- Paperback: 502 pages
- Publisher: Ballantine Books Inc.; 1 edition (30 Nov 1988)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0345351452
- ISBN-13: 978-0345351456
- Product Dimensions: 20.8 x 13.5 x 3.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
1,270,193 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #85 in Books > Humour > Encyclopaedias
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
"Smart, saucy answers...the kind of book you'd buy as a goofy present for your wackiest friend--and then keep."
THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
Since 1973, the redoubtable Cecil Adams has collected, corrected, inspected, and dissected thousands of reader's questions, reporting his sagacious findings in the popular weekly column, THE STRAIGHT DOPE. His first book amazed millions. Now he returns with another incomparable compendium of fantastic facts, insouciant information, and delicious data on every subject of import to personkind: Is it true Thanksgiving was invented by the editor of HARPER'S BIZARRE...? Why do your fingers wrinkle in the bathtub...? and hundreds more burning questions explained at last!
THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
Since 1973, the redoubtable Cecil Adams has collected, corrected, inspected, and dissected thousands of reader's questions, reporting his sagacious findings in the popular weekly column, THE STRAIGHT DOPE. His first book amazed millions. Now he returns with another incomparable compendium of fantastic facts, insouciant information, and delicious data on every subject of import to personkind: Is it true Thanksgiving was invented by the editor of HARPER'S BIZARRE...? Why do your fingers wrinkle in the bathtub...? and hundreds more burning questions explained at last!
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Adams once again gives the reader serious "bang" for his/her "buck," providing answers to questions we were afraid to ask, historical insights into sometimes-overlooked nuances of everyday life, and just plain interesting information. This category of books is becoming very popular, yet there is an enormous difference between most of them and what you get with the "Straight Dope" series.
First, Adams is a MASTER of research resources. When faced with a difficult or technical question, he goes straight to the source (and is quick to cite the experts he consults).
Second, Adams doesn't shy away from "politically incorrect" questions.
Third, Adams combines intelligent, well-written information with a healthy dose of humor.
And fourth, while most of the books in this category give you 150 to 200 pages of 14-18 point text with lots of blank space and illustrations, the "straight dope" series gives you an average of 500 PAGES of fine-print information (as much as five comparable books from other authors).
Most of the questions and their answers are reprinted from Adams' award-winning newspaper column and are organized into category "chapters." As with Adams' THE STRAIGHT DOPE and RETURN OF THE STRAIGHT DOPE, I found myself laying in bed at 3am trying to force myself to put the book down ("OK, just ONE more section THEN I'm going to sleep!").
Whether you are a history buff, a science nut, a trivia junkie or just someone who ever asked "what the heck do they mean by _______?" Adams' books will definitely give you your money's worth!
First, Adams is a MASTER of research resources. When faced with a difficult or technical question, he goes straight to the source (and is quick to cite the experts he consults).
Second, Adams doesn't shy away from "politically incorrect" questions.
Third, Adams combines intelligent, well-written information with a healthy dose of humor.
And fourth, while most of the books in this category give you 150 to 200 pages of 14-18 point text with lots of blank space and illustrations, the "straight dope" series gives you an average of 500 PAGES of fine-print information (as much as five comparable books from other authors).
Most of the questions and their answers are reprinted from Adams' award-winning newspaper column and are organized into category "chapters." As with Adams' THE STRAIGHT DOPE and RETURN OF THE STRAIGHT DOPE, I found myself laying in bed at 3am trying to force myself to put the book down ("OK, just ONE more section THEN I'm going to sleep!").
Whether you are a history buff, a science nut, a trivia junkie or just someone who ever asked "what the heck do they mean by _______?" Adams' books will definitely give you your money's worth!
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
8 reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
You Won't Regret Buying This Book
3 Jan 2001
Format:Paperback
Cecil Adams Straight Dope books are some of the best trivia books out there bar none. While you may not get the answers to the specific questions you are asking you will find answers to things you always wanted to know but never really thought to ask about.
Cecil Adams has been writing his column for the Chicago Reader since 1973 and has been asked every random trivia questions under the sun and rarely is he unable to find the answer. Cecil Adams has a wicked sense of humor that makes his books so much fun to read over and over again.
More Of The Straight Dope is the second book in his series and while it is hard to find, is certainly one of the best of the lot. He answers questions like - what exactly is Mojo? Why does your skin wrinkle in the tub? and so forth.
No one has ever seen the real Cecil Adams and as long as he keeps answering questions and putting out books like this - no one will ever really care (well.... it is probably the last mystery that he will ever solve.)
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
The BEST "answers to unusual questions" BANG for your BUCK!!
13 Aug 1996
Format:Paperback
Adams once again gives the reader serious "bang" for his/her "buck," providing answers to questions we were afraid to ask, historical insights into sometimes-overlooked nuances of everyday life, and just plain interesting information. This category of books is becoming very popular, yet there is an enormous difference between most of them and what you get with the "Straight Dope" series.
First, Adams is a MASTER of research resources. When faced with a difficult or technical question, he goes straight to the source (and is quick to cite the experts he consults).
Second, Adams doesn't shy away from "politically incorrect" questions.
Third, Adams combines intelligent, well-written information with a healthy dose of humor.
And fourth, while most of the books in this category give you 150 to 200 pages of 14-18 point text with lots of blank space and illustrations, the "straight dope" series gives you an average of 500 PAGES of fine-print information (as much as five comparable books from other authors).
Most of the questions and their answers are reprinted from Adams' award-winning newspaper column and are organized into category "chapters." As with Adams' THE STRAIGHT DOPE and RETURN OF THE STRAIGHT DOPE, I found myself laying in bed at 3am trying to force myself to put the book down ("OK, just ONE more section THEN I'm going to sleep!").
Whether you are a history buff, a science nut, a trivia junkie or just someone who ever asked "what the heck do they mean by _______?" Adams' books will definitely give you your money's worth!
First, Adams is a MASTER of research resources. When faced with a difficult or technical question, he goes straight to the source (and is quick to cite the experts he consults).
Second, Adams doesn't shy away from "politically incorrect" questions.
Third, Adams combines intelligent, well-written information with a healthy dose of humor.
And fourth, while most of the books in this category give you 150 to 200 pages of 14-18 point text with lots of blank space and illustrations, the "straight dope" series gives you an average of 500 PAGES of fine-print information (as much as five comparable books from other authors).
Most of the questions and their answers are reprinted from Adams' award-winning newspaper column and are organized into category "chapters." As with Adams' THE STRAIGHT DOPE and RETURN OF THE STRAIGHT DOPE, I found myself laying in bed at 3am trying to force myself to put the book down ("OK, just ONE more section THEN I'm going to sleep!").
Whether you are a history buff, a science nut, a trivia junkie or just someone who ever asked "what the heck do they mean by _______?" Adams' books will definitely give you your money's worth!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
The Best DOPE of the Bunch
11 May 2000
Format:Paperback
The first book was great, but played it safe. The more recent books are likewise good, but seem to have been trying a tad too hard. This is the one to start with. Like Miss Manners, Cecil transcends his material or subject matter-- his sharp, witty voice is the real treat here. However, it should also be noted that unlike most authors of trivia and odd-knowledge compendiums, Cecil actually applies Real scholarship to his answers, instead of the usual assortment of second-hand hearsay. A great gift for the smartass on your list...
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