book data
79 ratings,
3.70
average rating, 10 reviews
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published
2005
(first published 2003)
by Ballantine Books
binding
Hardcover, 368 pages
isbn
0345476506
(isbn13: 9780345476500)
description
It all started when Douglas Adams demolished planet Earth in order to make way for an intergalactic expressway–and then invited everyone to thumb a ri...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 170)
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avg 3.70
editions: all | this edition
editions: all | this edition
Read in June, 2008
Another thrift store find... and a fantastic one at that! Douglas Adams was a difficult genius and Nick Webb did a wonderful job of telling the story in a very even-handed manner. He admits Adams's shortcomings as well as some of his unpublicized triumphs. Webb's writing is also great. A biography has never been so fun! He has a quirky humor, much like Adams, that makes it an enjoyable read. The only bummer is that the book was published before the movie was released - I would have loved to hear...more
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recommends it for:
Chris
This isn't just a must-read for Adams fans, it's also a must-read for writers or any other creative type who enjoys the sweet torture of procrastination - Adams was a master of the genre.
I'm not much of a biographies person but this one is almost like hanging out with Adams, he's that well captured.
I'm not much of a biographies person but this one is almost like hanging out with Adams, he's that well captured.
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Read in February, 2009
A bit rambly but enjoyable.
Personally I find it extremely heartening that one of the funniest, most capable writers of the last few decades was beset by crippling self-doubt as to his abilities or chance of success in the world. Add to that the fact that are plenty of people who just as vastly overestimate their talents, and it just goes to show you never know.
The biography is quite tolerable until the omg-he's-the-greatest quality of it gets to you. It's not like the lev...more
Personally I find it extremely heartening that one of the funniest, most capable writers of the last few decades was beset by crippling self-doubt as to his abilities or chance of success in the world. Add to that the fact that are plenty of people who just as vastly overestimate their talents, and it just goes to show you never know.
The biography is quite tolerable until the omg-he's-the-greatest quality of it gets to you. It's not like the lev...more
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Read in August, 2006
It's more of a theme-based biography than strictly chronological & very British (I have got to start using the word "kipple"!). Mr. Webb was also an acquaintance of Douglas & as well as being the "official biographer", he was able to bring some of his personal insights to the work. I learned more about his family background that I remember reading in either the Gaiman or Simpson bios - the section of pictures (if a bit too small) was a lovely addition, as was the list of Doug...more
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Read in July, 2005
Nick Webb is a fine writer. I can’t find anything else by him on Amazon, so I’m assuming this is his first book. He should do more biographies. I loved the observant and well-phrased asides he scatters throughout the book. He seems as genuinely fascinated by the natural world, literature, and technology as Adams was.
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Read in May, 2008
recommends it for:
die hard HHGTG fans
Painstakingly researched, and affectionate. Webb acknowledges his seriously pro-Douglas bias, but he makes many excuses for Adams' personality challenges which are a bit grating to read after a while. The early parts of the book are the strongest, focusing on things that happened and anecdotes. I consider myself a great admirer of his work, but not a fanatic, so I was happy to learn about the childhood and adolescent circumstances that shaped one of the funniest English modern writers. The l...more
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I loved learning everything I ever wanted/needed to know, or ever wondered about this wacky, charming and brilliant mind. As colorful a guy as one would expect from the author of the laugh out loud classic series.
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Read in October, 2008
I miss Douglas Adams, though I preferred his earlier work to his later (I know, this is biography, sue me). He does seem to have been quite a character.
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Read in August, 2008
I borrowed this from the library based on Mia's recommendation. So far, I'm really enjoying it.
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