Product Description

If you really want to know about the world and understand how the planet works, look no further than Our Dumb World, the atlas that reveals the real truth about each country. 'Located direcctly at the centre of the universe, around which everything else revolves, the nation of xxxxxx is the sole beacon of life and civilisation in an otherwise empty void' - who else could it be but France? Meanwhile, we get to understand why Iraq was invaded by the USA, not only were they guilty over 9/11, 'the worst attack on US soil since Iraqi pilots bombed Pearl Harbor' but Saddam Hussein also assassinated JFK. So if you want to know which is the sleepiest country in Europe, which nation has the hottest queen, or where the rubble from previous conflicts is now buried under the debris of today's wars, Our Dumb World will provide the answers. Every country's pretensions are skewered, their hopes squashed and their fears laughed at. In short, by the end of this book, you will never be able to visit any country in the world without seeing it in an entirely new and hilarious light.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #19822 in Books
• Published on: 2007-11-01
• Binding: Hardcover
• 256 pages

Review
"Essential reading for all." (Brian Campbell Irish News )

Synopsis
If you really want to know about the world and understand how the planet works, look no further than Our Dumb World, the atlas that reveals the real truth about each country. 'Located direcctly at the centre of the universe, around which everything else revolves, the nation of xxxxxx is the sole beacon of life and civilisation in an otherwise empty void' - who else could it be but France? Meanwhile, we get to understand why Iraq was invaded by the USA, not only were they guilty over 9/11, 'the worst attack on US soil since Iraqi pilots bombed Pearl Harbor' but Saddam Hussein also assassinated JFK. So if you want to know which is the sleepiest country in Europe, which nation has the hottest queen, or where the rubble from previous conflicts is now buried under the debris of today's wars, Our Dumb World will provide the answers. Every country's pretensions are skewered, their hopes squashed and their fears laughed at. In short, by the end of this book, you will never be able to visit any country in the world without seeing it in an entirely new and hilarious light.

About the Author
The Onion is a satirical newspaper that began in 1988 and has a website, theonion.com, that attracts over 3 million viewers each week which now features the video-based ONN, Onion Network News.

Customer Reviews

as funny as a book can get
simply hilarious. This book is a mickey-take of every country in the world. it's not particularly informative, but that's the point. it is joke after joke after joke.

if you're at all sensitive about cultural stereotypes avoid, but if not, buy it.

Dumb, dumb
What a disappointing Christmas present. With no prior knowledge of `The Onion' I suppose I wasn't all that well prepared for what I was about to read. It is unfortunately a very `American' book. When I say `American' I actually mean `ignorant'. The book is indeed funny in some parts but will leave you with a rather unpleasant taste in the mouth as you become soaked with the cheese of American arrogance. The satire seems to be based on old fashioned stereotypical views. We've heard them all before!! If only the book spent a bit more time taking the p**s out of the USA, which if we are honest has more things to be ashamed of than perhaps the rest of the world put together. If you are thinking of buying this as a present for someone (who isn't to the best of your knowledge a fan of The Onion) then please, please, please think twice.

A neat idea, but lacks the wit of the Onion
I'm a big fan of the Onion. For those of you who don't know, the Onion is a parody newspaper- its articles are fictional. So, from the Onion team comes this- a fictional atlas! Its a nice idea. Countries of the world are covered, each one with comedy descriptions, funny little "facts" for the visitor, and generally a bit of light hearted racial sterotypes- done from a parody, rather than a "Bernard Manning" angle of course. At times the humour touches on Monty Python style.

The success of "parody travel guides" such as Molvania lies in the fact that thier humour is witty and cutting. Tourists, Locals and above all guidebooks themselves are mocked with a cruel, and very perceptive eye. "Our Dumb World" attempts to do the same. It is a really bold effort- I think they do their best to cover each country, and to come up with specific jokes relating to every nation really must take some doing. However, it is in this that my criticism lies. Often, the Onion Newspaper can be downright cruel, and loveless, but above all it is perceptive- and strikes a chord with jaded readers. This is makes it humour so neat and cutting. However I feel what lets this book down somewhat is that it lacks the same wit. They go for very easy targets. The British "Like Their Tea" the Germans "Started World Wars" etc. These jokes, if nothing else, are somewhat obvious. OK, it could be that they are parodying traditional sterotypes, but this get confusing rather than funny. People have been making jokes about the Irish being Drunks, the English being stiff upper lipped retroverts, The French being... French etc for a long time. Because their comedy targets are so obvious, it lacks the wit and bite that is associated with the magazine.

Its certainly worth buying if you are an Onion fan- its good fun, but not as good as the Onion itself. It also comes a distinct second to the much more biting "Jetlag" series. That said, it would be a good gift for someone who likes something a bit different.