Product Description

John O'Farrell presents over two hundred almost-true news stories from Britain's leading satirical site, including charity launches, guide dogs for the late, and teenagers on work experience banned from air traffic control. Remember where you were when you heard that the fifty-year rule was abolished fifty years ago? Or the news that dolphins stop smiling the moment our backs are turned? It's all in this handy book-shaped collection which brings together Britain's most exciting new comedy writers and the talents behind such shows as "Have I Got News For You", "Spitting Image" and "Lead Balloon".From Sainsbury's Launch New Gullible Range to Ryanair to Charge for Emotional Baggage, this hilarious journey through the year represents the very best in topical comedy from the website that the "New York Times" declared was Britain's answer to "The Onion". 'The funniest book of the year from Britain's funniest website,' says TV's Robert Mugabe. 'If this book doesn't win the Booker Prize I will personally nut Melvyn Bragg or whichever ponce is in charge this year,' says former soccer hard man Vinnie Jones.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #38559 in Books
• Published on: 2008-11-06
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 128 pages

From the Back Cover
‘The funniest book of the year from Britain’s funniest website,’ says TV’s Robert Mugabe

John O’Farrell presents over two hundred almost-true news stories from Britain’s leading satirical site, including ‘Charity Launches Guide Dogs for the Late’ and ‘Teenagers on Work Experience Banned from Air Traffic Control’.

Remember where you were when you heard that the fifty-year rule was abolished fifty years ago? Or the news that dolphins stop smiling the moment our backs are turned? It’s all in this handy book-shaped collection which brings together Britain’s most exciting new comedy writers and the talents behind such shows as Have I Got News For You, Spitting Image and Lead Balloon.

From ‘Sainsbury’s Launch New Gullible Range’ to ‘Ryanair to Charge for Emotional Baggage,’ this hilarious journey through the year represents the very best in topical comedy from the website that the New York Times declared was Britain’s answer to The Onion.

‘If this book doesn’t win the Booker Prize I will personally nut Melvyn Bragg or whichever ponce is in charge this year,’ says former soccer hard man Vinnie Jones.

About the Author
Apart from being the founder and editor of NewsBiscuit, John O'Farrell is the author of such bestselling books as An Utterly Impartial History of Britain, The Best a Man Can Get, This Is Your Life, May Contain Nuts, and Things CanOnly Get Better as well as three collections of his popular Guardian column. An award-winning comedy scriptwriter for such shows as Spitting Image, Smith and Jones and the film Chicken Run, he now regularly appears on TV and radio, on programmes such as Have I Got News for You, Newsnight Review and Grumpy Old Men. His books have been translated into over twenty languages, although how the gags work in Norwegian is anyone's guess.

Customer Reviews

A near miss
The idea is sound enough and sometimes the virtual reality stories hit the funny-bone, but too often for me, they weren't quite on the money ie too self-consciously clever at the expense of the humour.

Great Christmas Present
This book made me laugh so hard I wet myself and my 3 neighbours on the 4.10 to Canterbury East last tuesday. This urinary faux pas resulted in my person being forcibly ejected from the train at some speed, causing a rural pile up for a passing pack of fox hounds and their red-coated masters. Hmmm...Newbiscuit-worthy, I thought to myself, as I dusted off my coat and removed the canines from my left bicep....

This is a great book, from a great website. Good to have all the best articles compiled into this handily portable compendium. Well, portable that is if you're used to carrying a coffee table around with you. I intend to carry it and my coffee table everywhere, and quote from it at random. Has also solved a few christmas present dilemmas.

Isle of Wight to Get Ceefax: And Other Groundbreaking Stories from Newsbiscuit
This book is truly hilarious and I highly recommend it to everyone who likes a good laugh. As well as making a great present, it's one of those books you have to buy for yourself. You'll keep it on the shelf, and then find yourself dipping in and out of it over and over again. It would be heavy to carry to work, but if you hate commuting take it with you on the bus and train, you will forget the journey and find yourself laughing out loud. Well worth it!
Aggie
London
UK