Why Everybody Hates Toronto: Startling Suggestions of a Pseudo-Scientific Study

by Michael B. Davie

Book Overview

This is the book Toronto doesn't want you to read Tired of Hogtown's constant preening, pretentiousness and pomposity? This book is for you. This book is also for hard-core Toronto fans - if they have... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B009XRB5JQ
• ISBN13: 9780973647716
• Release Date: December 2004
• Publisher: Manor House Publishing Inc.
• Length: 194 Pages
• Weight: 0.59 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Why Everybody Hates Toronto is one great book

Why Everybody Hates Toronto is one of the best books I've read in years. Well researched, full of details and with many touches of humour, this book goes well beyond the flippant send-up it purports to be. Beyound the wickedly witty barbs, there's some deep, insightful looks at major issues such as crime, congestion, runaway real estate prices and other woes. And despite its title, I was surprised to find that this book also has a lot of good things to say about Toronto and presents a sympathetic view in places. All in all a superb book that really proves Toronto has come of age. The Argos still suck though.

Very interesting, thought-provoking book

There's a lot of funny stuff in this book, no doubt about it. But there's also a lot of interesting, serious, thought-provoking content - and that's what really makes this book a must-read. To his credit, author Michael B. Davie doesn't simply rely on his own opinions; he takes a very thorough, heavily researched approach that draws on the observations and opinions of many, many experts. I found I learned a great deal about Toronto, not all of it bad, and I'd recommend this book even to people who really like this city. This is an informative and fascinating book - I couldn't put it down.

A thought-provoking, informative, funny book

I have to admit, was quite intrigued when I first came across a copy of Why Everybody Hates Toronto by Michael B. Davie. I didn't know that Toronto is hated by everybody so I did my own informal poll - and it's true, everybody does hate Toronto. Or they at least hate (or mildly dislike) some things about Toronto if not everything. This book made me smile with its funny pokes in Toronto's ribs. And it made me think. There's a lot of serious, insightful commentary in this book, and I suspect the author may even like Toronto somewhat, given the sympathetic tone in places. A great book, well worth a read by anyone with an interest in Toronto.

You know you're in the big time when a book disses you

For all its anxiety about measuring up to being a world-class city, Toronto has clearly made the big time. Proof positive is the fact that a fairly well-known author has actually written a book called Why Everybody Hates Toronto. If Toronto wasn't an important, world-class city, it certainly would not rate having a whole book written about it, now would it? And for all his cheeky asides and disrespectful comments, author Michael B. Davie clearly has some affection for the Big Smoke: There's a lot of very insightful research and thoughtful musings mixed in with the humorous Toronto-bashing jibes. It's all in good fun and it's a great read. As a Torontonian, I found myself laughing out loud and even learning a bit more about my hometown. So hey, fellow Torontonions, pick up a copy. You'll be glad you did!

Witty, insightful social commentary

This is one of the most entertaining and informative books I've ever read about Toronto. Filled with nice touches of humour, Why Everybody Hates Toronto also has a good deal of hard information on serious problems facing this major North American city. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, cover to cover.