Words You Don't Want to Hear During Your Annual Performance Review

Dilbert #22

by Scott Adams

"Confined to their cubicles in a company run by idiot bosses, Dilbert and his white-collar colleagues make the dronelike world of Kafka seem congenial." --The New York Times

Parasitic consultants, weaselly stockbrokers, masochistic coworkers and the ever-present, evil-plotting pointy-haired boss? Welcome to the seventh circle of hell, er, the twenty-second collection of Scott Adams' stupendously popular comic strip, Dilbert!

Words You Don't Want to Hear During Your Annual Performance Review updates loyal readers on the mind-numbing careers of Dilbert, Wally, Alice, the PHB himself, and an ever-expanding cast of walk-on "guest stars." In this installment, a cash-sucking "consultick" burrows under the boss's skin, a not-so-grim reaper pops anti-depressants, and a lab accident turns Dilbert into a sheep--a transformation which goes barely noticed by his beleaguered coworkers. All the while, Adams takes his patented over-the-top but right-on-the-money jabs at the inanity of the corporate world.

"Once every decade, America is gifted with an angst-ridden anti-hero, a Nietzschean nebbish, an us-against-the-universe everyperson around whom our insecurities collect like iron shavings to a magnet. Charlie Chaplin. Dagwood Bumstead. Charlie Brown. Cathy. Now, Dilbert." --The Miami Herald

Genres: Humor, Comics, Fiction, Comic Strips, Comedy, Cartoon, Business

128 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2003

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Adams was born in Windham, New York in 1957 and received his Bachelor's degree in Economics from Hartwick College in 1979.

He also studied economics and management for his 1986 MBA from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley.

In recent years, Adams has been hurt with a series of debilitating health problems. Since late 2004, he has suffered from a reemergence of his focal dystonia which has affected his drawing. He can fool his brain by drawing using a graphics tablet. On December 12, 2005, Adams announced on his blog that he also suffers from spasmodic dysphonia, a condition that causes the vocal cords to behave in an abnormal manner. However, on October 24, 2006, he again blogged stating that he had recovered from this condition, although he is unsure if the recovery is permanent. He claims to have developed a method to work around the disorder and has been able to speak normally since. Also, on January 21, 2007, he posted a blog entry detailing his experiences with treatment by Dr. Morton Cooper.

Adams is also a trained hypnotist, as well as a vegetarian. (Mentioned in, "Dilbert: A Treasury of Sunday Strips 00).

He married Shelly Miles on July 22, 2006.

Reviews

[Eddie B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Dilbert book mocking the stupid and evil ways of the "modern" age of business. Shorter but not less ruthless.

[Miss Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Not the best but solid.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good way to end the day, or begin it!

[Sadie-Jane Huff · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's alright. Some funny bits.. but generally.. OK. . not one of the better ones. .

[Peter Barr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scott Adams usually has an uncanny knowledge of the ludicrous mechanics of offices and a sense of humor that goes on for days. However, this is not his best work. It's still pretty good.

[Daniel Little · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dilbert in my mind, represents all things real, and this book is no exception. Once again, the reader will find themselves and their workplaces within the cartoons. I'm certain Scott Adams has had spy cameras at every place I've ever worked because Dilbert seems to run into the exact same problems as I do. Words You Don't Want to Hear During Your Annual Review nails it, as usual, with a heavy dose of humour and sarcasm. Need a break from pandemic stress? Here is your answer.

www.daniellittle.com

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bummer, the title is the funniest part of this book. Maybe it is just too dated? (publication date 2003) Or maybe it is not funny because it seems all too real? I was hoping it would tickle my funny bone, but no.

[Jess Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sadly this is very true

I was reading this book as the company was trying to figure out what to do after it lost a lot of customers. Unfortunately I think the management of my firm was the basis of this comic book. At least I know I’m not alone.

[Ryan Barretto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun read from Scott Adams that is frighteningly close to reality.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

So accurate it made me sob with recognition.

[DOUGLAS J BERRY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strip.

Good black and white artwork. Suitable for taping to a cubicle wall. I almost got a job working in a cubicle, but God was kind, so I didn't.

[SKP · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read a number of Dilbert collections, and this is one of the few that doesn’t seem to repeat a lot from other collections. Lots of laughs the whole way through!

[Cherie Bush · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hilarious.

[Mark A.]

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[Little Timmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all might have started out like Calvin with a great view of life. But after hitting the workforce we all somewhat become Dilbert. Everyone knows someone like one of the characters in the strips. Highly recommended