Rating: 
Summary: RonCo¿ move over!
Review: Heh! Just when I thought RonCo™ put out some weird gadgetry, I discovered this little gem of a book. Looks like our neighbors on the opposite side of the Pacific Rim (well, neigbors if you live in North or Central America, anyway) have some strange and ofttimes hilariously bizarre-- yet highly unmarketable-- ideas for everyday contraptions! From the solar-powered cigarette lighter (a combination magnifying glass/ cigarette holder) to the double-bristled toothbrush that allegedly cuts brushing time in half, there's plenty of weird and whimsical inventions between the covers to keep one entertained for-well, maybe not hours; one hour at least. Sadly, the brevity of this collection of unusual tchotchkes is one of its few drawbacks. Other great advances in the field of general purpose gadgetry include several practical household cleaning devices (like dustmop booties for the cat), useful outdoor accessories (like the combo umbrella / camera tripod), and three different kinds of golf swing aids!My personal fave invention: the back-scratching-aid T-shirt, which features a coordinate grid on the back that resembles the shot-keeper grid from the Battleship™ board game. Simply let a conscientious passer-by in on your discomfort, and direct him/her to the proper coordinate square for sure-fire relief. "Okay, try G-7... oh yeah it's a hit all right!" Now I'm sure a few of you out there might be a little sore at me for disclosing the names & functions of several of the inventions displayed inside this neat little tome. After all, what's the joy of looking through a humorous collection of ludicrous contraptions if the element of surprise has been compromised? Let me assure you, there's plenty of other great tchotchkes to look at and enjoy! So lighten up and take a look already! 'Late!
Rating:
Summary: RonCo¿ move over!
Review: Heh! Just when I thought RonCo™ put out some weird gadgetry, I discovered this little gem of a book. Looks like our neighbors on the opposite side of the Pacific Rim (well, neigbors if you live in North or Central America, anyway) have some strange and ofttimes hilariously bizarre-- yet highly unmarketable-- ideas for everyday contraptions! From the solar-powered cigarette lighter (a combination magnifying glass/ cigarette holder) to the double-bristled toothbrush that allegedly cuts brushing time in half, there's plenty of weird and whimsical inventions between the covers to keep one entertained for-well, maybe not hours; one hour at least. Sadly, the brevity of this collection of unusual tchotchkes is one of its few drawbacks. Other great advances in the field of general purpose gadgetry include several practical household cleaning devices (like dustmop booties for the cat), useful outdoor accessories (like the combo umbrella / camera tripod), and three different kinds of golf swing aids! My personal fave invention: the back-scratching-aid T-shirt, which features a coordinate grid on the back that resembles the shot-keeper grid from the Battleship™ board game. Simply let a conscientious passer-by in on your discomfort, and direct him/her to the proper coordinate square for sure-fire relief. "Okay, try G-7... oh yeah it's a hit all right!" Now I'm sure a few of you out there might be a little sore at me for disclosing the names & functions of several of the inventions displayed inside this neat little tome. After all, what's the joy of looking through a humorous collection of ludicrous contraptions if the element of surprise has been compromised? Let me assure you, there's plenty of other great tchotchkes to look at and enjoy! So lighten up and take a look already! 'Late!
Rating: 
Summary: Brilliantly, absurdly funny
Review: I like the Chindogu concept as much as I like the inventions themselves! Before reading, please read the 10 Tenets of Chindogu! From time to time, it's good to see people who are willing to make a huge effort for absurdity's sake. Even the text is painstakingly worded to maximize the humor of each invention--I ate up the words like they were sushi. If you are the kind of person who is into prop conversation pieces, this is a good addition if you don't already have it. Perfect for rescuing yourself from awkward moments, as well as delighting others with many hysterical laughs. And I wonder how many true "useful" inventions have been born out of contemplating these "unuseless" ones? (Probably not TOO many!)
Rating:
Summary: Brilliantly, absurdly funny
Review: I like the Chindogu concept as much as I like the inventions themselves! Before reading, please read the 10 Tenets of Chindogu! From time to time, it's good to see people who are willing to make a huge effort for absurdity's sake. Even the text is painstakingly worded to maximize the humor of each invention--I ate up the words like they were sushi. If you are the kind of person who is into prop conversation pieces, this is a good addition if you don't already have it. Perfect for rescuing yourself from awkward moments, as well as delighting others with many hysterical laughs. And I wonder how many true "useful" inventions have been born out of contemplating these "unuseless" ones? (Probably not TOO many!)
Rating:
Summary: THIS BOOK KICKS!!!!
Review: I love this book, if your interested in the japanese or like inventions of many things this book is for you! some of the coolest things out there are in this book, you should check it out yourself. its really worth it
Rating:
Summary: Funny yet enlightening reading
Review: Page after page of the most unusual inventions. Most appearently Japanese. A few you might have seen actually get to market. Most are funny, silly, but quite entertaining.
Rating:
Summary: Don't send flowers to the hospital; send this book.
Review: Some say that laughter has curative properties. I highly recommend this book as a gift for sick people. I enjoyed it so much myself that I gave a copy to a friend in the hospital for major surgery, warning her not to read it until her stitches could bear the strain of laughing, and it was a tremendous hit. I am ordering more now for other ill friends. None of the inventions are commercially viable; the book says that if any should come on the market, they will be removed from the "chindogu" list. Nevertheless, there is a certain silly logic to them that makes most of them hilarious.
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious!
Review: The inventions featured in this book were invented for the sake of the book - they are not actual products for sale in Japan. There are a lot of wierd and interesting products for sale in Japan (e.g. paper shredders for kids, or water tanks to place in front of your TV for video fish), and a catalogue of them would make a great souvenir, but don't buy this book if that is what you are expecting. The items featured here are funny and creative nonetheless.
Rating: 
Summary: Amusing book but don't be mislead
Review: The inventions featured in this book were invented for the sake of the book - they are not actual products for sale in Japan. There are a lot of wierd and interesting products for sale in Japan (e.g. paper shredders for kids, or water tanks to place in front of your TV for video fish), and a catalogue of them would make a great souvenir, but don't buy this book if that is what you are expecting. The items featured here are funny and creative nonetheless.
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious!
Review: This book has the funniest ideas ever! We've paged through it several times and it still cracks us up -- the inventions featured are so stupid that they're hysterical!
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