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Don't Try This at Home: How to Win a Sumo Match, Catch a Great White Shark, Start an Independent Nation and Other Extraordinary Feats

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A step-by-step guide to performing the death-defying stunts you thought were only possible in the movies.

For the millions of armchair daredevils who made Worst Case Scenario a mega bestzseller, Hunter Fulghum offers an even more hair-raising handbook. The result of persistent probing, diligent research, and outrageous phone calls to institutions like Fort Knox and the Pentagon, Don't Try This at Home gives thrill seekers everywhere the insider information they crave to show them how to perform feats such

*Conduct a SWAT Team hostage

*Rappel off the Eiffel Tower

*Borrow the Mona Lisa

*Form an independent nation

*Break into Buckingham Palace

*Catch a great white shark

*Meet aliens at Area 51

Filled with step-by-step instructions, including lists of necessary tools, timing tips, and helpful illustrations, Don't Try This at Home provides the ultimate guide to doing the impossible.

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

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47 people want to read

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5 stars
10 (15%)
4 stars
20 (31%)
3 stars
21 (32%)
2 stars
10 (15%)
1 star
3 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Profile Image for Andrea M.
577 reviews
July 26, 2011
This book would make a great gift for that adventurous person on your list who is hard to buy for because he/she already owns all the gear. Each chapter describes how to do an impossible stunt like steal the Mona Lisa. It is humorous because the author doesn't worry about limitations and assumes each objective is possible. If something suggested is illegal, the author mentions that you will have to surrender to the authorities after completing the task. Even "non-readers" will enjoy thumbing through the chapters in this book because it is not formatted in typical paragraph style. It has lists of required supplies, instructions and diagrams.
Profile Image for Ville.
146 reviews4 followers
February 21, 2025
Osa neuvoista oli uskottavampia kuin toiset, osa vaikutti vähän turhankin yksinkertaistetuilta. Mutta varsin hauska opus, moni näistä saattaisi jopa toimia osittain. Ja vaikka tuskin yhteenkään näistä aion tarttua niin oppihan tässä välillisesti yhtä sun toista.
Profile Image for Andrew.
2,322 reviews71 followers
December 21, 2017
A fun read! It should be listed under juvenile, but due to the text, it may appear too advanced for children, but its a fun book. Giving timelines, supplies and people required to pull off these stunts and more: Winning a sumo match; Catch a great white; go over the falls in a barrel, steal the mona lisa; save a city from drought; etc.

Fun read if you want something light and fun!
Profile Image for Patrick Trent.
724 reviews5 followers
February 18, 2021
This book tells, in very general terms, how to do various odd/dangerous things like stealing the Mona Lisa or fighting a bull. Kind of fun.
592 reviews
February 11, 2023
A fun idea but more so in theory than in execution. You might just want to read the titles and what you need for each circumstance.
Profile Image for Mike Saade.
12 reviews
March 5, 2014
10 things I never new before reading this book:

1.) Salvage part of the Titanic.

2.) Go over Niagara falls in a Barrel.

3.) Put out an Oil-Well Fire.

4.) Rappel off the Eiffel Tower.

5.) How to smuggle Top-Secret documents.

6.) Form an Independent Nation.

7.) Water Bomb a forest fire.

8.) Win a bullfight.

9.) Catch a Great White Shark.

10.) Rescue the crew of a sinking fishing boat via helicopter.
Profile Image for TheSaint.
974 reviews17 followers
February 18, 2009
This is a book that probably didn't need to be written, but it sure is fun to read! Hunter S. Fulghum put a lot of research into finding out what it takes to "borrow" the Mona Lisa, to find and catch the Lock Ness monster, or to form an independent nation. A surprising number of the feats he describe in Don't Try This at Home, require friends, duct tape or both!
Profile Image for Peter.
451 reviews12 followers
owned-not-read
June 5, 2008
A gift along the way... looks funny
Profile Image for Devon.
356 reviews5 followers
August 10, 2008
Was entertaining enough while I was waiting for my hotel room to be ready but I skimmed most of it. A few interesting articles but pretty boring for the most part.
13 reviews
June 4, 2018
I really enjoyed the book, but I would still give it a 3 out of 5 only because I don't enjoy reading to be honest. This book is really interesting because there is so many facts and little stories in each chapter. I learned a few things after reading this book and that's what I liked about it. Some things might be hard to believe, but I'm pretty sure it's all due-able. Although there was some chapters with boring scenarios and situations, but overall I think it's a solid book if your interested in facts or random things you can do.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews

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