The book is pokes fun at all and sundry - British, American, New Zealander, estate agent, Aberdonian, Rich's "family", Neil Diamond, Bill Gates, crypic crossword fanatics... no one is safe. Perhaps the only drawback is you can't escape the feeling that even you the reader are being made fun of while reading it. I guess life is funny, it just takes someone like Rich Hall to point it out sometimes.

I think David Letterman's quote on the back sums it up:

"We say a lot of people are funny. He's the real thing."

Genius. Buy this book and never use a stepladder again!


Is this for real?   June 27, 2005
 2 out of 6 found this review helpful

This book was not what I was expecting. I wasn't expecting to see short stories, and it was a couple of essays in before I got my head around the fact that they might not all be factual. I couldn't get my head around that mini nuclear plant in the garden.

Once on his wavelength, this is a comedy book. His observation that you can buy a gun anytime in America, but can't get a beer unless you join the local members club, really makes him dislike certain parts of his own country.

Read in bits, read in one sitting, just make sure you read it.


Nightmare Journey into the American Dream. Like   December 21, 2003
 5 out of 5 found this review helpful

A very, very funny book. Most of it you can really relate to (estate agents, suburban boredom and nuclear powerstation operation) other things you can only dream of (drinking in Utah).
I've seen a little of his humour before on TV, but felt I'd give it a bash after reading most of it in the book store. It was definitely worth it. The bite size stories are off centre with a slant that will make you think whilst you imbibe.

Oh, and his review of Aberdeen is spot on. Like.