Philip Ardagh's Book of Absolutely Useless Lists for Absolutely Every Day of the Year

by Philip Ardagh

Expect the unexpected in this ridiculously named, reassuringly chunky book, jam-packed full of eye-openingly absurd facts, lies, half-truths, thoughts, suggestions and musings with more footnotes than an orchestra of millipedes. Lists “Possessors of Notable Moustaches (Real or Otherwise)“, “What MI5 Look For When Recruiting”, “Basic Requirements for Being A Pirate Captain”, “Animal Breakouts” and “10 Things I Think I Know About the Moon Without Looking Them Up (Or Up at It)“. From the best-selling author of Awful End.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor

544 pages, Paperback

First published April 30, 2007

About the author

Over six-and-a-half feet tall, with a bushy beard, Philip Ardagh is not only very big but also very hairy. He is the author of the Eddie Dickens Trilogy and when not writing silly books, Mr. Ardagh is quite serious and frowns a great deal. He lives in a seaside town somewhere in England with his wife and their son, Fred.

Reviews

[June Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ha, well. This book really IS absolutely useless. But it has a kind of charm. Like it's mocking itself, almost. And I guess you DO learn stuff from it, like the whole banister actually being called a barrister, and a banister is what keeps the barrister up...

[Marina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't really know why I like this so much. Childhood nostalgia, maybe?
At any rate, a light-hearted, often interesting, read. With lots and lots of silly, useless lists.

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for inquisitive kids from about 9-12 years old, especially boys. Full of quirky facts and funny footnotes. Is read most days of the year in this house.

[Ella Catherall · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's OK. It's funny at times - I remember finding it hilarious when I was younger. However, it wasn't the best thing I've ever read (Although I wasn't expecting it to be). Worth a read if you like tidbits of interesting trivia but I wouldn't recommend reading it all at once because it can get a bit hard to read

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty much everything the title says it is, useless lists. There are some interesting facts in there but there was some tedious ones that I just skipped over. A fun read at some points.

[Bec · Rating 3 out of 5]

a funny random collection of lists of all sorts of things that will make you laugh - and probably help you with at Pup Quiz night

[Abraham Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book of trivia.
loved it a lot!
lot's of useless trivium.