This is a great look at the life and times of one of the most important writers--and thinkers--of the last half-century.

Anybody who has to deal with me on any sort of basis, as in ever, should basically consider this book required reading. I also have about the same affinity for lunches, so, you know, buying me one wouldn't be bad for our relationship.

I picked up this one because I am a big fan of Douglas' books. I've read the H2G2 "trilogy", Last Chance to See and Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency.
I thoroughly enjoyed all of them, and I've never laughed the way I laughed while reading H2G2. It's just so damn funny.
He was a visionary, way ahead of his time.
He was an outspoken atheist too.
So, it goes without saying I have a lot of respect for Douglas.

But this book, for me, was kind of a let-down. Although it details his life in painstaking detail, but not much attention was paid to make it interesting to read. In the middle I had to summon all my respect for Douglas not to shut the book and move on.

Anyway, I got to know about Douglas, his personal life, his exuberant existence. The epic legacy he has left behind shall shine on forever, leaving us in wonder of the world.

Douglas, I wish you were here...

An unfortunate combination of an interesting subject, some great anecdotes, but an author that alternated between disjointed writing, shameless H2G2 references, and attempts to simulate Adams' writing style that fall well short.

This is an interesting book, and a must read for any Douglas Adams fan by a longtime friend. It's not chronological, but still organized in a way that makes sense. Behind the scenes anecdotes of everything from H2G2 to Last Chance to See to Starship Totanic.

Also features the best explanation of evolution I've see outside of a biology textbook.

Douglas Adams has always made me laugh.
His biography was a wonderful insight into the mind of true genus.

OK it's bias towards Adams. But who wouldn't be. He was brilliant

While interesting, I could not relate to Adams as described. I have little patience for thoughtless and selfish men, particularly white ones of Adams' generation. I appreciate that underneath it all, Adams was well-meaning and caring, but that doesn't make-up for repeated unintentional hurts. Also, the book should have ended a good fifty pages earlier. Learning of the drama involved in his tech venture was neither particularly informative or interesting.

Painstakingly researched, and affectionate. Webb acknowledges his seriously pro-Douglas bias, but he makes many excuses for Adams' personality challenges which are a bit grating to read after a while. The early parts of the book are the strongest, focusing on things that happened and anecdotes. I consider myself a great admirer of his work, but not a fanatic, so I was happy to learn about the childhood and adolescent circumstances that shaped one of the funniest English modern writers. The latter chapters - especially the movie-making chapter - get bogged down in too many details. Die-hard fans will enjoy the minutiae (and complain there wasn't enough!) but I found it a bit painful to read and reread accounts of botched Hollywood deals, and the agony Douglas went through with each writing process.

Not a bad read, but I really enjoy reading Adams' own work instead of this bio. I really recommend "Salmon of Doubt", not quite a bio, but puts you inside of his head- which is an amusing place to be.

Great personal biography by one of Douglas' friends and colleagues. Vivid portrayal and intimate look at the author whose wit and love of science and obvious curiosity/philosophical interest in life drew me to his Hitchhikers series.

A few moments of hilarity and Adamsian anecdotes among somewhat painful descriptions of the publishing & tv/movie producing processes. All probably quite accurate, but I guess I was hoping the entire book would be as funny as Adams's fiction was. Very insightful as to how such an imaginative artist interacts with corporate entities.