Product Description

Variously described as 'the cleverest and wittiest work of the year, or bastard century even' (Melody Maker) or 'the funniest wisest book ever written' (The Times), The Onion team's first book, Our Dumb Century, was widely and hugely praised.

Their second tome delivers more hilarious satire in the same vein as: 'Muhammed Ali KO's Ronald Reagan In Nursing Home Scuffle', 'Drugs Win Drugs War', or 'Martin Luther King: I Had A Really Weird Dream Last Night'. The strength of The Onion lies in the fact that the text underneath the brilliant headlines is just as funny.

As Nicholas Lezard said of Our Dumb Century: 'I cannot imagine a funnier book being written - well, ever' (Guardian)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #200863 in Books
• Published on: 2000-04-07
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 276 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
From the editors of the most hilarious periodical around comes The Onion's Finest News Reporting, a collection of stories and commentaries with a sublime satirical bite. Devotees of the Madison, Wisconsin, weekly will erupt with laughter at each turn of the page, while newcomers will wonder how they have done without such headlines as "Saddam Hussein Steps Down Following Sex Scandal", "Nation's Educators Alarmed by Poorly Written Teen Suicide Notes" and "Massive Oil Spill Results in Improved Wildlife Viscosity". The brilliant parodies following the headlines are consistently smart, irreverent and hysterical. Some selections are masterworks of absurdity, such as op-ed pieces written from the perspectives of pylons, chemical plants or appliances. The book also contains some choice picks from the magazine's "What Do You Think?" column, in which ordinary citizens sound off on timely topics such as the teaching of evolution in schools ("I am against evolution being taught in schools. I am also against widespread literacy and the refrigeration of food.") and the cloning of animals ("I can't believe it--imagine a whole field of sheep that all look alike!"). As with all effective satire, this volume seeks to hit society's raw nerves: homophobia, racism, sexism, even Canada--"Perky 'Canada' Has Own Government, Laws" reads one headline. But buyer beware: if Dave Barry is about your speed, you may find some of these stories (and the language) to be tasteless, if not offensive. Others will love this book for those very reasons. --Shawn Carkonen, Amazon.com

Customer Reviews

Genius- Comedy at its finest!
The Onion is by far the greatest satrical work of our time. If you liked 'BrassEye' and 'The Day Today', you will certainly love this. You don't have to know much about US current affairs to find yourself roaring with laughter as you read each Onion article. There is a remarkable sense of realism in the Onion's reporting style, and everything has properly been thought out. In conclusion- this book is a must have for anyone who loves to laugh!

Genius !!!
More cutting than straight reporting, more fantastically creative than anything in other media - 'The Onion' is the only publication that I can say I read on a weekly basis [and I live in the UK!] Sometimes, they just get it so right, it takes your breath away. . . .

Outstandingly funny!
This is the funniest book I have read this year - The journalistic style is spot on, and it had me laughing out loud many times. I will be buying many copies for christmas. If you are not easily offended, and you liked Monty Python, then this will please you mightily. It's like a professional Private Eye. But don't buy it for your kids!