Tom Lynch

Author and New York Times magazine contributor John Hodgman lives in his own world. History, science and geography all exist, but only in Hodgman's own dissection of world knowledge. In "The Areas of My Expertise," Hodgman's quirk-fest of an almanac, the author covers both the truths and half-truths of the planet Earth, and since behind every lie lives some truth after all, we hardly know when he's fooling or when he's simply finding the humor in fact, unless it's obvious that he's having some fun with us. Included in Hodgman's expertise: a chart for aspiring authors describing more than fifty dramatic conflicts, whether man versus woman or alien versus robot; a list of abbreviated words used on submarines to save oxygen; and a collection of 700 names often used for hobos, including No-Banjo Burns or, my favorite, Whispering-Lies McGruder. It's an illuminating read to say the least, as Hodgman's research both means nothing and everything at the same time.

John Hodgman reads from "The Areas of My Expertise" on November 2 at Quimby's, 1854 West North, (773)342-0910, at 7pm. Free.

(2005-10-25)

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