The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Submitted by Reviewer (not verified) on 10 October, 2005 - 17:00.
Some Book Reviews
| Douglas Adams: The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy |
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| Author | Douglas Adams | | Made | Del Rey | | Date | 2002-04-30 | | Media | Paperback | | Catalog | Book | | Sales Rank | 22903 | | Availability | Usually ships in 24 hours | | List Price | US$20.00 | | Our Price* | US$13.60 |
*Price subject to change |  |
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Reviews:| Rating 5.0/5 from 117 reviews | | Amazing Book!!! | | Rating: 5/5 2008-10-21 | "Well you see, five million years ago the Galactic economy collapsed, and seeing that custom-made planets are something of a luxury commodity you see ..."
He paused and looked at Arthur.
"You know we built planets do you?" he asked solemnly.
"Well yes," said Arthur, "I'd sort of gathered ..."
"Fascinating trade," said the old man, and a wistful look came into his eyes, "doing the coastlines was always my favourite. Used to have endless fun doing the little bits in fjords ... so anyway," he said trying to find his thread again, "the recession came and we decided it would save us a lot of bother if we just slept through it. So we programmed the computers to revive us when it was all over."
-Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
This is one of my favorite parts of the book. The comparison to the current mortgage crises is tough to miss out. Bernanke actually gave a serious thought to the option of sleeping through this but ruled it out in favour of a 700 billion bailout.
I don't really know how I managed to stay away from this book so long. It finally found me, at Duke University bookstore when I was there on a recruiting trip recently. And thanks to a review I read recently it managed to grab my attention and the alumni discount made it affordable. Now I'm trying to spread the goodwill and reduce the number of people who managed to stay away from this book.
It is always easier to review crappy works, 'cos you have the liberty to get creative in making fun of them. Not so much fun when you endorse something. But I'll try.
The first couple of pages are slow like the roller coaster going up the slope but once the plot opens up, you take that big plunge down and have the adrenalin rush. Chapter after chapter of wild twists, meaningless jargon (I love the Infinite Improbability Drive) and some of the finest British humour. The satire, subtle pun, irony, sarcasm and random nonsense make it an absolute fun to read. The random nonsense is my favorite chracteristic. It makes it impossible to predict whats coming at you . Just surrender to the author and enjoy the pleasant surprises which extend your imagination beyond the nuiances of the day to day world. You wouldn't look at the mouse the same way after you read this book.
The comical science fiction is complete fun. I have always loved Wodehouse and I find lots of similarities ( and some differences) between him and Douglas Adams. Both have the wit typical of British authors which makes it a thoroughly enjoyable read. Douglas Adams is a lot more wild and unpredictable. And thats probably because even he did not know what was coming in chapter 23 when he was writing chapter 20. Wodehouse would have got the larger plot first and then add his wit to make up funny situations. Douglas Adams has a fertile imagination which can go into more dimensions than you can imagine and in the process sometimes contradict what he said earlier. Do not expect him to be consistent. It is a small price to pay for the wild imaginative ride. Also give him the liberty to break a law or two of physics in the greater interest of the galaxy.
I can't wait to get to the second book in the series. Douglas Adams passed away but the good news is that the publishers are coming out with the 6th book in the series next october to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the first one.
Go grab the first book and get on it now.
So long and thanks for all the fish. | | Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy | | Rating: 5/5 2008-09-20 | | Life the Universe and everything it is. This book will change your life for ever on many levels. Well written social comedy. It's too bad Douglas Adams is no longer on this earth, truly one of the great writers of all time. | | great book, a must read for fans of the movie. | | Rating: 5/5 2008-08-31 | | i really enjoyed the movie, and had always wanted to read the book, so i finally purchased a copy to read.of course many think you should read the book before seeing the movie version, but i become interested in the book until i'd seen the movie. i'm glad i finally purchased one, much more info, and behind the scenes. i'm still reading it, but am very impressed soo far. i'd recommend this book to anyone.lots of fun. | | How to be happyh | | Rating: 5/5 2008-06-16 | This book is the ultimate litmus test as to whether the reader is ready to be happy and have joy in his life, or whether he wants to keep crying in his beer.
If this book does not have you falling down on the floor laughing, then chuck it in. | | genius. end of story. | | Rating: 5/5 2008-05-26 | | I realize I'm probably one of the last people on the planet to discover this wonderful book, but I got to sing its praises, too. One of the best books I've read in a long time, and fitting as I am also suddenly into Doctor Who, which is quite similar. The Earth is destroyed one horrible Thursday in order to build a hyperspatial express route, and Arthur Dent and his friend Ford (who was stranded on Earth for fifteen years) start hitchhiking around the galaxy. Never have I read a book so clever and imaginative (dealing with the meaning of life pondered by mice, nuclear bombs turning into sperm whales, depressed robots and hyper-friendly computers) with such a clever and hilarious style (pokes great fun at our little species). Grade: A+ |
Editorials:Product DescriptionAt last in paperback in one complete volume, here are the five classic novels from Douglas Adams’s beloved Hitchiker series.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Seconds before the Earth is demolished for a galactic freeway, Arthur Dent is saved by Ford Prefect, a researcher for the revised Guide. Together they stick out their thumbs to the stars and begin a wild journey through time and space.
The Restaurant at the End of the Universe
Facing annihilation at the hands of warmongers is a curious time to crave tea. It could only happen to the cosmically displaced Arthur Dent and his comrades as they hurtle across the galaxy in a desperate search for a place to eat.
Life, the Universe and Everything
The unhappy inhabitants of planet Krikkit are sick of looking at the night sky– so they plan to destroy it. The universe, that is. Now only five individuals can avert Armageddon: mild-mannered Arthur Dent and his stalwart crew.
So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish
Back on Earth, Arthur Dent is ready to believe that the past eight years were all just a figment of his stressed-out imagination. But a gift-wrapped fishbowl with a cryptic inscription conspires to thrust him back to reality. So to speak.
Mostly Harmless
Just when Arthur Dent makes the terrible mistake of starting to enjoy life, all hell breaks loose. Can he save the Earth from total obliteration? Can he save the Guide from a hostile alien takeover? Can he save his daughter from herself?
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