Review: Non-Essential Mnemonics: An Unnecessary Journey into Senseless Knowledge by Kent Woodyard

Synopsis: McSweeney's columnist Kent Woodyard brings new life to the mnemonic memory devices of a bygone era, from creative reinterpretations of classic mnemonics to original creations of dubious usage. Paired with whimsical illustrations, this book is the perfect gift for the word wizards of the world, as well as collectors of useless pop-culture trivia. (online description)

Review: If I could, I would give this book two ratings, one for humor and one for content. I cannot deny that I laughed will reading it. Laughed a lot. I would give this an 7, maybe even a 8, for humor. At least a dozen times I had to set the book down so I could stop laughing long enough to breath. But as for content - I was hoping, among all the humor, there would be some useful mnemonics. Nope. I felt the title and description are misleading. Yes, it promises senseless knowledge, but I was hoping it would be help remembering said senseless knowledge. Sadly, it wasn't - just a string of odd narratives linked loosely together with no clear path. For content, I would give it a 3, maybe a 4. In the end, I settled for a 3, as it's a amusing. But I wanted something useful as well.

NOTE: I received this free through LibraryThing's Early Reviewer Program in exchange for my fair and honest opinion.

Bookmarks: 6 of 10

Awards: None

ISBN: 978-1-938849-28-2
Date Finished: 10-11-2014
Pages: 183