Which Book Do You Prefer? An "Idiot" or a "Dummy"?

[Radiobarry]

Okay, wait a minute. Before you scoff at me or speak angrily of my name, there have been sillier polls and threads than this.

I just know it ( I think!)

One of the major developments in literary America in recent years has been the advent of the "Idiot's Guide" and the "Dummies Guide" to just about anything you can think of.

So, with one of the truly weighty questions of our time, I ask - what are you? An "Idiot" (Idiot's Guide") person ...or a "Dummie". (Are You Smarter than a 5th...wait, wrong thread.)

I OPENLY ADMIT TO HAVING SEVERAL OF BOTH. But the majority are the books of yellow color ... therefore, I am an "Idiot"!

How about you?

[Radiobarry]

I am now consulting my "Idiot's Guide to Successful Thread-Making"...

[RooBear]

Dude, I can't vote...I collect them both! I cannot put the buggers down! I find that they are really quite comprehensive in approach and fun to read on a given topic.

So I'll go with 'both.' At least for me.

peace,
Roo

[Nancywitt]

I am now consulting my "Idiot's Guide to Successful Thread-Making"...

Very cute.

When I need to know something, I usually Google it. My life is pretty easy so I don't need books on how to do things. If it is too complicated, like involving computers, I get my husband to do it!

I work at B&N in Pittsburgh, and we tend to sell more Dummies books. They were the first ones out, so I think people are more familure with the way they are set up. But now it has become a generic term for a simple and easy to read book.

[CUatDL]

Both book/series are actually quite good at an introduction to a topic, almost any topic. Heck, Dr. Ruth even has a "Dummy's" guide to Sex. That said...

I really don't like the titles, as they can be a put-off to some. In my classes, I often reference that there is a "Dummy's" book on a subject then qualify it by telling students to not be put-off by the title, go ahead and buy the "Dummy's" (or "Idiot's" book) as they frequently have good introductory informaiton.

BTW: I have found more titles on subjects I look for in the "Dummy's" books than the "Idiot's" books

Just MHO, YMMV

CU@DL

Andy

[Hakuna Makarla]

I user neither but more then often I need both

[TinkPink]

I didn't know there was a difference between the two. Does that make me an idiot or does that mean I am so smart I never needed either?

[sunnygirl]

We have mostly Idiot books, although we do have The Dummies guide to Amazing Sex.

[sediment]

We bought "WDW for Dummies" for our trip a few years ago. I found it very helpful.

[Radiobarry]

I don't think anyone is a "dummy" or an "idiot" for enjoying these books! The only book that may have re-invented itself in more different forms might be the really pleasant "Chicken Soup" series.

I think I even saw "Chicken Soup For Baseball Fans"...I know that there are both Idiots and Dummies Guides To Baseball..much of them involving understanding the nuances of the game at all levels. Yes, I have read them.

--Barry

[Radiobarry]

We have mostly Idiot books, although we do have The Dummies guide to Amazing Sex.

I heard that the plot was rather thin, but that the pictures were interesting.

--Barry