The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

It had last been a couple decades ago when I had last read the various Hitchhiker's books (except the most recent one, and even that had been ten or more years back). With my original copies scattered here and there, I picked up the omnibus edition and reread these tales with eagerness and a older (and perhaps wiser) perspective. Overall, although they read differently after such a long time, they do make a pleasant read. The original novel by Douglas Adams - based on a radio show he also wrote (the twisted history of the first book is related in an introduction) - is the sharpest in the set. For the uninitiated, the tale follows Arthur Dent, last human survivor of Earth after the planet is cleared away for a hyperspatial bypass. Along with his alien friend Ford Prefect, they go off on a series of adventures which will eventually reveal the true purpose of the planet Earth. Completing a quintet of heroes is Zaphod Beeblebrox, the President of the Galaxy, and Trillian (Trisha MacMillan), another human who left Earth a while before it was destroyed, and Marvin, the most depressed robot ever. In this book, Adams sets the tone for this the whole series with a parody of the conventions of science fiction and a grand sense of the absurd. In a universe where time travel and the improbable happen as a matter of course, contradictions, paradoxes and continuity problems are plentiful and acceptable. The second novel - The Restaurant at the End of the Universe - directly follows up on the first book and is of equally high quality. An almost imperceptible slide begins with book three, Life, the Universe and Everything, which deals with an ancient race of aliens who are threatening to make a comeback and destroy all other life. Arthur and Ford are recruited by planetary engineer Slartibartfast to try and save all reality. We begin to see other of the characters pushed aside although they still do play some roles. We also learn it is possible for a man to fly. In So Long and Thanks For All the Fish, Arthur returns to an Earth that apparently believes its destruction was just a mass hallucination. Although Ford is still around in a parallel story, the other recurring characters are almost non-existent. This is the most upbeat of all the stories, with things finally going somewhat right for the usually hapless Arthur. Unfortunately, some of the true wackiness is beginning to fade away. With no Zaphod acting recklessly and with Ford acting semi-responsibly, this novel is not quite as much fun. And sadly, Mostly Harmless, the final novel is even less fun, again absurd but not really very funny. And the bonus short story "Young Zaphod Plays It Safe" is completely forgettable. The first three books remain five star material, the fourth gets four stars and the fifth gets three (the short story gets two). As a collection, however, this is a five star bunch, with the first two books being excellent enough to offset any weaknesses in the others. For any fan of science fiction, this is a must-read and continues to be the best parody of the genre.

important book, very well written and quite witty

This volume contains all five books of Douglas Adams misnamed trilogy. The humor is both sly satire and absurd humor. The last Earth man Arthur Dent, totally the wrong person to go on vast galactic adventure. Arthur is forever put upon by everything. He can't even enjoy a meal at the Restaurant at the End of the Universe. The only thing that gets him through is his trust Hitchhikers' Guide to explain the cosmos. All of Adams genius is on display in these volumes. It holds up even on rereading.

Would recommend taking a break between books (5 novels and a story).

I love this series, but I wish I would have bought each individual book instead, this book is too big to comfortably hold and read:/

I read this using the kindle app on my smartphone which was ironic, as my phone is like The Guide, an electronic book. The fact that the author could see this far ahead into the future was amazing. Read this book, not only is it excellent, but you will finally understand what others are talking about. It's uniquely written and is referenced all the time by society and people online. I've seen "the meaning of life is 42" and "Don't Panic!" throughout my life and had no idea what people were talking about... but now I do! The author has a unique writing method and I have found myself thinking back to it often. It is not just the main plot that is memorable, its the small things that are throw in that I really liked. When it rains, I think of the rain god who didn't know he was a rain god and the 100+ types of rain he had identified. When my computer freezes, I think of the computer on board the ship that has an unknown hole in it and how it talks to other computers.... it's worth the time to read and is easily understood. The last book seems to have taken on a darker tone and gets a little confusing, with a few more swear words thrown in, but the ending was phenomenal. I had to reread the last chapter to make sure I clearly understood what had just happened. It's the most surprising ending I have ever read and unlike other authors, the ending, just ENDS... just like that, its over, and you are left to wonder exactly what just happened. Many other authors could have gone to great lengths writing a detailed ending, but I preferred the ending in the book... its been weeks since I finished this book and I still smile when I think back to Ford Perfect laughing manically while looking at the matchbook. Read it, you won't be sorry.

Great quality. Binding was in tact. Great condition, even though it was bought used

Great deal!