Rating: 
Summary: Hilarious! I recognized myself in every chapter.
Review: Losing/gaining weight isn't always funny, but this hilarious account of unfortunate overeating, losing weight and the looney yet accurate inner workings of dieting women's brains had me on the floor. From portion size=all the food in the house to 'what to do if you accidentally drink a regular Coke instead of a Diet Coke,' I read this little book in one sitting, laughed all the way through and absolutely recommend it to all my crazy friends.
Rating: 
Summary: that's why you're still overweight
Review: My sister (who is 32, weighs 100 lbs at 5'2) bought and read this book and suddenly developed a fascination with how and where she could obtain tape worms. I thought she was kidding at first. One day, out of the blue, she asked me, "Do you know where I can get a couple of tape worms?" She seemed to be half joking, but admitted later that she wasn't and that this book had prompted the idea. She was always concerned with gaining weight (aren't we ALL?) but this book seemed to take her over the edge. I then read the book and was astounded. I admit, even I felt myself being lured into a self-loathing trap. Hating my body and feeling an overwhelming pressure to go on a crash diet. I even considered some of Patricia Marx's methods (not the tape worm- but close enough). I was AMAZED at the content of this book. I threw the book out before I could even read the last few pages! If my sister's daughter (or her friends) found this book and read it my sister would never forgive herself. But how can they avoid it? It is available in bookstores all over the country! I am sickened. I am in shock! Really! Patricia Marx needs help. Serious therapy. But more than anything, she needs to stop spreading disgusting and deadly messages around. If she wants to self-destruct, fine.. but on her own time. Don't perpetuate this disease, Patricia, and DON'T drag the rest of the world down with you.
Rating: 
Summary: Dangerous. Sad. Frightening. Chills me to the bone.
Review: My sister (who is 32, weighs 100 lbs at 5'2) bought and read this book and suddenly developed a fascination with how and where she could obtain tape worms. I thought she was kidding at first. One day, out of the blue, she asked me, "Do you know where I can get a couple of tape worms?" She seemed to be half joking, but admitted later that she wasn't and that this book had prompted the idea. She was always concerned with gaining weight (aren't we ALL?) but this book seemed to take her over the edge. I then read the book and was astounded. I admit, even I felt myself being lured into a self-loathing trap. Hating my body and feeling an overwhelming pressure to go on a crash diet. I even considered some of Patricia Marx's methods (not the tape worm- but close enough). I was AMAZED at the content of this book. I threw the book out before I could even read the last few pages! If my sister's daughter (or her friends) found this book and read it my sister would never forgive herself. But how can they avoid it? It is available in bookstores all over the country! I am sickened. I am in shock! Really! Patricia Marx needs help. Serious therapy. But more than anything, she needs to stop spreading disgusting and deadly messages around. If she wants to self-destruct, fine.. but on her own time. Don't perpetuate this disease, Patricia, and DON'T drag the rest of the world down with you.
Rating:
Summary: If "0" stars were an option, I'd go with it
Review: Oh my Lord...Isn't it sad enough that about 80% of American women suffer from low self-esteem and/or eating disorders due to the pressures American society piles on them regarding body image? Now Patricia Marx et al have erected a (s)hero for the anorexia/bulimia set. This book was revolting- I don't care if it was meant to be "tongue in cheek", because it didn't seem that way to me. Advising someone to pour bleach on their just prepared meal is insane; I mean, who would DO that?!? Who would spend $$$, time and effort making a fabulous meal just to pour bleach on it and ruin it in the name of eternal slimness? Even more frightening is reading reviewers claim it as having "helpful tips". Excuse me? I couldn't even finish this book, so perhaps it's unfair of me to "review" it. But, reading all these reviewers tout it as "the best book of tips" or "it's about time someone told us how those women stay skinny" prompted me to write this. I just lost 30 pounds over the course of 8-9 months, and I feel great. And, incidentally, I ate very well and never once popped any diet pills or deprived myself. If you want to lose weight, don't starve yourself...EXERCISE. And no...I'm not a size 0, but I'll bet you a million dollars I'm much happier than some skinny chick painfully scooting around in jeans too small for her so she can control her appetite. In fact, I think I'll pop open a pint of Ben & Jerry's and celebrate my sanity!
Rating: 
Summary: Forget Fat Fergie
Review: really funny and honest info about how women take off the extra lbs. I threw away all my Weight Watchers crap, and I'm laughing my way to a size 6.
Rating:
Summary: Socially irresponsible regardless of authors' intent
Review: Regardless of the intended tone of the book, it's apparent that some people take the authors' bizarre advice to heart.Obviously, much of this book is meant to be comical, but sincere advice of dubious value is strewn throughout. If this were good satire, it seems like Marx and Sistrom would have invested more comedic effort in attacking the cultural delusions behind an obsessive desire to be "skinny." Instead, they often take an ambiguous stance that seems to say, "This is insane and probably not a good idea, but if it works..." At its best, ironic satire educates. This is not an educational book. I don't think this book is above reprove since, regardless of the authors' (and publisher's) intent, I don't imagine many people reading it and walking away with a healthier attitude about their bodies. However, that the authors did not have their readers' best interests in mind is evident from the second section of the chapter entitled 'Creed'. The greatest irony appears in the Eating Disorders chapter (which, incidentally, is only one paragraph long!). To quote: "If... your dieting habits are destructive or out of control, the advice in _The Skinny_ is not for you." Actually, that's exactly who this advice seems to be intended for! Interestingly, although the spine reads 'Diet / Humor', the publisher's official categorization is 'Women--Health and hygiene'.
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious--and yet useful at the same time.
Review: There couldn't be a funnier, fresher look at this topic. The authors hilariously skewer our collective neurosis about weight--and yet, at the same time, they manage to provide helpful hints for dieters. A great gift book for anyone who weighs anything at all . . .
Rating:
Summary: No-fat and lo-cal but high on good advice and good cheer
Review: These woman have looked fearlessly into the heart of total food craziness and are here to help. Wise, witty, good-humored good advice from people who have been there, lost that, and are willing to tell you the truth about it. The advice is completely honest (what to do about cellulite: keep your pants on) and thoroughly researched (from the lowest-calorie item at Baskin-Robbins to the real skinny on all kinds of "miracle" diets). And it is a total hoot to read.
Rating:
Summary: as if "pro-ana" websites aren't bad enough...
Review: This book is good, I laughed, I was amused and entertained. This is satire, permeated with truth. As a forever 'wannabe' skinny and never actually 'wannado', at some point most of the ideas( not all, in truth) offered occurred to me, they are just thougths in the twilight of reality. That's what makes the writing so readable, that is why one can identify with its absurdity. I can't really entertain the idea that someone thinks this is a diet book. It is all about laughing at ourselves, and benevolently forgiving our occasional stupidity by making light of it.
Rating:
Summary: Funny, amusing and entertaining.
Review: This book is good, I laughed, I was amused and entertained. This is satire, permeated with truth. As a forever 'wannabe' skinny and never actually 'wannado', at some point most of the ideas( not all, in truth) offered occurred to me, they are just thougths in the twilight of reality. That's what makes the writing so readable, that is why one can identify with its absurdity. I can't really entertain the idea that someone thinks this is a diet book. It is all about laughing at ourselves, and benevolently forgiving our occasional stupidity by making light of it.
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