A fabulously entertaining book from the ultimate authority on those almost believable tales that always happen to a "friend of a friend." Alligators in the sewers? A pet in the microwave? A tragic misunderstanding of the function of cruise control? No, it didn't really happen to your friend's sister's neighbor: it's an urban legend. And no matter how savvy you think you are, you are sure to find in this collection of over 200 tales at least one story you would have sworn was true. Jan Harold Brunvand has been collecting and studying this modern folklore for over twenty years. In Too Good to Be True he captures the best stories in their best retellings, along with their latest variations and examples of how the stories have changed as they move from person to person and place to place. To help you find your favorite, Brunvand has arranged the tales thematically. "Bringing Up Baby" is full of episodes of child-rearing gone wrong, including the grisly tale of the drugged out baby-sitter who mistakes the kid for a turkey. "Funny Business" showcases stories of infamous lapses in customer service, such as the story of the shockingly expensive chocolate chip cookie recipe. And "The Criminal Mind" features both brilliant --if they were real --scams, as well as the purported antics of the less mentally gifted. Whether you want to become an expert debunker or just have plenty of laughs, this book will surprise and entertain you. Illustrated throughout.

"Informative and entertaining.... Brunvand has collected more than 200 of the most-repeated and best-known examples of modern folk-myth."―Tampa Tribune "[N]ot only an entertaining anthology, but an excellent introduction to the study of folklore itself."―Publishers Weekly "A fun read... . All the classics are here from the killer upstairs to the Kentucky Fried Rat."―New City "Resonant stories that express our hidden anxieties ... make us laugh, [or] arouse our fascinated horror."―San Francisco Chronicle Book Review "Informative and entertaining... . Brunvand has collected more than 200 of the most-repeated and best-known examples of modern folk-myth."―Tampa Tribune "[N]ot only an entertaining anthology, but an excellent introduction to the study of folklore itself."―Publishers Weekly 70 b/w illustrations

1. Jumping to Conclusions
2. Classic Dog Tales
3. Just Deserts
4. Automania
5. Sexcapades
6. Losing Face
7. Accidents will Happen
8. Creepy Contaminations
9. Sick Humor
10. Bringing Up Baby
11. Strange Things Happen
12. Funny Business
13. The World of Work
14. Baffled by Technology
15. The Criminal Mind
16. Human Nature
17. Strays from the wild Kingdom
18. Pet Problems
19. Slapstick Comedy
20. Bogus Warnings
21. Mistaken Identifications
22. Campus Capers
23. "True" Urban Legends
 

Jan Harold Brunvand lives in Salt Lake City, where he is professor emeritus at the University of Utah. He is the author of numerous books, including The Vanishing Hitchhiker

The Choking Doberman; The Baby Train

Too Good to Be True; and Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid

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