A hilarious look at the races of the world—capturing the proud history and bright future of racism in one handy, authoritative, and deeply offen...
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Aug 30, 2011
Mark
rated it: 
Appallingly clever in its ability to teeter along a tightrope of total bigotry and make it sound for a paragraph or two horrifyingly plausible. By that I mean I could hear the voices of racists everywhere echoing in the background of some of the comments but those racists do not necessarily need to be burning crosses or smashing windows. Most of it was so superbly outrageous that no-one could seriously entertain the truth of it but I found some of the comments chillingly similar to ones you over
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Oct 30, 2010
Andrew
rated it: 
In this book, which has a very sarcastic tone, Dalton discusses different races in a way that highlights our own ignorance as human beings. As a writer, Dalton taught me that it is alright to take oneself less than seriously. In fact, looking at racism and sexism in this light shows how ridiculous society can be.
In discussing the races subjectively, Dalton runs the spectrum, even discussing stereotypes held about certain races.
Dalton also does something other writers are of More...
In discussing the races subjectively, Dalton runs the spectrum, even discussing stereotypes held about certain races.
Dalton also does something other writers are of More...
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Mar 21, 2011
Justwinter
rated it:
Good satire. Found it on deep sale at Barnes & Noble and snapped up three copies when I found myself laughing out loud from just a quick perusal. More thorough reading didn't disappoint--though from chapter to chapter there is a consistent quality of 'one-liner' laughs, and the strengths/humor of various chapters is uneven. There are some (pop) cultural allusions that are over my head & I can tell those passages that fall flat are due to my ignorance about the person/situation mentioned. But the
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Mar 22, 2010
Julie
rated it:
as John Stewart said, "Read this with someone you hate!"
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Mar 05, 2008
Derek
rated it:
I picked up A Practical Guide to Racism for a couple of reasons: one, the title was hilarious, two, one of my favorite cartoonists (Nicholas Gurewitch of The Perry Bible Fellowship) had a hand in it, and three, because skimming through it proved to be a pretty enjoyable read. The best way to describe the book to the uninitiated is, I guess, that it is funny in the same way that Borat was funny. And, with that said, the ending appendices kind of drug the joke out further than it should have gone.
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Aug 21, 2011
Ryan
rated it: 
Such a great book. Infact, of all the bargain books I have this this by far the best. This would be my staff-pick if I really wanted to welcome a mob of angry morons (i.e. mobs)
My all-time favourite part of this book? The Asian section referencing H.P. Lovecraft's "Cthulhu and the Ching-Chong Chinabots" and the mentioning of Robert Longo beating out Adolph Hitler as the worst artist (because of Johnny Mnemonic). hope i didn't spoil that for you.
My all-time favourite part of this book? The Asian section referencing H.P. Lovecraft's "Cthulhu and the Ching-Chong Chinabots" and the mentioning of Robert Longo beating out Adolph Hitler as the worst artist (because of Johnny Mnemonic). hope i didn't spoil that for you.
Sep 18, 2011
Luaba
rated it:
With a title like that, I HAD to pick up this book. Granted, at times, I was shocked, angered, and outrage, C.H Dalton manage at the end of the end to show the reader how utterly ridiculous racist stereotype are. And manage to do it in a humorous way. A good read, and contrary to what one might assume from the title, the book encourage tolerance more than anything else.
Dec 03, 2010
Lesta
rated it:
I believe that this is a modern classic of satiracal content. Sam Means (under the alias of C.H.Dalton) proved that it is not yet impossible for a piece of liturature to shock a reader in the 21st century. Every page is filled to the brim with comedic gold that I will go back and read time and time again
Aug 16, 2011
Bill
rated it:
Uneven writing ultimately does the book in, but the concept is beyond brilliant. This is an amazingly accurate picture of racism in America (white, male, America, to be more precise). Personally, I had no idea that the whites have been so repressed in this country. I mean...I always felt that *something* was wrong, but to have it put there in black and white was a revelation. Disturbingly laugh out loud funny!
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Apr 12, 2009
Adrian
rated it:
Hilarious. Fully tongue in cheek. Minimal winking. This book takes you on the ride, assumes that you get the joke and leaves you to sort out the details. Wonderful stuff.
If you've ever flipped through eugenic works from the early 20th century, the lovingly detailed homage will hold many pleasures for you.
If you've ever flipped through eugenic works from the early 20th century, the lovingly detailed homage will hold many pleasures for you.
Jan 19, 2012
Mark
rated it: 
Weak. Tiptoes around real racism like a guilty white liberal. Should have known better - high praise from John Darnielle on the back cover.
Jun 07, 2010
Daniel
rated it:
Without a doubt the funniest book I have ever read. Few books have actually made me laugh out loud, this is definitely one of them. Completely irreverent and hilariously unapologetic this book takes a step back and tears apart racial stereotypes with blazing sarcasm. I definitely recommend it to anyone with a sense of humor.
May 06, 2010
Celia
rated it:
It was hilarious! I learned a lot about stupidity and where it originates from...in a totally unique and hilarious way...
Apr 03, 2011
Joshua
rated it:
Great, just great. I was unsure about stereotypes, but the Practical guide cleared it all up for me. Thanks CH Dalton.
Oct 21, 2011
Huma
rated it: 
It's not that funny. It's funny enough, but not THAT funny. It's a quick read, and amusing in its own way.
Nov 22, 2010
Keith
rated it:
A satire on America's obsession with race done in a faux academic style. Funny in a "I see what you did there" way rather than something you would actually laugh at.
Oct 12, 2010
Christina
rated it:
If you like absurdist humor and enjoy stereotypes, this book is a fucking blast. The author has some very interesting observations about Merpeople.
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May 29, 2009
Erin
rated it:
Based on a review I read in EW, I was expecting to love this book, but it was really warmed-over Colbert, and he does is MUCH better. Disappointing.
Jul 23, 2011
Emily
rated it:
This book is pretty hysterical. I laughed out loud several times(sometimes in public) and that's usually the test of a truly funny book.
Feb 10, 2008
Aaron
rated it:
blatantly and unashamedly offensive. a farcical book of "facts" in the vein of hodgman's "the areas of my expertise" and the daily show's "america: the book" (both of which are more consistently funny). overall, it is sufficiently amusing, but generally better suited for the coffee table than the night stand.
i enjoyed how nearly all of the stereotypes which were portrayed as truths come directly from popular culture (particularly the video games of my
i enjoyed how nearly all of the stereotypes which were portrayed as truths come directly from popular culture (particularly the video games of my
Nov 11, 2008
Amy
rated it:
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Apr 15, 2010
Meaghan
rated it:
Meh. This was a big disappointment to me and just plain not funny. Not even chuckle-worthy. I admit I laughed out loud a few times, but it was only astonished laughter at the book's breathtakingly bad taste. And with all its references to current TV shows and people whose fifteen minutes of fame recently zipped by (does anyone still remember who Kaavya Viswanthan is?), I don't think the book will have a long shelf life either. Pass on this one.
Nov 13, 2008
James
rated it:
This is a tough book to review. It attempts to be a humorous look at racism while also a complete send-up of academia. At times, it is laugh-out-loud funny. At times, it misses the mark. Given its topic, when it falls flat, it can be offensive. It's well-intentioned, though, and clearly over-the-top. It skewers all races, even the merpeople, equally. Its wryness comes through clearly.
Nov 26, 2008
chris
rated it:
This book had its funny moments, but the humor starts to get a little repetitive after a while, when it was funy in the first place. I really wanted this book to be good, as I thought the idea of it sounded hilarious, but after the premise moves forward, it is just a series of jokes that never reach the end point I'd hope for.
It also would have been better had it been about a hundred pages shorter.
It also would have been better had it been about a hundred pages shorter.
