Wendy Northcutt

Marvel at the thief who steals electrical wires without shutting off the current. Gape at the lawnchair jockey who floats to a height of 16,000 feet suspended by helium balloons. Learn from the man who peers into a gasoline can using a cigarette lighter. All three -- and many more -- contend for Darwin Awards when their choices culminate in magnificent misadventures.
These tales of trial and awe-inspiring error--verified by the author and endorsed by website readers--illustrate the ongoing show more saga of survival of the fittest in all its selective glory. show less

Ah yes - the Darwin Awards - where stupid people who do stupid things to take themselves out of the gene pool are honored. This really is an awesome set of books. Its well written. Manages to stay snarky, but not over the top. The rules for winning are clearly outlined - and all the winners follow it (The honorable mentions generally didn't qualify for the Darwin Award). The book is also filled with unconfirmed urban myths of stupid people dying spectacularly - but these also didn't win a show more Darwin Award unless it was confirmed by outside news sources.

Books of this sort generally are over the top and are all over the place, both in writing style and criteria - but the two books in this series are tightly written in a dry humor style that stays true to the story, but is quite gleeful about the people who won an award.

Highly recommended if you like snarky stories about stupid people. show less

Named after Charles Darwin, the father of evolution, The Darwin Awards pays homage to those who improve our gene pool by removing themselves from it. Most of us know instinctively that the phrase ?trust me, light this fuse? is a recipe for disaster. Darwin Award winners do not. Most of us have basic sound judgment that eliminates the need for NO SMOKING signs at gas stations. Darwin Award winners do not. No warning label could have prevented evolution from creeping up on the homeowner who show more filled his house with natural gas to kill termites, the easy rider who decided to steer his motorcycle with his feet, or the winner who tried to weld a hand grenade onto a chain. Filled with more than one hundred new tales of evolution in action, and complete with essential science and safety discussions, The Darwin Awards 4: Intelligent Design shows that when it comes to common sense, natural selection still has a long way to go. show less

A good bathroom book. Although entertaining, I found the book's self-righteous tone unnecessary. I am perfectly capable of finding entertainment in the misfortune of others, without having to be convinced that they were somehow deserving of their misfortunes.