A guide to the world’s weirdest, most thrilling competitions
Whether it’s flinging frozen rats or parading in holly evergreens, racing snails or carrying wives, human beings have long displayed their creativity in
wild, odd, and sometimes just wonderful rituals and competitions. To show what lengths we’ll go to uphold our eccentric customs, British American graphic designer
Nigel Holmes channels his belief in the power of hilarity to bring together a bewilderingly funny tour around the globe in search of
incredible events, all dryly explained with brilliant infographics.
You’ll encounter the startling facts behind peat-bog snorkeling in Wales (wet suits recommended), hotdog-swallowing in the USA (tip: avoid breakfast), or who can make a baby cry quickest in
Japan. Through this gallimaufry of gamesmanship and passion, an
endearingly warm and affectionate portrait of human endeavor and good humor emerges as Holmes proves, page after page, that when it comes to feats of bravery, endurance, or sheer nonsense, the world is united as one in the fine and often hilarious way of celebrating culture.
The author
Nigel Holmes is a British-American graphic designer who spent 16 years at Time magazine, eventually becoming its graphics director. A pioneer in the field of information graphics, his clients have included Apple, Sony, National Geographic, and The New York Times. He has authored and contributed to several books on the subject, and has taught at Stanford and presented at TED Conferences. He believes in the power of humor to help people understand stuff, and he always wears blue.
The editor
Julius Wiedemann studied graphic design and marketing and was an art editor for newspapers and design magazines in Tokyo before joining TASCHEN in 2001. His titles include the Illustration Now! and Record Covers series, as well as the infographics collection and books about advertising and visual culture.
Crazy Competitions. 100 Weird and Wonderful Rituals from Around the World
Hardcover, 7.5 x 7.5 in., 1.48 lb, 216 pages
