“You know," said Arthur, "it's at times like this, when I'm trapped in a Vogon airlock with a man from Betelgeuse, and about to die of asphyxiation in deep space that I really wish I'd listened to what my mother told me when I was young." "Why, what did she tell you?" "I don't know, I didn't listen.” Gawd, I loved this series!!
“It’s like being unpleasantly drunk” “What’s so unpleasant about being drunk?” “Idk ask a glass of water” Have had this on my shelf for a while finally getting around to reading it and it has its boring moments but overall it’s a good read so far. Its like im reading a sitcom script lmao
I've only been reading and collecting for about 5 months. Your channel is by far my favorite. Thanks for The dresden files and ALL your Stephen King videos. Your #1 man.✌️
I love the earnest way you present these- really good production quality on the intros too, helps hype me up. Very underrated channel that deserves more love
So... would you say that the books are 'mostly harmless' 😉 These are such fun, absurd, ridiculous, smart books. And completely contradictory in places. I loved them. Great video for a great series of books. Thanks Mike.
"The ships hung in the sky in much the same way that bricks don't." Great video Mike! These are definitely for all people, but you need at least an openness to British humor. Just re-read these a year or two ago.
I love how Douglas changed each iteration of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy". The book is slightly different from the original radio series, which is slightly different to the TV series, which is slightly different from an additional radio series, which is slightly different from the latest movie.
I read it at age 16 in 1984, then again in 1989 (etc etc over the ensuing decades since and frequently give it as gifts) but I particularly remember the 1989 read as I was usually reading on a bus on the way to work in Sydney and pretty much embarrassing myself with convulsions of laughter.
Great video !!! I bought the first book a few months ago. A friend of mine recommended to me. I will definitely read it and hope to continue with all the sequels.
Douglas Adams is someone that was taken away from us far too early. As one of his long time friends said in 'Salmon of Doubt', "I really want to hear his (Douglas') take on new technology. " I would love to hear his views on things like MP3 players, Smart phones, social media, etc. Because I know that he would have a way of looking at those things that are so far off of what they were intended for, but have a snippet of truth in them. His views on 'self driving cars' would be wild, and have some point that no one would have ever thought of.
This book is so amazing! I am so glad I have been able to convince friends to read it, and I am actually excited that there are other books in the series so that I can revisit this world with new eyes still.
P.G. Wodehouse's style was my introduction to British humor, but Douglas Adams provided the crazy I didn't know I needed. His time on Doctor Who gave me some of my favorite moments.
I've never really got why people found the book so intriguing; regardless Mike puts so much heart behind why any book matters that what makes his channel so fun.
Buddy reading this with the 13 year old. Started with the first one and told him we should give it a shot, no obligation to keep going. However, we are working on #3! Interesting stuff!
I have nostalgic memories surrounding this book. Me and a friend hitchhiking and haunting bookshops with our towels.. (A towel really is useful in so many ways). But GEEZ I don't know that I need to think about how long ago that was now lol
I wasn’t a big reader as a kid and this was the first “adult” book series I ever read. I’ve always loved this series. Now that I’ve fallen in love with reading as an adult, I’ve purchased the complete series and I’m looking forward to my re-read starting next year.
Hitchhiker's is greatness. I first read it waaaaay back in high school. It was unlike anything I had ever read and nothing has quite come close since then (please don't talk to me about Pratchett). I am in total agreement with Mike about the first 3 books being the absolute best with things dropping off after that. Some of my favorite bits include Arthur learning how to fly, the concept of the babelfish and the guy who was so angry at the galaxy that his sole purpose in life was to insult everyone... in alphabetical order.
I read the first book beginning of 2020, it was the first book read in years and got me into reading heavily. Such a fun and hilarious book. Book 2 was right up there with book 1. I read book 3 and hated it, I did not continue the series from there and probably never will.
I read the first one a couple of years ago without knowing it was a series. I really had a good time with it. Later, we got ourselves an omnibus edition of the five books but I haven't had the time to finish it yet. You know how TBRs work. But I do intend to re-read and continue the series. Thank you for reminding me of what I'm missing. 😉
I read the book for the 1st time this year at 23 and I laughed like crazy. And I went to a spiral of wanting more and more Douglas Adams. i'm watching his interviews (amazing). Checking out the movies. I'm picking up all the pop culture reference and I haven’t heard them much before, so nothing was spoiled for me(Im from a different continent). The quotes are epic. I just love it. I actually read it hearing from you when you had that voting for "why you should read". Thank you so much for the introduction to this absurd and epic world.
My Dad had the radio show on tape and we used to listen to it in the car when I was a kid. Great times and meant I reads the books as soon as I was old enough
One of the goals this year for me is to pick a book or series that Kevin has not yet read, read it first, and then sell it to him. I have seen the 2005 movie and enjoyed it. A whale talking to a potted plant? Guess it is time to check out the source material. Glad that I checked this video out (again)!
I read the first book a couple years ago @ 24yo & I absolutely loved it! I was told to read by some friends who grew up with the series. Yep, they know me well.
Arthur Dent: What happens if I press this button? Ford Prefect: I wouldn't- Arthur Dent: Oh. Ford Prefect: What happened? Arthur Dent: A sign lit up, saying 'Please do not press this button again.”
Great stuff mike - WOToholic aussie here - Big hitchhiker reader as well - i wrote this Haiku for Hopper who i feel you connected to so i hope you appreciate this poem as much as i appreciate you “Hopper” Bold soul take flight timeless dream awaiting Revival to fight
I read the first four-book "trilogy" in the early 80's back-to-back and don't recall laughing so much at any other series, before or since. Probably didn't hurt that I had watched Monty Python, Benny Hill, and Doctor Who on PBS to give me a solid foundation of British wit. Suited my sense of humor perfectly. It's also where I learned how to fly: “There is an art to flying, or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss."
I can remember as a kid trying to play an all text computer game version of this. (This is pre internet and cheat guides) Having not read the book I couldn’t get past the bulldozer outside his house. When I found out all I had to do was lay down in front of it…smh…
Idk if every book has it but i think since you mentioned that most people dont know it had a radio series : In my version of the book (which is a different one than the ones you showed) Is an introduction that explains the whole history of the story
My tip is to not read all the books one after the other. I made that mistake with the first three and while I absolutely loved the first 2, I think i burned out for book 3. It really fell flat and a lot of the humor didn’t feel as good as the first 2. Take some time between one and the other!
I think book 3 was just awful. Honestly it just felt discombobulated, and the sentences just kind of ran on without following any plot. Jokes were forced and not organic like the first 2. I could not get myself to finish the series after book 3. First 2 books are 2 of my favorites though.
Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy, as read by Douglas Adam's was what I listened to when I was going to bed for years to the point that if you put it on I can more or less quote the entire first two chapters of the book. Beware of the leopard, Please do not push that button again, Oh no not again. Fjords in Africa aren't equitorial Great review Mike
I always thought the name Trillian aka triple was given to her cause she liked working with 3s, so things turned out quite well for her with 3 men on the same ship but no one thinks of this even when someone's arm gets bruised when they're all rolling over each other in the spaceship before a whale joins them.
@@Vojtechsroub I love Hitchhiker's Guide. I think it is hilarious and inventive. The absurdity of the story sits well with me. I dislike Pratchett. I love the concept of Discworld, but I was bored. The humor fell flat. While also absurd, it didn't work for me. People have said that I read the "wrong" books. If an author needs more than four books to click for me, then that author isn't worth my time.
@@Rogue_VI I can undestand that Pratchett wont sit to everyone, especially first few books which are more parody to classic fantasy books, but from Guards Guards onward its different story. Where Adams is absurd, sometime funny scifi...discworld goes much deeper with humanistic views and great wisdom. Discworld in this sense has much much more layers
Stumbled upon your page a few days ago and in love with your stuff. Been binging it. Random, but have you ever seen the show Red Dwarf? I bet you would love it!!!
I love this series so much. I actually discovered it for the first time thanks to the BBC mini-series which I found on DVD and liked the blurb on the back so I bought it and loved it.
I like what you say here about sci-fi can have a sense of humor, and not be so serious. Hell, even the 4 books in Hyperion, for as grand and elaborate, has a great sense of humor in parts and many lighthearted moments. I don't believe in "Walmart Sci-fi" like other works are more elite. It's just "good story" or "not good story"... in the same vein as art or cash-grab, lol
I will read this book after I finish the expanse I’m on book 3. And I finish Bill Hodges trilogy I’m on book 2. The old republic time line I’m on Annihilation. And book 2 of the original Thrawn trilogy 😂 I’ll get there soooooon
As a kid I had the omnibus edition with all five books in hardcover. Read it so much the covers fell off and I tried taping them together again. This and Lord of the Rings are the only books I can say I read so much they fell apart. I have read Eoin Colfier's sequel, and I wasn't impressed. It has Thor and Cthulhu in it, but eh. I'm convinced I didn't just outgrow Artemis Fowl, I outgrew Colfier in general. Not so with Douglas Adams. Still want to know what the person who overdosed on truth serum said about frogs.
My favorite moment is when you learn that the ridiculous excerpts from the guide are actually true. Spoilers When he leans to fly I laughed way to hard about that scene for weeks after I read the book.
“You know," said Arthur, "it's at times like this, when I'm trapped in a Vogon airlock with a man from Betelgeuse, and about to die of asphyxiation in deep space that I really wish I'd listened to what my mother told me when I was young."
"Why, what did she tell you?"
"I don't know, I didn't listen.”
Gawd, I loved this series!!
“It’s like being unpleasantly drunk”
“What’s so unpleasant about being drunk?”
“Idk ask a glass of water”
Have had this on my shelf for a while finally getting around to reading it and it has its boring moments but overall it’s a good read so far. Its like im reading a sitcom script lmao
I love it too, and i didn't even finish the book but it was the first one that makes me laugh. My official favorite book
@@acidsprinkl3r8744metoo😊
"It's unpleasantly like being drunk."
"What's so unpleasant about being drunk?"
"You ask a glass of water."
Brilliant book, front to back.
Hahaha
i dont get it
I've only been reading and collecting for about 5 months. Your channel is by far my favorite. Thanks for The dresden files and ALL your Stephen King videos. Your #1 man.✌️
He's the best booktuber imo
Always good to hear of someone finding their love for reading. Cheers🍻
The first time I picked it up I could not stop laughing. Took that book home right away and enjoyed it cover to cover!
I love the earnest way you present these- really good production quality on the intros too, helps hype me up.
Very underrated channel that deserves more love
This is an all-time classic. First, read it when I was 17 (two years ago) and I have been reading it once annually.
Must be Thursday. I never could get the hang of Thursday’s.
Indeed.
So... would you say that the books are 'mostly harmless' 😉
These are such fun, absurd, ridiculous, smart books. And completely contradictory in places. I loved them. Great video for a great series of books. Thanks Mike.
"The ships hung in the sky in much the same way that bricks don't."
Great video Mike! These are definitely for all people, but you need at least an openness to British humor. Just re-read these a year or two ago.
That's one of the best lines in the book. So beautiful and absurd at the same time.
I loved all five of the books. I really hope they continue with the 42nd Anniversary editions, but that is yet to be seen. Don't panic!
I love how Douglas changed each iteration of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy". The book is slightly different from the original radio series, which is slightly different to the TV series, which is slightly different from an additional radio series, which is slightly different from the latest movie.
Right
Thanks for this Mike. I haven't read these since the early 80's so that's them back on my tbrr list. You truly are a hoopy frood.
I've read every Douglas Adams book. The Hitchhiker's "Trilogy" and Dirk Gently books are just so effing good! Thanks for the video.
I read it at age 16 in 1984, then again in 1989 (etc etc over the ensuing decades since and frequently give it as gifts) but I particularly remember the 1989 read as I was usually reading on a bus on the way to work in Sydney and pretty much embarrassing myself with convulsions of laughter.
Mike someone is going to discover you and the way you make INTROS...better than most Hollywoods attempts 👏
Great video !!! I bought the first book a few months ago. A friend of mine recommended to me. I will definitely read it and hope to continue with all the sequels.
It's been at least a couple of years since I last reread this. Watching this video reminded me of so much, thanks!
This book fufilled all my big interests so well that it feels like a personal storyteller or companion rather than a book
It pleases me that my address begins with 42. Thanks for another inspiring and awesome video, Mike!
Very nice. I've been waiting for this one. It did not disappoint. Great job as always Mike.
TH-cam videos should come with a love button. I feel the need to read this again now.
Douglas Adams is someone that was taken away from us far too early. As one of his long time friends said in 'Salmon of Doubt', "I really want to hear his (Douglas') take on new technology. " I would love to hear his views on things like MP3 players, Smart phones, social media, etc. Because I know that he would have a way of looking at those things that are so far off of what they were intended for, but have a snippet of truth in them. His views on 'self driving cars' would be wild, and have some point that no one would have ever thought of.
This book is so amazing! I am so glad I have been able to convince friends to read it, and I am actually excited that there are other books in the series so that I can revisit this world with new eyes still.
P.G. Wodehouse's style was my introduction to British humor, but Douglas Adams provided the crazy I didn't know I needed. His time on Doctor Who gave me some of my favorite moments.
Wodehouse and Adams. Can’t do much better than that!
This book has been on my list for years, and I really should move it up soon
I've never really got why people found the book so intriguing; regardless Mike puts so much heart behind why any book matters that what makes his channel so fun.
Read these books so many times. Still the best series anyone has written ever.
For sure 😊😊😊
Even though I've already read the book, I've enjoyed the "review" & remembering this beautiful book.
Buddy reading this with the 13 year old. Started with the first one and told him we should give it a shot, no obligation to keep going. However, we are working on #3! Interesting stuff!
This book has been sitting on my shelf for about a year now. I think it's about time I pick it up.
Do it!
I have nostalgic memories surrounding this book. Me and a friend hitchhiking and haunting bookshops with our towels.. (A towel really is useful in so many ways). But GEEZ I don't know that I need to think about how long ago that was now lol
The old BBC series was awesome also.
I wasn’t a big reader as a kid and this was the first “adult” book series I ever read. I’ve always loved this series. Now that I’ve fallen in love with reading as an adult, I’ve purchased the complete series and I’m looking forward to my re-read starting next year.
Hitchhiker's is greatness. I first read it waaaaay back in high school. It was unlike anything I had ever read and nothing has quite come close since then (please don't talk to me about Pratchett). I am in total agreement with Mike about the first 3 books being the absolute best with things dropping off after that. Some of my favorite bits include Arthur learning how to fly, the concept of the babelfish and the guy who was so angry at the galaxy that his sole purpose in life was to insult everyone... in alphabetical order.
Did you enjoy the Dirk Gently books?
@@More_Row Not to the same extent. But it's been a long time since I read them. I may like them more if I read them again.
I read the first book beginning of 2020, it was the first book read in years and got me into reading heavily. Such a fun and hilarious book. Book 2 was right up there with book 1. I read book 3 and hated it, I did not continue the series from there and probably never will.
That’s funny (no pun intended) because I liked the third book the most!
This, to me, is the finest scifi book / trilogy / series of all time. Way better than Dune. Also, Stephen Fry's audio version is phenomenal.
Yes! Be careful listening to it while walking outside, you might get weird looks (speaking from experience; i had to laugh so hard)
@@fantasticphilosophy181 I had a similar experience, except it was at work several years back. My coworkers thought I'd gone crazy.
I read the first one a couple of years ago without knowing it was a series. I really had a good time with it. Later, we got ourselves an omnibus edition of the five books but I haven't had the time to finish it yet. You know how TBRs work. But I do intend to re-read and continue the series. Thank you for reminding me of what I'm missing. 😉
I can't remember if I introduced the books to him or he to me, but my dad named our dog Zaphod Beagle-brox.
That is amazing!
I think this series, not to mention Anne Rice's vampire novels put me back on track psychologically. Thanks, Mike!
I know how busy you are bro...cant wait till you do Neil Gaimans' SANDMAN...its EXTODINARY...i think its something right up your alley
I read the book for the 1st time this year at 23 and I laughed like crazy. And I went to a spiral of wanting more and more Douglas Adams. i'm watching his interviews (amazing). Checking out the movies. I'm picking up all the pop culture reference and I haven’t heard them much before, so nothing was spoiled for me(Im from a different continent). The quotes are epic. I just love it.
I actually read it hearing from you when you had that voting for "why you should read". Thank you so much for the introduction to this absurd and epic world.
Great video! Nice touch with the Pink Floyd shirt, too. Still think you need to check out Discworld, sooo great.
I just finished book #4. This series is hilarious and fun and thought provoking. I was worried it might not live up to the hype, but it definitely did
It does. This and pratchett is literally the funny iest things you could read😊
hey @Mike's Book Reviews, if you loved this, you MIGHT like Terry Pratchett as well...
My Dad had the radio show on tape and we used to listen to it in the car when I was a kid. Great times and meant I reads the books as soon as I was old enough
One of the goals this year for me is to pick a book or series that Kevin has not yet read, read it first, and then sell it to him. I have seen the 2005 movie and enjoyed it. A whale talking to a potted plant? Guess it is time to check out the source material. Glad that I checked this video out (again)!
I read the first book a couple years ago @ 24yo & I absolutely loved it! I was told to read by some friends who grew up with the series. Yep, they know me well.
Arthur Dent: What happens if I press this button?
Ford Prefect: I wouldn't-
Arthur Dent: Oh.
Ford Prefect: What happened?
Arthur Dent: A sign lit up, saying 'Please do not press this button again.”
I've nearly finished the life the universe and everything in it. I'm really enjoying the series.
Gotta agree this series is like a flashback to my early teens, what a giggle., the Improbability Drive was genius.
If you like SciFi comedy take a look at Red Dwarf. Their are at least a couple of books. Infinity Welcomes Careful Drivers is very good.
Great stuff mike - WOToholic aussie here - Big hitchhiker reader as well - i wrote this Haiku for Hopper who i feel you connected to so i hope you appreciate this poem as much as i appreciate you
“Hopper”
Bold soul take flight
timeless dream awaiting
Revival to fight
It's in the November TBR. Sounds wonderful!!
I read the first four-book "trilogy" in the early 80's back-to-back and don't recall laughing so much at any other series, before or since. Probably didn't hurt that I had watched Monty Python, Benny Hill, and Doctor Who on PBS to give me a solid foundation of British wit. Suited my sense of humor perfectly.
It's also where I learned how to fly: “There is an art to flying, or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss."
Definitely going to read it!
I read this in middle school. Super nostalgic book for me.
Recently bought this at a secondhand store, in good condition too. Looking forward to getting to it soon!
I love Marvin.
Still have my first edition paperbacks and audio books...
And a towel. 😊
I got this leatherbound edition on my shelf. I gotta read it sometimes.
I can remember as a kid trying to play an all text computer game version of this. (This is pre internet and cheat guides) Having not read the book I couldn’t get past the bulldozer outside his house. When I found out all I had to do was lay down in front of it…smh…
A depressed Robot is about as funny as it gets!
I didnt think anyone would be able to sell me this series, but somehow you did it.
Literally last night I tried to convince my wife it was a good read when she was looking for something fun and light. Will send her this.
Idk if every book has it but i think since you mentioned that most people dont know it had a radio series : In my version of the book (which is a different one than the ones you showed) Is an introduction that explains the whole history of the story
Those opening lines tell you all you need to know . Anyone who can open a book with such universally applicable and understated snark is a genius 😂
My tip is to not read all the books one after the other. I made that mistake with the first three and while I absolutely loved the first 2, I think i burned out for book 3. It really fell flat and a lot of the humor didn’t feel as good as the first 2. Take some time between one and the other!
I think book 3 was just awful. Honestly it just felt discombobulated, and the sentences just kind of ran on without following any plot. Jokes were forced and not organic like the first 2. I could not get myself to finish the series after book 3. First 2 books are 2 of my favorites though.
Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy, as read by Douglas Adam's was what I listened to when I was going to bed for years to the point that if you put it on I can more or less quote the entire first two chapters of the book.
Beware of the leopard, Please do not push that button again, Oh no not again. Fjords in Africa aren't equitorial
Great review Mike
Still need to get to books 4 and 5. Binge audioed books 1-3 last month, and it was glorious.
Every time I reread The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy there are line I've forgotten. I LOL at least a dozen times on every read.
I've only read the first book. I read it when I was 16 and it cracked me up. 😀
I also played the text adventure game, which was super hard! (Half the audience wonders what a text adventure game is.)
Excellent. 🛸 👽
Great series! But good lord, I didn't realise it was that old! I would have thought mid-eighties ^_^
Book 4 came out in 1984, so almost mid-80's
@@Rogue_VI Close enough, then :D
I always thought the name Trillian aka triple was given to her cause she liked working with 3s, so things turned out quite well for her with 3 men on the same ship but no one thinks of this even when someone's arm gets bruised when they're all rolling over each other in the spaceship before a whale joins them.
You really need to pick up Pratchett already, if Douglas Adams is something that make you laugh, Pratchett will rocket you up to space
Negative.
@@Rogue_VI Nice, complex answer, have to love it
@@Vojtechsroub I love Hitchhiker's Guide. I think it is hilarious and inventive. The absurdity of the story sits well with me. I dislike Pratchett. I love the concept of Discworld, but I was bored. The humor fell flat. While also absurd, it didn't work for me. People have said that I read the "wrong" books. If an author needs more than four books to click for me, then that author isn't worth my time.
@@Rogue_VI I can undestand that Pratchett wont sit to everyone, especially first few books which are more parody to classic fantasy books, but from Guards Guards onward its different story. Where Adams is absurd, sometime funny scifi...discworld goes much deeper with humanistic views and great wisdom. Discworld in this sense has much much more layers
Btw Mike the name Betelgeuse is pronounced just like beetlejuice, it's the name of a star in the constellation of Orion
Stumbled upon your page a few days ago and in love with your stuff. Been binging it. Random, but have you ever seen the show Red Dwarf? I bet you would love it!!!
You gotta see it if you liked Hitchhiker’s. Best British sci fi/comedy show of all time IMHO
I have but I was pretty young.
@@mikesbookreviews Watch it again!! One of those shows that gets better and better with age. Seasons 1-6 change so much but are all golden IMHO
I love this series so much. I actually discovered it for the first time thanks to the BBC mini-series which I found on DVD and liked the blurb on the back so I bought it and loved it.
The books are great, but the original radio series is sublime.
Oh No, Not Again.
Ha ha, perfect
"Space; it's bigger than the biggest thing ever and then some" 🤓
I like what you say here about sci-fi can have a sense of humor, and not be so serious. Hell, even the 4 books in Hyperion, for as grand and elaborate, has a great sense of humor in parts and many lighthearted moments. I don't believe in "Walmart Sci-fi" like other works are more elite. It's just "good story" or "not good story"... in the same vein as art or cash-grab, lol
Hello October. So ready! Is Tea Time just as funny? That cover behind you with a kid the scary eyes? Which book is that?
the R4 radio series is great
Do listen to the radio series. The books are good, the radio shows are sublime.
I can’t believe it’s more than 42 years old
HHG is a work of genius
Good Ol Sam Houston mug
Here you are to remind me that I have lost my copy of this book. Thanks a lot!
I will read this book after I finish the expanse I’m on book 3. And I finish Bill Hodges trilogy I’m on book 2. The old republic time line I’m on Annihilation. And book 2 of the original Thrawn trilogy 😂 I’ll get there soooooon
If the author gives you advice what to do when reading the book you take it.
As a kid I had the omnibus edition with all five books in hardcover. Read it so much the covers fell off and I tried taping them together again. This and Lord of the Rings are the only books I can say I read so much they fell apart.
I have read Eoin Colfier's sequel, and I wasn't impressed. It has Thor and Cthulhu in it, but eh. I'm convinced I didn't just outgrow Artemis Fowl, I outgrew Colfier in general. Not so with Douglas Adams. Still want to know what the person who overdosed on truth serum said about frogs.
My favorite moment is when you learn that the ridiculous excerpts from the guide are actually true.
Spoilers
When he leans to fly I laughed way to hard about that scene for weeks after I read the book.
Maybe you should have reviewed this last year?
42-year anniversary... ;-D
42!
Squeezed out of a cow. For the tea😊
There is only one reason it is fucking funny
Bookshelf tour
Search the archives. I’ve done like 5 of them.
Whoever was the 42nd like on this video should get a free copy of the book
the first 3 books are still absolute classics, 4 is good and 5 is completely bleak and depressing.