You may only read this site if you've purchased Our Kampf from Amazon or Powell's or me
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"Mike and Jon, Jon and Mike—I've known them both for years, and, clearly, one of them is very funny. As for the other: truly one of the great hangers-on of our time."—Steve Bodow, head writer, The Daily Show
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"Who can really judge what's funny? If humor is a subjective medium, then can there be something that is really and truly hilarious? Me. This book."—Daniel Handler, author, Adverbs, and personal representative of Lemony Snicket
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"The good news: I thought Our Kampf was consistently hilarious. The bad news: I’m the guy who wrote Monkeybone."—Sam Hamm, screenwriter, Batman, Batman Returns, and Homecoming

May 31, 2006

Prisoner Of Trebekistan

Josh Joss Whedon, creater creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Serenity, says this:

"Effortlessly funny and informative... a must for anyone who loves Jeopardy!, has seen Jeopardy!, or is breathing."

What does he say this about? Prisoner of Trebekistan, Bob Harris' memoir of his 12+ appearances on Jeopardy! over the last decade. Not only has Bob won more times on Jeopardy! than most of us can imagine, he may also have lost more times than anyone else in history. Prisoner of Trebekistan is coming out in September, but you can pre-order now it at Amazon here.

I read the final draft, and Josh Whedon couldn't be righter. It's not just that it's truly hilarious; it's not just that you find out the ultimate secret of Jeopardy! (p. 54) and what kind of cologne Alex Trebek wears (p. 232). You also learn an enormous amount about why we remember things and how brains work—both brains generally and the one belonging to Bob specifically.

I can't recommend it highly enough. In fact, I'm so sure you'll love Prisoner of Trebekistan that I'll offer this guarantee: if you buy it and don't enjoy it, I'll come to your house and give you your money back. Then I will punch you.

The memory of this will remain so vivid in your mind that you will then realize the book was right all along (p. 178).

UPDATE: Clearly one memory-related thing Bob's book can't do is help you remember how to spell.

Posted at May 31, 2006 07:45 AM | TrackBack
Comments

So after the post-assualt epiphany will we then be required to re-purchase the book?

Isnt that just like a Stutts grad? You invite them over for dinner, they drink all your booze, make long distance calls, take your significant other out to the woodshed, then punch you.

Posted by: Jake at May 31, 2006 09:19 AM

I liked Bob Harris before it was cool.

Posted by: BRG at May 31, 2006 10:33 AM

I'm peeved that Bob seems to have removed the Polls from his site.

Posted by: wkmaier at May 31, 2006 11:01 AM

I could lie and then get to meet you! Or, I can continue buying used lottery tickets at half-price because my chances of winning are only slightly less than when I buy a new ticket.

Or, having enjoyed Bob's writing, buy the book and enjoy more of it.

Now..., is there a market for book about me entitled "Trapped in TechnicalWritingBurg"...?

Posted by: Darryl Pearce at May 31, 2006 12:13 PM

Bob is the greatest -- I read his site often.

But the new site design -- oy. I hope they're still working out the kinks on that one.

Posted by: Bella at May 31, 2006 02:09 PM

Shame we have to wait until September.

Posted by: theCount at May 31, 2006 03:47 PM

The hell with that. I'll pay you $15.57 to come to my house to punch me. "Not the face! Not the face!"

Posted by: the bunny at May 31, 2006 06:45 PM

It's getting crowded on that left-hand sidebar. You better jettison the rest of your friends before they write books, too. Isn't Dennis Perrin about due?

Posted by: saurabh at May 31, 2006 11:11 PM

What was this post about again? I forget.

Posted by: rob payne at June 1, 2006 01:12 AM

"Josh" I can quite understand; but "creater"? Have you perhaps been affected by reading the comments sections of rightie-tightie blogs, a hazardous activity no doubt born both of curiosity and your penchant to due diligent research.

Er... that should be "do". Damn.

Posted by: cavanaghjam at June 1, 2006 01:43 AM

How strong are you?

Posted by: hedgehog at June 1, 2006 04:58 AM

Jon is strong. Also, he will use your telephone. A LOT.

Posted by: Aaron Datesman at June 1, 2006 09:00 PM

Hey Folks. Colin (web-dude) of BobHarris.Com here.

Very good to hear how people are feeling about the site. What you are seeing, at the moment, is not a new look in the real sense of the word. It was(is) sort of an interim thing while we worked out some annoying bugs that have been plaguing the site lately.

So. Long story short. You are looking at a virtual construction site without the construction site messages.

Sorry about any discomfort that has resulted from the current look.

Colin -

Posted by: colin at June 2, 2006 05:45 PM