The Daily OrangeNipple Brother's bring dirty humor to light in series
By Talie Tebbi
Posted: 2/13/09, 12:31 AM EST Section: Bindings
Why Do Men Have Nipples?
Three Rivers Press, 2005
Why Do Men Fall Asleep After Sex?
Three Rivers Press, 2006
Let's Play Doctor
Three Rivers Press, 2008
This series knows its place in the world: Somewhere between the sink and the best seat in the house.
I say that with the utmost respect. Authors Mark Leyner and Dr. Billy Goldberg, the self-titled "Nipple Brothers," have created three hilarious books. But they don't take themselves too seriously. They take medical information, chop it up and pre-chew it until laymen can understand things like, well, why do men have nipples?
These books are unpretentious, entertaining and smarter than you might expect.
The first two books, "Why Do Men Have Nipples?" and "Why Do Men Fall Asleep After Sex?" have answers to hundreds of questions of moderate interest and medical relevance. But pair that knowledge with the duo's sense of humor, their copied-and-pasted AIM conversations and some made-up medical scenarios and you've got yourself a couple of hits. Both books made it to the top of the New York Times Best Sellers list.
The third book, "Let's Play Doctor," is like mini-med school. With their tongues firmly lodged in their cheeks, Leyner and Golberg teach the "incoming class" the tricks of the trade (diagnosing, brain exercises, bedside manner, etc.). This one's a bit more advanced - a great gift for pre-med friends - but still interesting and, of course, funny. The unstructured outpouring of information covers topics like how often you blink and that time Dr. Billy treated a man who had an egg stuck inside him (use your imagination or buy the book).
The great thing about these authors is that they give useful information without the jargon or judgment of a medical office. You may feel silly calling your doctor to ask why plucking your eyebrows makes you sneeze, but it's the kind of thing people might want to know, and the books are more trustworthy than the Internet. Leyner and Goldberg even cite medical journals - now that's credible.
Plus, the Nipple Brothers are kind enough to make everything funny and relatable. They constantly refer to pop culture (they thought the Cheney bird-shot debacle was uproarious and can't get enough Propel water) and they cite situations we've all been through. Oh, the horrors of gym class.
Joke though they may, these guys are giving out actual information. These must be the most entertaining textbooks in the country. The writers take their influence seriously, and always encourage readers to take caution with their health. Then they toss in a few bathroom jokes for good measure.
So I'd say pick up at least one book, if not the whole series. Just don't be surprised if you hear laughter from the smallest room in the house.
nstebbi@syr.edu
Three Rivers Press, 2005
Why Do Men Fall Asleep After Sex?
Three Rivers Press, 2006
Let's Play Doctor
Three Rivers Press, 2008
This series knows its place in the world: Somewhere between the sink and the best seat in the house.
I say that with the utmost respect. Authors Mark Leyner and Dr. Billy Goldberg, the self-titled "Nipple Brothers," have created three hilarious books. But they don't take themselves too seriously. They take medical information, chop it up and pre-chew it until laymen can understand things like, well, why do men have nipples?
These books are unpretentious, entertaining and smarter than you might expect.
The first two books, "Why Do Men Have Nipples?" and "Why Do Men Fall Asleep After Sex?" have answers to hundreds of questions of moderate interest and medical relevance. But pair that knowledge with the duo's sense of humor, their copied-and-pasted AIM conversations and some made-up medical scenarios and you've got yourself a couple of hits. Both books made it to the top of the New York Times Best Sellers list.
The third book, "Let's Play Doctor," is like mini-med school. With their tongues firmly lodged in their cheeks, Leyner and Golberg teach the "incoming class" the tricks of the trade (diagnosing, brain exercises, bedside manner, etc.). This one's a bit more advanced - a great gift for pre-med friends - but still interesting and, of course, funny. The unstructured outpouring of information covers topics like how often you blink and that time Dr. Billy treated a man who had an egg stuck inside him (use your imagination or buy the book).
The great thing about these authors is that they give useful information without the jargon or judgment of a medical office. You may feel silly calling your doctor to ask why plucking your eyebrows makes you sneeze, but it's the kind of thing people might want to know, and the books are more trustworthy than the Internet. Leyner and Goldberg even cite medical journals - now that's credible.
Plus, the Nipple Brothers are kind enough to make everything funny and relatable. They constantly refer to pop culture (they thought the Cheney bird-shot debacle was uproarious and can't get enough Propel water) and they cite situations we've all been through. Oh, the horrors of gym class.
Joke though they may, these guys are giving out actual information. These must be the most entertaining textbooks in the country. The writers take their influence seriously, and always encourage readers to take caution with their health. Then they toss in a few bathroom jokes for good measure.
So I'd say pick up at least one book, if not the whole series. Just don't be surprised if you hear laughter from the smallest room in the house.
nstebbi@syr.edu
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