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: 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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