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Ronson has spent his life investigating crazy events, following fascinating people and unearthing unusual stories. Collected here from various sources (including the Guardian and GQ America) are the best of his adventures. Always intrigued by our ability to believe the unbelievable, Jon meets the man preparing to welcome the aliens to earth, the woman trying to build a fully-conscious robotic replica of the love of her life and the Deal or No Deal contestants with a fool proof system to beat the Banker. Jon realises that it’s possible for our madness to be a force for good when he meets America’s real-life superheroes or a force for evil when he meets the Reverend ‘Death’ George Exoo, who has dubiously assisted in more than a hundred mercy killings. He goes to a UFO convention in the Nevada desert with Robbie Williams, asks Insane Clown Posse (who are possibly America’s nastiest rappers) whether it’s true they’ve actually been evangelical Christians all along and rummages through the extensive archives of Stanley Kubrick. Frequently hilarious, sometimes disturbing, always entertaining, these compelling encounters with people on the edge of madness will have you wondering just what we’re capable of.
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I don't read this type of nonfiction very often (I almost always read history when I'm on a nonfiction kick) but I loved this! The author came across as really awkward when I saw him on the Daily Show so I wasn't entirely sure what to expect of his writing but it was both fascinating and hilarious. Ronson writes for the UK newspaper The Guardian so the stories range from interviews with the rap duo ICP to the teenagers who planned a school shooting in the 24/7 Christmas town of North Pole, AK to the people who go missing on cruise ships and the total lack of effort to find them. All of the stories were fascinating and crazy, really offering perspectives on how strange people can be and how human they still are. I really enjoyed it and I'd highly recommend it to anyone who needs some fun, interesting reading!