Product Description

Springfield...

Home of the Isotopes, Springfield A&M, and Blinkey, the world's first three–eyed fish! Birthplace of the Flaming Moe! The site of Krustylu Studios, the awe–inspiring Springfield Gorge, and a world–renowned box factory! O Springfield! What many wonders you offer up for our consumption!

Yes, we've all heard of Springfield called the country's "worst city" and "America's crudbucket." But is it all that bad? Well, maybe yes and maybe no––you be the judge! This handy, indispensable guide shows you where to go, what to do, and what to see in Springfield––and what shots to get before you visit. Along the way, you'll explore the culture, foods, and beliefs of everyday people and, in essays, photos, and sidebars, peer into the very soul of this dysfunctional, dynamic city! From the smoky majesty of the Springfield Tire Yard the crunchy, oily goddess of The Frying Dutchman seafood restaurant, from the swanky shopping of the South Street Squidport to nut–watching opportunities at the Bloodbath and Beyond Gun Shop, this is the guide for everyone planning a trip to the city that Springfield resident Marge Simpson calls, "a part of us all."

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #245940 in Books
• Published on: 1998-11-01
• Released on: 1998-10-21
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 132 pages

Amazon.com
The fictitious Are We There Yet? guidebook series falsely claims to have covered nonexistent towns from Lake Flaccid to Pwagmattasquarmsettport, but even if these other books and grim places existed, this lowdown on Bart's hometown would make any list of top vacation non-destinations. After a night at the Happy Earwig Hotel, you can trip the light Springtastic to the South Street Squidport, or shove Bart aside and try the Dirt Nap II game at the Noiseland Video Arcade. Catch the latest brainless blockbuster at the Googolplex Theatres, or get highbrow and catch Apu in Bright Lights, Beef Jerky at the Springfield Film Festival. Crave tunes? Try King Toot's Music Store, or nab a youth-culture CD at Suicide Notes (formerly Good Vibrations). Get a gravel rattle at Lullabuy$, the cut-rate baby emporium. Wolf a Creamycrunch Chugger at Gulp'n'Blow and dodge the swinging blade at the front door of the It's a Wonderful Knife shop. But please don't doff your radiation suit, and do read the signs: "This park is not copless, so please don't go topless." --Tim Appelo

About the Author

Matt Groening, the creator and executive producer of the Emmy^® Award-winning series The Simpsons, as well as creator of the cartoon strip "Life in Hell" and the animated POX television series Futurama, is the man responsible for bringing animation to prime time. In addition, Groening formed Bongo Comics Group in 1993 and currently serves as publisher of their four comic books—Simpsons Comics, Itchy & Scratchy Comics, Bartman, and Radioactive Man.

Customer Reviews

Very entertaining Book
if you are a fan of the show the Simpsons then this Book will be really cool. this Book will take you on a journey through Springfield.the Book is very funny&cleaver all through out. you get a tour through springfield&alot of memorys. this is a Fun Book that takes all along springfield. places to go&things to see. a Must have for any fan of the Simpsons show.

4 1/2 Hilarious but Not Authentic
The varying opinions of this book may reflect readers' expectations. Those who want a humorous book based on the "THe Simpsons" will love it; but those who want something more true to the TV show's presentation will ultimately feel some disappontment. As I read through the opening town history (recounting city founder "Jedidiah Obediah Zachariah Obediah Springfield) and quickly advanced to typical tourist guide chapters such as attractions, where to eat (and especially, to drink), city events, etc., I enjoyed the mix of pointed social and political satire, idiosyncratic cast, and implied or retold story lines that have made "The Simpsons" probably one the truely great animated shows (as well as comedies, period). THe book is a condensed reminder of favorite settings (much more so than episodes), and the entire Springfield gestalt: crooked politicians, inept police, the polluting nuclear plant, and the wide spectrum of schemes hatched by both boy and father Simpson.

However, it increasingly became evident that this was not a history according to "The Simpsons"; rather, many elements had been embellished or simply made up just for this book. In a way, it's the same kind of anything-for-money cynicism that pervades the show, and one can't help but feeling some admiration for the guile of the author(s). (I could be wrong, but I assume it's written by a staff of writers under Groening's name.)

Purists will have mixed feelings about the book's inventions, especially when they don't match the spirit and the wit of the show. For example, Lisa is relatively absent, her brother seems more like a delinquent than the loveable ten-year-old semi-innocent persona in the show, and the essential qualities of people such as Ned Flanders, Moe, Mr. Burns, and many others are never truely captured. As a fan, I felt entertained yet somehow taken. At least that is a true Springfield experience.

The redeeming qualities of the town and its citizens (these are easy to forget, but "The Simpsons" attack on hypocracy is often achieved through the "growth," if you will, of at least one person) are often overlooked, and there are too many gratuitous jokes about sleaze and easy booze. If you'd never seen the Simpsons before, your expectations would be lowered. Other than this overall approach, the book is both funny and witty, the pictures and color reproduction are excellent, and there is enough authenticity to tide you over between shows. A very good book alone, but one that is a little disappointing when compared to its inspiration.

Better than Let's Go and Lonely Planet
This is an essential read and travelling companion for anybody intent on visiting the small town of Springfield whilst backpacking the USA. You will find information in here that you will not find in the other more well known backpacker books such as Let's Go and Lonely Planet. A complete accommodation listing complete with pictures and descriptions of everything from the history of the establishment to the staff and usual clientele, make picking your chosen place to sleep in Springfield so, so easy.

Attractions are extremely well covered as well with everything from the historical decaying monorail ruins to the Itchy and Scratchy studios. You won't miss out on a thing to see in Springfield if you take this book with you. Seriously you have to buy it. Want to read up on a bit of history to impress the locals? Well you can with this book. There are three pages detailing the founding of Springfield by Jebediah Springfield as well as the history of the two most influential men in Springfield's history, nuclear power tycoon C. Montgomery Burns and America's favourite entertainer Krusty the clown.

This guide also contains a complete listing of Springfield's options for food whether dining or just stopping for ice cream. Nightlife is covered as well with an inside guide by local raver Kirk Van Houten. Those who love shopping will not miss a thing either, every shop is within, in complete detail. Don't know when the best time is to plan your trip well then your in luck. This guide contains every annual event in Springfield from Whacking Day to the Do What You feel Festival. There is also a survival guide at the back. Low quality guides leave this sort of thing out in a hope not to discourage you from visiting thereby you will still purchase their book. Air pollution, animal rampages, runaway vehicles, citywide riots, and the Sideshow Bob factor to name but a few are all listed.

I have visited Springfield many a time. The people are friendly and unique. It is a must visit destination. No visit to the USA is complete without stopping in this town and no visit can be complete without this sensational guide. The other guides just can not compete with this brilliant guide. Don't wait, buy it now! Well go on!