h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A626807

I was challenged to write this entry by Argon0 and Orcus (thanks guys ) it has far too many footnotes and two separate BBC links for Heath Robinson, although I'll probably stick with the first. Apart from that, I think it's ready.

What does everyone think?

I like it!

Beautiful

But alas, they are out of print?!?

Stay ,
WD

According to Amazon, Puffin and Red Fox are still publishing some of them.

Thank you, Mycroft! I had only looked at the "dot com" site but now I've checked the "co uk" I find different information.

It looks like the original with the Heath Robinson illustrations was re-issued as a Classic in 1992. The others you mention seem to be compilations of some of the stories.

I'll make amendments soon.

Anything else?

It would also seem that the second book "Professor Branestawm's Treasure Hunt" is to be reissued next year. It was first published in 1937. I'm guessing that there might be a slight rewording of a chapter involving some native gentlemen they believe to be cannibals.

Wow. I read so many of those books, and I never realised how old they were.

As an aside, I recall an 'about the author' section in one of the books, in the form of an interview with Norman Hunter, in which he notes the difficulties faced in trying to have his work translated into American.

The Prophet.

Absolutely blinking Excellent!!!

One of my childhood idols, and partly responsible for getting me where I am now.

Well done coely!

Is the telly series available on Video?

Excellent entry! I really like these books. I've found some versions with really great illustrations but I don't know if they were done by W. Heath Robinson or not.

Heath Robinson usually signed somewhereb in capitals, Niwt. If you take a look at the Brunel uni link you'll find the original pictures on their pages for each of the characters, so perhaps you can compare?

Glad you liked it Argon0! Written just because you asked me to.

I was in a bookshop today and I saw the paperback of various stories from across the range of books. It's a good selection.

I'm not sure if the series is on video, or how to find out, but I remember watching it!

Old

I would add a footnote to the footnote definition, simply to have it there.

Otherwise, I liked it. Now I'll have to see if I can find a copy over here.

A footnote to the footnote? Do you mean the first one about DNA?

d'Elaphant, you disappoint me. Off to look for a book? I had you down as the kind of guy who would try and flush a toilet, using a dog, cat, bucket, watering-can, one ton weight, seesaw, balloon, blowtorch and tongs.

Wow Coely - very impressive
I only ever skim-read a few of the books myself.
But I did see a sculpture the other day that looked like it had walked straight out of them...

I would add the footnote to the definition of footnote.

And did I say *how* I was going to look for the book? In fact, I haven't looked yet because I am a little short on rope and pulleys at the moment.

I've been attempting to look from my desk into the Books Etc over the road, through surreptitious usage of Rubber bands, Straws, Mirrors, a Feather duster, and a helpful assistant ....

Now all I've got to do is work out how to stop the cars from running over my contraption every other minute!....

Now there's a trip down memory lane
Excellent stuff, nicely put together, good links. Gets my vote (for what it's worth)

Excellent - why hasn't this frawn more comments!!!... Maybe because its so good... Must lok up my old copies...

I just discovered this entry.

I can't come up with a single criticism, and feel like I MUST own these books.

Thank you all very much.I should write entries more often! (Mind you, not that anyone read my last one. It went from front page to "Most Overlooked" in 2 weeks, which is some kind of record surely!)

I hope you manage to track a book down, NBY. I've been re-reading borrowed library copies from the 1960's when the originals were reprinted. It seems like they've never really gone out of fashion.

The entry just needs a final polish. I think I'll go for the first Heath Robinson link, and I'm trying to think of a good footnote to the footnote. Apart from that, I don't think a sub ed has much to do.

#

Excellent Coely

Ahhh, the memories, I'd forgotten much of that stuff - I remember myslef and my brother used to try and wear multiple pairs of glasses just like him.

An excellen article with but one fault...

What's happened to footnote 3?

Now when do I next get some recommendations....

Orcus