Very funny in small doses. Reading more than 20 minutes in one sitting grows tiresome and become repetitive.

Quite fun and funny collection from the Onion’s archive. The problem is the humour does not seem to mantain as much energy as time goes by because of its relationship to news of the time.

This collection of articles from the infamous humorous newspaper The Onion is often vulgar, coursing with profanity and blatant (often sophomoric) sexual jokes. It also contains a healthy dose of irreverence, the religious mockery being aimed largely at Christians, but with enough openness to include occasionally the Jews. Despite its not infrequent offensiveness, The Onion's articles did often make me laugh. Much of the comic force of the collections comes from the authors' abilities to parody so effectively the style of newswriting found in papers today. But because of this, the humor also grows stale after awhile--the joke is a good one, but by the end of the collection, it has become an old one. Therefore, about half way through, it becomes natural for the reader to enjoy the headlines but merely skim the articles.

Here's a smattering of some of the headlines that struck me as the funniest: "Oprah Viewers Patiently Awaiting Instructions"; "Fanzine Marred by Typo"; "Pope Calls For Greater Understanding Between Catholics, Hellbound"; and "Fun Toy Banned Because of Three Stupid Dead Kids." Probably the funniest article was on the sinister phase two of Starbucks's operation, but the one I could most relate to was entitled: "Aging Gen-Xer Doesn't Find Bad Movies Funny Anymore." Also included are a collection of point counterpoint editorials, which forcefully mock the whole concept of the editorial. The best is the point-counterpoint on Nigeria: "Nigeria May Be A Developing Nation, But It Is Rich In Cultural Resources" vs. "Get Me Out Of This Godforsaken Hellhole." It's easy and entertaining to pass the time with The Onion, but perhaps not very fruitful.

It is the Onion, you know its good

Thats some funny shit!

FYI, everything in here is still available on the website. Still a great compilation, though. Having studied Inferno in college, "Tenth Circle Added to Rapidly Growing Hell" is one of my favorite humor pieces of all time.

For good and bad, this is a witheringly accurate look at American culture at the turn of the millennium. The best of The Onion's fake news from 1998-2000, it's a reminder that even in the seemingly halcyon days of pre-Bush administration America, the culture at large was still quite hostile, cynical and deeply prejudiced. The Onion poked fun at this in ways that have aged well and... not so well. There's quite a few articles in here that just seem unfortunate by today's standards (at best). And half the time, the articles really don't do anything but run the joke into the ground for page-filling purposes. Most of these are best read by looking at the headline, chuckling to yourself, and moving on. It's a fun satirical history record but it's the sort of thing that has more interest as a cultural curiosity than as humor half the time.

This can put a smile on my face like few other books can, no matter what.

it all sounds too true to be made up

Man this is funny; but it can be extremely bleak, to. Best story :family uninspired as local man succumbs unheroically to his battle with cancer.

Title: Dispatches from the Tenth Circle: A Hilarious Showcase of The Onion's Best

Rating: 5/5 Stars

"Dispatches from the Tenth Circle" is a side-splitting compilation of The Onion's most brilliant and satirical works, showcasing the unparalleled wit and humor that has made the publication a household name. From its clever headlines to its razor-sharp articles, this book is guaranteed to have readers laughing out loud from cover to cover.

What sets "Dispatches from the Tenth Circle" apart is its ability to skewer and lampoon every aspect of modern life with equal parts absurdity and insight. Whether it's politics, culture, or everyday absurdities, The Onion's writers leave no stone unturned as they deliver one hilarious punchline after another.

One of the highlights of "Dispatches from the Tenth Circle" is its collection of headline news articles, which manage to encapsulate the absurdity of real-life news stories with uncanny accuracy. From "Nation's Girlfriends Unveil New Economic Plan: 'Let's Move In Together'" to "Bush: 'Our Long National Nightmare of Peace and Prosperity is Finally Over,'" each headline is a masterpiece of satire that hits the mark with deadly precision.

But beyond its headlines, "Dispatches from the Tenth Circle" also features a wealth of longer-form articles and features that are equally hilarious. Whether it's the "Area Man" series chronicling the mundane exploits of an average Joe or the "In The Know" segment offering tongue-in-cheek advice on everything from relationships to personal finance, there's something for everyone in this laugh-out-loud collection.

In conclusion, "Dispatches from the Tenth Circle" is a must-read for fans of satire and humor. With its clever writing, sharp wit, and laugh-out-loud funny moments, it's a book that is sure to delight and entertain readers of all ages. Whether you're a longtime fan of The Onion or simply looking for a good laugh, "Dispatches from the Tenth Circle" is guaranteed to leave you in stitches.

I'd forgotten about this one- my parents had made it an Xmas Xtra and I'd foolishly let it languish on the top shelf of my closet for the longest time. I picked it up the other day and fell back in love with The Onion. You just can't go wrong- they are the Twain, Bierce, Mencken and Dorothy Parkers of the 21st Century....