I think it is a good idea gone bad.

Why?

It has morphed into a series with a book for every possible topic...and because it grew so quickly, the quality is inconsistent. Some are great, while others have holes. I think the calibre of "expert" varies from book to book. The "SAT for Dummies" one is scary-the title doesn't exactly inspire confidence.

I saw 'Yiddish for Dummies' as well as "Sign Language for Dummies'. Very off putting - those would be the last place I'd go to get help learning something. I am not a dummy or an idiot (the other series), I am an intelligent person who needs information (as I assume most people are). Now, if they were titled 'Everything you ever wanted to know about ____ but were afraid to ask', I'd try them (tho I suspect there might be a copyright problem for that title)

Cindydavid...I agree with you.

Thanks - please call me cindy :)

I actually liked the name originally, but I agree it has gone a little mad. But I have a couple and they are a fun starting point for some topics, depending on the author. I have a cookie jar, in my blue and yellow kitchen that's...

I have to say I would never buy one just on principle. Like Cindy, I don't consider myself a dummy, just someone who occasionally needs guidance or instruction. But that said, they certainly do seem to sell.

I think they are a good starting point to learn the basic facts or get an overview of a topic. For instance, I recently read The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Middle East, as background reading for a course, and found it invaluable. It does pay to do some research on the author though, as you would if reading an academic text.

Adam

When we did the Crusades thread a couple of years ago, I bought The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Crusades and it was very helpful for background. I certainly wouldn't rely on these books exclusively, but as a starting point, they're not bad.

The title doesn't bother me because the contents are often so good (although as CeCe says, the quality probably varies because there are dummy guides on too many topics).

I've got Forensics for D's and NLP for D's, but haven't read them all the way through yet - so far they are wonderfully easy to use though.

My favourite is Astrology for Dummies which contains more information on the many different aspects of astrology (pun uninentional) than any other single book I own, and in an easier language.

""I am not a dummy or an idiot (the other series), I am an intelligent person who needs information (as I assume most people are).""
I don't think I would miss out on these books that can be very useful if you are discerning, just because of the title, picked to attract attention. IMHO

And don't forget Ulysses for Dummies

I am also not a dummy or a complete idiot but I do have a sense of humor and consider the editions of these books that I have read very useful and well done. Never once when purchasing one of the books did I think the seller or anyone observing the purchase was categorizing me as a dummy.

Also, don't they have a subtitle? E.g. Forensics for Dummies - A Reference for the Rest of Us. Up to you which one you feel addressed by! :-)

Well, I have a sense of humor - I just don't care to use those books. Glad others have found them useful; I'd rather get basic information from other sources. To each his own.

The only ones I've ever found useful are those that deal with deciphering legal jargon. In general, I avoid them.

I received a flyer in the mail advertising several from Dummies books. Hooray, I'm on the list of dummies!

It could be worse I suppose. I recently received my first invitation to join the AARP. Ack! :)

I've never bought one, but I see the appeal. We have all, I suspect, picked up a reference book that assumes we know more about a subject than we do. (For me it was Joy of Cooking.) Starting with the very basic strikes me as a good idea. Maybe not a good gift idea, however.

I've never heard of them. But I've gathered the sort of thing they are from reading these posts.

Dido