What do you think?
Rate this book
God's Doodle: The Life and Times of the Penis
You will be impotent with both laughter as you read this "remarkably entertaining and informative look at the male organ down through the ages . . . undeniably funny” (Booklist).Throughout history, man has revered his penis as his “most precious ornament.” From small to large, thick to thin, smooth to wrinkled, Thomas Hickman lets the history of this mystery hang out for all to see. Offering discussion of ancient literatures and mathematical quandaries of possible positions, such as Greece’s “the lion on the cheese-grater,” which still keeps scholars in a twist. It is a stiff subject, but we easily settle in with the likes of Bill Clinton, Michelangelo’s David, and Shakespeare as they followed their heads. If you were to wrap your hands around anything less than two-inches, it should be God’s Doodle, a brilliant history of the penis that hits the topic right on the head. It reaches through time and looks at how the penis trended long before one was ever posted on Twitter.“[A] well-researched, dryly witty and worthwhile read.” --Salon“Tom Hickman tells the story of its ups and downs with enthusiasm and a mostly straight face.” --The Economist
234 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2012
73 people are currently reading
566 people want to read
About the author
Tom Hickman
16 books18 followersTom Hickman has worked as features writer, features editor and editor on various national magazines, newspapers and for the BBC.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
April 7, 2018
This book taught me a lot about the history of the penis. You'd think I was an expert, having one myself for 43 years, but it turns out there's a lot to learn.
For example, did you know that hot cross buns are actually descended from pagan penis cakes? Now you do.
Downside: my feelings about my penis are now even more conflicted after reading that book. Penises are awesome and amazing, but they seem to cause a lot of problems for everyone who has to deal with one.
For example, did you know that hot cross buns are actually descended from pagan penis cakes? Now you do.
Downside: my feelings about my penis are now even more conflicted after reading that book. Penises are awesome and amazing, but they seem to cause a lot of problems for everyone who has to deal with one.
February 22, 2022
A book like this treads a fine line: a mass of fascinating information can become absurdly pedantic if not leavened with a little satire, and yet too much emphasis on absurdity risks descending into juvenile smut. I think this gets the balance right – although whether every reader thinks the same is, of course, a matter of choice.
I was not aware that when London churches destroyed during the Blitz were being restored, more than 90% of those which pre dated the Black Death had a carved image of a penis hidden inside the altar. This seems fascinating and extraordinary.
Some cherished beliefs are demolished as myth: Prince Albert never had a ring through his foreskin, and no newly enthroned pope had his testicles groped through a hole in his sedilia to check that they were present and correct. The author claims there is no evidence that Bonaparte was under endowed – I am not so sure about that. Wellington – acting in this respect like a Bronze Age warrior chief – took to his bed at least one of Bonaparte’s mistresses, who many years later, when asked to compare the two, said “Wellington était beaucoup le plus fort.” Admittedly that could be a reference to vigour rather than size, but the famous statue of Bonaparte by Canova – taken as war booty and which is still on display at Apsley House – seems designed to be a kind of phallic triumph over the little Emperor, because it is so positioned that on entering the building one’s eye is automatically drawn to the tiny focal point between the Frenchman’s thighs. Or at least my eye is; perhaps, like Freud – who thought the necktie was a phallic symbol – this is more about the eye of the beholder.
I have a brother who was married to a German, one of whose edicts was that all the males in the household must urinate in a seated position. My brother felt that this was a kind of psychological emasculation which could not be tolerated; it was a major cause of their divorce. I learned from this book that 40% of German men urinate in a seated position – from which I conclude that Poland’s borders will never again be violated from a westward direction.
There is a strange dichotomy in this book – the item under discussion is simultaneously intensely serious (at least if you possess one) and also somehow irresistibly comic (whether you possess one or not). But let the last word be the author’s:
“A male baboon says hello to another by pulling on his penis, the courtesy being reciprocated; proto human man almost certainly did likewise. The Walbiri of Central Australia today hold the penis of a visitor as the equivalent to shaking hands.”
I was not aware that when London churches destroyed during the Blitz were being restored, more than 90% of those which pre dated the Black Death had a carved image of a penis hidden inside the altar. This seems fascinating and extraordinary.
Some cherished beliefs are demolished as myth: Prince Albert never had a ring through his foreskin, and no newly enthroned pope had his testicles groped through a hole in his sedilia to check that they were present and correct. The author claims there is no evidence that Bonaparte was under endowed – I am not so sure about that. Wellington – acting in this respect like a Bronze Age warrior chief – took to his bed at least one of Bonaparte’s mistresses, who many years later, when asked to compare the two, said “Wellington était beaucoup le plus fort.” Admittedly that could be a reference to vigour rather than size, but the famous statue of Bonaparte by Canova – taken as war booty and which is still on display at Apsley House – seems designed to be a kind of phallic triumph over the little Emperor, because it is so positioned that on entering the building one’s eye is automatically drawn to the tiny focal point between the Frenchman’s thighs. Or at least my eye is; perhaps, like Freud – who thought the necktie was a phallic symbol – this is more about the eye of the beholder.
I have a brother who was married to a German, one of whose edicts was that all the males in the household must urinate in a seated position. My brother felt that this was a kind of psychological emasculation which could not be tolerated; it was a major cause of their divorce. I learned from this book that 40% of German men urinate in a seated position – from which I conclude that Poland’s borders will never again be violated from a westward direction.
There is a strange dichotomy in this book – the item under discussion is simultaneously intensely serious (at least if you possess one) and also somehow irresistibly comic (whether you possess one or not). But let the last word be the author’s:
“A male baboon says hello to another by pulling on his penis, the courtesy being reciprocated; proto human man almost certainly did likewise. The Walbiri of Central Australia today hold the penis of a visitor as the equivalent to shaking hands.”
October 11, 2022
As someone who does not have a penis, I found this to be very insightful and beneficial to better understanding the opposite sex.
There are tons of statistics and interesting bits of historical trivia. I also really enjoyed learning about similarities and differences across cultures. There is some information that will truly make your skin crawl (castration methods...ouch).
Overall, I think this is a great read for women who want to be more informed about the other half of the population. It really will make you a bit more sympathetic, plus there's the added bonus of occasional levity.
There are tons of statistics and interesting bits of historical trivia. I also really enjoyed learning about similarities and differences across cultures. There is some information that will truly make your skin crawl (castration methods...ouch).
Overall, I think this is a great read for women who want to be more informed about the other half of the population. It really will make you a bit more sympathetic, plus there's the added bonus of occasional levity.
December 24, 2017
Bardzo dobra, kompleksowa opowieść o męskim przyrodzeniu, źródle dumy, trosk, frustracji i lęków. Kopalnia interesujących opowieści, zarówno historycznych, społecznych, religijnych pokazujących jak w trakcie rozwoju ludzkości ewoluowało spojrzenie na rolę męskiego przyrodzenia. Czasami trudno uwierzyć np. w religijne "odniesienia". I nie chodzi tylko o przesądy dotyczące czynności fizjologicznych, ale i wpływ fallusa na religię i religijne obyczaje związane z fallusami. Choć najlepsze są te świeckie "obyczaje" i kulturowe naleciałości.
Autor pisze przekrojowo, przybliżając każdy aspekt związany z przyrodzeniem. Książka w gruncie rzeczy jest łatwa. Czyta się ją z przyjemnością i szybko. Liczy zaledwie 250 stron, z czego trochę ponad dziesięć procent to przypisy.
Nie jest tym na co liczyłem. Choć może to lepiej, bo nie wiem, czy dałbym radę przebrnąć przez pogłębiony wywód, np. w odniesieniu do psychoanalizy.
Autor pisze przekrojowo, przybliżając każdy aspekt związany z przyrodzeniem. Książka w gruncie rzeczy jest łatwa. Czyta się ją z przyjemnością i szybko. Liczy zaledwie 250 stron, z czego trochę ponad dziesięć procent to przypisy.
Nie jest tym na co liczyłem. Choć może to lepiej, bo nie wiem, czy dałbym radę przebrnąć przez pogłębiony wywód, np. w odniesieniu do psychoanalizy.
Read
July 15, 2019Beznadziejnie głupie. A do tego nudne, co jest już najgorszą wadą tej książki.
October 2, 2014
I picked this up as a bit of a joke, but I found a thoroughly researched book on a subject that I didn't know much about. The overall tone is light, although sometimes the info dump can be rather heavy. Not all facts were interesting to me, but I imagine that varies with the reader. I liked the amusing etymology, cultural facts and the behind-the-scenes biology. I didn't care for the descriptions of historical castrations, injuries and boring stats of sizes and shapes.
My favorite fact: the word "cock" is a shortened form of pillicock. The linguistic consequences made by unhappy Puritans included changing apricocks and cockerels to apricots and roosters. Apricocks! hee hee!
My favorite fact: the word "cock" is a shortened form of pillicock. The linguistic consequences made by unhappy Puritans included changing apricocks and cockerels to apricots and roosters. Apricocks! hee hee!
September 5, 2017
I admit picking this up as a joke but also curious. Being married, I do know how much importance men place on this particular part of their anatomy. I did pick up alot of interesting facts, but the over the top writing style with abundant puns got a little tiresome. I suspect men would enjoy this far more than women.
May 7, 2019
Książka zasadniczo dobrze napisana i na temat. Trudno jednak oprzeć się wrażeniu, że autorowi jako mężczyźnie brakuje dystansu. Około 1/4 całości poświęcona jest wielkości penisa, w zasadzie powtarzają się te same liczby, a kolejne anegdoty o wyjątkowo wyposażonych panach są podobne do poprzednich. Rozumiem, że temat jest niebagatelny, ale 50 stron to trochę przesada.
Drugi, poważniejszy zarzut dotyczy głównie końcówki. Autor przedstawia mężczyzn trochę jak niebezpiecznych idiotów, którzy nie są w stanie kontrolować swojej fizjologii. Biorąc po uwagę, że tacy idioci mają realne ofiary, nie jest to zbyt zabawne.
Trochę szkoda, że książki nie napisała kobieta.
Drugi, poważniejszy zarzut dotyczy głównie końcówki. Autor przedstawia mężczyzn trochę jak niebezpiecznych idiotów, którzy nie są w stanie kontrolować swojej fizjologii. Biorąc po uwagę, że tacy idioci mają realne ofiary, nie jest to zbyt zabawne.
Trochę szkoda, że książki nie napisała kobieta.
December 15, 2021
To see more reviews check out MI Book Reviews.
I am scientifically fascinated by sex. If you know anything about me, that is probably it. So when I saw this book on the BPL new book shelf, I couldn’t hold back my excitement. I nearly knocked over my stack of books getting to it. I was expecting it to be more scientific, but it was mostly satire.
There were quotes on quotes on quotes throughout this book that had me laughing. In general the book was a lighthearted romp through the history of the view of the penis. While I was very impressed with some points (calling out The Bible for being obsessed with penis innuendos), I was not impressed with how transgender people were handled (they were mentioned twice. Both times in a way that dismissed them from having any real relevance to the story. To be frank, one of the footnotes was downright transphobic and really squicked me out. I almost stopped reading the book entirely because of how they talked about trans men). I tried to appreciate the book for what it was, but I was constantly stuck in what the book wasn’t.
The book wasn’t serious enough for me. The author would settle for cheap jokes instead of really getting to the heart of the matter. There were many good jokes that referenced important points of the book, but I felt they were few and far between compared to the easy jokes.
All in all, this book was an interesting read. I wouldn’t read it again. It is not the type of book I wanted to read. It is a book that I will call out for being transphobic if anyone mentions it to me or uses it as a reference. I am torn on whether the book was funny or pointless. My view is likely to change based on my mood that day. So for now it was funny and pointless.
I am scientifically fascinated by sex. If you know anything about me, that is probably it. So when I saw this book on the BPL new book shelf, I couldn’t hold back my excitement. I nearly knocked over my stack of books getting to it. I was expecting it to be more scientific, but it was mostly satire.
There were quotes on quotes on quotes throughout this book that had me laughing. In general the book was a lighthearted romp through the history of the view of the penis. While I was very impressed with some points (calling out The Bible for being obsessed with penis innuendos), I was not impressed with how transgender people were handled (they were mentioned twice. Both times in a way that dismissed them from having any real relevance to the story. To be frank, one of the footnotes was downright transphobic and really squicked me out. I almost stopped reading the book entirely because of how they talked about trans men). I tried to appreciate the book for what it was, but I was constantly stuck in what the book wasn’t.
The book wasn’t serious enough for me. The author would settle for cheap jokes instead of really getting to the heart of the matter. There were many good jokes that referenced important points of the book, but I felt they were few and far between compared to the easy jokes.
All in all, this book was an interesting read. I wouldn’t read it again. It is not the type of book I wanted to read. It is a book that I will call out for being transphobic if anyone mentions it to me or uses it as a reference. I am torn on whether the book was funny or pointless. My view is likely to change based on my mood that day. So for now it was funny and pointless.
May 3, 2013
I believe this book should be read by every man on the planet earth. It's a thoroughly fascinating and absolutely hysterical documentation of the history between man and his little best friend.
Tom Hickman's writing style is breezy but informative, the quality and breadth of his research is never compromised by the personality that shines through his prose. I found this writing style to be somewhat unique for a work of non-fiction, and also very refreshing. God's Doodle is thought-provoking; from analyzing phallic imagery in religion to talking about sexual taboo, you will be fascinated by what Tom Hickman has to say.
At times I did feel like Mr. Hickman went on some longwinded tangents, and the book in my opinion, wasn't organized as well as it could have been. But nonetheless, I highly recommend this book to guys (and girls) who are curious.
Don't be embarrassed to pick this one up! It's well worth it, trust me!
Tom Hickman's writing style is breezy but informative, the quality and breadth of his research is never compromised by the personality that shines through his prose. I found this writing style to be somewhat unique for a work of non-fiction, and also very refreshing. God's Doodle is thought-provoking; from analyzing phallic imagery in religion to talking about sexual taboo, you will be fascinated by what Tom Hickman has to say.
At times I did feel like Mr. Hickman went on some longwinded tangents, and the book in my opinion, wasn't organized as well as it could have been. But nonetheless, I highly recommend this book to guys (and girls) who are curious.
Don't be embarrassed to pick this one up! It's well worth it, trust me!
January 15, 2013
If you enjoyed Mary Roach's "Bonk" you may enjoy this book as well. Everything you ever wanted to know about the penis (although if you are a "penis-possessor", possibly many things you would rather not read about) from the aspects of culture, religion, biology, history, and more. Both informative and amusing.
August 18, 2022
Historia gówna była fajniejsza.
Historia penisa jest niestety chaotycznym zbiorem ciekawostek, napisanym w bełkotliwy sposób. Jest tam oczywiście jakiś "story arc", ale ta narracja niestety wymusza mieszanie się informacji biologicznych, historycznych, spekulatywnych, statystycznych, literackich.
Najniższa ocena jest jednak karą za brak odpowiednich cytowań i bibliografii. Są cytowane źródła literackie i tylko one. Dane psychologiczne, statystyczne, biologiczne, historyczne - czyli najważniejsze informacje które wymagają źródła - nie są. Czasami widać skąd były brane informacje po przywoływanych nazwiskach. I tak można łatwo odkryć, że autor powołuje się na inne książki popularnonaukowe. Czyli efektem jest głuchy telefon popłuczyn informacyjnych po oryginalnym źródle. Przez co w książka jest workiem z poprawnymi informacjami + błędnie przytoczonymi faktami + garścią bredni + mitami naukowymi + całkowicie niewiarygodnymi statystykami typu magazyn Playboy + za przeproszeniem z dupy wyciągniętymi cytatami z prozy.
Pozytywne jest zestawienie wielu perspektyw (feministycznej z biologiczną, literackiej ze śmieszkowo-pisuarową), niektóre historie są śmieszne. Brak bibliografii jest jednak niewybaczalny.
Historia penisa jest niestety chaotycznym zbiorem ciekawostek, napisanym w bełkotliwy sposób. Jest tam oczywiście jakiś "story arc", ale ta narracja niestety wymusza mieszanie się informacji biologicznych, historycznych, spekulatywnych, statystycznych, literackich.
Najniższa ocena jest jednak karą za brak odpowiednich cytowań i bibliografii. Są cytowane źródła literackie i tylko one. Dane psychologiczne, statystyczne, biologiczne, historyczne - czyli najważniejsze informacje które wymagają źródła - nie są. Czasami widać skąd były brane informacje po przywoływanych nazwiskach. I tak można łatwo odkryć, że autor powołuje się na inne książki popularnonaukowe. Czyli efektem jest głuchy telefon popłuczyn informacyjnych po oryginalnym źródle. Przez co w książka jest workiem z poprawnymi informacjami + błędnie przytoczonymi faktami + garścią bredni + mitami naukowymi + całkowicie niewiarygodnymi statystykami typu magazyn Playboy + za przeproszeniem z dupy wyciągniętymi cytatami z prozy.
Pozytywne jest zestawienie wielu perspektyw (feministycznej z biologiczną, literackiej ze śmieszkowo-pisuarową), niektóre historie są śmieszne. Brak bibliografii jest jednak niewybaczalny.
June 16, 2023
Gods doodle did make me giggle a few times. And I like the name God's Doodle. Most books that I have read have a table of contents at the front of the book but, this book does not have one. I thought it would have been nice if it did have a table of contents.
And another thing about God's doodle is that I thought it could have been easier to read if the writer did not use as many big words. Were they big words? Maybe I could say if he would have used more common words in some areas of the book. . I could be wrong about it though. Maybe he did not use as many big words as I think.
My favorite chapter was Hazards of ownership which talks about how victors in wars have taken other peoples penis's as trophies, people having their penis cut off by a spouse, men being castrated so they can be servants, men being castrated by their spouse for cheating.
I also found learning about the different names for the penis and sex that people have used over the years to be interesting.
And the book also talks about what women think of penises. That was interesting. They don't find it that great looking which surprised me. At least some of them don't anyway.
There is I am sure a lot more that I found interesting about God's doodle that I can't think of right now.
And another thing about God's doodle is that I thought it could have been easier to read if the writer did not use as many big words. Were they big words? Maybe I could say if he would have used more common words in some areas of the book. . I could be wrong about it though. Maybe he did not use as many big words as I think.
My favorite chapter was Hazards of ownership which talks about how victors in wars have taken other peoples penis's as trophies, people having their penis cut off by a spouse, men being castrated so they can be servants, men being castrated by their spouse for cheating.
I also found learning about the different names for the penis and sex that people have used over the years to be interesting.
And the book also talks about what women think of penises. That was interesting. They don't find it that great looking which surprised me. At least some of them don't anyway.
There is I am sure a lot more that I found interesting about God's doodle that I can't think of right now.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2025
Cock (comme dans cockpit), prick, phallus, ou à la grecque, phallos : le pénis, sa vie, son oeuvre, son histoire, ses servitudes, ses maladies, et ses malheurs. Longueur, largeur, épaisseur, performances et... déclin (vers 45 ans). Les différentes façons aussi dont les hommes s'arrachent les cou!lles entre eux, au burin quand il s'agit de statues, ou avec différents appareils plus sophistiqués quand les vainqueurs se vengent des vaincus, apparemment un fait anthropologique qu'on retrouve en tous lieux à travers l'histoire, et qui perdure aujourd'hui. Je vous recommande le chapitre sur la façon dont les hommes se traitent les parties entre eux, les femmes, elles, qui auraient pourtant mille raisons, n'en font jamais autant et surtout pas aussi souvent.
C'est écrit par un auteur homme, donc on peut contester ses approches biologisantes sur les 'besoins' et les 'pulsions' que leur bidule provoquerait chez les hommes qui présentent la fâcheuse incapacité à le maîtriser, et les prétendues différences de comportement selon le sexe féminin et masculin. Les féministes ont depuis longtemps analysé que le phénomène est largement un construit social et culturel. Heureusement, l'auteur traite son sujet de façon humoristique, ce qui permet de le lire sans atteindre l'overdose.
C'est écrit par un auteur homme, donc on peut contester ses approches biologisantes sur les 'besoins' et les 'pulsions' que leur bidule provoquerait chez les hommes qui présentent la fâcheuse incapacité à le maîtriser, et les prétendues différences de comportement selon le sexe féminin et masculin. Les féministes ont depuis longtemps analysé que le phénomène est largement un construit social et culturel. Heureusement, l'auteur traite son sujet de façon humoristique, ce qui permet de le lire sans atteindre l'overdose.
January 29, 2021
Great book. If you have one or use one(including Women) this book is for you and about you. Most of us learned about sex and sexuality from our peers. At least that was the case in my generation. I am in my sixties and as an owner and user I can tell you the information within is invaluable. I was a psychotherapist and dealt with human sexuality as part of my job. I still learned a lot from it, I wish I had had some of this information then, it would have made my job easier. The book is structured from a historical perspective which helps to understand where a lot of the misconceptions we have come from. I believe that if most people read this book their sex life would be more realistic because many of the misconceptions most people have about sex would be challenged. I su sex because ultimately that is what we’re dealing with. The information within is based on research so is is definitely realistic. Finally it is written with humor as most conversations about sex and sexuality are.
October 20, 2021
Daję trójkę, a to tylko dlatego, że w książce znalazłam kilka ciekawych historycznych informacji dotyczących męskiej seksualności oraz tego, jak w różnych czasach historycznych podchodzono do męskich genitaliów. Niestety autor na siłę stara się być zabawny, często używając seksistowskich żartów, w książce jest też masa stereotypów dotyczących kobiet, nie, nie są to cytaty z dawnych czasów, tylko przekonania autora. Czy naprawdę nie można napisać książki o męskości, seksie, penisie bez wyśmiewania feminizmu?
June 22, 2017
A light-toned, enjoyable look at penises. Hickman comes at his subject from every conceivable angle (I'll try to keep the double entendres to a minimum). He doesn't really drill down in detail into anything but it's very well researched. I would recommend this as a first stop for anyone with an interest in penises as it's a good signpost for further reading. Practical experimentation might be more fun though.
March 13, 2020
I picked this up because the blurb was so funny. The book is funny, too, but it's also well researched and very interesting. If you are a "penis-possessor," you may learn a few things you didn't know (and maybe wish you still didn't know), and if you aren't (like me), you'll learn a few things about those members of the other gender. Entertaining as well as informative. (Extensive index, but no illustrations.)
June 24, 2019
2,5 stars
The story of ups and downs of a penis. Sometimes it is hard to believe how some prejudices are still alive or were alive for so long. Book offers a medical, biological and cultural history of a penis and its problems. There are size, STDs, prejudices and beliefs. Interesting read, sometimes entertaining, sometimes straight on scary.
The story of ups and downs of a penis. Sometimes it is hard to believe how some prejudices are still alive or were alive for so long. Book offers a medical, biological and cultural history of a penis and its problems. There are size, STDs, prejudices and beliefs. Interesting read, sometimes entertaining, sometimes straight on scary.
January 13, 2023
Bardzo ciekawa książka, zawierająca szerokie spojrzenie na historię, wierzenia, przesądy itp. związane z tytułowym organem. Nie tylko, również dużo naukowych badań, medycznych badań. Podparte bogatą bibliografią i przypisami, które również warto przeczytać.
Myślę, że to obowiązkowa lektura dla mężczyzn, ale także dla ich partnerek.
Myślę, że to obowiązkowa lektura dla mężczyzn, ale także dla ich partnerek.
May 11, 2018
An interesting and easy to read history of how the organ has been viewed in society, what things have been done to it by the owner, and how it ages. Treated with the appropriate balance of humor and seriousness.
October 11, 2018
Posiadanie penisa to nie jest taka prosta sprawa. Tak. Powiedziałam to. A książka jest rewelacyjna! Można się czegoś nauczyć, dowiedzieć, ubawić, zaśmiać w głos i zrozumieć. Mnóstwo ciekawostek, historia, odpowiedzi na pytania, problemy i rozwiązania. POLECAM! :) #PokażCoCzytasz
July 13, 2018
Very well researched and flows nicely. Just an excellent mix of humor and fact that is difficult to pull off, but the author does. Oft classified as a "humor" book, but is far more informative.
April 1, 2019
Entertaining read, but I coulda skipped the sections on castration, torture, and surgical enhancements, however.
December 5, 2019
It's interesting to read such books from time to time that talks about an intimate part of one's body.
March 22, 2020
Surprisingly funny and interesting. It presents the history, etymology and the way of thinking of 'god' s doodle'.
Read
January 20, 2021I am traumatized!!!!!!
I haven't even read it but
I-
👩🏾🦯👩🏾🦯
I haven't even read it but
I-
👩🏾🦯👩🏾🦯
April 24, 2022
This lengthy and girthy book surges with information, throbs with intelligence and bursts with insights.
May 2, 2024
Felt longer than it looked...
December 2, 2013
I received this as a Goodreads First Reads giveaway. I entered the drawing for this expecting a brief, humorous read that could make a good Christmas gag gift. That all still applies, but I was not expecting it to be as interesting and as exhaustively researched as it turned out to be. Specifically, the detail the author goes into about religious history, including Christianity, is absolutely fascinating. Oftentimes the material itself is humorous enough, but the dry, distinctly British wit and commentary that Hickman brings to each topic makes this a quick, enjoyable, and surprisingly informative read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews