July 31, 2001    
begin

write

look

learn

find

What is the worst book of the 20th century?

From a literary point of view, there were so many badly written books that choosing one is impossible, but I'd probably vote for one of those that were privately printed because no reputable publisher would take them on. An uncle of mine produced one of them, called Like a Phoenix. For content, and for an adverse impact on the world, I would unquestionably vote for Mein Kampf.

Jane, 60
West Linn
, OR   USA

there are too many to choose from... probably one I havent read... XXX

lady bird

Dianetics by L Ron Hubbard

Jami, 27
Lowell
, MA   USA

I don't know what the WORST one is. There are some pretty bad ones. Like Grapes of Wrath (I know I'm supposed to fall down and worship Steinbeck and Hemingway, but I just can't) and Grass.

Karen, 21
Marshelltown/Ames
, IA  USA

It's a tie between "Palomino" by Danielle Steele and pretty much any other Danielle Steele novel.

Shayna, 28
Somerville
, MA  USA

But there's so many. Like all those unneccesary celebrity autobiographies.

Ry, 23

The dictionary. haha just kidding. I don't think I'm in a position to judge that since I haven't read all the books written in the 20th century. I'm sure there's many though.

Dianne, 16
Ontario  CANADA

I think all books on witchcraft and the occult are awful but if I had to choose the worst book I'd have to say Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler, outlining his plan for extermination of the Jewish race.

Reba, 51
Rockville
, MD   USA

Hmmm . . . Not sure but any book that has prompted even one person to hate another would certainly fill my book as worst ever. Then of course there is Danielle Steele.

Felicia, 35
Lowell
, MA   USA

Mein Kampf.

Talia, 23
Wilton
, CT   USA

First, I'm not going to commit Book Burning by List.  Second, I don't read complete dreck and I have a talent for forgetting the mediocre. Third, Why immortalize a Worst Book:?

Jill, 60
Saylorsburg
, PA  USA

The modern romance novel. In the technical sense, there are probably thousands and thousands and thousands of romance novels--but they've all got the same plot and the same mindless, useless language--so, really, they're all the same book repackaged thousands of different ways. And this is the worst excuse for literature that there has been in the 20th century.

Johanna, 18
OK  USA

I can't really answer this question, since none of the books I have ready can quality for that monitor, and I am not going to deem something the worst, if I have never read it. That would be like blowhard politicians blaming TV or movies that they have never seen, for evil behavior that people do.

Frodo
age unknown, parts unknown

The worst book i can remember reading was called 'Meril of the Stones'. We had to read it for grade 7 english, i can barely remember what happened it was so bad.

Becky, 16
AUSTRALIA

I can't think of any. If I don't like a book I don't read it. If I haven't read it, I can't pass judgement on it.

Laura, 36
Lowell
, MA   USA

Yesterday / Tomorrow