More Information Than You Require

By: John Hodgman

Narrated by: John Hodgman

Length: 12 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

Welcome to the paperless (or "audiobook") edition of More Information Than You Require, a further compendium of COMPLETE WORLD KNOWLEDGE assembled and illumined by John Hodgman, a Famous Minor Television Personality. It contains all of the half-truths, fake trivia, amazing made-up facts, and molemanic lore as the paper edition, narrated here almost entirely by Resident Expert John Hodgman, occasionally interrupted by this veritable extravaganza of illustrious and sometimes presumptuous guests: Dick Cavett, Jonathan Coulton, Zach Galifianakis, Ricky Gervais, Ira Glass, Robin Goldwasser, Rachel Maddow, Paul Rudd, Paul F. Tompkins, and Sarah Vowell.

PLUS: This recording includes ALL 700 MOLE-MAN NAMES as they were written and subsequently performed LIVE BEFORE A STUDIO AUDIENCE in an underground lair in Brooklyn, N.Y.

©2008 John Hodgman (P)2009 Penguin Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"In every way a continuation of Areas of My Expertise, except in the ways it's clearly superior....More Information Than You Require is exactly the tonic for these truth-challenged times: a transformation of pedestrian reality through the enlightened power of imagination and insatiable list-making." (The Onion A/V Club)
"I love this book so much I nearly read it." (Justin Long)

More than you bargained for

This book is rather funny if John Hodgman is your cup of tea. His random, deadpan flights of fancy are often hilarious. But be warned. There are two parts to this audiobook. The first is the actual audiobook, to which my above comments apply. The second part is a joke in and of itself. It consists of a 'track-a-day' calendar and a list of 700 moleman names. It really shouldn't be considered part of the audiobook proper and is horribly dull to listen to (there is a nugget in the middle though, fast forward).

different type of Humor

Mr Hodgman in coordination with his gust narrators brings his book to life in a way only he can. I found the book to be almost like 'The Daily Show" (if I can say that here) without the current events. THis is not a story, more of a giant opinion column with a comedy twist.
It made me laugh, it made me think and it broadened my perspective on some topics to bigger than what they were.
This is a definite listen.

Magnificent Nerd Humor

Hodgman is great! His fake “information” is delightfully imaginative and intelligent. He is joined by several guests in his narration of the book's first half, all of whom add to the high spirits. Numerous “Easter eggs" show up for those who happen to be familiar with a particular field of knowledge. I really enjoyed these when I got them, but I'm sure I missed many.

The second half of the book consists of his “It Happened Today” daily calendar (previously podcast) and an enumeration of literally hundreds of identifiers of “molemen”. This half is best appreciated in small doses as it can be a bit much when taken in large quantities.

Not funny as "America" or Colbert

Hodgman recycles some junk from "America" audiobook. Also he milks awkward pauses until they are far from amusing anymore

A fine work of untrustworthy sources

I learned about this book from John Hodgman's Judge John Hodgman podcast. If you've enjoyed his offbeat wit there then you will likely enjoy this book. Added value for all the talent in different roles in this production and Jonathan Coulton is as ever the perfect foil for Hodgman.

More Fun than We Deserve?

Well done! I listened to this entire book while on a road trip and the miles and time just flew by:)

The first half is exceptional.

I absolutely loved the first half of the book, which involved many delightful exchanges between Hodgman and Coulton, but the sedan half of the book is a play on the book of lists, except with made up lists. The first section is brilliant and witty, the second, as an audiobook, has funny parts but wears on the ears.

Do not return when you hear Paul Rudd

Do you have any additional comments?

WARNING: Do not return when you hear Paul Rudd's voice! I suspect this audiobook was first made available before it became easy to immediately return audiobooks with a couple of clicks after only a few minutes of content (a mistake I narrowly avoided). Paul Rudd is NOT the narrator. It's just one of many original ruses; albeit in this case, a highly unnerving one.

This book is certainly no "Going Rogue"

... Thank god it's not. This audio book is so funny. I enjoy the quick random humor. If you do not understand deadpan, sarcastic, witty humor then this book is not for you. If you enjoy NPR, This American Life, The Onion, the daily show, Found Magazine or if you simply enjoy watching Sarah Palin speak (merely for ironic purposes of course) then this is the book for you.
There are a couple points where it is a little dry, but honestly I was laughing so loud I had to shut my office door. Really this book is the way to go.
For those of you who don't quite understand what this book is about let me lay it out very simply, it's a book about lies. Do not take it seriously! He made up all the facts. So if you want to hear some really funny "mostly lies" then this is the way to go.

Unbelievable...

Any additional comments?

I had previously read this book before purchasing it on Audible and it STILL had me in hysterics. This is a definate MUST OWN if you have ANY bone of humor in your body.