Rating: 
Summary: Better layout and format than 1st book
Review: This book is the second in the series and takes a look at human stupidity which either results in the stupid one's demise or at least sterilises them so that they can not reproduce. All entries have previously appeared on the official Darwin Awards website and the entire last chapter of this book's entries appeared in the original book as well. The fact that the funniest entries appear in both books would be the reason I would recommend purchasing this one over its predecessor if you are not buying the entire series. The author has realised by this book that 30 page introductions did not impress many and has thankfully drastically reduced them in this sequel. Unlike the original, this book contains a lot more myths which the author acknowledges have been proved false which may not be what you were after if true tales of stupid human demise was what you were after. If this is the case definitely get the first book instead. This book also contains a section where the author has retracted Darwin awards for entries on their website which were not Darwin awards. Following the reasoning behind those decisions if you applied it to most entries in both books then they would also be rejected so one would think if you are going to do this sort of book you should stand by your decisions no matter how much abuse you cop. Everyone who has died will probably at least have someone who loved them so abuse is something that comes hand in hand with this kind of writing. I just find this chapters inclusion pointless. Both books are not as funny as you might expect them to be but they do have some funny moments. If you are looking for a book to keep you laughing hysterically from cover to cover then look elsewhere. If you are looking for a book with a few laughs then either this or the first book will be sufficient.
Rating: 
Summary: Hilarious stories of natural selection
Review: This is not for the bleeding-hearts out there. If you find the idea of people offing themselves by their own idiotic actions to be horrifying rather than funny, this is not the book for you. If, however, you think "Well, if they were stupid enough..." then this may be for you. In it, you'll find stories of a man who dove off a rooftop into four feet of water, an idiot who tried to lift a power line from his car, an old woman who chased three runaway Christmas trees into a highway, people who sleep in dumpsters -- which are then emptied into trash compactors, a guy who checked inside a gas can with a lighter, a religious fanatic standing in traffic, a guy choked to death by a very adventurous fish, a wannabe-rapist whose testicles were bitten off by his victim, a man who dove off a cliff and was rescued by the boys he was trying to impress, a man who drowned in a vat of beer, and many others. Most memorable is the guy who tried to molest a porcupine. Perhaps the only problem is that sometimes the winners aren't really stupid, just unlucky. But a lot of them could have used a brain transplant. And, as Wendy Northcutt reminds us, most of them aren't in the gene pool anymore...
Rating: 
Summary: Not much substance
Review: This second book in the series continues to commemorate people who remove themselves from the gene pool in spectacularly brainless ways. Although it is intended for readers who can find humor in someone's demise, the stories within are for the most part pitiful rather than funny. How many stories can one read about people whose lack of common sense causes them to be electrocuted, drowned, shot, or crushed? Is riding a scooter at night in dark clothing without a helmet and subsequently being hit by a passing pickup funny? Or dying of shrapnel wounds while juggling a live hand grenade? Or drowning in a bathtub by slipping on a bar of soap while practicing walking on water? Yes, these are typical examples of the awards, which honor impressively idiotic deaths, perhaps, but not really humorous ones. It also appears that the supply of anecdotes on failing Life 101 is running low, since the book has little substance. Perhaps the original concept from the web site has played itself out. Of the over 100 stories, less than half of them are confirmed Darwin Award winners. The rest are unconfirmed Darwins, honorable mentions (where the award recipients are still swimming in the gene pool), urban legends, unconfirmed personal accounts, disqualified awards, and a series of "classic" winners from past years. As if that is not enough padding, the book also contains discussions on evolution, safety, biodiversity, and other unrelated topics. Sprinkled throughout are dozens of inane sayings such as "I don't think, therefore I am not" and "Another sap from the tree of life." And finally, there is an appendix containing Internet etiquette. I suggest you save your money and go to the author's web site instead. The best of the awards listed in this book are there, along with many others. If you want to read about some really funny prizes, read "Ig Nobel Prizes" instead. Eileen Rieback
Rating: 
Summary: Great
Review: This was another great installment of the Darwin Awards. Little Short stories that make you think that some people are just alive to serve as a warning to others.
Rating:
Summary: Proof of Stupidity
Review: Volume II of the Darwin Awards is great for anyone that likes to have a good chuckle. These stories are short so you can read about multiple peoples lack of common sense in just a short time.
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