And here I thought that “Juggling for the Complete Klutz” had started it. I can’t find an original publishing date for Klutz (there’s a 30 year anniversary edition available, but I can’t tell how long it’s been out), but I don’t think it can beat the VW book at 1969.
Although, you could make an argument that both are giving a nod to “The Compleat Angler: or, The Contemplative Man’s Recreation”, which has been in print for 350 years.
I had several dummies books in the past. When I first switch to MS Word from Word Perfect back around 1995. One for Windows 95, MS Access and I think Visual Basic.
They were handy resources to get started with something I was not familiar.
control-z, there is no need to take offense from a book series title. Most people would consider it a minor joke. After all, the Dummies books, were not for mutes and I think 99.9% of people understand that.
ETA: Yllaria, I forgot, I have the Klutz’ book of Knots. It is great.
Jim
I never thought about this before, but those titles do actively turn me off. Not that I don’t realize there are whole realms of subjects I don’t know about but that doesn’t mean I’m necessarily an idiot!
Oh you guys are so arrogant. I have the one for making sushi at home. I don’t really want to have to go through the intense reading and training and practice it takes to make sushi from scratch. There are several steps I bypass. I don’t slave over making my own sticky rice in a pot which takes hours of practice, tears, and prayers. I also don’t need to know how to cut from whole fish. You can buy the fish you want cut at asian groceries or sometimes regular groceries. Wrestling a squirming fish with a 300 dollar knife is not part of the fun. For times like these, the books are perfect.
My second car was a 1956 VW Bus. I was 17 and and learned a lot from that book, and not all of it had to do with fixing the car.
Well, the idea is that you can be completely ignorant to the topic, get that book and learn whatever subject you are interested in. I think the titles are great. I know I am not a complete idiot, but I like having a guide that assumes that you know nothing of the subject and takes you through step by step. I think that the title is more of a “We make it so easy that a complete idiot could do it, so you can too!” I love the idiot guides and the Dummies series.
That is always part of the fun. Are you forgeting to hum the theme to Sea Hunt?
I’ve glanced through a couple and frankly I think they’re too hard to read.
Coming out next month: The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Complete Idiot Guides.
I wouldn’t buy one unless there was no alternative whatsoever. Why buy a book with a title that’s designed to insult the reader (unless it’s by Don Rickles, of course).
Besides, I don’t want a book written for dummies or complete idiots. I want a book written for intelligent people who just don’t happen to know much about the specific topic covered in that particular book.
I simply can’t conceive of giving one of these as a gift. Maybe the guy who came up with these series should read The Asshole’s Guide to Tact.
I’ve read a few - they’re a good way to jump into something, learn the basics and salient points, then decide if you want to learn further.
The last one I picked up was the idiot’s guide to Hindu mythology. It was a great crash course and gave me something to talk about with an Indian friend.
Another thing I notice is it tells me where I need to focus. I read one about home-buying and realized I was sorely lacking in knowledge about mortgages. I picked up several books that gave me a more complete picture, and it all made sense.
It’s a great starting point.
I had that! What a great book that was (if you were a VW owner.) I hate DIY, but this made it pretty straight-forward.
And after that they’ll come out with the Cliff’s Notes version. 
Not to be missed:
The Complete and Utter Idiot’s Guide to Ordering Pizza
The Complete and Utter Idiot’s Guide to Making a Baloney sandwich
I think some of you are confusing “complete idiot = someone who is significantly ignorant about a subject” with “complete idiot = someone who is inherently stupid.” These books are using the former sense, not the latter. The titles are a somewhat tongue-in-cheek reference to the difficulty people have with guidebooks that are written such that one needs to already know the subject matter in order to understand what the dang book is saying. Seems to me you’re going out of your way to miss the point and take offense where none is intended.
Exactly!
Many years ago, I bought the Idiots guide to Hockey. I’m a Southern girl who had never seen a hockey game before our team started up here and I had not a clue about the rules or anything else. The book was a great starting point and made the game much more enjoyable.
Um…I think we know! I mean, I know that’s what’s meant. Still doesn’t mean I’d buy them, though.
Yes I would! More specifically, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Justice as Fairness or John Rawls for Dummies. So, if you see one, lemme know, pretty please.*
*This is said half tongue in cheek. I don’t actually expect either of those to exist.
I have enough problems without my own bookshelves disrespecting me.
Yeah, if we didn’t understand the meaning we really would need that Complete Idiot’s Guide to Complete Idiot’s Guides.
I’m not offended by it, I just think it’s a dumb way to name books. And a ripoff of the successful Dummies series.