The Dilbert Principle - Scott Adams

Scott Adams used to work for Pac Bell before decided that rather than sit in an office cubicle, it’d be far better to quit that job and make a living writing cartoons about office life. His Dilbert cartoons are popular in newspapers - featuring a poor geek-y engineer (Dilbert), his (generally incompetent) co-workers, his (even more moronic) boss and a variety of animals (Dogbert, Ratbert, etc). Perhaps it says something of their popularity that my spellchecker recognises ‘Dogbert’! The Dilbert Principle (first published in 1996, and Sunday Times no. 1 best seller) declares itself to be “A ... more

This is a very scary book for anyone who has worked for a big company or in an office. If David Brent managed to show the cringe worthiness of office life Scott Adams through his cartoon character Dilbert manages to show the absurd and ridiculous action of companies, managers and employees. Who is Dilbert? Dilbert is the comic strip creation of Scott Adams. Dilbert is an engineer and spends his days working in his cubicle. Hardly a role model employee Dilbert is always drawn wearing a short-sleeved shirt and a tie that turns up at the ends. Adams draws the inspiration for his cartoons from the ... more

I like to read book in its original version, because it is good for two things: Keeping up with my english and seeing what the author really meant. Most of the time the translation loses a thing or two, especially when it comes to humor. While working in South Carolina in 1995 and 1996 I got to know Scott Adams and his Dilbert comics in the newspapers. In 1999 I discovered that Dilbert had finally reached Germany and so I went to my internet bookstore to get the original version of THE DILBERT PRINCIPLE. And how I enjoyed that. I read all 336 pages in two days and laughed and laughed. Scott ... more

This book was up to Scott Adams's usual standard, and therefore very funny. Unfortunately, it was a little bit on the long side, and even Adams's brand of humour wears thin by page 300! This is the sort of book that you can pass on to family and friends, and would make a great present. The first part of the book is highly entertaining, and hugely funny, but by the time you are reaching the end of the book, it is getting a little on the boring side. Now that it has been re-released for just £3.99, I would almost certainly buy it. ... more

Scott Adam's insight and anicdotes from the world of corporate stupidity never fails to raise a smile... then a chuckle ... A laugh ... and on till your gut aches. Mainly because we ALL know someone, some petty minded, jobsworth little manager (with or without pointy hair) or some short balding workshy individual who would actually be good at his job if only he'd use half the effort that he puts into making up excusses to skive. If this is the only Scott Adams you are going to buy, go right ahead, you won't regret it. However, if you already have a few, be prepared for a small amount of ... more

Scott Adams has finally put in print what we've all susected for years - that idiots are being promoted to reduce the potential damage they can do. His insights into office life are witty and interesting, expecially his take on meetings, which is eerily familiar. The cartoons he uses are always relevant and there are never too many to stifle the text. This is a cynical and sarcastic book, which means it will appeal to most! I have read it several times, although never straight through - I found it more fun to pick a chapter at a time. I can't see anyone being disappointed by this. ... more

Once again, Scott Adams has written a brilliant book that captures the reality of office life exactly. No office worker should be without a Dilbert book and this one is a perfect example. Very mild exaggeration and down to earth comments alongside careful observations all combine to make another brilliant Dilbert book. I always used to wander why Dilbert comic strips were so popular in Sunday papers and now I know. The comic strips are pure genius with amazing wit and sarcasm. One small disadvantage is the cost, with so many Dilbert books around, accumulating a collection can become expensive ... more