Idiot Letters

By Paul Rosa

Look out, public relations; take cover, customer service -- Paul Rosa's letter is in the mail and his inventively imbecilic queries about consumer products have a way of eliciting equally idiotic and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 038547508X
• ISBN13: 9780385475082
• Release Date: March 1995
• Publisher: Main Street Books
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.74 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.0" x 0.4" x 7.0"

Customer Reviews

So many complaints, so little time...

I picked this book up just yesterday in the Humor section of a local bookstore while reading some Far Side comics. I didn't expect to read Paul C. Rosa's Idiot Letters much since I am a big fan of Larson's comics. However, I found myself reading letter after letter written by Paul on his "relentless assault on Corporate America." This collection of letters written by Paul during 1993 is an example of comedic genius. Paul Rosa wrote to a plethora of corporations that head various franchises/products. Each letter follows the same basic format -praise for the company/product, obscure questions/concerns, and finally a humorous closing of anticipation for a response. However, Paul makes each letter unique by addressing his humorous questions/concerns specifically to a company's product, or in the case of a letter to CITGO, an advertisement. Paul wrote a letter to the Consumer Relations departement of CITGO concerning an actual advertisement by company. In the advertisement, a Bald Eagle hovers, for the lack of a better term, over a CITGO station with its wings fully extended. The eagle is digitally made as large as the gas station and the advertisement reads (not accurate): "Get a ahold of the power" or something like that. Paul writes to the company as a idiot and expresses concern and fear of such a large animal flying over his home state of Colorado. He writes that he and his wife are both concerned and says he will take action if needed to protect himself and his family from this "monster". He mentions that he will use his gun however, "it'll take a canon to take this it down!" CITGO's response? Well, that's for you to find out by reading Idiot Letters.

Get this book if you want to laugh!!

This is one of the funniest books I've ever had the fortune to stubmble upon, it had me laughing out loud, which is quite rare. In his outrageous book Paul Rosa crafts numerous letters to corporations, from the perspective of an idiot. Also included in the book are the responses from the companies.One of his letters is to the m & m company, in which he complains that their slogan "Melts in your mouth, but not in your hands" is discriminatory and insensitive to those who don't have one or more hands. He then goes on to explain how he lost his arms in an encounter with a grizzly bear, and suggests that they change their slogan to "Melts in your mouth but not in your hand(s) (if you have any)." Other examples are letters to:McDonald's - Says he's been eating at McDonald's every day since he was a kid and now weighs over 600 pounds. He then wants to know if he should be concerned about his health. Guinness Book of World Records - Claims to have carried his cat (Jesse) for years without ever putting him down, and wants to know if it's a world record.Johnson and Johnson - Tries to sell his "invention", which consists of a three-pronged Q-tip, claiming that two swabs for each Q-tip aren't enough, and that using two is a waste, since he only uses one side of the second one ("saving the Q-tip seems barbaric"). He inlcudes a crude sketch of his idea and labels it "schematic" What really endeared me to this charming book is that Paul Rosa is such a gifted writer, he has a certain way with words that makes reading his letters a delight (in one letter he emotionally writes "tears of joy are decorating my keyboard even as I type" to the manufacturer of Cat's Pride cat litter.) Almost as funny are some of the responses he gets, although most are usually short and formal cookie-cutter repsonses. Nevertheless, it's satisfying to know that people actually read his ridiculous letters and had to dignify them with a response. Refreshingly creative and witty, this book will have you smiling long after you've finished reading it.

Not for those with a weak bladder!

I picked this up off a friends coffee table at a party and began laughing so hard that the flood of tears of comic euphoria began to drench the pages of the book. My wife struck a deal with me, put it down, and I could buy it the next day, which I did! This is the funnies thing I have ever read in my entire life (and I have read a lotta stuff). An absolute MUST have!PS Paul, if you read this please send me an XL T-shirt!