Rating: 
Summary: A fascinating look at a well-worn word.
Review: This book is certainly different, if nothing else. It contains a distressingly complete etymology of everyone's favourite word, dating back to the 1600s. All sorts of phrases containing 'the magic word' are included and referenced, as well as some words of equivalent meaning, some euphemisms for it ('freak', for example), and some great abbreviations (eg 'BUFF'). A great range of sources are used, from James Joyce to Madonna to Usenet erotica newsgroup posts. All serve to illustrate the point that the 'F-word' is one of the more versatile words in our language, and can fit into virtually any situation. All in all, it's a fascinating and funny read for anyone interested in the English language, and I'm sure it says something that the history of a word such as this is so much more easily documented than probably any other word.
Rating: 
Summary: Come on, this everybodies favorite word
Review: Whats not to like about the F-word? Its fierce, its funny, its frightening, its even fantastic! If you object to it, you must have duct-tape on. Go buy this book and show your respect to the F word!
Rating:
Summary: First farts, now this! Fan-effin-tastic!
Review: Wow, these effin' publishers are really airing our taboos. I just finished reading Jim Dawson's history of farts ("Who Cut the Cheese?"), and now I'm reading Jesse Sheidlower's equally informative and fun dissertation on the word f-k (can I write it out here?), only this time it's being published by a big time effin' publisher. Good bathroom reading, and it's about time we owned up to our favorite words (and pastimes), and if the bluenoses don't like it, eff 'em!
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