Product Description

Books, television shows and websites are forever ordering us around - 100 things to do before you're 30; 50 albums you must own; this year's must-have handbag; change your life in two weeks. Why - is this an increasingly desperate search for happiness? What is this obsession with lists, and why should we care? Canâ t Be Arsed is a hilarious diatribe from the head of comedy at Hat Trick (producers of Have I Got News For You, Room 101 and Father Ted) that takes a detailed look at the alternative side of the 101 most frequently cited must do's, revealing the ugly details that most of these guidebooks conveniently ignore. It gives off-putting facts and statistics to quote at holier-than-thou thrillseekers, so the next time somebody tells you that you simply must swim with dolphins, read Kafka in Prague, or go skydiving, you can tell them exactly where to get off. Here, at last, is the timely antidote to the plethora of '101 things' books so beloved by vaunting adventurers, to finally make them stop telling us how to live. Wish-fulfilment lists take heed...

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4959 in Books
• Published on: 2008-09-15
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 216 pages

Review
"I'd like to say that this is a funny, intelligent, thorough account of not bothering to expand your horizons, but I can't be ar**d." --Paul Merton

"A terrific blow for freedom. Richly comic." --Boris Johnson

"A funny book from the man behind some of Britain's funniest TV shows. Quite an achievement for such a miserable old ba****d." --John O'Farrell

About the Author
Richard Wilson is head of comedy for Hat Trick Productions (Have I Got News For You, Never Mind the Buzzcocks).

Customer Reviews

A Book To Read before You Die
A hilarious take on all those worthy lists of things that you're meant to do to make your life complete, like touching a tiger or swimming with dolphins. Richard Wilson's answer is to stay at home and read a good book instead. Like this one. Very funny indeed and heartily recommended.

Can't Be Bettered
No, not the One-Foot-in-The-Grave Richard Wilson, but the equally distinguished Richard Wilson behind Have I Got News For You. He's now come out from behind the scenes to steal centre-stage with this achingly funny collection of things not to do.
Have a Meaningful Conversation with a Beggar - well-meaningness never quite works, better to pass on the other side
Learn Circus Skills - "I'm off to become a living statue", possibly the worst words that any parent wants to hear

Have a good Indian takeaway and a beer instead!

Brilliant.
I bought this for my dad and ending up keeping it for myself and buying him another copy! A really funny book though I would expect no different from the man behind Have I Got News For You - one of my favourite shows. Recommended!