School Is Hell Review

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(More customer reviews)Like all the other "Life in Hell" books, "School is Hell" is a hilarious satire; in this case the target is education at all levels. I can't write much praise that hasn't already been written. The "Hell" series has much of the sly wit of Groening's more mainstream "Simpsons" TV series, but is presented in more blunt, less subtle manner. Though characters are drawn simply (often generally described as "abstract"), the "Hell" series is among the most realistic and honest post modern creations.
In "School is Hell", Groening takes us through the awkward, difficult experiences of school and growing up familiar to everyone in an accurate, funny, fatalistic manner. In this context, Groening's unrefined technique actually accentuates his stark words. The underlying theme of all his "Hell" books is that life isn't meaningful and we're just deceiving are ourselves when we try to think that it is. Though this view isn't exactly an epiphany, Groening is brilliant because he manages to make such a stark, potentially depressing realization comical. Here's an example of Groening's poignant humor: After college graduation, Binky (protagonist) receives congratulations for, "spending your whole life jumping through petty academic hurdles for meaningless rewards. Now, you will embark on a career in a massive beaurocracy where nothing you do or say will ever matter." This book is filled with such funny moments that resonant with painful honesty.
All of Groening's "Life in Hell" books are an entertaining read; just as funny and painfully honest. It's this unapologetic honesty that gives this series it's emotional resonance. Most humorous works offer fleeting humor that is only initially funny (if at all). Though the "Hell" books aren't exactly deep, much like the Simpsons, Groening's humor conveys an emotional resonance which only becomes more appealing after repeated readings. "School is Hell" is the best of what it is (what ever it may be).

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Contains 48 more glimpses into Matt's all-too-true view of things.

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Getting a PhD: An Action Plan to Help Manage Your Research, Your Supervisor and Your Project (Routledge Study Guides) Review

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(More customer reviews)I've just started a PhD and am finding this book fills lots of gaps. Useful from the first day until write up. Easy to read. You may find other texts more detailed than this one, but this offers a good source of information that should be, but is probably not, supplied in orientation.

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Thishighly practical guideprovides information that will help research students avoid needless mistakes. It informs and advises you about many of the important facets of postgraduate research, including:what it means to conduct research at doctoral levelthe requirements for independence, contribution to knowledge, originality and suitability for publicationplanning a research project over a period of timeresponsible research practicecriteria used in the examination of a PhD.Getting a PhD is an essential handbook for PhD students and provides plenty of useful advice for Masters students or undergraduates conducting a research project.

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Secret Six: Six Degrees of Devastation Review

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(More customer reviews)While I enjoyed the Villains United (Countdown to Infinite Crisis) mini-series (featuring the debut of the "Secret Six" anti-heroes), I felt that the "Infinte Crisis"-mandated beats cut into some of the characterization and stopped the story short. Gail Simone returned with "Secret Six: Six Degrees of Devastation," a brutally funny and mature take on the super-villain squad. Fans of Grant Morrison's "Doom Patrol" and other off-beat teams will find a lot to like here. I had to double-check the cover again for a "Vertigo" logo, because I couldn't believe that DC had given Simone such free reign with the characters within the confines of the mainstream DC Universe. The Mad Hatter sleeping with his hats is priceless.

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