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Written and published by the McSweeney's crew in 2004, just before the reelection of GWB. As such it's really sad--lots of the definitions refer to the defeat of Bush in 2004 and the subsequent trials of members of his administration, which didn't and won't ever happen. Alas. Comes with a CD featuring a terrific Mike Doughty track.
Such smart-asses. A smart-ass, witty, and intelligent commentary on the nation in 2004 (and, unfortunately, before and since then).
Maybe I'm just one of those psuedo-intellectual, pretentious, red diaper baby, "what white people like" poster-children who drank a bit too much coffee before thumbing through this book, but I rather enjoyed it. For the past month that I've had it, I've randomly picked several terms a day to read and laugh at. A little more than mildly offensive, it has a safe spot on any hipster who is trying too hard's bookshelf.
"The Library of Congress Subject Heading for this book is \Social Prediction,\"" a subject populated almost entirely with analyses of 1984. But the Future Dictionary feels more like Dave Eggers took Orwell out for drinks, and this is the accumulation of scribbles on their cocktail napkins. Brilliant, tongue-in-cheek definitions that subtly (and not so subtly) mock the current administration. With contributions by about two hundred authors, most of whom have Pulitzers, Booker Prizes, or hefty New...
This book is a much better concept than project (which could be said with some credibility about the whole McSweeney's endeavor.) We get it: you're literary hipsters. The cd that came with the book is pretty good--though if you truly are a hipster, you've already discovered and grown to hate these bands.
see, i used to read the webster's as a kid. this is one of those books i pick up when i'm depressed about the current politico-cultural milieu. i open it up and read a random definition, chuckle, and go back to reading the newspaper.
SIX WORD REVIEW: Read Nicole Krauss's definition of 'earthborn'.
This book is written by great charming witty authors, however it's fully loaded with political content for American (yes, just like the title) making it not really enjoyable for daily reading. Also the dictionary format, for me personally, got you lost in the thought of: why should I read this book alphabetically (the reason how it took me 4 years to finish this book).However, I love the CD coming along with this book called "Future Soundtrack of America" with nice tracks from OK Go, Death Cab f...
Though it reads like a dictionary, it is very entertaining and the attached soundtrack is likewise phenomenal. Good bathroom reading.
Fictional Historical Hillarity at its best.
This book is FUNNY and UNSETTLING at the same time. Writers have made up words with hilarious definitions and give existing words new meaning, with the Constitution and Kurt Vonnegut's Cold Turkey essay included in the appendices. A great idea for a fundraiser turned into a satirical romp through the 90s and early naughts - a treasure! I highly recommend it.
Great idea -- but do they really expect me to read the dictionary?
