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)

Great performance

I call it a performance because it is not just an audiobook being read, it has the feeling of a comedy skit being performed. I would often listen to audiobooks on the tram to work, but I couldn't with this one. I would burst out laughing too often and receive some crazy looks. Absolutely funny. Well worth the credit. Hihgly recommend.comedy

Not what I expected

I gave up about 1/2 way through. it wasn't what I expected and I wasn't really entertained. A few funny moments and an easy enough book to listen to occasionally, just not my cup of tea.

Best in the series!

Would you consider the audio edition of More Information Than You Require to be better than the print version?

I would, but there's reason to have both. The audio version of the book has a lot of interesting additions and extras. I love seeing an author giving you a reason to own both the print and audio versions, it allows me, the fan, the ability to own multiple pieces of the work. I feel like I have the complete addition by having both.

What did you like best about this story?

Hodgman is hilarious. His imagination and humor are second to none, and fit perfectly into this format. He really found his stride with the series in this book.

Which scene was your favorite?

Hard to say, every bit in this book was solid.

John Hodgman

I got the distinct feeling reading this book in dead tree that he'd almost intended it to be heard rather then written. It is exactly that. The audio book is nearly a show performance with guest stars Jonathan Coulton, Rachel Maddow and others joining in. Hodgman snipes with his "troubadour" constantly, yet the obvious fondness for the material shines through. It is clear and side-achingly funny the entire go. The book is shockingly content packed, and probably one of my favorite audio books in my collection all ready. If you enjoyed the first book, do not hesitate. You will enjoy the material. If you didn't like the second book, try it in audio format. If you didn't enjoy either book, you're soul is worn out. Go down to the local SoulHut and get a new one. Preferably one in a bigger size.

John Mole-Modgman, Undercomedian

A compendium of ridiculousness part duex. Thank god someone FINALLY explains the molemen and their pivotal role in our nations history. I declare that this is a must read/listen/absorb through your slim nodules for all buffs of history and fun facts (warning: not actual facts). Well done John and company!!! Stand by. That is All.

I made it.

I finally made it to the end. And what an ordeal that was.

Let me be clear: "The Areas of My Expertise" was my first -- and remains my favourite -- audio book to date. I got it for free through some iTunes promotion. I have listened to it, start to finish, at least seven times. And I have since used a credit to purchase it again through Audible.com. It is just that good. And while I realize that it isn't for everyone, I share it with anyone who will listen. The list of state mottos and songs alone is worth the price of admission. And the hobos -- ah, the hobos!

But I hate this book. Perhaps someday, on a lark, after forgetting myself and against my own better judgment I will revisit this title in my Audible library -- all other options having been exhausted. But I did not find "More Information Than You Require" to be funny or even ironically entertaining, with the notable exception of the last two hours of this nearly thirteen hour audio book. For me, the Gervais segment (and I am certainly not a fan of his) and list of moleman names and occupations alone are hilarious enough to earn it a shaky three stars. But the preceding eleven hours were treacherous.

You have been warned!

A very good book with a fewer bad jokes than good

A few jokes aged a bit poorly, but a lot of jokes that didn't. Worth reading.

Like overhearing a fantastic conversation...

Where does More Information Than You Require rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

top 5 for sure.

What did you like best about this story?

it's not like any other audiobook i've heard. it's self-referential and hilarious. drinks with Rachel Maddow!

Have you listened to any of John Hodgman’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

i also have his first book. this one is a more complex and hilarious continuation.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

drinks with Rachel Maddow!

The guests get in the way

I couldn’t get past all the guest skits. I consider them interruptions with very little added value. Gave up after a few sections. It’s a shame, because I would enjoy Hogman reading the phone book and bringing his genius to the names and cities.

Wow! This is hilarious and brilliantly performed.

This is hilarious. John Hodgman and his slew of guests make this the best audiobook of humor that I have ever heard. Look at the narrator list to see the who's who of those that stop in. I own the book and yet these performances make the material ten times funnier plus there is the added scripted improve that goes above and beyond the page. I will listen to this again next week.