book data
649 ratings,
3.37
average rating, 195 reviews
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published
February 4th 2008
by Grand Central Publishing
binding
Hardcover, 224 pages
isbn
0446580694
(isbn13: 9780446580694)
description
The Emmy award-winning former executive producer of The Daily Show and The Colbert Report has assembled a stellar lineup of men who have one thing in ...more
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avg 3.37
editions: all | this edition
editions: all | this edition
My friend gave this book to me, today. His longterm girlfriend gave it to him as a foreshadowing tool, which is one of the funniest and saddest uses for a book that I've ever heard of.
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in January, 2008
Anthologies can be kind of repetitive, with entry after entry harping on the same tired theme. The theme for Things I’ve Learned From Women Who’ve Dumped Me feels particularly uninspired, as the topic of men bitching about women is arguably the most prominent in the history of literature. But the credentials of editor Ben Karlin (co-editor of America: The Book) combined with the book’s impressive list of contributors (Andy Richter, Stephen Colbert, Neal Pollack, more) piqued my interest al...more
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Read in December, 2008
Eh. I'd hoped this was going to be hilarious and insightful, but all the humor was pretty much the same thing all the way through--low-grade irony and drab self-flagellation. Buncha weinerdogs.
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Read in March, 2008
I was expecting much more from this book. Edited by Ben Karlin - former editor of The Onion, former executive producer of The Daily Show and co-creator of The Colbert Report - this book should have been a rip-roarin'-romp through male inadequacy and insecurity. It started out strong, but somewhere along the line it became the male version of chick lit: dick lit. And boring to boot.
At first, it was good for a few laughs. But then I laughed less. And got bored. And maybe started to ski...more
At first, it was good for a few laughs. But then I laughed less. And got bored. And maybe started to ski...more
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Read in March, 2009
This is a pretty weak collection. I ended up skimming over several of these essays.
I expected better from Dan Savage (his books about his family are very good). David Wain's entry composed entirely of cellphone conversations was good. I also liked Patton Oswalt's essay where he explains how a past relationship with a crazy stripper puts his minor quibbles with his wife into perspective. And Ben Karlin's mom's forward was better than Karlin's essay.
I expected better from Dan Savage (his books about his family are very good). David Wain's entry composed entirely of cellphone conversations was good. I also liked Patton Oswalt's essay where he explains how a past relationship with a crazy stripper puts his minor quibbles with his wife into perspective. And Ben Karlin's mom's forward was better than Karlin's essay.
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Read in March, 2008
done. chucklelicious. I was not sure who half these people were, very funny men. easy and quick. just like your mom.
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Read in April, 2009
I heard this in its Audiobook format, which probably led me to appreciate it more than I otherwise would have. Having each author read their short essay was perfect, especially with such instantly recognizable voices as Patton Oswalt, John Oliver and Will Forte. It's a very short read, even the audiobook was barely over three hours long, but one that will have you chuckling all the way. I particularly liked Dan Savage's ode to the vagina that scared him out of the closet and Larry Wilmore's "...more
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Read in February, 2008
I know what you're thinking and no I am not and was not a lesbian, not that there is anything at all wrong with that. I picked up this book at ye old Costco, simply because of some of the writers names on the cover: Nick Hornby, Stephen Colbert, Bob Odenkirk, Andy Richter, and Dan Savage, to name a few. Also, I secretly wanted to know what relationships were like for men. As a straight woman, you never can tell. Men are simple in their thoughts and emotions - NOT SIMPLETONS - just not as complex...more
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Read in February, 2008
recommends it for:
single guy friends, or any guy friends in general
This is a great read. The writing from most of the contributors is funny, interesting and enjoyable; I think there was only maybe one or two works that were sort of "meh" for me. On the whole, I found myself very engaged in the writing, having finished this book in two days (I took a break to watch the first disc of Pee-Wee's Playhouse).
The formatting of each essay/anecdote differs, including comic-strip contributions and and illustration (Marcel Dzama!). My favourite en...more
The formatting of each essay/anecdote differs, including comic-strip contributions and and illustration (Marcel Dzama!). My favourite en...more
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Really funny collection of essays, including, but not limited to: Bob Odenkirk's transcription of part of his seminar: "9 Years is Exactly the Right Amount of Time to be in a Bad Relationship," Stephen Colbert's would-be heart-warming story that is all but completely blacked out by his wife's marker to keep things private, Will Forte's reminiscence of a girlfriend who kept riding off on another guy's motorcycle but kept insisting they were "just friends," Patton Oswalt compar...more
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Read in April, 2009
I have a love/hate relationship with liberal publications, like the New York Times, that discuss progressive issues and at the same time print articles that seem to use stone age mentality to “prove” the differences between women and men. I am forever intrigued by science’s never-ending love affair with sexual dimorphism, and articles with the headlines “What Do Women Want?” and “Varying Sweat Scents Noted By Women” seem to fill the pages of publications every day.
I have...more
I have...more
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recommends it for:
Those who enjoy short stories, essays, humor.
This was one of the funniest books I have ever read, and it's one I will reach for many times to read again. A collection of humorous short stories by some of the funniest, wittiest men of our time, this is a book that never fails to cause me to laugh out loud until the end.
The book is a collection of essays written by hilarious men such as Nick Hornby, Stephen Colbert, Bob Odenkirk (who discusses why nine years is the perfect amount of time to be in a bad relationship ("by yea...more
The book is a collection of essays written by hilarious men such as Nick Hornby, Stephen Colbert, Bob Odenkirk (who discusses why nine years is the perfect amount of time to be in a bad relationship ("by yea...more
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Read in February, 2008
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
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Read in February, 2009
I seldom read non-fiction essays, humorous or otherwise, 'cause they remind me too much of college - not exactly the happiest days of my life. Before I started reading the book, I looked at the other reviews here and as usual, some liked it - intensely, and not so intensely, and some did not like it - intensely and not so intensely. But one thing we can all agree on - the title is definitely eye-catching and very suggestive. I borrowed the book from the library and when the librarian saw the tit...more
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Read in March, 2008
I was hoping for more laugh-out-loud stories, and while there were many smiles, I ended up feeling a little down -- these are stories wrought with insecurities, damages, and regrets written within plenty of self-deprecation -- It had me, and will have others (guys and girls), reflecting on past romances that left their psychological welts and fond memories behind.
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Bad. Disappointing. And further evidence that Stephen Colbert is not funny in print. A piece by Patton Oswalt was quite amusing, in which he realizes how awesome his wife is particularly in comparing her to his ex-girlfriend (a terrible, violent, uneducated stripper.) Actually, now that I think about it, Damian of Kulash, Jr. (of OKGO) had a pretty sweet (as in aww) piece, and Adam Schlesinger (of Fountains of Wayne. I know.) did an interesting and humorous breakdown of a cheesy love song. Oh, a...more
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Read in April, 2008
A collection of essays from male comedians and writers about dating, relationships and their issues with women. Some of the contributions were entertaining and others not so much. I laughed out loud a couple times, but not quite as often as I hoped. Overall a quick, light read with a little something fun for anyone who has ever dated anyone, ever.
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Read in February, 2009
Things I’ve Learned From Women Who’ve Dumped Me
Edited by: Ben Karlin
Published by: Grand Central Publishing
Reviewed by: Stephanie Rollins for ReviewYourBook.com 2/2009
ISBN: 978-0-446-69946-4
“Tongue-in-Cheek, Laugh-out-loud” 4 stars
What do men learn from failed relationships? This gives you the honest answer in a tongue-in-cheek, laugh-out-loud manner.
Many of these essays show how inept men believe they are when it comes to sex and relations...more
Edited by: Ben Karlin
Published by: Grand Central Publishing
Reviewed by: Stephanie Rollins for ReviewYourBook.com 2/2009
ISBN: 978-0-446-69946-4
“Tongue-in-Cheek, Laugh-out-loud” 4 stars
What do men learn from failed relationships? This gives you the honest answer in a tongue-in-cheek, laugh-out-loud manner.
Many of these essays show how inept men believe they are when it comes to sex and relations...more
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edited by Ben Karlin
This is a great anthology of short stories about relationships. It's fun and snarky. We've all been in relationships and I'm sure you'll recognize something from the book. If nothing else it really shows us that we all have bad, crappy relationships and we all live through them and usually end up laughing about them. This book was a quick read and most of the stories were fairly short. Some of the stories are a bit graphic, so if you don't like that type of thin...more
This is a great anthology of short stories about relationships. It's fun and snarky. We've all been in relationships and I'm sure you'll recognize something from the book. If nothing else it really shows us that we all have bad, crappy relationships and we all live through them and usually end up laughing about them. This book was a quick read and most of the stories were fairly short. Some of the stories are a bit graphic, so if you don't like that type of thin...more
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this book is like medicine. funny and relatable, and sometimes sad and sentimental medicine... but medicine non-the-less for any dude who's ever had girl problems (good, bad, big, or small).
it's got an introduction by Nick Hornby (High Fidelity) and both books sort of carry the same sensibility when addressing relationships-- so if you like one you'll probably like the other.
my brother gave me this at yesterday at work, and i just finished. it's a quick read, but real...more
it's got an introduction by Nick Hornby (High Fidelity) and both books sort of carry the same sensibility when addressing relationships-- so if you like one you'll probably like the other.
my brother gave me this at yesterday at work, and i just finished. it's a quick read, but real...more
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quotes from this book
"4. The whole Icarus-flying-too-near-the-sun-and-plummeting-out-of-the-sky thing? That's real. Same with the Sirens who lure you to death with their irresistible song, and the odalisque so beautiful anyone who looks at her dies. And remember: as badass as Grendel was, Beowulf hadn't seen anything until he went up against Grendel's mother. I know, I know - I thought they were just myths too. But the fact is, sometimes, if you don't want to meet a tragic end, your only option is to avert your gaze, tie yourself to the mast with cotton in your ears, or ascend a little less close to the Vault of Heaven."
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