Summary: Flying Spaghetti Monsterism, or Pastafarianism, originated as a response to the Kansas School Board's decision to include Intelligent Design in its science curriculum. If the goal of this move was really to alternative views about the validity of science, Bobby Henderson argued in an open letter to the school board, then surely equal time should be given to Pastafarianism, which holds that the world was created by the Flying Spaghetti Monster, and that all scientific evidence claiming otherwise has been manipulated by His Noodly Appendage. This book lays out the basic tenets of the Pastafarian beliefs - including worship services conducted in pirate garb, holy days every Friday, an absolute rejection of dogma, and all of the carbs you can handle - as well as presenting scientific and mathematical proofs of the existence of the FSM, and a guide to converting non-believers.

Review: The Gospel of the FSM is a good example of why I'm not crazy about the current trend of giving everyone with a successful website their own book deal. It seems like too often, the humor that works fine in one medium starts to falter when stretched out over the entire length of a book. I mean, I've been a proud Pastafarian for years, and I certainly got more than one chuckle while reading... but at the same time, the book feels like a bit of a rehash of what's already available on the FSM website, and after it's hit its key notes a few times, the joke starts to wear a little thin. Conceptually, The Gospel of the FSM is a hilarious, timely, and effective piece of satire, but in execution it winds up feeling over-long and not entirely able to justify its existence as a book separate from the website that spawned it. 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Recommendation: Pastafarians will probably enjoy having it around, and it certainly might convert some open-minded non-believers (at least those with a sense of humor), but I'd recommend reading it in small chunks, rather than straight through. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to partake in the holy communion of a pasta dinner... ( )

it got really boring after a while, and repetitive. nonetheless i found it mostly enjoyable and quite funny, i'm glad my friend made me read it. ( )

The only good parts of this book are the eight "I'd really rather you wouldn'ts" and you can find those online. Otherwise it's a weak parody of Christianity, neither very well thought out nor very funny.

Only read it if it will be covered on the exam. ( )

This is reasonably funny satire (unless you believe in intelligent design), but it's very disjointed. It's perhaps best as something dipped into on occasion rather than read straight through. ( )

This is a great book for those who want to proselytize the gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM) or those looking for a good laugh at religion. ( )