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Summary: An excellent insight into the mind of a truly great writer..
Review: The Salmon of Doubt is a beautiful tribute to the life of Douglas Adams, one of the wittiest writers of the latter half of the twentieth century. Few could resist falling in love with his brilliant humour and such obvious passion for looking at the funnier side of life. Right from his first big hit (the Hitchiker radio series) through to Last Chance to See, Adam's communicates with each of his readers in a most unique way.The book is a relatively patchwork collection of some of Adam's best works, discovered after his tragicly premature demise in 2001. From a rambling story about police officers and traffic laws that had tears of mirth rolling down my cheeks, to the barest skeleton story of his next planned Dirk Gently book, one is entranced by the mystery-that-was-Adams. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and recommend it first to anyone who even remotely enjoyed reading a book by Douglas Adams and second to anyone who is feeling depressed, because his books (and this one especially) cannot fail to cheer you up...
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Summary: A glimpse into the life and mind of Douglas Adams
Review: What a pure joy it was to find this jem of a book... put together by his close friends and wife, we are given a respectful and funny insight into the man that was Douglas Adams. Piecing together articles, speeches, short stories and personal notes, he is seen reflecting on his childhood days (and trauma) in boarding school, his passion for music, alcohol and it's effects on the mind, a hysterical contemplation about his own nose... as well as insight to his personal convictions about endangered species, god (or the lack thereof), and computers. We have the opportunity to see a side of Adams that not too many in the world were privvy to. As with all of Adams' work... I laughed until I cried, I pondered, and I imagined. You will probably walk away from the book as I did... smiling, and feeling as if you just sat at DNA's computer, and searched through the myriad of files and folders there yourself... getting one last glimpse into the mind and writing genius of Douglas Adams. It is a fitting final tribute to an amazing human being. Thanks for the countless hours of reading, gaming and listening pleasure, Mr. Adams. I have my towel, and I am trying not to panic. You will forever be missed...
Rating: 
Summary: For Fans of Adams
Review: While this book would probably not be terribly interesting to someone who has never read any of the other books by the late great Douglas Adams, if you're a fan then you'll love this. Be aware, however, that it is NOT a novel. While it does contain nine chapters from the book he was working on when he died, the majority of the book is excerpts from various interviews, articles, and speeches that he made. Even in these short works his humor and intelligence shine through and you may just find yourself laughing embarressingly loudly if you read it in public.
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Summary: What we will miss
Review: I was first exposed to Douglas Adams with the radio rendition of "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" -- I own and have read the series a number of times. This book introduces you to the person with the wonderful imagination and craftsman with words. While I don't agree with everything of his beliefs -- I now understand him more. He is articulate in presenting things he was passionate about. Excellent read -- I don't really care the whole section of the airplane was looking at me as I chuckled out loud; many times ! If you are a fan of Douglas Adams -- this is a must read. For people who have never read him -- read one of his completed works first, then come back to this.
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Summary: DNA RIP
Review: If you're looking for the next Hitchhiker or Dirk Gently book, prepare to be disappointed. However, if you are, like many people, looking for some more work and play by beloved author Douglas Adams, you may have come to the right book. "The Salmon of Doubt" is, of course, divided into three sections - Life, the Universe, and Everything - and plays out roughly by that rubric. Adams' wife, friends, and personal assistant waded through te contents of his hard disks to organize his last words in a way that would have been meaningful to Douglas were he alive, and is certainly meaningful to those millions of fans left stunned by his death. All in all, "The Salmon of Doubt" is a fine book by memoir standards, and a touching note of closure best suited to those who admired and were interested in DNA beyond the confines of his two famous series.
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Summary: Wish There Was More..
Review: It looks as if Douglas Adams could have finished the new book in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, it would have been fun. The introductory chapters, included in Salmon of Doubt are amusing and good examples of the classic Adams style. And it was interesting to hear about the various parts of his life, in the other bits and pieces included in this work.
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Summary: I still miss him¿
Review: It's been over a year now since Douglas Adams left us. I've just finished SALMON OF DOUBT, and I have tears in my eyes. The ending of the book contains a letter written by Richard Dawkins, an author and hero of Mr. Adams', which he wrote upon hearing the news of DNA's death. Mr. Dawkins couldn't believe it had happened. Who could? It was a very sad time. I can recommend this book if you are a true fan of DNA's, and if you are not already a fan I can recommend this book because it holds many of the pieces of his personality. It is not a complete book by any means, just a collection of articles, speeches, and unfinished works. Just a taste of his genius. Douglas Adams was one-of-a-kind and will always be missed.
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Summary: Welcome to the brilliant mind of Douglas Adams!
Review: What can a person say to describe the talents of Douglas Adams? Well, those who know all about his works, there are no words good enough to describe him. For those who don't know about his works, then now is as good as time as any to find out.
"The Salmon of Doubt" is actually only about 80 pages of a Dirk Gently story. This gives Adams a chance to create his usual elaborate set-ups, but we will never know of where he was planning on going with it since he has, unfortunantly, passed on from this life. The rest of the 300+ pages is filled with the bits that made up his life: on-line interviews, some short stories, articles that he wrote, and some of his personal writings from his computer journal. These represent the best of Adams. Whether he is jogging with dogs that don't belong to him or learning to cope with Frank the Vandal, his humor and wit shine through like a bright flash light beam in your eyes.
This book is a must have for any Douglas Adams fan or for anyone who has heard of the man, but isn't quite sure if they'll like his work. If such persons have any bit of intelligence left in their beings, then they'll love it.
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Summary: MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT
Review: Before you all jump on me, let me say that I adore HHGTTG in all its incarnations. I've read the Dirk Gently books, although I'm not as big a fan of those as I am of HHGTTG. I even own (and have read) Last Time to See. So I'm a bona fide DNA fan. I have seldom looked forward so much and then been so disappointed in a book as I was with Salmon of Doubt. It's okay for what it is -- a mishmash of previously published articles and columns, random musings culled from DNA's computer after his death, interviews, reprints, and the beginning of his unfinished and incomprehensible novel. The marketing led me to believe I was going to be reading a new installment in HHGTTG, not an anthology. Even the book itself implied that we'd be getting another installment of HHGTTG, and specifically states that it's not a Dirk book. Well, it may not be Dirk Gently (even if he is the protagonist), but it's also not HHGTTG. And the whole "novel" comprises only 80 or so of the 280 or so pages of the book. Save your money. Re-read HHGTTG instead.
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Summary: So long Douglas and thanks for all the laughs!
Review: I purchased Douglas Adams' posthumous book exactly one year and one day after his extremely untimely passing. I have always thought that there is something inherently wrong about losing one's idols. "Salmon of Doubt" is a prime example of how wrong it truly is. "Salmon of Doubt" is so absolutely and quite wonderfully Douglas. This collection of articles, interviews, random thoughts and unfinished novel is an genuine treat to read. His unmistakable voice shines through on each and every page. For someone who professed to agonize over the whole "writing thing", Douglas did it with a style that is often imitated, yet never will be duplicated. I was delighted to see "Cookies" make its way into this collection. I laughed when he included in the 4th Hitchhiker's novel, and was fortunate enough to hear him retelling this true story. He had everyone at this Chicago hotel bar in absolute hysterics some years ago, reliving the moment. I have never forgotten it. "Maggie and Trudie" also stands out as one of my other favorite entries here. As does "The Private Life of Genghis Khan". The interviews included also give a further glimpse into this marvelously gifted man. There is no doubt in my mind that the ever-so brief "Salmon of Doubt" story/novel itself would have been a joy to read had he been around to finish it. It would have worked perfectly well as the next Dirk Gently (or possible 6th HH) novel. I found myself reading this portion quickly, watching the pages dwindle and knowing it was going to abruptly end. It did. Now I'm left wondering what happened to Dirk and Desmond the rhinoceros. It's going to bug me till the end of time. Which I am sure would thrill Douglas to no end. I'll have to ask Douglas when I see him at the Restaurant at the End of the Universe how it all ends.
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