false http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1177053200m/677929.jpg 677929 1 <I>Created in Darkness by Troubled Americans: The Best of </I>McSweeney's<I>, Humor Category</I>, a collection from the clever young writers that bring us the <I>McSweeney's</I> literary journal and Web site, and co-edited by their leader, Dave Eggers, is funny from the first page. And by "first page," we mean the table contents. Of course not every essay, list, and swatch of dialogue are created equal, but the collection has many tasty morsels that are well worth a read, a read to friends, and then a re-read, after a decent interval has elapsed.<p> Most appealing in the book's starting lineup is J.M. Tyree's "On the Implausibility of the Death Star's Trash Compactor." Humorous as well as thought-provoking, this essay makes the perfect amuse bouche for what is arguably the collection's main course of hilarity, "Fire: the Next Sharp Stick?", "Candle Party," and "Unused Audio Commentary by Howard Zinn and Noam Chomsky, Recorded Summer 2002, for the <I>Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring</I> DVD (Platinum Series Extended Version), Part One," all to be found in the early middle. Though a familiarity with candle parties, Howard Zinn, sharp sticks, and other topics satirized in this book is helpful, it's not necessarily required for understanding the jokes. The biggest risk here is binge-reading, as you may exchange audible laughter for the feeling that you are being force-fed an ice cream sundae. If you pace yourself--say no more than four to six pieces at a time--you should have the energy for the final third, including the funny list marathon at the end. Or save a few portions for later when you are really starving for a good laugh. <I>--Leah Weathersby</I> 663926 10 8 2004 Created in Darkness by Troubled Americans: The Best of McSweeney's, Humor Category total:237|5:52|4:102|3:65|2:17|1:1| 237 898 313 35 4 0 false false Sat Nov 22 00:00:00 -0800 2008 Sat Nov 15 17:22:29 -0800 2008 Sat Nov 22 10:35:05 -0800 2008 more...]]> 0 0 false false Sun Jan 04 00:00:00 -0800 2009 Tue Dec 30 15:51:58 -0800 2008 Tue Jan 06 11:53:09 -0800 2009 4 0 false false Wed May 06 14:30:08 -0700 2009 Wed May 06 14:38:58 -0700 2009 0 0 false false Wed Jul 01 10:19:18 -0700 2009 Wed Jul 01 10:19:43 -0700 2009 5 0 false false Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2004 Thu Oct 11 07:50:54 -0700 2007 Tue Oct 16 13:25:45 -0700 2007
It also has a transcript of a dvd commentary between Noam Chomsky and Howard Zinn opining about The Lord of the Rings: The Fellow...more...]]> 4 0 false false Tue Feb 01 00:00:00 -0800 2005 Sat Jul 28 22:29:46 -0700 2007 Sat Jul 28 22:35:51 -0700 2007
Got this book on a lark after seeing a Microsoftie read this on the bus ride home; she was laughing so hard I thought she was going to pee herse...more...]]> 4 0 false false Wed Sep 12 10:51:48 -0700 2007 Wed Sep 12 10:51:48 -0700 2007 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring DVD (Platinum Series Extended Edition), Part One."
i can't find my copy... i think i lost it during internship 1 at doner (ahem)more...]]> 3 0 false false Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2008 Wed Jan 21 12:17:31 -0800 2009 Wed Jan 21 12:19:52 -0800 2009 the Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring DVD (Platinum Series Extended Version), Part One." holy crap so funny.more...]]> 5 0 false false Wed Aug 08 22:48:32 -0700 2007 Wed Aug 08 22:51:44 -0700 2007 more...]]> 5 0 false false Wed Jun 01 00:00:00 -0700 2005 Mon Jul 07 16:54:46 -0700 2008 Fri Jul 11 22:30:05 -0700 2008 more...]]> 2 0 false false Thu Apr 17 00:00:00 -0700 2008 Thu Apr 17 11:44:50 -0700 2008 Thu Apr 17 11:49:02 -0700 2008 more...]]> 4 0 false false Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2005 Fri Jun 15 10:45:50 -0700 2007 Tue Sep 18 16:11:47 -0700 2007 4 0 false false Sat Sep 01 00:00:00 -0700 2007 Wed Sep 19 00:23:26 -0700 2007 Wed Sep 19 00:23:26 -0700 2007 Mountain Man Dance Moves, which is all lists, but this had some classics in it. :)]]> 3 0 false false Thu Oct 09 00:00:00 -0700 2008 Wed Oct 08 17:16:10 -0700 2008 Thu Oct 09 09:20:58 -0700 2008 McSweeney's Joke Book of Joke Books but still a grin maker.]]> 4 0 false false Wed Nov 01 00:00:00 -0800 2006 Mon Jul 30 16:21:50 -0700 2007 Mon Jul 30 16:36:22 -0700 2007


*story title may not be entirely accurate]]> 3 0 false false Thu Nov 29 08:49:10 -0800 2007 Thu Nov 29 08:52:08 -0800 2007 4 0 false false Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2005 Sat Mar 15 15:48:16 -0700 2008 Fri Mar 28 14:34:31 -0700 2008
"SCHOOLYARD GAMES FOR UNPOPULAR CHILDREN
Hide 'n' Be Lonely
Goose Goose Goose
Teeter
Unhappy-go-round
Kick the Can, Over and Over Again Angrily
Studio Apartment
Very Easy Tag"]]> 4 0 false false Thu Mar 13 00:00:00 -0700 2008 Sat Mar 08 10:09:47 -0800 2008 Sat Mar 08 10:09:47 -0800 2008 0 0 false false Sat Oct 10 16:02:35 -0700 2009 Sun Nov 15 14:27:16 -0800 2009 4 0 false false Fri Dec 01 00:00:00 -0800 2006 Thu May 08 11:07:44 -0700 2008 Thu May 08 11:11:57 -0700 2008 http://www.goodreads.com/book_link/follow/8?book_id=677929