Dave Barry's Greatest Hits (1988)

I remember reading some of these collected columns by Dave Barry when they appeared in our local paper, many years ago. I used to read some of his columns out loud to see if I could make my wife go into hysterics while eating breakfast. It usually worked. Many of them are just as funny today, if you can get by some dated references to the Reagan years. The individual “chapters” (columns) are so short that that this makes a great book to take to waiting rooms. Watch the other patients slip out the door as you start snorting and giggling! ( )

not 100% funny but he doesn't need to be : A typical Barry column in this collection is like some Mel Brooks movies I've seen- he throws so much humor (or at least intended humor) at you that even if only 10% of it is funny, you are still laughing at least once or twice per essay. The ideal way to spend time when you are trapped at, say, a haircut appointment or a Greyhound bus (which is where I was when I read this fun little book!)

Dave Barry brings us a collection of his articles from his humor column. Here he discusses all manner of things, ranging from his life at home, his life at work, and the stupid (but true!) things that people do.

At times, I laughed so hard, tears rolled down my eyes after reading his coyly deadpan descriptions of stupid human tricks. Some of the funniest things in life can't be made up, and Barry manages to fill in the blanks in between.

Fans of his other work will enjoy this as well as fans of other humorist writers dealing with the real life. ( )

As you may know, Dave Barry is a humor columnist from the Miami Herald. I have enjoyed his wit for years. He has a great talent for lampooning everyday events in the most incredible ways. I picked up this book to read in Mexico. I received several quizzical looks on the plane from people wondering why I was writhing on the floor, laughing hysterically. My daughter got so disgusted with my outburst that she stole the book to see what was so funny. Then my wife grabbed it and I didn't see it until after we returned. I think their message was, "don't embarrass us on international flights, Dad."

I will always recommend a Dave Barry book for someone who has a good, warped sense of humor. However, I wouldn't recommend them for those people without a sense of humor, say Al Gore. I believe the primal laugh instinct would overwhelm him to the point of death. But that may not be so bad after all. But anyway, be careful who you let read this. A lady in Ridgeville, Arkansas let her neighbor read it and, I'm not making this up, the neighbor's dog had kittens. I know because I read it in the National Enquirer and they don't lie. ( )

This was my favorite of his books. I particularly enjoyed "Can New York Save Itself?" Thanks for the laughs, Dave! ( )