a laugh, and you'll pick up more than a few obscure facts that you can use to show your own brilliance (or lack of common sense)... Contents: Introduction; Quick Wits and Canny Minds, Plymouth Rocks; Bad Habits and Funky Customs; Talkin' 'Bout a Revolution; How to Win an Election; Wanna Be a Cowboy?; Playin' It Old School; Brilliant Women; Brilliant Leaders; Great Expectorations; Not-So-Brilliant Villians; Forgotten Brilliance The slant on brilliance here is given through a series of examples throughout US history of leaders and citizens who cover the entire spectrum of eejits to geniuses. And of course, most of them are rather humorous (in a warped way). For instance, General Woods once let the Indian chief Geronimo (held prisoner at the time) inspect his rifle and taught him how to fire it. Geronimo then proceeded to shoot at a target and hit a passerby. Geronimo laughed uproariously, handed the gun back over, and said "good gun!" Of course, what genius allowed him to shoot it in the first place? Or what about Anne Royall, the first professional female journalist? She wanted to interview John Quincy Adams, but he wouldn't grant her the time. So she followed him down to the river, where he had a habit of skinny-dipping. She then proceeded to sit on his clothes, refusing to move until he answered all her questions. And here I thought the Mike Wallace ambush style of journalism was ruthless! And what book is complete without pearls of wisdom from our former President, George W. Bush? Who can forget "As I'm sure you can imagine, it is an unimaginable honor to live here!" Um... yeah. King writes the same way someone would talk to you... Jokes, silly asides, and a few rabbit trails. While I'm not sure you'll come away any more "brilliant", you will come away with a smile and appreciation that no matter how stupid you think you might be, there's always others lower on the scale than you are.