Douglas Adams
1 Fascinating, Profound and Silly
I have just finished reading the thoroughly engaging, but not so engaging that you couldn’t continue to eat your cheeseburger while driving your three wheel bicycle, novel ‘Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’. In fact it is just the type of book that is useful in a pinch, if you had a pinch that you can never seem to un-pinch.
Confused? Don’t be, the aforementioned ‘Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’ heretofore referred to as the Guide is neither your typical science fiction novel with flying ships, laser guns and damsels in distress but certainly has sufficient quantities of those things to make it interesting to the average fifteen year old going on fifty Earthling. The Guide attempts to take you on a journey to find most interesting parts of the universe by way of Jersey City, New Jersey. Douglas Adams, the author, sprinkles words and punctuation along the way in ways that no author before, since and during has ever devised a way of sprinkling words.
Further reading of the Guide shows that Adams has actually copied the words of the Earth version of the Guide directly from the Galactic version of the Guide, but has rearranged the words into seeming nonsense of the highest order. The Galactic Guide tells one how best to hitchhike through the galaxy, useful for those life forms capable of extraterrestrial travel while maintaining a bank balance of zero. Adam’s guide meanwhile leaves out the description of ridiculous places and things that could only exist in an infinite universe. This allows Adams to devilishly critique the state of the world and the excesses that individuals will go through to subjugate others to their own devilish designs. Adams is so impressed by his own intellect that he even professes through the words he has put on the paper that he knows the answer to life’s biggest question. Unfortunately the question itself is left to subsequent books in an obvious effort on Adams part to gain some sort of monetary remuneration for exacting on the world his profoundly insightful insights.
If you are an individual inclined to read a book while eating a cheeseburger on a three wheel bicycle, then you should obviously obey all traffic signals and get fries with that, before joining Arthur Dent and Ford Prefect on their journey across space, time and the universe. The highly indifferent Arthur Dent is rescued from the fictional planet Earth just in time to join Ford and a group of cool laid-back individuals to search the infinite universe for a good time. Unfortunately for you, your journey may become hindered with silly thoughts on the meaning of life, religion, government, democracy and death. Thankfully, Adams’s characters have no such impediments but do find obstacles in navigating time, hostile and uninterested aliens, vast reaches of space and the infinite nuances of universe.
2 Just that good
It's so good, I keep an extra copy around to lend to anyone I meet who has not read it. It's currently resting with a beautifully cynical english tutor my son has. I, personally, have read all the books three or four times in the past few years. Obsessed? No... 'Nuff said.
3 Ol' Janx Spirit
I don't know how many years have passed since I read this book, around nine, if I'm not mistaken. Few days ago, waves of nostalgia swept over me and I picked the book from the shelf and re-read it...again...And, maybe for the first time, I realised how great this book really is.
During those nine years, lot of stuff happened to me, and much of it involved some kind of travel, and living where I live, just thinking of travel makes whole adventure by itself. And suddenly, I found myself appreciating this book even more, and learning to look at some thing in it in quite different way than I did before.
From great sattire, unforgetable characters (when you became old, you will have fond memories of Zaphod Beeblebrox, Ford Prefect and even the Arthur Dent), twisted, almost insane logic, but with such feeling for humane and humanity that it makes you cry...tears just flowing from your eyes...whether from laughter, or saddness that Adams died and Hollywood will definitely ruin the movie.
Maybe my thoughts would differ somewhat if I have read these books one by one, but editors at my country published them binded together and I always looked at them as a whole.
If you miss this one, you'll miss the grandest, and weirdest adventure that ever existed. So, if you are a frood who know where his towel is, go grab it, and start hitchhiking....
4 You Almost Can't Ask For Anything More
While reading this book, you will frequently find yourself debating a few things in your mind. One of those things is: "I really need sleep, but I need to read this book more, I just don't know what to do..."
This book is really a collection of all five books in the Hitchhiker's trilogy (um, ya, five books shouldn't be in a trilogy but thats how this series works), written by Douglas Adams. However, I had no previous experience with these books or with Douglas Adams and I thoroughly enjoyed reading them in this form. I couldn't image having read one of the books, then having to wait to get the other one. This series really is meant to be read in its entirety. The entire story flows throughout each book and needs to be read in order too.
So here is the story, a terrible accident is about to befall earth which drags the main character, Arthur Dent, on a wild romp throughout a hilarious Galaxy. Arthur just wants to get back home to Earth which leads to the stunning climax. This series is full of one liners, two liners, and even some three liners. If your a fan of British comedy, British satire, sci-fi, or just great literature then Douglas Adams weaves a tale that will appeal to you.
The first book in the series, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy really should be required reading in school, it really is that good.
Most "funny books" wouldn't even attempt to dissect the absurdity of our so-called civilization, this is what sets the Hitchhiker series apart from anything else. At points you see that while it may be funny -- all it really is, is insightful. The ridiculousness of humanity is displayed brilliantly -- through aliens. You'll find yourself laughing out loud.
As far as the ending to everything, it is one of the best endings of any series ever (in my opinion of course). It really instills an important moral, whether you get it at first or not, you may have to think about it a while. The ending also wraps up everything and makes perfect logical sense. The spontaneous happenings will have you on the edge of your seat until the very end too.
This series deals with what it really means to be alive and what the meaning of life really is. Isn't that really what everyone wants to know anyways? The answer might be so funny you'll die laughing!
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is being made into a movie too, due out in 2005. I don't see how it could live up to the high standard set by this book but we will have to see.
If you enjoy this I'd highly recommend THE LOSERS CLUB: Complete Restored Edition by Richard Perez, a somewhat unrelated (not sci-fi) but very amusing and FUN book. Short, quick, and funny -- that's how I like them.
Overall, The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy really is great! A must read by everyone!
5 Answers to the Universe's Questions Inside
It obvious that this book truly contains all the collected wisdom and knowledge of the known universe.
As much of the plot line has already been reviewed I'll just share the most informative bits:
1. It contains the best argument I have ever heard for god's nonexistence.
2. It reveals such important statistics on the entire universe such as population, export rates, and currency.
3. It finally gives answers to such pressing questions such as what whale's think about when the suddenly come into existence in the atmosphere above of strange planets.
4. It reveals the elusive answer to life the universe and every thing (although it remains somewhat ambiguous about the question to life the universe and everything).
So, if you wish to the best informed hoopy frood on your solar system then buy "The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy" today!
p.s. I strongly suggest reading the book before the movie comes out. With Adams dead I'm worried hollywood will ruin it.
6 Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galxy made me who I am today
I first read the Hitchhiker's Guide trilogy in high school and my life has never been the same.
The first three books are awesome, the fourth is ho-hum, and sadly, Mostly Harmless sucks big time. Despite the lackluster final installments, I have to give this omnibus five stars, being that the first three are so rereadable, and if you don't like the last two books, you don't have to read them.
7 I hate sci-fi but love this book
As a rule I hate science fiction, but this book is not science fiction. It is first and foremost a work of satire, wit and humour. Secondly, it is a philosophical work.
In order to achieve these goals, Douglas Adams wrapped it in a blanket of science fiction.
You do not have to be a sci-fi fan to love this book. Buy it, read it and make your own decision.
I have read it five times and will no doubt do it again before too long
8 You Almost Can't Ask For Anything More
While reading this book, you will frequently find yourself debating a few things in your mind. One of those things is: "I really need sleep, but I need to read this book more, I just don't know what to do..."
This book is really a collection of all five books in the Hitchhiker's trilogy (um, ya, five books shouldn't be in a trilogy but thats how this series works), written by Douglas Adams. However, I had no previous experience with these books or with Douglas Adams and I thoroughly enjoyed reading them in this form. I couldn't image having read one of the books, then having to wait to get the other one. This series really is meant to be read in its entirety. The entire story flows throughout each book and needs to be read in order too.
So here is the story, a terrible accident is about to befall earth which drags the main character, Arthur Dent, on a wild romp throughout a hilarious Galaxy. Arthur just wants to get back home to Earth which leads to the stunning climax. This series is full of one liners, two liners, and even some three liners. If your a fan of British comedy, British satire, sci-fi, or just great literature then Douglas Adams weaves a tale that will appeal to you.
The first book in the series, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy really should be required reading in school, it really is that good.
Most "funny books" wouldn't even attempt to dissect the absurdity of our so-called civilization, this is what sets the Hitchhiker series apart from anything else. At points you see that while it may be funny -- all it really is, is insightful. The ridiculousness of humanity is displayed brilliantly -- through aliens. You'll find yourself laughing out loud.
As far as the ending to everything, it is one of the best endings of any series ever (in my opinion of course). It really instills an important moral, whether you get it at first or not, you may have to think about it a while. The ending also wraps up everything and makes perfect logical sense. The spontaneous happenings will have you on the edge of your seat until the very end too.
This series deals with what it really means to be alive and what the meaning of life really is. Isn't that really what everyone wants to know anyways? The answer might be so funny you'll die laughing!
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is being made into a movie too, due out in 2005. I don't see how it could live up to the high standard set by this book but we will have to see.
If you enjoy this I'd highly recommend THE LOSERS CLUB: Complete Restored Edition by Richard Perez, a somewhat unrelated (not sci-fi) but very amusing and FUN book. Short, quick, and funny -- that's how I like them.
Overall, The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy really is great! A must read by everyone!
9 Great Read!
"Ford, you're turning into a penguin. Stop it." That is straight off of a shirt one of my friends made. Oh and straight out of the book. She told me it was a great book and to read it. So I did. I would highly recommend this book to anybody and everybody. Which I do. It makes me laugh out loud most of the time. I spent a whole cruise reading it because I liked it so much. Arthur just seems like the dullest person ever, but by the end, you can't help but love him. And Ford is his friend who always flies by the seat of his pants which makes him another character that everyone can relate to. And the rest of the characters, well they are all really quirky too. So if you have the opportunity, you should definitely read this book.
10 Hard to Evaluate: Rapidly Declining Quality
The first two books (Hitchhiker's Guide, Restaurant), deserve 5 stars or more. The third (Life) gets a moderately enthusiastic thumbs up for its fairly okay effort to conclude the Hitchhiker's sequence. The fourth (So Long) is barely tolerable book. If this compilation ended here, it would get a solid four stars. But it is weighted down by a zero star (if only it were possible!) by the awful, nihlist "Mostly Harmless" (don't belive it). I'm really sorry that Adams died so young. I enjoyed his Dirk Gently books. I loath "Mostly Harmless," however.
11 Fantastic!
There is only one thing to say. This book is very nearly, but not quite, the total opposite of the worst book ever written.
12 A Book Review
"Zany!" is the word to describe The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Douglas Adams' five books that amount to this series are put together into this book. In it, you follow hapless Arthur Dent in his struggle for survival in the galaxy. Earth has been destroyed, and Arthur survives only by leaving at the last minute with his friend, Ford Prefect, who turned out to be an alien. So, Arthur is turned into a hitchhiker, and seeks out the reason for the destruction of Earth. In a universe of multiple dimensions, he tries to find his place. But what happens instead is totally random things that almost end up making him lose his sanity altogether. The style of humor and eccentric characters are what brings me to the "Zany!" conclusion.
It was a whole new world (or galaxy, if you will) that Douglas Adams created. The book is completely random, with no real story line, but that's what made it such good fun. For example, the "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" book: (The title of this guidebook is also the title of the first book itself.) in it are some of the oddest descriptions, such as its description of Earth, which is, humbly put, "Mostly harmless."
I loved the characters and the humor in this book. Everything was new to me; especially the people. One such race was the Vogons (the baddies), amphibious creatures who were infamous for their vileness---and their poems. A very humorous passage in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy goes like this:
"During a recitation by their Poet Master Grunthos the Flatulent of his poem `Ode to a Small Lump of Green Putty I Found in My Armpit One Midsummer Morning' four of his audience died of internal hemorrhaging, and the President of the Mid-Galactic Arts Nobbling Council survived by gnawing one of his own legs off."
A clear picture of one of the `eccentric characters' mentioned above is Zaphod Beeblebrox, who is an "adventurer, ex-hippie, good-timer, manic self-publicist, terribly bad at personal relationships [and], often thought to be completely out to lunch." Yet, this man was the president of the galaxy. As explained by the Guide, he was the perfect president, because the president does not hold any power at all!
Douglas Adams plainly had the goal of achieving fun with this series, with no other point in mind whether the humor be ironic, poking fun at fellow humans, or just plain odd (but still, funny). I admire this about him. Some would say that the Hitchhiker's series are pointless. I say, "That's the point!"
13 You Almost Can't Ask For Anything More
While reading this book, you will frequently find yourself debating a few things in your mind. One of those things is: "I really need sleep, but I need to read this book more, I just don't know what to do..."
This book is really a collection of all five books in the Hitchhiker's trilogy (um, ya, five books shouldn't be in a trilogy but thats how this series works), written by Douglas Adams. However, I had no previous experience with these books or with Douglas Adams and I thoroughly enjoyed reading them in this form. I couldn't image having read one of the books, then having to wait to get the other one. This series really is meant to be read in its entirety. The entire story flows throughout each book and needs to be read in order too.
So here is the story, a terrible accident is about to befall earth which drags the main character, Arthur Dent, on a wild romp throughout a hilarious Galaxy. Arthur just wants to get back home to Earth which leads to the stunning climax. This series is full of one liners, two liners, and even some three liners. If your a fan of British comedy, British satire, sci-fi, or just great literature then Douglas Adams weaves a tale that will appeal to you.
The first book in the series, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy really should be required reading in school, it really is that good.
Most "funny books" wouldn't even attempt to dissect the absurdity of our so-called civilization, this is what sets the Hitchhiker series apart from anything else. At points you see that while it may be funny -- all it really is, is insightful. The ridiculousness of humanity is displayed brilliantly -- through aliens. You'll find yourself laughing out loud.
As far as the ending to everything, it is one of the best endings of any series ever (in my opinion of course). It really instills an important moral, whether you get it at first or not, you may have to think about it a while. The ending also wraps up everything and makes perfect logical sense. The spontaneous happenings will have you on the edge of your seat until the very end too.
This series deals with what it really means to be alive and what the meaning of life really is. Isn't that really what everyone wants to know anyways? The answer might be so funny you'll die laughing!
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is being made into a movie too, due out in 2005. I don't see how it could live up to the high standard set by this book but we will have to see.
If you enjoy this I'd highly recommend The Losers' Club: Complete Restored Edition by Richard Perez, a somewhat unrelated (not sci-fi) but very amusing and FUN book. Short, quick, and funny -- that's how I like them.
14 Amazing
This book is one of the most amazing books ever wrote. Douglas Adam's satire ranks up with the best satirists who ever lived. He is the reincarnation of the classics: Jonathan Swift, Mark Twain, Aristophanes, etc. Here is an example of his writing. He writes about some people who inhabit a small nut tree on one planet. Their whole life is spent on that one nut tree, living, dying, writing about the meaning of life. The only ones who ever leave are the ones who are forced off because they wonder if there's anything besides this nut tree or if the other trees are inhabitable. Sound familiar? That is just one example of the all the wonderful jokes about our life. I completely and wholeheartedly reccomend this book.
15 Typos and mistakes?!
Every copy I've seen of the "Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" has had some very glaring and distracting typos in it. I wish I could tell you exactly how many, but I couldn't make it past Arthur Dent expressing how "upsest" he was about the earth's demise. I find it offensive that the publisher would put out such a crappy printing of a wonderful, classic work of Science Fiction. Perhaps I'm overreacting but I was pretty "upsest" myself.
Maybe it was just a bad printing batch. I don't know. But just to be safe, I would recommend getting the individual books.
16 Get ready for the rollercoaster ride of your life!
There is not one version of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, there are at least five, soon six, official versions: the original radio series (I think there are even two versions of the radio series), the transcript of the radio series, the vinyl record (a treat if you can get hold of it!), the books, the television series, and soon the film. All are different, and developed for their respective mediums. All are fantastic. Douglas Adams himself said that there is no definite version. If the film is any good people will want to pick up the books also, so this is a word of caution that they should not expect the film to follow the books.
The books are very funny, extremely cleverly written, and also very thought provoking. If you read them just expecting some clear cut fun you might be in for a shock. The books have a complex intrigue and several subplots, can be read on many levels, and they seem to want to reveal something to the reader, but it is always just out of grasp. Since the seeming message of the books is never revealed, the reader instead is left wondering: What is the message? Which turns out to be the message! The closest we come is "42" and God's final message to his creation, neither of which is very ehaustive...
The universe described is not the cosy universe of science: cause and effect have no meaning since you can travel through time and space and change everything anyway. Small actions have enormous reprecussions, but apparently monumetous events leave no mark on the space-time continuoum whatsoever. Nothing is what it first seems: the Earth is run by mice, Arthur Dent has created and destroyed civilizations, but humanity as a whole is totally unimportant (not to mentioned descended from hairdressers!), the role of the galactic president is not to wield power - it is to draw attention away from the real power (a premonition of Dubya's presidency?)!
The Hitchhiker's Guide itself becomes a symbol of our struggle to create order where no order exists, it is a source of false comfort (just like organised religion, which seems to be the theme of the film).
The books, like few others, really create a sense of wonder, a feeling of the infinite. Douglas Adams was a very clever man and with a lot of life experience, therefore he could write such a complex, and funny, book.
17 interesting
interesting concept, pretty neat read.
you should check out something by Antony Flew
18 Mostly Harmless
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is one of those rare finds that makes me wonder why I wasted so much time living without having read it. It fits with all my sensibilities. The droll humour not unlike the antics of the Monty Python chaps. The carefree attitude about the vastness of the universe and our seemingly hopeless position in it. The book, simply put, makes me smile a whole lot. And if you have a fondness for tea and a dislike for obscenely cheery electronic doors, I'm willing to bet it will make you smile too.
19 You Almost Can't Ask For Anything More
While reading this book, you will frequently find yourself debating a few things in your mind. One of those things is: "I really need sleep, but I need to read this book more, I just don't know what to do..."
This book is really a collection of all five books in the Hitchhiker's trilogy (um, ya, five books shouldn't be in a trilogy but thats how this series works), written by Douglas Adams. However, I had no previous experience with these books or with Douglas Adams and I thoroughly enjoyed reading them in this form. I couldn't image having read one of the books, then having to wait to get the other one. This series really is meant to be read in its entirety. The entire story flows throughout each book and needs to be read in order too.
So here is the story, a terrible accident is about to befall earth which drags the main character, Arthur Dent, on a wild romp throughout a hilarious Galaxy. Arthur just wants to get back home to Earth which leads to the stunning climax. This series is full of one liners, two liners, and even some three liners. If your a fan of British comedy, British satire, sci-fi, or just great literature then Douglas Adams weaves a tale that will appeal to you.
The first book in the series, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy really should be required reading in school, it really is that good.
Most "funny books" wouldn't even attempt to dissect the absurdity of our so-called civilization, this is what sets the Hitchhiker series apart from anything else. At points you see that while it may be funny -- all it really is, is insightful. The ridiculousness of humanity is displayed brilliantly -- through aliens. You'll find yourself laughing out loud.
As far as the ending to everything, it is one of the best endings of any series ever (in my opinion of course). It really instills an important moral, whether you get it at first or not, you may have to think about it a while. The ending also wraps up everything and makes perfect logical sense. The spontaneous happenings will have you on the edge of your seat until the very end too.
This series deals with what it really means to be alive and what the meaning of life really is. Isn't that really what everyone wants to know anyways? The answer might be so funny you'll die laughing!
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is being made into a movie too, due out in 2005. I don't see how it could live up to the high standard set by this book but we will have to see.
If you enjoy this I'd highly recommend The Losers' Club by Richard Perez, a somewhat unrelated (not sci-fi) but very amusing and FUN book. Short, quick, and funny -- that's how I like them.
20 6 X 7?... Too obvious.
A great book or rather a great "trilogy" of five books and a short story. This should be required reading in high school. The "Red badge of courage" can gather dust for all I care.
21 Hilarious - you will love it or hate it
Silliness abounds in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, which as it turns out is not a guide book for hitchhikers beyond the general advice and rational behind always bringing a towel. Frequently the silliness is true to life in that it is tied to burocracy (The sequel to the Hithchhiker's Guide computer game was titled Burocracy.) and the oddities in modern life. The story starts as Arthur Dent, a normal English man, wakes up one morning to find bulldozers outside his house. His house had been scheduled for demolition for several months and he hadn't realized since the plans were posted at the county office. A few chapters later we find that the entire Earth has similarly been scheduled for demolition by aliens who wish to install an interstellar expressway. So Arthur with no house and soon no planet is taken to outer space by his friend Ford Prefect, who it turns out was an alien. What follows is travel through outer space which turns out to be as absurd as earth. Irony abounds.
The book was adapted from a radio show and this yields some awkward results. The pacing is very ADD. Seasons of radio went into the book, so originally this would have been spread out over a longer period of time. However the going stays coherent and jokes are fit to plot not the other way round as can happen.
This particular edition contains the original books in the series (The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, Life the Universe and Everything, and So Long and Thanks for All the Fish) short story Young Zaphod Plays it Safe and Mostly Harmless, a sequel that many fans don't like so much.
This is something that you will love or hate. I loved it and I think it would be worth trying out. In this case though, if you have never read any of these books before, it is better to buy just The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. This way you can see if they are your thing and then decide. Of course if you are a fan then this is a good deal because you have all you books in the series plus the short story.
22 Good stuff
I borrowed this book from a friend after I picked it off his bookshelf and read the first few pages. I had it finished in a week. Now I'm thinking about getting my own darn copy.
About a previous review:
Depends? Umm ... aren't those the ... I've seen the commericals where they .... do you mean Klee-nex? Seriously, this book is so funny it made you defecate on youself? I dunno, milk shot out my nose once, but nothing warranting the use of adult diapers. Maybe I'm just not as excitable, I'll leave it at that.
23 Fantastic
I recommend this book to everyone, but warn them not to read it in public. I laughed aloud more times than I can count! Adams has perfect comedic timing and his sense of the ridiculous is priceless. This is one of the funniest books I've ever read. Do yourself a favor and buy it.
24 Good, generally clean, fun
For years, I put off reading any of these books. I sort of sneered at the whole thing. Which is a shame, because I missed quite a lot of fun reading.
So I finally found this edition, all the stories nicely bound into one book, and sat down and read it. And just kept reading it. I'm a pretty fast reader, and within a week, I was just about finished. These are the kind of stories you just wish wouldn't end; the kind of stories into which you want to jump and experience for yourself.
If you love dry wit, irrevenent humor, and inane irony, you'll probably like these books. If you can't laugh at the ridiculousness of life in general, you may want to skip this.
25 None Better
Douglas Adams was an absolute master of his craft. He ranks with Oscar Wilde and Noel Coward in the highest level of British humor. I've read this book a couple times and will probably read it again and again. If you buy this book, invest in a box of Depends. You'll probably need them.
26 Brilliant collection
If you're a Douglas Adams' Fan, then this is a MUST HAVE! If you don't know who Douglas Adams is, well I'm sure you'll become a huge fan after reading this.
One of the best stories ever written.. but don't take my words for granted, check out the first couple of pages right here.. and see for yourself!
Definitly two thumbs up.
Enjoy ;-)
27 One of the books of the century!
This is a really great book! It's right up there with the classics. A book I will never forget! Well worth the price!
28 A humorous review for the too serious science or techno:
These books are wonderfully hilarious. You can immediately recognize new friends if they have read and loved these books. I have read all of Adams' books but this 4 book series is the best. While chaperoning a bus tour of England with my students, I began reading the series again. Even at 52, it kept me giggling throughout the tour. Everyday objects and events take on new possibilities of the absurd. You will laugh out loud even in the most serious places-NYC subway
29 Crazy Insane
Starting out with a guy from Betelguese and a file cabinet locked in an unused lavatory with a "Beware of the Leopard" sign, the first book blasts off into one of the best series I've ever read. Only other book that can compare to this in its insanity is Catch 22 and currently I'm trying to find more book's like these. Adams does an awesome job of laying out an intricate story with tons of random bits that make it so extreme. If you don't know if you want to buy this book then go ahead and buy it. Otherwise go be boring. The only people who won't like this are those non-fun people who get kicks out of working in an office or at a school like that awful CONAface of an english teacher.
30 Great Book
I read this book after my friend recommended it to me. A t first I as a bit confused with the description of the setting and characters but as I read on it was great. It's absolutely hilarious and a book everyone should read.
31 Douglas Adams-Greatest and most creative author EVER!
No words can describe this amazing series. It is a mix of sci-fi with some really enjoyable jokes and lots and lots of coincidences,which the book pretty much revolves around. Douglas adams created this book with unimaginable planets and characters. He has a very interesting imagination. If you like a good series with lots of laughs and a cool story this book is for you. It WILL become a favorite to all you readers out there!
32 My Favorite Series To Date
Yes, it's Python-esque. Yes, it's random. And, yes, it's wonderful. The HHTTG series (still called the "Trilogy" by the way, despite the number of books actually in the series) is one of the funniest ever. I can't tell you how many times I've read the set, and I love it more and more each time. Of course, I'm the random, silly, Python-type fan that would like it. If you're a non-fiction reader, this isn't for you - if you're ready and able to let yourself be engulfed by complete randomness and absurdity, you'll love it every time.
33 Grab a towel, a bathrobe, and this book, and "Don't Panic!"
Do you know where your towel is?
If you do, chances are that you, according to the logic -- or lack thereof -- of Douglas Adams' zany 5-book "trilogy" -- are thus very well prepared to escape from the Earth one terrible Thursday afternoon and be whisked away shortly before the Vogons demolish the planet to make way for a new hyperspace bypass.
It also helps a great deal if one of your best friends turns out to be an alien from Betelguese and not an out of work actor from Guilford. It also helps a great deal more if your friend is named Ford Prefect and is a roving researcher for that handy and impractical reference work, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Perhaps one of the best-selling references ever -- beating out the Encyclopedia Galactica and the memoirs of "adult entertainer" Eccentrica Gallumbits from Eroticon Six -- The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy will be the repository of knowledge and wisdom even as you, like Adams' hapless protagonist Arthur Dent, criss-cross the galaxy in stolen spacecraft, wander through weird and exotic worlds (including primitive Earth), and meet strange and fascinating beings such as:
Zaphod Beeblebrox, rogue, con artist, ladies' man, and infamous party crasher (and President of the Galaxy!)
Trillian, aka Tricia McMillan, a beautiful girl Arthur had met at a party in Islington and went off with a two-headed party crasher who claimed to be from outer space before Arthur could ask her for her phone number.
Slartibartfast, the designer of the Earth, whose proudest achievement was earning an award for designing the Norweigian fjords.
Prostetnic Vogon Jeltz, commander of the Vogon Construction Fleet detailed to demolish the late, mostly harmless Earth; a bureaucrat so rigid that he wouldn't lift a finger to save his grandmother from from the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal without going through a lot of paperwork...and trust me, Vogon paperwork rituals ensure certain devourment for Vogon grandmothers.
The late comic author first conceived this mix of science fiction/parody as a BBC radio series which was so successful it spun off five novels, a TV miniseries (which has aired here on PBS stations), abridged audio albums, and interactive software. This Wings Books omnibus edition contains the five novels of the increasingly inaccurately named "Hitchhiker's Trilogy" -- The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, Life, the Universe, and Everything, So Long and Thanks for All the Fish, and Mostly Harmless. It also comes with a bonus -- but less funny -- story, Young Zaphod Plays It Safe.
So if you want to survive the Earth's demise and see the galaxy, make sure you are wearing something more substantial than pajamas and a ratty bathrobe, watch the skies for flying saucers, start worrying when all the dolphins on the planet vanish, and keep your eyes peeled for an electronic gizmo with the words "Don't Panic" printed in large friendly letters on the cover.
And for Pete's sake, always, always know where your towel is!
34 this is the greatist book i have ever read
omg this is a great book i love it.infact if it were a girl i would marry her.
35 One of the Funniest Series Ever!
When you've just finished a book that's as thick & heavy as a dictionary, it is all too tempting to write pages and pages in review of it. However, I will spare you as much as I can.
The basic premise of the novels is that Ford Prefect is a hitchhiker and writer for "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy." He hitches rides all around space, writes up his experiences and sends them in to his editors. As the novel opens up, it's roughly 1980 in England, and he's been stuck on Earth for 15 years because Earth (as we know) has not really made contact with other planets and so he can't find a ride out of there (here). In that time, he has made friends with Arthur Dent, one of the absolutely most endearing characters I've ever come across in literature (even more than a Hobbit).
When we first meet Dent, he thinks his greatest battle for the day will be to lie in front of the bulldozers which want to knock down his house. Little does he know that Earth is also about to be knocked over (obliterated really) for a hyper-space by-pass. Prefect, however, catches on and rescues Dent at the very last minute...Whether or not this was a good thing is up to the reader to decide.
While Adams shows his literal genius for comedic timing and absurd humor within the bounds of Earth at the beginning, once he is freed of all constraints his writing style blazes with unique talent. Every page is so filled with parody, dry wit, perfect timing, and mind-boggling fictitious science that it leaves you laughing aloud and reeling at the same time. I realize that his humor is not for everyone...but for anyone who enjoys satire and for anyone who is frustrated with the insanity of life, this book brings the proverbial comic relief.
From what I've read from hard-core Douglas Adams fans (and there seem to be quite a few of those), books #1, 2, and 4 in this series are Adam's purest works. #3 and 5 are a bit heavier in tone. #6 (Young Zaphod Plays It Safe) is simply baffling.
For those who don't like science fiction, I would say that that shouldn't really be a problem here. While Adams does invent some very funny alien races (like the race with 50 arms that was the only one to invent deodorant before the wheel), his focus clearly isn't imagining how different life can be. Everything in his novels is a satire of humanity - from the bureaucracy to the androids to the laws of physics.
Of all the wonderful things I could dwell on in Adam's work, the last thing I would like to mention is that of all action/adventure stories I have ever read, I think Adams has created a few of the most realistic heroes. Dent, Prefect, and Zaphod - though somewhat resourceful - aren't particularly strong, bold, courageous, intelligent or smooth. They bungle any number of situations, and only Trillian has a real moment of brilliance. And yet, no matter how much they might want to simply run and save their own hides, a sense of duty to man/life nags at their conscience and keeps bringing them to help save somebody. Ultimately, I think this balances out so much of Adams ironic humor about how stupid life can be. Yes, life is absurd at so many levels, but Adams never abandons our Western Civilization ideals of the value of life and our duty to help each other.
Oh, and the dialogue is priceless!
36 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
In The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy Arthur Dent lives a peaceful with his only friend Ford Prefect who is realy an alien. One morning Arthur wakes up and there are many bulldozers outside of his house. They are going to nock it down to make a by pass. Aurthur is not happy about it and lays in front of one of the bulldozers. His friend Ford comes and lifts him up. They go to a bar and Ford tells Arthur that the world is going to end very soon. They go outside and get on a Vogon Spaceship. Soon after they get on the ship they are throne off of it into space. Another ship that is being driven by Fords cousin Zaphod Beeblebrox, who is the former president of the Universe. Zaphod and his compaion Trisha Mcmillan have stolen a valuble ship called the Heart of Gold. This a peice of government property. The four of them are trying to find a planet to live on. When they find the planet that Zaphod had in mind, a recording came through. It said "Don,t come any closer or else well launch nucealar bombs at you." Zaphod did not mind the recording and went even closer. The missils miss the ship and they went to the planet safely. They found out that the planet was already occupied so they left. The Vogons wanted to kill Zaphod so they launched missles at the ship. Luckily the ship dodged the missles and they went to go and eat at The Restaurant at the End of the Universe. This book is the first of a five book series. --The is tex refers to the paperback copy
37 Cosmic comedy
Part humor, part science fiction and part philosophy; that's how I'd sum up the Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy. There are five novels in this collection with a 'bonus' story which is a really a waste of space. I liked the first three stories the best as these were pretty funny. Adam's humor is similar to Terry Pratchett's (Don't read Pratchett) and having read Pratchett at a much earlier age I could appreciate the weird twists and turns and the countless non-sequiturs. It's the kind of book you'd enjoy if you're used to the type of Monty Python humor. Douglas manages to poke fun at nearly all the professions on earth, and he never lets up in his 'attacks' against the church, most noticable in the last book 'Mostly Harmless'.
If you are looking for logical connections between the books, you may be disappointed as these stories seem to develop on their own, with explanations of unexpected twists and turns provided as the book proceeds. Along the way though, Adam's does provide some interesting food for thought about our place in the universe, and about the nature of the universe(s) themselves. His classic thinking-outside-of-the-square style shows when he describes the difficulties faced when dealing with the grammar of time travel.
The tone of the last book 'Mostly Harmless' was a bit too serious for my liking, especially after some of the sidesplittingly funny lines in the earlier books. He really did bring the book down to Earth on the last one. All in all, not a bad effort, though as a Christian I had to constantly remind myself that his attacks on religion were his views alone. Even though it's a comedy, this book made me realize the enormity of the universe and our own insignificance in it.
Read this book, if you like out of this world comedy.
38 Overall a good read...
The Hitchhiker's Series is a great series, despite it's flaws. My favorite book had to be "So Long", even though my favorite character is Zaphod. The actual Zaphod story is pointless, and the ending of "Mostly Harmless" disappoints.
39 Hilarious, unpredictable, untouchable
Adams takes the sci-fi genre and turns it on its head in an unpreditcable, hilarious series of books that are not only interesting and unpredictable, but keep you laughing hysterically from start to finish.
The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy takes the entire Hitchhicker series and crams it into one huge book (nice and easy to find). DO NOT be deterred by the size of this book. Boring chapters ... well they don't really exist. Its a quick enjoyable read the whole way through.
5 stars: A MUST READ. I'd recommend this to anyone, anywhere anytime. Don't sit mindlessly in front of the TV watching tired ideas reused over and over in boring sitcoms. Let the Hitchhicker's guide take you on an unparalled journey through a universe that is as elaborate, marvelous and well though out as it is hilarious.
Note: I won't summarize any of the story for you in this review. Its simply so elaborate and immersive that I could not possibly begin to explain it without taking thrity minutes of your time. JUST READ IT YOURSELF!
40 Undescribably great.
This is the only series of books ever to be this much fun.
The humour is more witty than anything you have ever encountered, the story is great too, but what makes you keep reading is the awesome and unbelievably funny jokes. Believe me, if you're tired of "The hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy, you're tired of life.
The greatest thing about all is that the book is so long that you, once you have finished it, have forgotten a lot of the beginning and can start reading it again!
41 fantastic
It was the book that got me hooked on Douglas adam. I couldn't put the book down, it is full of adam's dry and witty humor. The whole series was a great read but this by far took the cake. The book itself, in my opinion, is for the nerdy fun guy who loves a great laugh. the book is very well put together. Adam ties every little miniscule detail together making it a delightful read when you find out what was really going on.
The whole story (of all 5 books) is based on a woman who finds out an answer to everything but is blown up with the rest of the world before she could tell anyone. It does not actually get to her until the third book which is an example of Douglas adam's "randomness". Besides the woman it is based on 4 people trillin, ford perfect, Zaphod, Arthur dent and Marvin the chronically depressed robot. Each charter is unique and has almost a part of adam in them.
This book was a delightful read and I give it 2 thumbs up (three if I had a third one). I highly suggest if you read only read one book this year read this one.
Andy
42 Mostly Harmless
Douglas Adams puts it all into perspective in this fun to read book. His dry British humor seems to sneak up on you. The main character is concerned about his house getting bull dozed down to make way for a bypass and little does he know that the whole world is about to suffer the same fate. He escapes with his old friend that turned out to be an alien from Betelgeuse.The president of the universe who had just stolen a new spaceship picks them up. The parallels Adams makes to the "going ons" with them and how things work in Government, and the like, make the book interesting.
I just finished reading it for the third time in about 20 years.
43 The most pragmatic book....
Ever wonder about the meaning of life? Well, look no further - this book has it (literally!). Only catch is, it doesn't offer the "question" on what the meaning of life is (that's a drag).
All along the way you will also be able to enjoy perhaps the single funniest book you'll ever read. Adams has a quirky, bizarre, off-kilter sense of humor. Just about everyone I know can't help but burst out laughing at his antics.
With that in mind, I would recommend this book (as well as all other of Adam's works)for anyone who has a sense of humor. This one will have you frolicking thru the galaxy, laughing out loud - and loving every minute of it!
44 Review 4 school, the ultimate hitchhiker's guide
I think is a wonderful book. It is written so amzingly funny. Although it's a really thick book, you stay keened on it.
Douglas adams is just a wondeful writer. He has got allot of humour and mixed it with a great story. I really loved to read this book and I hope mr. Adams writes allot more of this kind of stories.
It was WONDERFUL
goodbye
Michael
45 Impeccibly Hilarious
This is the best and certainly the funniest science fiction book I've ever read. Douglas Adams' writing style and sense of timing is clever and hilarious. It is very dry, and random at times, and full of funny metaphors and loads of good quotes. Actually, it is like the whole book is a gigantic funny quote. One of my favorite excerpts is:
"To summarize: it is a well-known fact that those people who must want to rule people are, ipso facto, those least suited to do it. To summarize the summary: anyone capable of getting themselves made President should by no means be allowed to do the job. To summarize the summary of the summary: people are a problem." (from The Restaraunt At the End of the Universe)
I laughed out loud so hard at several parts, and then I actually laughed again at random points throughout the day when I thought about it. It's one of those books that you can read anytime and you don't get sick of it.
46 Ineffable
Outstanding books. Just do not start reading them if you have a research paper due. You can eaisly read a book a day. Do not buy if you take this planet too seriously and have no sense of humor.
47 Dont miss this
Having read and loved Adams classics while in high school, I saw this and decided to revisit these volumes that I had always relished. I felt like I was reading them for the first time. This is an absolute must read for virtually everyone. If you have even the smallest funny-bone, any interest in british humor or even a desire to look at the universe from a fresh perspective, these books wont dissapoint. Having them all together in one volume is just a bonus, because, lets face it- if you had only bought the first volume of his "trilogy" to read, there is virtually no way you wouldn't end up buying the others anyway.
48 There is only one Douglas Adams... And this book shows it.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is most likely one of the most liked and respected series of all time. It is too hard to explain the vastness of the galaxy, but Douglas Adams can do it.
The English humor in this science fiction comedy book, is laugh-out-loud funny. That is, if you get it, and some do not. The series is inexplicably genious.
THe series is about the unfortunate events of planet earth and the events afterward, centering around two British characters: Arthur Dent and Ford Prefect. It begins on a Thursday... and with a house.
Basically, aliens in big, yellow spaceships come and destroy earth. Arthur Dent and Ford Prefect escape just in time to avoid being decimated with it. Their escapades through Magrathea, Earth, Krikket, and the Resturaunt at the End of the Universe can be very serious at times, but come out being awfully humorous. No one will ever replace Douglas Adams.
Reccomendation: ANYONE. The book is worth the money Amazon.com is asking for. So, all in all, I give it a 5 out of 5. People who do not like science fiction will love this book, along with the people who love science fiction. Douglas Adam's humor is universal. I know all who buy the book will enjoy it to no end.
49 Simply Amazing
wow. this book is one of the best science fiction books i have read. humourous and wacky, it's the kind of book you don't want to miss. it's amazing how Douglas Adams can mix science fiction and humour in such a good package. it's an excellent read for any day, anytime, with or without tea. the whole thing includes the 5 books from the series and a short story. it can keep you entertained for a few weeks the first time and after your first read you won't be able to put it down.
50 Exuberant fun
The universe that Douglas Adams creates for us gives the impression of being absurdly vast, yet there is a sense of familiarity throughout most of Arthur Dent's encounters, almost as though he's done it all before. In fact, time loops and wormholes are peppered throughout the five books. Arthur's world is turned on its head in the very first pages of the first book, and he never really recovers. He has no business being off Earth, and he always seems to be off on somebody else's adventure. Even when he returns to Earth, he's a foreigner. Homesickness pervades the five books and adds a unique dimension. Its counterpoint is the comedy, which is at times very sharp, very absurd, and almost always hilarious, particularly the idea of the restaurant at the end of the universe, where people go for a nice evening's apocalypse. Also there is the history of the Earth and its purpose, which constitutes the basic plot, although Adams is very digressive. Best of all are the two great Borgesian touches--the Heart of Gold, a spaceship which--much like Borges' Aleph--allows its crew to pass through every point in the universe simultaenously. And the Hitchhiker's Guide itself, for which agents are dispatched across the galaxy to gather information on every subject, imaginable and unimaginable. Like the world wide web it foreshadows, the Guide is sometimes indispensible, and sometimes highly unreliable.
And the characters--Could there be a greater comic invention in science fiction than a two-headed egomaniac who helps concoct a plan so secret that he must erase it out of his conscious memory and trust that his subconscious will somehow manifest it?
This is great storytelling, particularly the first two books, but it's great to have all of them in one volume.
51 A Science Fiction For Everyone...and I mean EVERYONE.
Well, this book is better than the hype. It's got to be one of the most intelligent (and funny) books of all time. Really. And I'm the type who laughs at Star Trek.
Only CAUTION: Don't read the intro before finishing the book. There's a SPOILER in there.
52 The Collected Wit of a Genius
This is one of my most prized of books, and I have read the entire thing twice even though it is over 800 pages long. If you enjoy sci-fi and love to laugh out loud, then this is a great book to own. I guarantee that you will end up quoting from the books without even realizing it.
53 Perhaps the greatest book ever written
I have never been much of a science fiction fan, so when my uncle gave me this book, I was a little bit skeptical, thinking it would be just another book about aliens and teleportation and space ships. How wrong I was! Well, it was about aliens and the like, but it was also probably the funniest book I have ever read.
It tells the tale of an average, if not slightly depressed man, who, one day, unexpectedly finds himself travelling the galaxy with an alien named Ford Prefect. The dialogues are wonderful, the characters hysterical, and the stories are ... I don't know that there is an adjective good enough to describe them.
For anyone who has a sense of humor, this book is for you. It will leave you rolling on the floor in fits of laughter.
54 amusing galaxy
there are these 2 people: ford and arthur. both living on a planet (earth) to be destroyed. they got to get away from the planet. there is however, more to it. there's a depressed robot named marvin. the president, zaphod. an improbability machine. nasty creatures. designers. dolphins and rats. there will be a lot of things going on. the characters are very interesting. the dialogue funny. great, lovely, funny details. actually, writing a review is very strange. adams must be experienced. his ideas are really far-out, very fantastic, and great. rats conducting observations with humans, etc. i'm not into sci-fi, but i recognize some of the satire, although perhaps not all. but there is also "common" satire, weird ideas, amusing dialogue....
55 But it gets old by book five, so, be sure to pace yourself.
A whimsical, witty satire that remains in the realm of the rediculousness and sillyness throughout. There is nothing subtle about the satire either. The story begins as Aurther Dent's house is to be destroyed for a by-way, but that doesn't matter because the earth is to be destroyed to make room for an inter-steller by-way; right away, the stroy is rediculous. Clever inventions will keep the reader turning the pages just to see what strange thing will befall Aurther Dent next. The first book is a must-read.
56 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy did not entertain me the way I would have hoped. While reading this piece of science fiction by Douglas Adams, all I thought was "I wonder what's on TV?" Personally, I prefer non-fiction novels, so I was not used to the different style of literature.
Even though I felt as though I was wasting my time reading this novel, I did find some pages of it quite interesting. I am more of a science and math kind of person, so the fact that the story was based on the many questions scientists have today (Are there other living beings other than humans? What comes after space? Are humans being controlled by others?) I found it somewhat intriguing.
I liked the lack of unnecessary detail, which many authors ramble on about and distract the reader. Instead, Adams attempted to keep the reader's attention by keeping the story moving. Combined with the unique characters, humans and aliens alike, and the extraordinary adventure through the galaxy, in addition to some mild humor, this novel was not totally unbearable.
57 Perfect Prefect!
What can I say? This is a fantastic book. I recommend this book to everyone I meet. If you ever wondered about the world around you, or about life, the universe, and everything, then you need to read this. Find out the answer to these questions (although you may be disappointed to find out what it is.) Learn why mice rule the world, and why dolphins are the smartest creatures on the planet. This book is amazing, because you get all five books of the Hitchhikers Trilogy all in ONE great book. A must read!!
58 A delightful read!
I was hooked on the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy from the first page of the first book. This collection of all books is a fantastic set. For me these stories really joke with our very existence on Earth and remind me how very much there is to this universe that we don't know. They are pleasant, fast reads and very humorous. Nothing can touch the first book on humor, but others do a good job. I didn't really like So Long and Thanks for All the Fish too much, and the Zaphod short story is a waste. The other books are delightful and a good read. I highly recommend this book as a gift to dorky guys who are interested in technology and space. My girlfriend got it for me and it was right on the mark! Farewell, Douglas Adams, and we thank you!
59 Excellent Novel
In the novel, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams, the author uses direct and indirect characterization to effectively tell the story of the adventure faced by Arthur Dent shortly after finding out that his best friend is not human. Ford Prefect, Arthur's friend, is in fact an alien from Betelgeuse, and right from the beginning he is obviously dragging Arthur into some sort of trouble. The result is a joyride from planet to planet, and eventually to The Restaurant at the End of the Universe. Arthur, increasingly homesick, encounters dozens of problems ranging from a tea-making machine that does not make tea, to missiles flying at him from an "abandoned" planet. Arthur's whacky trip across the universe takes him to meet many interesting people, including the excessively eccentric Zaphod Beedlebrox, and even a female earthling that has been traveling the galaxy for some time. Each character he meets is completely unique, and their characteristics are revealed in a variety of ways. Sometimes, Adams simply describes the character to you. Other times, he indirectly reveals their true selves by the way they interact with each other and their environment. For instance when Ford keeps his calm when confronted by an infinite number of monkeys with typewriters, wanting to read their version of Hamlet to him.
To Adams, it seems very important to have a character driven story. Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is the absolute epitome of this. The plot swings back and forth drastically according to the characters' whims, and each character reacts to each event in their own way. Adams even seems to add personality to inanimate objects, like the "Improbability Drive", a device that has infinite possibilities to do anything based on the improbability that it will happen, when it manifests a bowl of petunias and a whale several miles above a planet's atmosphere. As they plummet to the ground, Adams relates what goes through both the whale's, and the petunias' minds as the ground rushes up to meet them. This book is enjoyable because of the far out humor, and the way that each character contributes to that humor. While there is not a linear plot, Arthur Dent has one goal that he does strive for: to have a cup of tea, and get back home to earth to watch a game of Cricket. The absurdities and oddities in this book make it much more fun, especially because many readers should be able to relate to one character or other.
Adam's Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is an overall radiant book. His use of characterization adds to the story, as well as the humor, of the book. Each character's unique personality, the bizarre hilarity, and the imaginative encounters the party has, all bring an excellent book to the point of brilliance. Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy easily warrants five stars, for it's superiority and the laughs that it will bring when read.
60 Great book
I read this book expecting a lot - I had heard numerous references that were supposedly to this book, so I decided to finally read it and find out what all the hype was about.
I'm glad to say I wasn't disappointed. Quite to the contrary, the book exceeded my expectations. It's beautifully crafted, and the humor is so whimsical and Pythonesque, that it's both clever and absurd at the same time.
It was especially great to read one seemingly absurd part of a story (like a detailed description of a flowerpot hitting the ground), and then, several books later, find out how it ties with the story. Adams does an excellent job and bringing things together - reading these series is like watching a puzzle unfold in front of your eyes.
Another great aspect was finally reading about the many references found to the story - you'll never look at number 42 the same way.
While many people have given negative reviews to the last book (Mostly Harmless), I thought that while it was a bit hard to follow, it wasn't any different from any other H2G2 book.
If you're a Python fan, you owe it to yourself to read this book (Adams wrote several skits with the Pythons and was a close friend). If you're not, you might still like it, if you like whimsical, clever humor.
61 Comic Genius? A Master of Satire? Maybe Both
This is a collection of 5 books written by Douglas Adams. It is sadly missing one book entitled "Young Zaphod Plays It Safe."
Other than that, reviewing the entire series, this is one of the greatest books ever written in the satire/comedy/sci-fi genre, which really isen't as common a genre as it really should be. Douglas Adams had a way of writing complete and utter gibberish and making it all make sence in a strange way. After reading them, the books would leave you with a strange feeling of not quite knowing what just happened to you, but it was good. All in all I recommend this for anyone to read, this is a series of classics.
62 A Cosmic Comedy Classic
As eccentric as its author, The Guide is a must-read. It's so good 800 pages isn't nearly enough. A dubious plot and a motley crew of neurotic, self-absorbed creature/characters carry this zany book along at a pace comparable to that of the infinite improbability drive. It alternates between confusing and enlightening but is consistantly and undeniably hilarious.
63 FUNNY!
I picked up this book not knowing what to expect and 10 pages in to it I still didn't know what the heck was going on but I was rolling on the floor because I was laughing so hard. You do finaly understand this novel, though there isn't much to understand, and it just makes you laugh. My favorite character was the manic depressive robot but all the characters are unique and witty. Adams is a genuis. Don't Panic!
64 ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS EVER!!!
This is by far one of the best books ever! I can not put it down!
If you are looking for a good book buy this book. I read the first part in less than 5 days!
