Grade:

A

Al Frankenâs new book, ãOh, the Things I Know!ä is a departure from his previous works in that it is not politically centered, and is not large enough to bludgeon cats with. However, much like Frankenâs previous works, it is very funny and well worth picking up.

The book satirizes advice books, such as Anna Quindlenâs ãA Short Guide to a Happy Life.ä These books are often given as graduation gifts at this time of year.

In an attempt to achieve a ridiculous synergy with the title, every chapter begins with ãOhä as in ãOh, the Personal Notes You Should Write!ä ãOh, Just Looking at Your Spouse Will Make Your Skin Crawl!ä and ãOh, If Youâre Involved in Hardcore Bondage and Discipline, You Should Have a ÎSafeword!âä

A summary follows each chapter, which serves to mock the pretentious tone of Quindlenâs advice books, and adds humor. For example, in the chapter ãOh, the Orgasms Youâll Have!ä the summary reads:

ãWhile having boring sex with your wife, fantasize about someone else. It works.ä

There are also diversions into the absurd, such as the chapter called ãOh, You Should Go to Canada and See the Northern Lights Before you Die!ä which has the word ãadvertisementä printed along the margins. Then there is an international dialing code list.

There are also places in the book where you are advised to clip out the pages and put them in your wallet for future reference, such as a listing of ãWorld Religions in Order of Qualityä with ãJudaism (Reform)ä being at the top of the list, and ãIslam (Fundamentalist)ä at the bottom.

It should be noted that while this book is not Frankenâs ãRush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot,ä the author doesnât stray from taking jabs at the political right, such as George W. Bush:

ãAnd there are some people who say that if the elder Bush had not been such a prolific and considerate correspondent, his son George W. Bush would not have in turn become president himself. I, for one, donât buy this. I think W. got there on his own smarts.ä

The book is a brisk159 pages long, compared to the 336 pages of Frankenâs last book, ãWhy Not Me?ä which, if wielded properly, could easily subdue a burglar or annihilate Florida mosquitoes.

ãOh, the Things I Know!ä is a book not meant as a weapon. Judging by its release, right around graduation time, and the mortarboard-and-robe-clad Franken on the cover, it was meant to be a reward for a successful commencement.

But even if you do not know or care for any college graduates, the book is darn funny. And thatâs all you need to know.