The Onion Presents 100 Years of Headlines from America's Finest News Source

Genius book, as others have noted. But the equally genius graphic design also deserves mention. If you look at the book carefully, you'll appreciate how the designers evolve the look of these "front pages," parodying newspaper design from the early part of the century through the USA-TODAYification process that took place in the '80s.

One example: The eagle featured in the title banner at the top of each page is suddenly dropped in the late "psychedelic" '60s and replaced with an onion with eagle wings. Suitably trippy, and anti-establishment.

Terrific.

What makes the Onion so great, both as a satirical newspaper and in this book, is that they are tremendously well-versed in the historical and current events that they skewer so wonderfully. To their credit, they assume that their readers are, too.
Contemporary readers will chuckle at headlines such as 'Clinton Feels Nation's Pain, Breasts,' but the history buff will revel in satirical stories poking fun at many early-century figures and institutions that less adventurous satirists would have left alone. I can't think of many writers aside from the Onion who would have tried to get laughs out of a story about how racy the Sears catalog lingerie section has become.

While readers with sticks up their collective anal fissures (*ahem* reader from Cambridge, Massachusetts, April 14, 1999 *ahem*) may find the bawdy, rude and hilarious headlines "offensive," the rest of us can see it for what it is. Wacky, brash, and written by obviously VERY well-read authors (some of the more obscure references forced me to dredge through memories from my old AP US History) -Our Dumb Century is a treasure. Buy it! (Especially if you are a White Establishment Male, who, I can assure you is Never Mocked in the entire book).

Since its 1994 inception as the humor section of the AV Club Weekly Entertainment Magazine, the Onion has consistently dished up some of the deepest, most brilliant true satire anywhere. Our Dumb Century will leave readers wondering "Where do these guys get their ideas?" The amount of bile, inspired bitterness, and just plain hatred on these dense, beautifully designed pages is heartwarming. The Onion writers all deserve to get rich off this masterwork, or at least have office manager Andrew buy them a new halogen lamp and dry-erase board.

From sea to shining sea, from presidents to pizza delivery guys, The Onion has consistently outperformed the coverage of any other news publication in America. What is more impressive, The Onion's grasp on today's events or its amazingly historical perspective on defining what constitutes newsworthiness in our century? The Onion leaves you wanting more. Finally bound in convenient book form, The Onion may be transported from one location to the next. The importance of mobility can never be overestimated in our time. I love this book

For anyone not yet familiar with The Onion, it is a satirical newspaper similar in style to the defunct Spy magazine. Available online at theonion.com or in a paper version, The Onion offers hilarious made-up news stories, features, and columns. You are guarenteed to laugh out loud just reading the headlines, especially the headlines from famous past events included in this book .... This is a must-have book for anyone with a sardonic sense of humor, and it makes a great gift. One thing to note: the type is very small in places, so a magnifying glass makes reading easier. Have fun!

Speaking as a writer of humor/satire/parody (most recently, Scratching the'Net: Web Sites for Cats - a book answering the question, "What would the internet look like if it were run by cats?"), I appreciated the quality humor writing that went into "Our Dumb Century." And this is not one of those "one-joke-per-page" books - it has a lotta laughs for the money, which is the right way to do comedy books! Here's hoping that the future holds even dumber things for the good folks at the Onion to skewer.

"Our Dumb Century" is hands down, without a doubt, the funniest book I have ever read. Nobody and nothing is safe from these ribald, brilliantly satirical "articles". This ism't a book of cheap shots though...well it is, but they are really intelligent cheap shots and the thoroughness with which the 20th century is reviewed is worthy of a history book. Words can't do this book justice, suffice it to say, if you want something that will make you laugh so hard tears are running down your face, this is it.

In his weekly column, T. Herman Zweibel often recalls his long and notorious career in journalism; despite these references to The Onion's enduring presence and askew perspective throughout our nation's history, I had never considered how the irreverent paper would have handled so many of the famous news stories to emerge from this century of the planet's most illustrious nation. The Onion's "Our Dumb Century" delivers in spades. Events both real (the demise of the Hindenberg) and fictional (the radioactive spider-bite and subsequent death by radiation poisoning of one Peter Parker during a science experiment) are presented with the same off-kilter, tongue-in-cheek delivery that makes thousands of in-the-know Onion fans howl at current events every Tuesday. The book is impressive stylistically as well; the editors apparently researched many of the print styles appropriate to the era of the news story being resurrected, an effect which contributes greatly to the myth of The Onion's rich legacy. Regrettably (though perhaps legally and ethically commendable), I refrained from making a photocopy of the galley copy I was fortunate enough to see, and so there is still one antsy, anxious month between this writing and Our Dumb Century's release date. Until then, I can only hope that I am not hit by a bus in the meantime, resulting in the kind of dour and dry news story I've--thanks to the Onion--lost the ability to tolerate. Worth every penny; I would've paid double for this book. *One last request for the

This is a great coffee table book. The writers for The Onion have outdone themselves with this one - turning every major event (and some minor ones) in the 20th century into a hilarious story, pun or anecdote. From man walking on the moon, to funny takes on World War II and the Clinton impeachment, "Our Dumb Century" has it all. Onion aficionados and people new to this franchise's satiric wit will not be disappointed. Buy it and laugh again and again.

This may sound, slightly strange to you, yet in relation to a picture of his followers holding his picture on a poster, It begins to make sense. The Onion takes pop culture, politics, and history, then slaps it in the face with a dueling glove.
With a hilariously irreverent view twoards the 20th century, mixed with suprisingly appropriatly placed bad language ("Holy ___, Tranquility. You are walking on the ____ moon."), this book is a keeper.

This satirical book is a bastardization of the details of hundreds of events, people and trends of the Twentieth Century through mock newspaper pages. Almost every page has a headline or a sentence that makes you laugh out loud. What makes this book so good is that the types of humor vary throughout - it's never the same joke told with different details. Plenty of effort was obviously put forth to write this, and it shows. It's a masterpiece! Witty and entertaining throughout - highest recommendation!

Holy cow. I've always loved history and comedy, and this book is a near-perfect blending of the two. With characteristic Onion-style irreverence, "Editor Zweibel" looks at the twentieth century in a way guaranteed to make even a dead person laugh. I truly enjoyed the way the different "years" actually reflected the writing styles and attitudes of those times. If you are familiar with the history of the twentieth century, and you have even the faintest glimmering of a sense of humor, get this book!

Sharp-minded Hysterics
"Our Dumb Century" is 100 years of the New York Times-esq newspaper doing April Fools editions. The effect is brilliant. I think the farther back they went in history, the funnier the effect. Stories like "Japan Forms Alliance with White Supremacists in Well-Thought-Out Scheme," "India's Nationalist Leader Pummeled Senseless By Practitioners of British 'Violence' Movement," and "Cubist Regiment Decimated," are just but a few of the Onion's take on history.
I've don't think I've read anything as utterly hilarious. Enjoy!

A fun read, especially in small doses. However, this book comes in at a distant second when compared to the ultimate newspaper parody, The National Lampoon Sunday Newspaper Parody. Sadly, this high point in American humor is out of print, as is its companion, The National Lampoon 1963 High School Yearbook. If you ever see either of these, don't hesitate, BUY!

I have long awaited this release and I was definately not let down. Articles such as "Michael Jordan Shot For His Sneakers" and "Drugs Win War On Drugs" left me in stiches. The "Teeny Baby" article was ill even for the onion. Hilarious though! You'll have to get this one to see what I am talking about.

Clever, sarcastic and witty, this is a tremendously funny bathroom/coffee table book. Every week, I look forward to the satire newpaper, and this collection of the century's headlining satirical news events hits all the right marks. Always irreverent, sometimes offensive, never unfunny, the writers for The Onion have got to be the funniest people in America. I literally laughed till I couldn't breathe while reading the likes of "Pentagon Develops A-Bomb-Resistant Desk", "Holy (expletive). Man Walks on (expletive) Moon", "CNN Deploys Troops in Iraq", and "Kenneth Starr Taunts Clinton With 'Sittin in a Tree' Song". This is well worth the money spent. You'll laugh, till you think you can't laugh any more, and then ...

Learn what the history books have left out -- till NOW! Gain deeper perspectives on trends that have configured our lives. Follow events in their inexorable march to today. Or just turn the pages and begin to laugh. I confess I'm biased, partly because I'm another lucky reader who actually got to see this book before publication. Because I'm related to an ONION staffer. And, yes, because I've shown sample pages to people who quickly inoffensive than the ONION itself. (2) You're actually going to want to READ the tiny print. (3) You're going to end up with multiple copies, because, as you're buying it to give your friends, they're buying it to give to you. Don't worry about #3, though. You can simply scatter copies around your house in appropriate spots

Well. Quite simply, this is the most scathingly brilliant piece of satire since Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal". Dead-on period accuracy, headlines that will have you rolling on the floor and crying. Every possible pretension and absurdity of the last 100 years is mercilessly skewered. I particularly like the early-twentieth century material: From 1910: "United States Leads World in Industry. 'Thanks Orphans!' Grateful Americans Say". Long Live the Onion!!! This is the funniest book I've ever read. P.S. If you like this, check out "National Lampoon's 1964 High School Yearbook Parody" (The second funniest book ever!)

Forget Joyce, fillet Faulkner, you want to know my feeligns about Kafka compred to this? The best book in the history of western civilization! The philosophy of Big Bird, the hip-hop of Mozart, the pie recipies of Jean-Paul Sarte mean nothing compared to this! God, this stuff is more insightful than those kooky rants of that Jesus guy! Buy Buy Buy! Live live live! Hold it close to your head at night and let it drip through and into your dreams! How about a dream about OJ Simpson running after you with golf clubs, or that whole Clinton/Lewinsky panty raid party! now now now!

I almost S#!t myself! This book has more twisted one-liners than Henny Youngman on acid. A must read for anyone who's grown weary of fruitful pursuits. I haven't read a piece of literary work this funny since the Warren Report! If you enjoy sound journalistic reporting and challenging insight into modern culture, then call Dan Rather. Otherwise, you might consider buying "Our Dumb Century". I did and although that whole issue has yet to make it to The People's Court, I hear the price has dropped considerably as of late. By any means, it makes a great present (for those of you who DO drink heavily) and is unlikely to offend most people who don't actually open it. I can't wait for the sequel!

...especially when eaten with onions. :) Amazing little book, this; some of the headlines alone had my sides threatening to split. One of the most hilarious publications in recent memory; this is the book that Mad and its ilk want to be when they grow up. ;)

I found this book by accident shortly before
Christmas and enjoyed it so much that I ended up buying copies for a lot of my friends. It is frequently laugh-out-loud funny, not at all politically correct. I loved it.

The heartwarming novel "Our Dumb Century" is humourously incredible. I have been an avid Onion fan for a while, but Our Dumb Century is the best Onion material yet. From the headlines of "Gangsters Pass 18th Amendment" to "President feels nations pain, breasts" Our dumb Century covers the entire 20th century with both humor and chronological correctness. Even my hard nosed religion teacher got a laugh out of "To-Days' Lynchings" This is unquestionably the most humorous novel i have ever read and I guarantee that you will enjoy it too

This book provides HOURS of entertainment. The page with the huge headline "MAN LANDS ON F%@!ING MOON" and accompanying transcript of the conversation between the lunar lander and ground control ["Lander: Holy Sh#t! I'm on the f#$%ing MOON!" Houston: "Holy S#@T!"] alone is worth the price of the book. But there are countless smaller nuggets, such as a small entry in one of the pages from the early 1900s: "German Philosopher Posits Possible Existence of 'Supermodels'".

Without a doubt the funniest book I have ever read.

There is so much incredibly funny stuff in this book, that every time I flip through I find something that has me howling. It's the absolute perfect coffee table or bathroom book. And it's been a wonderful gift for people who have a sense of humor.

The Onion's most recent attempt at replacing the Bible, Torah, and the Koran has succeeded tremendously. Even before being available, it's witty book entitled "Our Dumb Century", has spurred the ranks of over 100 customer reviews already; a pseudo-apocalyptic social commentary of life in the 1999's. Personally, i wish humanity had gained the knowledge and insight that this book exudes a few millenia ago; perhaps Cleopatra, fat Americans, and the Berlin wall all would have been avoided

In true Onion form, this book takes actual events and reports them with an incredibly funny twist. I am a regular reader of The Onion website, and the first publication from 136 year old Herman T. Zweibel truly does it justice.
There is just one small problem, however... the print is rather difficult to read. I have never seen an entire newspaper page crammed on to a single page of a novel before. If not for this, it would have certainly received 5 stars.

Our Dumb Century is an incredible mix of history, humor, satire, and shock value. A fun book to pick up whenever you have a spare moment. If you ever watch the History Channel and have a slightly sick sense of humor, then this book will be perfect for you. When you read it, I almost feels like you are learning while you laugh uncontrollably.

Our Dumb Century is an incredible mix of history, humor, satire, and shock value. A fun book to pick up whenever you have a spare moment. If you ever watch the History Channel and have a slightly sick sense of humor, then this book will be perfect for you. When you read it, I almost feels like you are learning while you laugh uncontrollably.

Funny yet darkly sarcastic. This book is not for the timid at heart but if you have been looking for something twisted and highly humorous pull out that credit card immediately. So darn funny we bought 5 of them as Christmas presents to our friends and relatives.
Issues for some readers: Some language; mild and some not so mild. Deeply sarcastic toward the subject. VERY DARK HUMOR!
Positives: Funniest thing out there!

This book is simply genius comedy. Some of the best work The Onion has ever done. This is a must-own for all history buffs with a sense of humor. You really have to have a good grasp of history to fully appreciate all of the jokes, but just about anyone should be able to enjoy it on some level.

This book is a great translation of the equally funny weekly newspaper of the same name. The headlines are great, and the stories are just as insane. My favorite's include the issue devoted to Neil Armstrong's walk on the moon, and Betty Grable pitching in for the war effort. One of the funniest books I've ever read.

This book gives such an accurate description of our history, that it should be used as a text-book in our public school-systems. School-teachers every-where should praise this wonderful book, and pass along the wealth of information and insight onto the eager minds of their students.

This was truly the funnniest book I have ever read. My favorite headline was the screaming expletives detailing the moonwalk. While this book will probably be scorned by some, and offend others, it is hilarious, as long as the reader does not have a misconceptions of what men like JFK and FDR were truly like.