Cecil Adams

Culled from a weekly reader-submitted question column in the Chicago Reader. Thankfully dealing with any topic under the sun, rather than relationship advice. The 1970s hipster-wiseass persona begins to grate pretty quickly, but a wide variety of topics are treated, and Cecil's research usually brings home the bacon.

I can't believe I forgot to review this awesome book. Another book in the Straight Dope series, this one tackles the truth about Thanksgiving, if there is really a pill that turns water into gasoline, what lava lamps are made out of, and, to my immense delight, gives real facts on Dracula and Elizabeth Bathory. I love Cecil's wit and sarcasm, and this book was just as good as the others.

I wasn't sure how this one would stack up against the original (this is the third, but the 2nd book is still on my wishlist), but it's just as awesome and funny and informational!

Made the mistake of taking this book to work with me, and couldn't put it down. Laughed out loud and had people looking at me. Must've made a hundred noises that amount to "yup" and "interesting" and such. Cecil Adams doesn't just give the facts, he does it in a way that keeps it interesting and funny at the same show more time, while bending your mind just enough (the science section almost broke my brain!). Wonderful, wonderful book. show less

I love that this book re-addressed a lot of topics from the older books, gave new information, updates, things that readers have written in about those topics... I think it's awesome that it's not "well here's the answer, I'm done with that topic now", Cecil actually updates his readers on things that have been hashed out before.

As always, Cecil doesn't shy away from the stranger or more controversial questions. I'm sure this guy has a whole bunch of religious enemies, as well as show more political/science/etc, for the way he tackles everything full-on, no holds barred.

This was the only Straight Dope book I hadn't read, and now I'm a little disappointed and flaily, not having anymore to look forward to. .... The fact that I re-read them all constantly is something my mind is ignoring, it seems. show less