This was a freebie. I joined a book club because I wanted a dictionary, and this was my third option. It looks like it might be a good laugh though, so I'll keep you posted.

November 26th 2002
Up to page 161

This book is fan-bloody-tastic! Not only is it as funny as hell, but it's also packed to bursting with real, practical advice for all those situations you can't ask your mum about...unless it's my mum, in which case you wouldn't want to ask because she'd go into way too much detail!

So what's so cool about this book? In a word, everything! I now know how to get the perfect tattoo, threesome and swinging etiquette, fetish ball fashion and how to get drunk properly and still hold my head up in a bar the next time I visit. I feel confident that I can invite veggie's to a bbq without having to stock up on soya (they're going to a bbq, they expect to be hungry). It is bent towards an American audience, but for the most part it translates to the UK fine. Also makes me want to test out some of the theories!

The writing is excellent, and totally irreverent, making me laugh out loud throughout. Even the most delicate subjects are tackled head on, with tongue firmly in cheek and a glint in the eye. Can't wait to read more.

April 13th 2003
The End

It's criminal that it took me so long to finish off this book. But, in mitigation, everyone goes though patches where they're just not in the mood to read. For some it's 60 or 70 years, so let's not bitch about a few months.

That it took so long to finish should bare no reflection on the book; it may have been a freebie but it was simply priceless!

So let's review. I learned a helluva lot from this book. For example, you should always try to unblock the loo if you clog it (unless it's a public toilet, it which case fuck it, why should you be the exception?), you should never ask a star for their autograph when you meet them in rehab, it's only legal to shoot off a semi in Nevada (a bunch of teen guys are in trouble then) and if you're gonna kill yourself messily you should make sure you're doing it on an easy to clean surface. All good advice, wouldn't ya say?

What was fantastic about this book was the way subjects that are usually taboo were tackled upfront and with no holds barred. Usually when an apparently open minded author comes along and tries this you can tell what makes them uncomfortable. With these guys they clearly have no morals or minds as open as a field. Either way it's totally refreshing. Some of the stuff here is a tad blunt, some parts of Chapters V and VI, The Professionals and The Aftermath go into details of lifestyles that unless you go looking, or are really unlucky, you're not going to get into. Getting a glimpse behind the scenes of some of those more tightly knit sub-cultures is fascinating.

I'm still not convinced that the Prince Albert is the most painful piercing anyone can have...the writers are guys though, so I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt on this one:)

There were a couple of really nice touches; the interviews with 'The Professionals' were great. What was equally cool was the final section of the book with shout outs and web links to the various pro's that had contributed. As I'm non-profit making, non commercial, happy little bunny writing this junk just for me I generally don't link to profit making peeps, but hell if this book taught me anything it's that some rules where made to be broken.

BUY THE DAMN BOOK!

Visit The Etiquette For Outlaws Website

The guys appear to have a new book out, called Why We Rule: 101 Reasons to Love Our Country which has just gone to the top of my must buy list. I mean, they're American...gotta be worth a laugh, hasn't it!

The bottom line is this; Etiquette For Outlaws won't make you cool, but it will sure as hell give you a clue if you're acting like an asshole! Reading this book will ensure you won't stick out at that fetish ball like the clueless newbie you are, and will make sure that your dealer or hooker doesn't rip you off. And if you ever meet Rob Cohen or David Wollock, invite them to your next party. Chances are they'll be the best behaved drunks in the room, will share their weed and, if it all goes horribly wrong and descends into a debauched den of sinful inequity, they'll immortalize you in the sequel!

Oh, and as someone who grew up in a commune, they're right about hippies!