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Just look at that cover. Just look at that title. You couldn't expect me to pass that up, could you?

Plato and a Platypus goes straight to the heart of most all philosophical theories, questions and answers. It does so using jokes. As it turns out, quite a few jokes (a book-full) illuminate quite a few philosophical ideas. Coincidence?

Either way, a great read. Plus you'll get to throw around the term 'Infinite regression' at parties and watch as people smile and walk slowly away.

Updated Jun 22, 2008

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The Sports Book

First to recommend

3 people recommended this item

Description

You nod your head knowingly when the Superbowl comes round. You pretend to know the intricacies of baseball. Maybe you have a friend into rugby - good luck with that.

Fear no more, sport-ignorant peoples! The Sports Book is here to save the day.

This is a cool little book (with an astroturf cover!) that has all the rules, regulations and strategies for over 200 sports. Besides the classics, it covers the more obscure as well, including many smaller Olympic activities. Impress your friends with your encyclopedic knowledge of curling! (Actually, they may look at you a little funny, but still.)

A great gift for the sports geek and die-hard fan.

Updated Jan 6, 2008

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books about sports
coffee table book
cool covers
generally men running or chasing a ball
sports

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Life with Jeeves - by P.G. Wodehouse

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P.G. Wodehouse wrote stories of a simpler time with simpler problems. they're short, sweetly funny and very, very English. Just look at some of the titles:

Right Ho, Jeeves
The Inimitiable Jeeves
Carry on, Jeeves
Very Good, Jeeves

How could you not love books with titles like that? Don't worry, there are plenty of ones without Jeeves in them, but the Bertie and Jeeves duo is one of his finest and most popular creations.

This book is a great introduction to his work, and to the characters Bertie Wooster and his 'Gentlemen's personal gentlemen' Jeeves. And just look at that cover! Isn't the world just filled with sweetness and light on a cover like that?

The book covers multiple instances of Bertie getting into the soup, facing down angry aunts, advising love-sick friends, fending off an attack by a very angry swan - generally sorting out life's day to day problems - while still getting home in time for a quick bath and change for dancing at The Drones.

And none of this would be possible without Jeeves, that fount of knowledge, solace, advice and all things healing. Where would Bertie be without him?

By the way, this is why all imaginary butlers are called Jeeves. A most amazing cove, that Jeeves. Read this book if you want to laugh and feel a little happier.

Updated Mar 29, 2007

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The Long Dark Tea Time of the Soul

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2 people recommended this item

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I was browsing the bookshelf awhile back and came across this. It wasn't the cover, or the author, or the summary on the back that caught my eye - it was the name. I mean, how can you NOT read a book with a name like this?

It's hilarious, in a fantastical meets ordinary life kind of way. It's difficult to describe. However, I highly recommend checking it out. There are some great constructs of language here and some symbolism that, once you get them, will make you laugh out loud. It's not a hard read - just a few British versions of words.

I have read most of Adam's magnum opus, "The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy", and while that was ok, if you didn't like it, I would still say to give this novel a whirl. It's much less science fiction, way less nihilistic and just plain funny.

And the name...CMON.

Updated May 4, 2008

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See the World

First to recommend

2 people recommended this item

Description

See the World is from the Icon series of paperbacks. It has no words or introduction; just images of advertising used in the 40's and 50's by airlines urging people to try out the latest form of transportation to see exotic locales.

It also contains advertising images for bus, train and shipping companies. Gives a very good feel for the time, and the embrace of a global world by aspiring graphic designers of the day - all the advertisements are hand drawn (no Photoshop then!) Would make a nice gift for any designer or person interested in the subject.

Updated Nov 21, 2007

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Phaidon Design Classics (3 Volume Set)

4 people recommended this item

Description

Design classics - what more can you say? A cool series of books that examines 1,000 items of classic design. They include contemporary items they already consider classics.

Comes with a cool stacked bookshelf, but it's a bit flimsy. Fun to browse through and looks great on the shelf - bright yellow cover with big, black numbers on the sides. Expensive, but cool to own.

Updated Nov 6, 2007

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How to Feign Intelligence

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The Finer Points of Sausage Dogs

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By Alexander McCall Smith, creator of "The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency", comes another short yet weirdly funny book. The tome, along with its companion "Portuguese Irregular Verbs" follows the coming and goings of Dr. Mortiz-Maria von Igelfeld, famous with the 50 or so linguists in touch with the institute. It's actually quite a quiet romp through the halls of academia and classic English wit. Great book for a short plane ride.

And the name - you know a book has to be good with a name like that.

Updated Feb 2, 2008

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Hokusai

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Description

Katsushika Hokusai (1769-1849) was probably one of the greatest Japanese artists, ever. His work set the trend and style for the Japanese printmaking arts, and gave the western world a first glimpse of their beauty.

This is a beautiful book with sweeping montages of Hokusai's work. From Phaidon Design Press.

Updated Dec 4, 2007

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How to Feign Intelligence

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Living Jewels 2

First to recommend

Description

Bugs are actually kind of cool, especially when you can see them close up and when they sport breathtaking colors.

This cool book has lots of full-page, close up photos of beetles - a most interesting insect. Very pretty in a natural way.

Updated Feb 21, 2008

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A Big Ball of String

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This was my favorite book as a kid.

It's about a young boy who winds up an ever-larger ball of string. Then, he finds all sorts of creative uses for it. "I can do anything, anything at all!" Lots of cool pictures.

A fun book in rhyme with wonderful illustrations. A good story that reminds your child how creative they can be.

Updated Feb 24, 2008