The Onion Book of Known Knowledge: A Definitive Encyclopaedia Of Existing Information Paperback – October 29, 2013

Packed full with great info on various topics

I love this book, and I have loved the Onion's version of satire for a very long time. Whenever I need a laugh, I go to their website.This book is built like an encyclopedia, but you have to remember it is satire. Everything in it meant to be a joke. Often, the writers combine some real, but put a twist on it. It is their specific brand of humor, which means you either appreciate and get it or it is not for you.I did not read this book from start to finish. Instead, I open up to random pages and just read what that page has to offer. This seems to be the best way to tackle this book. I have not read every entry, but every entry I have read made me laugh. I often re-read passages out loud to friends and family whenever I get the chance.The book is put together using high quality materials. The writing is top notch. And the book is funny. If you are looking for a good laugh, and gain some insight into the twisted minds of the Onion writers, you should read this book.

In the Onion's typical style, many entries have enough of a basis in history and fact to be wildly entertaining, especially if you recognize where the riffs are originating from. A good example is setting Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women" in the Civil War, characterizing it as a "...semiautobiographical account of the hundreds of grotesque battlefield amputations [Alcott] performed in the waning days of the conflict. The story follows Josephine "Jo" March Bhaer and two fellow nurses as they race to remove the badly crushed and gangrenous limbs of sobbing Union soldiers who have been rushed to field hospitals, many of them with blood still gushing in crimson torrents from their open wounds. Exhausted and covered in infected pus, flesh, and sinew, the three women bond over jamming spent munitions into soldiers' mouths before frantically sawing off their arms or legs without anesthesia, and then, years later, over trying to drown out the shrill cries of agony that continue to haunt their dreams. Alcott's classic novel is still beloved by women around the world and has been adapted into several stomach-turning, almost unwatchable feature-length films."The Onion at the top of its game.

Brilliant idea for a book, funny entries (many with intelligent twists and punchlines), and fantastic mileage in terms of amusement and laughter that the book will induce from you. You will also feel that a group carefully crafted and vetted each entry, rather than have one person trying hard to fill-in pages with duds in-between good entries. The illustrations are great too. And nice props to the all-powerful Filipinos!I suggest though that you dont consume more than 5 entries in one sitting. If you read more than 5, there will be a tendency for you to always wait for a punchline in the end, so the enjoyment is somewhat spoiled. The wisecrack might not strike its full effect, compared to when you ration the book. You might also miss the intended irony in some entries in the process. So, just open the encyclopedia from time to time and randomly scan for an interesting person or event, perhaps during a break from reading a novel.

Loving the onion-from their videos to website- i just had to get this book. When i got in the mail, although the corners were dented due to lack of packaging, i immediately open to a random passage. This book is everything and more. IT covers everything from ancient civilizations(made up ones to) to dinner etiquette. This book is absolutely fabulous. This book has many political and cultural references, so you may or may not understand many of the passages. Example: I showed my friends the passage on Dinosaurs and did not crack a smile. Whoever you are, you will find something just for your taste. Makes a great gift to a sarcastic, or funny friend.PROs:-Funny-something for every one-amazingly written-excellent coffee-table pieceCons:-Some people many not like crude humor-Because my book came a little dented, doesn't mean yours will

Well, to be honest I was going to give this to my brother-in-law for Christmas until my sister said, "Oh he might like it, I don't know." That's when I thought, "Oh well the hell with him, I KNOW I will like/love it" so, it stayed home with me. I have been reading the Onion for quite a while and I love the absurdity of it all. I read it before bedtime for a good laugh. I can't wait until my son gets old enough to read it. No one in my immediate circle of friends understand why I love this so much. Maybe time for new friends?!? Anyway, if you enjoy a good laugh get this book it's a very good read.

This was originally purchased as a Christmas gift. I peeked at a few entries before wrapping it up and immeditely had second thoughts. Namely, "I could keep this for myself and make a last minute run to get a replacement. They'll never know..." The recipient ended up loving the book, as did I, since I ordered myself a copy.This is a table book, you will probably read bits and pieces, not the whole thing at once. Leaving it on the table can start some interesting/hilarious discussions. It's also quite Onion-y, so if you don't know what the Onion is, you might want to find out before ordering blind (just Google it).Overall, fantastic and should come in 2-packs.

I bought this as a gift and was happy with the quality. The Onion is full of funny fake news stories and made a nice coffee table book.

You know you've got it right when you give someone a book and within seconds they are giggling, reading bits out load and no longer interested in any other gifts. Buying this for my (adult) son certainly caused a lot of mirth and had everyone cuing up to read bits for themselves. Very tempted to buy a copy for the team that always wins the quiz league :)

A Christmas request of my 18 year old. He's loving dipping into it and reading this particular slant on "known knowledge"!

wow I did not no that

Excellent

I've had lots of fun reading through this book in no particular order. If you're not too easily offended, you'll get a good laugh from almost every page in the book. The only bad thing about it is the quality of its construction which isn't the best. But that is a small price to pay for such a hilarious book.