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The Taming of the Screw
Barry concentrates on the popular topic of home repair.
- GenresHumorNonfictionAdult
96 pages, Paperback
First published April 27, 1983
About the author
Dave Barry
165 books2,069 followersDave Barry is a humor writer. For 25 years he was a syndicated columnist whose work appeared in more than 500 newspapers in the United States and abroad. In 1988 he won the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary. Many people are still trying to figure out how this happened.
Dave has also written many books, virtually none of which contain useful information. Two of his books were used as the basis for the CBS TV sitcom "Dave's World," in which Harry Anderson played a much taller version of Dave.
Dave plays lead guitar in a literary rock band called the Rock Bottom Remainders, whose other members include Stephen King, Amy Tan, Ridley Pearson and Mitch Albom. They are not musically skilled, but they are extremely loud. Dave has also made many TV appearances, including one on the David Letterman show where he proved that it is possible to set fire to a pair of men's underpants with a Barbie doll.
In his spare time, Dave is a candidate for president of the United States. If elected, his highest priority will be to seek the death penalty for whoever is responsible for making Americans install low-flow toilets.
Dave lives in Miami, Florida, with his wife, Michelle, a sportswriter. He has a son, Rob, and a daughter, Sophie, neither of whom thinks he's funny.
Dave has also written many books, virtually none of which contain useful information. Two of his books were used as the basis for the CBS TV sitcom "Dave's World," in which Harry Anderson played a much taller version of Dave.
Dave plays lead guitar in a literary rock band called the Rock Bottom Remainders, whose other members include Stephen King, Amy Tan, Ridley Pearson and Mitch Albom. They are not musically skilled, but they are extremely loud. Dave has also made many TV appearances, including one on the David Letterman show where he proved that it is possible to set fire to a pair of men's underpants with a Barbie doll.
In his spare time, Dave is a candidate for president of the United States. If elected, his highest priority will be to seek the death penalty for whoever is responsible for making Americans install low-flow toilets.
Dave lives in Miami, Florida, with his wife, Michelle, a sportswriter. He has a son, Rob, and a daughter, Sophie, neither of whom thinks he's funny.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
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May 21, 2022
I think this is the first humour book Barry wrote, and it certainly shows.
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August 31, 2024
Barry's first book, so you do have to cut him some slack. And indeed, there are occasional glimpses of the deranged brilliance to come: "If the clog is caused by something soft, such as a corsage, you can dislodge it simply by firing a .22-caliber pistol into the toilet." Or: "Paneling is a surprisingly easy way to make any room less attractive. The easiest way to install panelling is to simply lean it up against the walls all around the room. This way, you can remove it quickly and hide it in the garage when tasteful visitors come to call." However, after an amusing beginning that covers basic topics - tools, wood, plumbing, electricity, etc. - he starts to ramble.
Found this in a remote corner of our bookcase…maybe a gift from my sons years ago? Was thinking of reading and then regifting back to my oldest who recently bought his own first home - but really nothing worth passing on, so just a quick read and toss.
Found this in a remote corner of our bookcase…maybe a gift from my sons years ago? Was thinking of reading and then regifting back to my oldest who recently bought his own first home - but really nothing worth passing on, so just a quick read and toss.
August 12, 2021
-hardcover 90 pages.
-2 stars. not as funny as he thinks he is. mom came across the book at the library and dad enjoyed it so they passed it on to me.
"how difficult can it be? very difficult. in fact, most home projects are impossible, which is why you should do them yourself. there is no point paying other people to screw things up when you can easily screw them up yourself for far less money."
"the five main kinds of electricity are alternating current, direct current, lightning, static, and european."
"the primary cause of failure in electrical appliances is an expired warranty. often, you can get an appliance running again simply by changing the warranty expiration date with a felt tipped marker."
"if the clog in the toilet is caused by something soft, such as a corsage, you can dislodge it simply by firing a .22 caliber pistol into the toilet."
"the only way to deal with crabgrass is to sneak up on it in the dead of night, pound it repeatedly with a ball-peen hammer, and flee on foot before it can snare you by the ankles."
-2 stars. not as funny as he thinks he is. mom came across the book at the library and dad enjoyed it so they passed it on to me.
"how difficult can it be? very difficult. in fact, most home projects are impossible, which is why you should do them yourself. there is no point paying other people to screw things up when you can easily screw them up yourself for far less money."
"the five main kinds of electricity are alternating current, direct current, lightning, static, and european."
"the primary cause of failure in electrical appliances is an expired warranty. often, you can get an appliance running again simply by changing the warranty expiration date with a felt tipped marker."
"if the clog in the toilet is caused by something soft, such as a corsage, you can dislodge it simply by firing a .22 caliber pistol into the toilet."
"the only way to deal with crabgrass is to sneak up on it in the dead of night, pound it repeatedly with a ball-peen hammer, and flee on foot before it can snare you by the ankles."
February 13, 2018
I love Dave Barry. I think I'll get this book for my husband to perk up his sense of humor!
September 25, 2024
Fine, funny, short, not that memorable. Quick intro to Dave Barry, who I love. Interesting illustrations.
May 8, 2012
Oh Mr. Barry. This is one of his earlier books, and it shines nicely. Having owned three homes, I'm with him on the impossibility of trying to keep up with repairs especially the exterior where the sun will try to kill you so to hell with the exterior, as he says. And his description of paneling is even funnier: "Paneling is an easy way to make your home look less attractive." Having escaped a '70s home, I've got to agree with that assessment.
December 12, 2011
Not his best book. While home repair is certainly entertaining, it doesn't really provide enough material to merit an entire book, and as a result it seems Barry is stretched thin. Still a quick, entertaining read.
April 21, 2008
Dave's first book, interesting because he hadn't quite found his voice. With unappealing illustrations.
December 30, 2008
It's a pretty funny take-off on home repair. Fun and fast to read!
February 27, 2012
156 - 2012
March 16, 2012
The funniest "How to" book I've read so far.
April 29, 2013
Fun, quick read typical of fairly early Dave Barry. Toilet humor and total absurdities, which is what you're looking for in a Barry book anyway.
May 6, 2008
ha ha, but not as funny as his other stuff.
January 30, 2009
It's fun to laugh at life's challenges. Fun book.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews