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The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

2004-03-25, 1:17 PM #1

BurrBoy

Has nothing.

Posts: 2,246

I borrowed the first one from my school liabray, loved it and just bought it and the rest of the books in the "The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy"

Can't wait to start reading "The Restaurant at the end of the Universe"

So anyone else read these books?
If so, what was your favorite one?

------------------

"Run Away!"

The tired anthem of a loser and a hypocrite.

2004-03-25, 1:19 PM #2

Wolfy

I TYPE LOUD

Posts: 10,623

I haven't read them, but I'm constantly amused by the fact that it's a five-book trilogy.

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"LC Tusken: the idiot is the person who follows the idiot and your not following me your insulting me your following the path of a idiot so that makes you the idiot"
NMGOH || Jack Chick preaches it

the idiot is the person who follows the idiot and your not following me your insulting me your following the path of a idiot so that makes you the idiot - LC Tusken

2004-03-25, 1:20 PM #3

SAJN

SAJN_Master

Posts: 11,157

Drink up the worlds about to end!

Thanks for all the fish.

The cupcake. ha. That was classic.

------------------
I’m not going to die, I’m going to see if I was ever alive. - Spike
It's not your right to decide whether they live or die. They deserve a chance! - Vash
BABIES EVERYWHERE!!!

Think while it's still legal.

2004-03-25, 1:21 PM #4

Gebohq

ISB Kingpin

Posts: 8,352

Good stuff, though it starts to go down a bit after the second book. Still Douglas Adams is da man.

------------------
Check out the following stories over at the Interactive Story Board:
The Never-ending Story Thread or visit the new webcomic version!
The Vision Cycle series
Featured Story: The Darkside Chronicles

The Plothole: a home for amateur, inclusive, collaborative stories
http://forums.theplothole.net

2004-03-25, 1:25 PM #5

SAJN

SAJN_Master

Posts: 11,157

It doesn't go down. It's just that how can you top the first two books? You can't. I'd say 3-5 are about equal. 1-2 are the bizomb.

1-5/5
2-5/5
3-4.99999999999999999/5
4-4.99999999999999999/5
5-4.99999999999999999/5

------------------
I’m not going to die, I’m going to see if I was ever alive. - Spike
It's not your right to decide whether they live or die. They deserve a chance! - Vash
BABIES EVERYWHERE!!!

[This message has been edited by SAJN_Master (edited March 25, 2004).]

Think while it's still legal.

2004-03-25, 1:27 PM #6

Gebohq

ISB Kingpin

Posts: 8,352

Point. They go down relative to the first two books [http://forums.massassi.net/html/wink.gif]

------------------
Check out the following stories over at the Interactive Story Board:
The Never-ending Story Thread or visit the new webcomic version!
The Vision Cycle series
Featured Story: The Darkside Chronicles

The Plothole: a home for amateur, inclusive, collaborative stories
http://forums.theplothole.net

2004-03-25, 1:29 PM #7

BurrBoy

Has nothing.

Posts: 2,246

Oh, yeah, and please don't give away any parts of the 2nd bok down...please [http://forums.massassi.net/html/redface.gif]

------------------

"Run Away!"

The tired anthem of a loser and a hypocrite.

2004-03-25, 1:30 PM #8

Noble Outlaw

Well-mannered criminal.

Posts: 2,296

For some reason i liked "So long and thanks for all the Fish" best, even though Douglas said he liked it the least. I really didn't like "Mostly Harmless", though, at least not the ending. it was just too.... final for me. But i won't be saying any more about that, seeing as you haven't read it yet [http://forums.massassi.net/html/redface.gif]

.

I'm going to have to start reading them again. soon i'm right in the middle of a heafty stephen baxter book, but i'm going to have to remember to start reading them after i'm finished.

------------------
"No good can ever come from staying with normal people"
-Outlaw Star
"Some people play tennis. I erode the human soul"
-Tycho, Penny Arcade
"I'm a Cannabal-Vegitarian. I will BBQ an employee if there is no veggie option"
-DX:IW

[This message has been edited by Noble Outlaw (edited March 25, 2004).]

A Knight's Tail
Exile: A Tale of Light in Dark
The Never Ending Story²
"I consume the life essence itself!... Preferably medium rare" - Mauldis

-----@%

2004-03-25, 1:34 PM #9

SAJN

SAJN_Master

Posts: 11,157

Infinite Improbability Drive > *

------------------
I’m not going to die, I’m going to see if I was ever alive. - Spike
It's not your right to decide whether they live or die. They deserve a chance! - Vash
BABIES EVERYWHERE!!!

Think while it's still legal.

2004-03-25, 1:36 PM #10

MFalse

Self-Proclaimed Lurker

Posts: 735

Dangit, now i feel the urge to find my copy and start reading it.
. . . Not that I'm angry at the idea of reading it, I'm just not looking forward to finding that book in the utter mess that is my room

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"I like my women how I like my coffee, in a plastic cup." - Eddie Izzard

"It sounds like an epidemic."
"Look, I don't know what that means. But it happens all the time." - Penny Arcade
Last.fm

2004-03-25, 1:37 PM #11

BobTheMasher

Of what, we don't want to know.y

Posts: 4,243

I have that same edition and actually started reading it again just the other day. Truly the bestest thing ever.

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WOOSH|-----@%

Warhead[97]

2004-03-25, 1:38 PM #12

Noble Outlaw

Well-mannered criminal.

Posts: 2,296

Quote:

Originally posted by Wolfy:
I haven't read them, but I'm constantly amused by the fact that it's a five-book trilogy.

Go and read them and you shall be amused even more.

------------------
"No good can ever come from staying with normal people"
-Outlaw Star
"Some people play tennis. I erode the human soul"
-Tycho, Penny Arcade
"I'm a Cannabal-Vegitarian. I will BBQ an employee if there is no veggie option"
-DX:IW

A Knight's Tail
Exile: A Tale of Light in Dark
The Never Ending Story²
"I consume the life essence itself!... Preferably medium rare" - Mauldis

-----@%

2004-03-25, 1:41 PM #13

BurrBoy

Has nothing.

Posts: 2,246

Quote:

Originally posted by SAJN_Master:
Infinite Improbability Drive > *

Yes!

And i always felt stupid because i never knew what you guys were talking about with the answer to life being 42.

Now i know.

And now i am happy.

------------------

"Run Away!"

The tired anthem of a loser and a hypocrite.

2004-03-25, 1:52 PM #14

SAJN

SAJN_Master

Posts: 11,157

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy has got to be my favorite five book trilogy.

I own a few copies of it too.

All 5 books. Then the one big book. Then the one big book with some extra book, and it's all spiffy with a plain cover and gold trim pages.

------------------
I’m not going to die, I’m going to see if I was ever alive. - Spike
It's not your right to decide whether they live or die. They deserve a chance! - Vash
BABIES EVERYWHERE!!!

Think while it's still legal.

2004-03-25, 1:56 PM #15

DeTRiTiC-iQ

Britlandish

Posts: 5,649

The first two books are the best. The third has all the interesting stuff about flying, but the story itself is a bit slow. The I really enjoyed the fourth. The fifth was on par with the third.

Detty. Professional Expert.
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2004-03-25, 2:10 PM #16

Yen

Registered User

Posts: 152

I bought the original radio scripts from a resale shop a while back. Had no idea what it was, but it was flipping hilarious. Of course, the radio show ended with Arthur and Ford stranded on prehistoric Earth, and in my oppinion, the series just kinda eased it's way downhill from there.

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Young men make wars, and the virtues of war are the virtues of young men: courage and hope for the future. Then old men make the peace, and the vices of old men are the vices of peace: mistrust and caution. It must be so.

-Laurence of Arabia

Yen is but one part of a larger problem in japan's bumbling attempts to pull out of a seemingly endless stagnation -Googlism

2004-03-25, 2:22 PM #17

phoenix_9286

This is what sane looks like.

Posts: 4,794

Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy > *

I think I've read the entire series at least twice a year for the last three years. It's the series of books that never gets old to me.

------------------
Frogblast the Vent Core!

--End of Line--

"In the beginning, the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move." - Douglas Adams
Are you finding Ling-Ling's head?
Last Stand

2004-03-25, 3:05 PM #18

whintt

Banned

Posts: 115

::looks to the left:: hey lets see left off on page 292.

A thin whine filled the air. It whirled and howled through the trees....::continues to read::

:: 2 hours later::
"Oh crap reply, yea these books kick arse keep reading them and restaurant at the end of the universe is freaking great"

::Best Quote::
"Do you believe other people exist?" Insisted Zarniwoop.
"I have no opinion. How can i say?" says the ruler of the universe.
"I think the Universe is in pretty good hands, yeah?"
"Very good" said Trillian
::HAHA best::

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Blue, no yellow, AHHHHHHHHHH

2004-03-25, 3:24 PM #19

Noble Outlaw

Well-mannered criminal.

Posts: 2,296

I got two of my most favorite Quotes (well, series of quotes. whatever) from those books:

Quote:

“Its times like these when I’m sitting in a Vogon Airlock just about to be shot out into space to die of asphyxiation, that I really wished I’d listened to what my mother had told me a as a child.”
“Why, what did she tell you?”
“I don’t know, I didn’t listen!”

And this (sorry, burrboy. you won't have read this yet, but it won't ruin any of the story):

Quote:

“Do you know where they come from, or where they’re going?” “The domain of the King!” “King? What King?” “What do you mean, what King? The King.” “It’s just that you never mentioned a King!” “What?” “I said that you never mentioned a King!” “I didn’t say a King, I said the King.” “Where did he say we were going?” “He said something about a King” “What King?” “That’s what I said. He just said 'The King'.” “I didn’t know there was a 'The King'” “Nor did I” “Except of course for 'The King. And I don’t suppose he meant him.” “What King” “What do you mean, what King? I don’t know what King. I’m only saying he couldn’t possibly mean 'The King', so I don’t know what he means” “Ford, I have no idea what you’re talking about.” “ So?”

------------------
"No good can ever come from staying with normal people"
-Outlaw Star
"Some people play tennis. I erode the human soul"
-Tycho, Penny Arcade
"I'm a Cannabal-Vegitarian. I will BBQ an employee if there is no veggie option"
-DX:IW

[This message has been edited by Noble Outlaw (edited March 25, 2004).]

A Knight's Tail
Exile: A Tale of Light in Dark
The Never Ending Story²
"I consume the life essence itself!... Preferably medium rare" - Mauldis

-----@%

2004-03-25, 4:51 PM #20

BurrBoy

Has nothing.

Posts: 2,246

--------------------
"Good God," said arthur,"itlooks just like the sea front at Southend."
"Hell, i'm releived to hear you say that." Said Ford.
"Why?"
"Because i thought i must be going mad."
"Perhaps you are. Perhaps you only thought i said it."
Ford thought about this.
"well, did you say it, or didn't you?" He asked.
"I think so." Sadi arthur.
"Well, perhaps we are both going mad."
"Yes." Said arthur. "we'd be mad, all things considered, to think this is southend."
"Well, do you think this is Southend?"
"Oh yes."
"So do I."
"Therefore we must be mad."
"Nice day for it."
"Yes." Said a passing maniac.
"Who was that?" Arthur asked.
"Who- the man with five heads and the elderberry bush full of kippers?"
"Yes."
"I don't know. Just someone."
"Ahh."
---------------------------

Then it goes on to talk about all the crazy stuff that the Infinite Imporability Drive causes.

I love that part, it was about 10:00 when i read it and i made my dog bark i laughed so hard.

(BTW: sorry for the long qoute.)

------------------

"Run Away!"

The tired anthem of a loser and a hypocrite.

2004-03-25, 4:57 PM #21

Noble Outlaw

Well-mannered criminal.

Posts: 2,296

Yes, its a great book. but don't get in the habit of quoting every hilarious part. this thread will end up too long [http://forums.massassi.net/html/tongue.gif]

[http://forums.massassi.net/html/tongue.gif]

A Knight's Tail
Exile: A Tale of Light in Dark
The Never Ending Story²
"I consume the life essence itself!... Preferably medium rare" - Mauldis

-----@%

2004-03-25, 5:17 PM #22

BurrBoy

Has nothing.

Posts: 2,246

Quote:

Originally posted by Noble Outlaw:
Yes, its a great book. but don't get in the habit of quoting every hilarious part. this thread will end up too long

Heh, VERY true, might aswell post the whole book.

------------------

"Run Away!"

The tired anthem of a loser and a hypocrite.

2004-03-26, 11:31 AM #23

nottheking

Nottheking

Posts: 1,589

The entire series is just classic, though admitedly, the first two are the best. Unfortuantely, it's been a few motnhs since I last read it, so my quote may be innacurate:

"Hurry, or you will be late. As in the late Dentarthurdent."

Of course, I also reccomend a pair of entirely unrelated books (although they are also by Douglas Adams), "Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency", and its sequel, "The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul".

------------------
Nes digs around in the trash can.
Nes finds a hamburger!
Nes puts the hamburger in his backpack.

Wake up, George Lucas... The Matrix has you...

2004-03-26, 3:18 PM #24

phoenix_9286

This is what sane looks like.

Posts: 4,794

I don't care if it makes the thread longer!

One of my personal favorites, the disproving of God.

Quote:

Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Page 59

"The Bable fish," said the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy quietly, "is small, yellow and leechlike, and probably the oddest thing in the Universe. It feeds on brainwave energy recieved not from it's own carrier but from those around it. It absorbs all unconscious mental frequencies from this brainwave energy to nourish itself with. It then excretes into the mind of its carrier a relepathic matrix formed by combining the conscious though frequencies with nerve signals picked up from the speech centers of the brain which has supplied them. The practical upshot of all this is that if you stick a Bable fish in your ear you can instantly understand anything said to you in any form of language. The speech patterns you actually hear decode the brainwave matrix which has been fed into your mind by the Babel fish.

"Now it is such a bizarrely improbable coincidence that anything so mind-bogglingly useful could have ever evolved purely by chance that some thinkers have chosen to see it as a final and clinching proof of the nonexistence of God.

"The argument goes something like this: 'I refuse to prove that I exist,' says God, 'for proof denies faith, and without faith I am nothing.'

"'But,' says Man, 'the Babel fish is a dead giveaway, isn't it? It could not have evolved by chance. It proves you exist, and so therefore, by your own arguments, you don't. QED.'

"'Oh dear,' says God, 'I hadn't thought of that.' and promptly vanishes in a puff of logic.

"'Oh, that was easy.' says Man, and for an encore goes on to prove that black is white and gets himself killed on the next pedistrian crossing.

"Most leading theologians claim that this argument is a load of dingo's kidneys, but that didn't stop Oolon Colluphid making a small fortune when he used it as the central theme of his best-selling book, Well That About Wraps It Up For God.

"Meanwhile, the poor Babel fish, by effectively removing all barriers to communication between different races and cultures, has caused more and bloodier wars than anything else in the history of creation."

------------------
Frogblast the Vent Core!

--End of Line--

"In the beginning, the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move." - Douglas Adams
Are you finding Ling-Ling's head?
Last Stand