Scott Dikkers

Who was it in college that left Jim's Journal lying around? It was probably Alden. Anyway, this comic book series is intentionally jokeless, which, for me, has a really specific appeal: I feel like reading it clears my mind. I mean, Jim never really does anything remarkable and I find that soothing. Most of the other books I read make me feel like I'm not doing enough with my life. Jim takes a walk, or sleeps all day, or watches Mr. Peterson drink milk, and that's it for him. He doesn't really have emotions and he doesn't really comment on anything he sees. He's like Zen.… (mehr)

Clever book. It takes time to read cover to cover because of small font and some of the jokes are a little too crude to read a lot of in one setting, but it's worth eventually reading everything. There's gems everywhere, and for some reason I'm impressed that a satire book has impeccable editing even with odd ball grammar situations. However, there were two times the maps were off, like Libya's inset map was of Sudan, the previous country as the book worked in its geographic direction. As a Canadian I loved the Canadian page, but also Madagascar and Greenland stand out now that I've finished. It's fascinating how The Onion incorporated raw fact, slight ironic twist on fact, and outrageous stereotypes. It's something of a mind game to look past inner laughter and decipher which statements are which. Being a geography nerd likely enhances the experience because it's easier to appreciate where certain comments origin and adds to the game, "Fact, Fiction, or Both?" Also, the cover is priceless. All in all, I'll leave this book in the living room to mess with people who visit me.… (mehr)

I started reading Trump’s America some time ago before the U.S. Election. It wasn’t the best time to read it then with everything in the book being so close to the truth. During the election and its aftermath wasn’t the best time either (especially with the ideas for Trump’s post-presidency plans). Now that American politics isn’t in the news all the time, I thought now might be a good time to finish it. Probably a better time would have been just after Trump was elected.

The book is well designed, with lots of ‘fake news’ articles, lists and satire on every part of the presidency from science to health and the environment. To me, it wasn’t always funny but then I have a really dry, Australian sense of humour plus I don’t always understand the American references. It’s also a book best read in short bursts, not really one you could read cover to cover as the jokes get a bit old. Maybe it would have been funnier during the event or when this is old history, maybe it would have been funnier without a pandemic involved. But definitely a book for those who enjoy alternative facts.

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