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‘More Information Than You Require’ packed with laughs

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By Vick Mickunas, Contributing Writer Updated 4:22 PM Friday, November 6, 2009

“More Information Than You Require” by John Hodgman (Riverhead Books, 656 pages, $15).

In 2005, John Hodgman wrote a book called “The Areas of My Expertise.” Then he appeared on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” to promote it. He got into an odd conversation about his absurd fantasy that hoboes attempted a takeover of the U.S. government in 1932. Since then, Hodgman has upon occasion returned to that program as a “resident expert” and delivered more of his silly deadpan humor.

The most notable thing about that first book is that it contains so little factual info.

Hodgman makes it all up as he goes along. That is why he is so darned funny.

His second book, “More Information Than You Require,” takes readers on yet another wobbly walk through Hodgman’s wacky world of nutty ideas and ludicrous notions.

Here are a few random gems from his latest book:

Apparently, he still has a thing for hoboes. The first chapter is “The presidents of the United States: Are they the new hoboes?” Another chapter is “The mole-men: Are they the new hoboes?”

In his chapter “The future and other superstitions” the author advises that “a baby who smiles at himself in the mirror will become an actor.

If he is born with teeth, go ahead and retire. BUT I WARN YOU: You have a scary baby. A baby who frowns at himself in the mirror will become a writer.”

He offers a few tips on how we can protect ourselves from identity theft. My favorite one is “ it may seem like common sense, but don’t forget to shred your passport and all your money and never speak your name aloud.”

In his chapter about gambling, Hodgman makes a few astonishing claims about what casinos don’t want gamblers to know.

He claims that “most casino floors are built at a gentle tilt, giving the house an edge on craps, roulette, marbles, and paper-boat races.”

He also makes the hilarious assertion that “if you ask nicely enough, the casino is required by federal law to give you all your money back.”

“More Information Than You Require” was just re-issued in paperback. The hardcover version came out last year. This updated edition contains some additional material.

The appendix reveals one inspiration for this one; “When my publisher first asked me to describe my vision for a second book of complete world knowledge, I answered with eight simple words: ‘more of the same, but twice as long.’ ”

Hodgman continues: “While ‘The Areas of My Expertise’ was wholly thorough and satisfying and false in every way, I also knew it had one flaw; it did not have enough pages in it. My concern was that, unless my work was excessively long, it might seem like a sane person had written it.”

The book is jammed with photos, charts, tables, illustrations, graphs and a few naughty jokes. Hodgman has clearly outdone himself here. Prepare to be amused.

Hodgman visits at 7 p.m.  Thursday, Nov. 12, at Books & Co. at The Greene in Beavercreek.

Contact book reviewer Vick Mickunas at vick@vickmickunas.com.

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