Dave Barry Slept Here : A Sort of History of the United States

Rating:
Summary: Good American Humor
Review: "The Sixth Amendment states that if you are accused of a crime, you have the right to trial before a jury of people too stupid to get out of jury duty." No, you did not miss the rewriting of the Bill of Rights this is just a small sample of Dave Barry Slept Here. This book is filled with hilarious mockeries of the country known as the United States of America. Dave Barry Slept Here is a run through of American history Dave Barry style. Everything from the Civil War to Richard Nixon is mentioned in this book. This book had good and bad parts to it, but overall I loved it. The reasons I liked this book are because I love Dave Barry's sense of humor and I am an American, so I can relate to it. If you are an American and you know a fragment about American history you are sure to love this book. Dave Barry Slept Here is not the world's greatest writing and there are some problems. This book gets very side tracked and at some points it may give you a headache. If your are a seventh grader, like me, who takes Social Studies you are not always going to want to come home and read more about history. You might think though that this book is all a joke. In fact, it actually contains a little bit of true information and you possibly could learn a thing or two. This book was written in the 80's so there are no real comments about current presidents. Also you won't find many of jokes on American sports or food, this book is strictly American history. Another thing that you may not like about this book is that if you are younger this book does have some vulgarity in it, which might displease your parents. But really there isn't that much, so still read the book. If you are a Dave Barry fan like me, you might not love this book. It was definitely not as good as some of his more recent ones. He really did not put as much humor in this one as he did in the rest of his books, which I didn't understand why. I have mentioned a great amount of cons about this book and few pro's, which might make you wonder why I gave it a five-star rating. Well, there are two main reasons: This book is absolutely hilarious! You will surely be laughing our loud, and, it's Dave Barry, duh! So all in all if you are an American, if you like Dave Barry, if you are looking for a good laugh, and you want to see history in a different point of view Dave Barry Slept Here is the book for you.

Rating:
Summary: Practically perfect
Review: Although American history is not a book, everyone and anyone who fancies themself a buff on the subject should take the time to read Dave Barry's tome, which quite possibly remains the funniest book he has written to date. Barry's aim is to eliminate the "boring method" of eternally droning textbooks and replace it with a simplified system, in which every critical event occurs on October 8. (He arrived at this date after "considering many important factors, such as: (a) it is our son's birthday.") Although he confines his most piercing commentary to important leaders and key events, he is quick to point out from time to time that "many women and minorities were also making important contributions." Some of his running jokes fall flat after a while - after all, one can only laugh at the Hawley-Smoot Tariff so many times - but Barry has more than his fare share of payday moments; especially memorable are his thoughts on the Bill of Rights, the Great Depression, and the 1950's. In true textbook fashion, Barry tops off the package with an array of outrageous footnotes and discussion questions (one example: "Did you ever seee 'Attack of the Killer Tomatoes?' Explain.") Overall, this book is truly wonderful, one that you'll certainly pull out whenever you need a good belly laugh.

Rating:
Summary: pretty funny
Review: Another Dave Barry classic, this time outlining the major events of history in which everything happened on October 8. A good fun read.

Rating:
Summary: history was never so funny
Review: As an English teacher I have had to deal with American History and classes were sometimes difficult to make amusing. after reading Bary`s book, and almost laugh-die, I find it easier to read, focus and teach history.Barry is what we might call a serious joker both on colonial and contemporary Amerian History. the very explanation of the location of Hawaii gives you an idea of the kind of book you`ll read. As Barry so hilariously states it dates are not the big deal, there are more important things to remember, dates will come sort of automatically

Rating:
Summary: Quite literally, the funniest book ever written.
Review: At the risk of raising anticipation to insatiable levels, this is the funniest book I've read, and, although it's safe to say I've not read every book ever written, I venture to add that it is the funniest book ever. I couldn't read more than 6 or 7 pages before I was laughing out loud so hard, I had to put the book down. I read it, then read it again. I swear, I'm not kidding, I then went out and bought a dozen more copies, and gave them away as birthday presents to friends & family. May not cure cancer, but then again, it may.

Rating:
Summary: The funniest book I have ever read!
Review: Barry really out does himself with this hysterically funny "sort-of history of the United States." From the very beginning all the way to the last out rageous discussion question, readers are laughing until they cry. His parodies of everybody and everything are irristable to anyone who loves to laugh. I have read "Dave Barry Slept Here" at least ten times and it gets better every time.

Rating:
Summary: The funniest book I have ever read!
Review: Barry really out does himself with this hysterically funny "sort-of history of the United States." From the very beginning all the way to the last out rageous discussion question, readers are laughing until they cry. His parodies of everybody and everything are irristable to anyone who loves to laugh. I have read "Dave Barry Slept Here" at least ten times and it gets better every time.

Rating:
Summary: A unique education... so that's how it really happened!
Review: Beavis and Butthead might "do" America, but Dave Barry definitely knows how to "do" American history... and you trust all three of them at about the same level! Never before could president's like Pierce or Polk (who?) or even incident's like the Civil War be exposed for their comedic value in such an honest and sincere and dedicated and (excuse me while I hurl my nachos) accurate way. Guaranteed to help any child receive an "A" in United States History (that is, if your child's school insanely chooses to use Dave's heinous assault on our proud heritage as a textbook... which, come to think of it, would probably be an improvement in our public school system), this book also guarantees the reader of any age a intensely pleasurable read. And as President Lincoln said on that famous October 8th night at the theatre (you'll understand if you read the book), "I'm not afraid... John Wilkes Booth couldn't hit the broadside of a-"

Rating:
Summary: A unique education... so that's how it really happened!
Review: Beavis and Butthead might "do" America, but Dave Barry definitely knows how to "do" American history... and you trust all three of them at about the same level! Never before could president's like Pierce or Polk (who?) or even incident's like the Civil War be exposed for their comedic value in such an honest and sincere and dedicated and (excuse me while I hurl my nachos) accurate way. Guaranteed to help any child receive an "A" in United States History (that is, if your child's school insanely chooses to use Dave's heinous assault on our proud heritage as a textbook... which, come to think of it, would probably be an improvement in our public school system), this book also guarantees the reader of any age a intensely pleasurable read. And as President Lincoln said on that famous October 8th night at the theatre (you'll understand if you read the book), "I'm not afraid... John Wilkes Booth couldn't hit the broadside of a-"

Rating:
Summary: Dave Barry...History Teacher for the Nation
Review: Dave Barry doesn't hit the nail on the head, or even the side of the barn, but I'll take his version of American History over what I learned in high school every day. "Simplifying" things for his readers by having all historic events occur on October 8 is just one of the many ways Dave skewers American history and the way it is taught to us.
What makes Barry not just funny but relevant is the way he uses humor to bring home an important point. Much of the U.S. history that is taught in our schools is not based in actual facts, but myths and propaganda that gain recognition over time. Barry figures that if he is going to write history the wrong way, he should try to make it as funny as possible.
I'm sure I'm not the only one here looking for an updated edition of Dave's "sort of" history of the United States.