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The Geek Handbook: Practical Skills and Advice for the Likeable Modern Geek
And the GEEKS shall inherit the earth!
Although it may not be good for their pasty white skin, Geeks these days are enjoying a moment in the sun. From Pop Culture to High-Tech Everything, Geeks rule and everybody else, well, drools.
Drawing on his own knowledge of being a geek for almost 30 years, author Alex Langley provides essential advice for growth and survival for the modern Geek, including the top five games to play on your phone while listening to boring graduation speeches. There are also quotes and anecdotes from classic Geek gods such as Bill Gates, Sheldon Cooper, Felicia Day, Weird Al Yankovic and Dr. Who, that inspire all geeks to embrace not only your iPhones and Xboxes, but who you are.
Let's face it, sometimes being the smartest person in the room isn't enough. And when it's not, The Geek Handbook can help. You'll discover:
Basics on social interaction, both online and off.
Fashion: just because you can wear socks and sandals doesn't mean you should.
Making friends, making dinner, making babies.
Warning signs your appliances might secretly be plotting against you.
Geeky charities that give a +1 to your Light Side score.
Geek girls: tips on interacting with or becoming one of these burgeoning beauties.
So get your Geek on, and keep it on with The Geek Handbook.
Although it may not be good for their pasty white skin, Geeks these days are enjoying a moment in the sun. From Pop Culture to High-Tech Everything, Geeks rule and everybody else, well, drools.
Drawing on his own knowledge of being a geek for almost 30 years, author Alex Langley provides essential advice for growth and survival for the modern Geek, including the top five games to play on your phone while listening to boring graduation speeches. There are also quotes and anecdotes from classic Geek gods such as Bill Gates, Sheldon Cooper, Felicia Day, Weird Al Yankovic and Dr. Who, that inspire all geeks to embrace not only your iPhones and Xboxes, but who you are.
Let's face it, sometimes being the smartest person in the room isn't enough. And when it's not, The Geek Handbook can help. You'll discover:
Basics on social interaction, both online and off.
Fashion: just because you can wear socks and sandals doesn't mean you should.
Making friends, making dinner, making babies.
Warning signs your appliances might secretly be plotting against you.
Geeky charities that give a +1 to your Light Side score.
Geek girls: tips on interacting with or becoming one of these burgeoning beauties.
So get your Geek on, and keep it on with The Geek Handbook.
240 pages, Paperback
First published October 24, 2012
7 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
About the author
Alex Langley
6 books18 followersAlex Langley can control gravity, swim at over eight-hundred miles per second, and has a dangerous, borderline nuclear passion for writing. He also writes news, interviews, and comics for the website rocketllama.com, has over 20,000 followers on twitter, and edits content for geek girl/web celebrity @actionchick Katrina Hill at actionflickchick.com. Thousands follow his work online, and he has been a speaker on panels at conventions, including Wonder-Con, and San Diego Comic-Con International. His published works also include academic papers.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 16, 2013
The Geek Handbook is a wonderful book packed with awesome information. I remember getting it for a friend for her birthday, but after reading a few pages myself, I decided to buy my own copy.
It was worth it. Seriously.
The book starts out explaining what a geek is, and then goes into detail about the different types of geeks. They range from comic geeks, to science-fiction geeks, to food geeks, sports geeks, and pretty much any other geek in the galaxy. The Geek Handbook addresses several things, such as how geeks look, making friends with geeks, geek relationships, marriage, making your own geek babies, and other things such as a list of the top ten most bizarre superheroes and supervillains.
The author, Alex Langley, wrote this book in such a way that is packed with both hilarious and helpful information, but also is not very dense. The book is a somewhat quick read, especially if you enjoy it as much as I did.
Here a just a couple of my favorite parts:
Aforementioned, there was a list of the top ten most bizarre superpeople from comic books. The list included infamous people such as Arm Fall Off Boy (his arm falls off... that's it)and Dog Wielder (he wields dead dogs to people and attaches them to his victim's faces).
Also, there is a section entirely on geek hairstyles. These range from the Yugi, the Wolverine, the Professor X, Tony Stark, and Catwoman.
This book is awesome. Go read it. It will fill your soul with happiness.
'nuff said
-XAN
It was worth it. Seriously.
The book starts out explaining what a geek is, and then goes into detail about the different types of geeks. They range from comic geeks, to science-fiction geeks, to food geeks, sports geeks, and pretty much any other geek in the galaxy. The Geek Handbook addresses several things, such as how geeks look, making friends with geeks, geek relationships, marriage, making your own geek babies, and other things such as a list of the top ten most bizarre superheroes and supervillains.
The author, Alex Langley, wrote this book in such a way that is packed with both hilarious and helpful information, but also is not very dense. The book is a somewhat quick read, especially if you enjoy it as much as I did.
Here a just a couple of my favorite parts:
Aforementioned, there was a list of the top ten most bizarre superpeople from comic books. The list included infamous people such as Arm Fall Off Boy (his arm falls off... that's it)and Dog Wielder (he wields dead dogs to people and attaches them to his victim's faces).
Also, there is a section entirely on geek hairstyles. These range from the Yugi, the Wolverine, the Professor X, Tony Stark, and Catwoman.
This book is awesome. Go read it. It will fill your soul with happiness.
'nuff said
-XAN
July 27, 2013
This book is cute and great for the beginner geek. I like the categories, although I'm not sure what I think about the foodies and the sports geeks, sports especially because they often cannot be kind to my people. The section where Langely says that Sci-Fi geeks watch anything with Nathan Fillion in it is especially true; I mean who doesn't LOVE Nathan Fillion? Good humor and helpful tips to boot.
June 16, 2015
For any geeks, ANY GEEKS, this is a must read. Social gatherings? How to build a nerdy family? How to decorate your home? How to survive the zombie apocalypse? Everything, anything you need to know about geekry is in this book. I enjoyed laughing and having a good time reading this book, while also sharing some details to my equally geeky (although he doesn't admit it) father.
December 29, 2013
I can't believe I already finished. What I thought would have been nothing but the typical guide to something, this book proved to be hilariously written from the perspective of not only a very spontaneous and versed writer , but also from the insider and experienced voice on the matter. A book that I truly recommend to have fun and enjoy.
July 19, 2024
Hilarious. However, Roswell, NM is NOT a good geek vacation spot (or a good vacation spot in general). I'm here for the New Mexico Military Institute and I can assure you that there is nothing geeky in this city. There are a few extremely stupid touristy gift shops, but that's about it.
November 8, 2023
I read this due to my reoccurring fixation on the artifacts of early 2000s-2010s nerd culture. Old, inactive forums, books like this, webcomics, and even the Big Bang Theory create the record of a culture that has changed immensely, even in the decade since this book was published.
I expected to give this book three stars; acknowledging that it is incredibly cringeworthy at times, but is an artifact of it's place in history. Up until chapter 15, I was largely even impressed with how the work was written, balancing comedy with actual writing on how Alex Langley sees the geek community.
My review dropped to a 1 star, however, in light of Chapter Fifteen. Geek Girls: The Female is the Deadlier of the Species. This chapter marks a turning point, where Langley proves himself to have the same dismissive, cruel, and misogynistic attitude expressed by his role models in the BBT, despite his protests to the contrary.
This chapter is one of the most blatantly misogynistic things I have ever read, and it truly astounds me that Langely thinks saying that women can be geeks exonerates him from this sin.
The chapter opens with a recounting of the "History of the Geek Girl." This short excerpt already starts to show a fundamental misunderstanding of history when it says that cave geek girls had to listen to "the male cavegeeks sit around and tell tales of their male heroes, as no female heroes had been invented yet." and "THE 1800s. Little in the way of American geek girl activity during this period since most women were either trying to make it as women of high society or out in the wild frontier trying not to die in childbirth or get shot to death by bandits." I understand that we are attempting to make a joke here, but this joke is rooted in a historical misunderstanding of women as second class citizens in their own history. Like, there are plenty of brave and amazing Christian saints who definitely fit the definition of "female heroes" that predate the 1800s or Star Trek, and this idea that no intellectual brilliant women existed throughout the 1800s is honestly kinda offensive.
The geek history is the high point of the chapter, then rapidly devolves from there into an absolutely repulsive sexist diatribe, which seriously gives us the male author's opinion on just how common cat fights happen in-between geeky girls. Actual quote from the book "Oddly enough, geek girls are often the group most critical of other geek girls, perhaps feeling threatened by virtue of no longer being the only lady around." Gross dude.
Finally, this chapter includes a section entitled "How to Deal with Those Silly Boys", which includes a subsection that tells women that they shouldn't have to "Keep Up" with the guys and AGAIN warns against "girlfights" because a "new girl bee comes fluttering into the beehive".
This is not an example of a book that aged poorly, this is an example of sexism, just as it was in 2013. I hope for the sake of the women in his life the author of this book has done considerable introspection.
I expected to give this book three stars; acknowledging that it is incredibly cringeworthy at times, but is an artifact of it's place in history. Up until chapter 15, I was largely even impressed with how the work was written, balancing comedy with actual writing on how Alex Langley sees the geek community.
My review dropped to a 1 star, however, in light of Chapter Fifteen. Geek Girls: The Female is the Deadlier of the Species. This chapter marks a turning point, where Langley proves himself to have the same dismissive, cruel, and misogynistic attitude expressed by his role models in the BBT, despite his protests to the contrary.
This chapter is one of the most blatantly misogynistic things I have ever read, and it truly astounds me that Langely thinks saying that women can be geeks exonerates him from this sin.
The chapter opens with a recounting of the "History of the Geek Girl." This short excerpt already starts to show a fundamental misunderstanding of history when it says that cave geek girls had to listen to "the male cavegeeks sit around and tell tales of their male heroes, as no female heroes had been invented yet." and "THE 1800s. Little in the way of American geek girl activity during this period since most women were either trying to make it as women of high society or out in the wild frontier trying not to die in childbirth or get shot to death by bandits." I understand that we are attempting to make a joke here, but this joke is rooted in a historical misunderstanding of women as second class citizens in their own history. Like, there are plenty of brave and amazing Christian saints who definitely fit the definition of "female heroes" that predate the 1800s or Star Trek, and this idea that no intellectual brilliant women existed throughout the 1800s is honestly kinda offensive.
The geek history is the high point of the chapter, then rapidly devolves from there into an absolutely repulsive sexist diatribe, which seriously gives us the male author's opinion on just how common cat fights happen in-between geeky girls. Actual quote from the book "Oddly enough, geek girls are often the group most critical of other geek girls, perhaps feeling threatened by virtue of no longer being the only lady around." Gross dude.
Finally, this chapter includes a section entitled "How to Deal with Those Silly Boys", which includes a subsection that tells women that they shouldn't have to "Keep Up" with the guys and AGAIN warns against "girlfights" because a "new girl bee comes fluttering into the beehive".
This is not an example of a book that aged poorly, this is an example of sexism, just as it was in 2013. I hope for the sake of the women in his life the author of this book has done considerable introspection.
November 6, 2024
I read most of this on a flight from JFK to Athens and the rest just today. It’s fun, even if it was dated twelve years ago. More than a few laughs in here and a pretty comprehensive overview. I stopped highlighting and annotating early on because … too geeky? Nah. Just tired on the flight and nonstop since.
“Top Five Ways of Making Your Guests Feel Welcome
1. Offer them a drink. Even if it’s just water, people enjoy being offered drinks. We need them to survive, after all.
2. Nothing makes someone feel more relaxed than an eye-popping orgasm. Follow this tip at your own discretion.
…”
Okay. Number two…literal laugh out loud.
“MAGIC: THE GATHERING. Keep an eye on your wallets, boys. If you’re not careful, you’ll lose everything you’ve got to this sultry wench. Magic: The Gathering is one of the first collectible card games and one of the most enduring. “
Still is twelve years later.
[on George Martin’s mess] “It’s been called many things: A Song of Ice and Fire. A Game of Thrones. A fantasy tale to rival the lore of Middle Earth. And, most notably, effing awesome.”
No. It is crap writing aimed at juveniles with puerile interests. But that violates the don’t mock another geek rule. Oops.
[more nonsense] “Quite honestly, not only is this unfinished story leagues above the pack in regards to the fantasy fiction genre, but it may well be the best piece of fiction in general I’ve ever read.”
Clearly someone doesn’t read much.
“Top Five Ways of Making Your Guests Feel Welcome
1. Offer them a drink. Even if it’s just water, people enjoy being offered drinks. We need them to survive, after all.
2. Nothing makes someone feel more relaxed than an eye-popping orgasm. Follow this tip at your own discretion.
…”
Okay. Number two…literal laugh out loud.
“MAGIC: THE GATHERING. Keep an eye on your wallets, boys. If you’re not careful, you’ll lose everything you’ve got to this sultry wench. Magic: The Gathering is one of the first collectible card games and one of the most enduring. “
Still is twelve years later.
[on George Martin’s mess] “It’s been called many things: A Song of Ice and Fire. A Game of Thrones. A fantasy tale to rival the lore of Middle Earth. And, most notably, effing awesome.”
No. It is crap writing aimed at juveniles with puerile interests. But that violates the don’t mock another geek rule. Oops.
[more nonsense] “Quite honestly, not only is this unfinished story leagues above the pack in regards to the fantasy fiction genre, but it may well be the best piece of fiction in general I’ve ever read.”
Clearly someone doesn’t read much.
December 6, 2018
A spectacularly hilarious book, which I absolutely adored! Not much to say, because it was just a side read for me, but I really enjoyed it!
September 26, 2019
This summed up my life perfectly.
June 29, 2015
At least for my experience, the back matter made promises the book couldn't keep. An entertaining book, very humorous (particularly the footnotes), and with some exceedingly cute illustrations that beg to be filled in with crayons in spat of child-like glee.
However, the writing sometimes dragged and made certain sections less of an enjoyment and more of a chore along the way to the next fun bit. On top of that, while it claimed to have advice for social interaction and passages that would inspire the reader to further embrace his/her geekiness, the advice was, at best, a rehashing of what most people concerned with such things as social interaction have already found somewhere, and there was very little of inspiration.
That being said, there were a handful of good recommendations and such for charities, websites, webcomics, etc. All in all, not a bad book, but not one I find in any way vital.
However, the writing sometimes dragged and made certain sections less of an enjoyment and more of a chore along the way to the next fun bit. On top of that, while it claimed to have advice for social interaction and passages that would inspire the reader to further embrace his/her geekiness, the advice was, at best, a rehashing of what most people concerned with such things as social interaction have already found somewhere, and there was very little of inspiration.
That being said, there were a handful of good recommendations and such for charities, websites, webcomics, etc. All in all, not a bad book, but not one I find in any way vital.
April 19, 2014
This book is full of many good practical plans/ideas for living life as anyone who has even slight leanings toward nerd life/culture. Everything is said in a humorous way that makes it a fun, easy read, as well. I just wish I could've gotten it *before* going to Comic-Con, instead of during, as he had some brilliant tips for conventions of those sort which I wish I knew beforehand. I'd recommend it, but with the caution that it does have a few inappropriate references.
January 19, 2013
Highly entertaining and enlightening. Hardcore nerds may find it boring (unless they want to argue the points Langley makes), but intermediate and beginning nerds will be fascinated by the information this book contains.
December 29, 2012
Hilarious and informative! One of the best handbooks on the subject of geekery I've ever read! Great illustrations as well!
February 24, 2013
Funny and quite well put together. Timelines were a bit boring but enjoyed the rest.
March 3, 2013
Nerd blackface at its worst.
June 15, 2013
Entertaining, but that's about it. :D
June 17, 2013
This has some funny ideas that really do apply to many everyday situations for geeky people and non-geeky people who want to understand us better.
February 6, 2015
This book had some good info and quite a bit of humor too. Worth reading.
January 15, 2014
This book was laugh out loud funny and I could relate so much.
August 18, 2015
Funny, I thought this book was okay but at times dragged.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews