Let’s just get this out of the way first. The only way this book could actually assist you with any world dominationy plans you might be harboring is if you could somehow parlay your Jeopardy! winnings into some form of global empire. (Not that I’m saying it’s impossible; anyone know what Ken Jennings has really been up to lately?)

Next I would like to correct the assumption of author (rather, compiler) Garth Sundem on one or two issues. Let’s start with the subtitle: Be afraid, beautiful people. Is he suggesting, here, that geeks can’t be beautiful? Has he not seen Felicia Day? And cricket most assuredly does not belong on the list of Ten Sports that Require Almost No Physical Exertion. The game can last for five days! Seriously, dude.

Also, how the information inside this book is intended to help one do anything is something of a mystery. Oh, sure, there’s great information in here, fun and funny information like Twelve Harry Potter Spells for Use in Duelling, Great Moments in Mork and Mindy and Audience Participation Gags Requiring Props in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and much more. But whether that information is in any way helpful in one’s quest for unquestioned universal supremacy remains debatable.

True, How to Make a Laser might help you in the taking over the world stakes, and Conversion: Celsius to Fahrenheit to Kelvin would probably make sure your laser reached the right temperature, but I’m not entirely sure that How to Make and Use a Quill Pen is of much benefit, unless you plan to take over the world in the Neolithic Age.

Look, this is a great book. It’s full of random information that either amuses, bemuses or thoroughly perplexes -- Things That Will Make Your Brain Hurt: Einstein’s General Relativity certainly worked as advertised --- but it can in no way aid in any kind of planetary takeover. Basically, it’s a Schott’s Miscellany for geeks (as though the original Schott’s Miscellany wasn’t geeky enough), with lists like 80’s Dance Moves that Deserve Resurgence -- because apparently New Kids on the Block’s signature “Hangin’ Tough” gyrations have been much missed -- Cartoon Women Who Happen to be Very Hot, and How to Create a Dungeons and Dragons Character. (Like we don’t already know.)

Rather than a guide to world domination, this book is more a primer on geeks themselves, the kind of research aid you might want to present to a significant other who doesn’t quite get the difference between Manga, Anime and the Graphic Novel or whom you feel would benefit from a general education in the area of Hot Wheels Cars Released in 1968 and 1969. Not designed to be read cover to cover -- I assume -- it is nevertheless a handy book to have lying on a coffee table or by the computer while waiting for the latest ExtraLife podcast to download. From The Quotable Xena: Warrior Princess to Chinese Names of Popular Takeout Foods to A Strange Thing Somewhat Near Redmond, Washington, The Geeks’ Guide to World Domination provides a lot of arbitrary data in an enjoyably jocular tone.

And, heh, Person Never Seen in the Same Room as Batman: Linus Torvalds. Speaking of world domination…

  -- Rachel Hyland

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