Dave Barry is from Mars and Venus

by Dave Barry

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Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, bestselling author, and Wheel of Fortune contestant Dave Barry exposes the shattering truth. Whether he's splashing with the U.S. sychronized swim team ("Picture a bunch of elegant swans swimming with a flailing sea cow") or reliving the Pilgrims' first Thanksgiving ("We've decided to obliterate your culture, but first may we try the stuffing?"), Dave Barry proves that one man can make a difference--by having the guts to answer the questions few people show more bother to ask:

¸ What makes people want to eat animals they would never consider petting?
¸ Where do the World's Three Most Boring People meet?
¸ Why is Colorado freezing so many human gonads?
¸ And just how does Oprah have the power to turn a 1957 Hotpoint toaster manual into a #1 bestseller?

From the Trade Paperback edition.

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5 reviews
I've read this book through twice and picked through it several times when I needed a laugh. I'm not sure why some things are so hilarious, even after the fifth time in a row that you've read them. Definitely recommend for those who enjoy light-hearted (sometimes slightly bitter, most often obnoxious) humor. 3.5 out of 5 people that tell you to shut up when you're cracking up while reading this book.
½
Most of the entries had me laughing so hard that I frightened the dog. (I doubt the cat bothered to wake up.)
½


A collection of Dave's newspaper columns put into a book... I think. They had their funny moments, but I think they would be better off read in newspaper format, then the recurring jokes would play off each other better instead of coming in back to back rapid fire succession. Also a bit dated, thanks in part to the numerous O.J. Simpson references, amongst other things. All in all, if you are looking for a funny quick read, you could do worse...
Classic Dave Barry. Try and read this one without laughing out loud, let alone not grinning from ear to ear! A great satirical look at mundane life.
I remember a time in middle school when Dave Barry was inexplicably hilarious. I find his humor less appealing now, but expect that when I reach my 60s he'll become funny again.
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Author Information

Picture of author.
104+ Works 38,621 Members
Dave Barry was born in Armonk, New York on July 3, 1947. He received an English degree from Haverford College in 1969. His early attempts at small-town journalism for the Daily Local News in West Chester, Pennsylvania, were directed towards local matters, such as zoning and sewage. In 1975, he briefly attempted to teach business writing to show more business people. Since then, he has worked as a professional humorist. For many years he wrote a newspaper column that appeared in more than 500 newspapers and for which he won the Pulitzer Prize for commentary. He is the author of numerous fiction, nonfiction, and young adult books. His novels include Big Trouble, Tricky Business, Lunatics, and Insane City. His nonfiction works include Dave Barry's Complete Guide to Guys, Dave Barry Slept Here: A Sort of History of the United States, I'll Mature When I'm Dead, You Can Date Boys When You're Forty: Dave Barry on Parenting and Other Topics He Knows Very Little About, and Live Right and Find Happiness (Although Beer Is Much Faster): Life Lessons and Other Ravings from Dave Barry. His young adult books include the Starcatchers series and the Never Land series. Dave Barry's title, Best. State. Ever, made the New York Times bestseller list in 2016. (Bowker Author Biography) Dave Barry is a Pulitzer Prize-winning syndicated columnist. His recent novel, "Big Trouble," spent several months on the "New York Times" best-seller list, & his most recent nonfiction book, "Dave Barry Turns 50," was also a national best-seller. Dave lives in Miami, Florida. (Publisher Provided) show less

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Diaz, Al (Cover photographer)
Tran, David (Cover designer)

Common Knowledge

Canonical title
Dave Barry is from Mars and Venus
Original title
Dave Barry is from Mars and Venus
Original publication date
1997
Dedication
For my readers; bless their twisted little minds.
First words
First, a few words about the title.
Quotations
Grateful acknowledgment is made for permission to reprint the following copyrighted material: the Miami Herald for the photograph on page 73 and
Last words
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Actually, that sounds a lot like a book tour.
Original language
English

Classifications

Genre
Fiction and Literature
DDC/MDS
814.54Literature & rhetoricAmerican literature in EnglishAmerican essays in English20th Century1945-1999
LCC
PN6162 .B2954Language and LiteratureLiterature (General)Literature (General)Collections of general literatureWit and humorBy region or country
BISAC

Statistics

Members
646
Popularity
44,638
Reviews
5
Rating
½ (3.72)
Languages
English
Media
Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
ISBNs
7
ASINs
1