99 More Unuseless Japanese Inventions: The Art of Chindogu
99 More Unuseless Japanese Inventionsis a delightfully wacky book, easily the equal of  its predecessor, 1995's101 Unuseless Japanese Inventions. Those  of you fortunate enough to pick that book up (and that's quite a few people--it was a surprise hit) already know that "Chindogu" is the not-so-ancient Japanese art of creating "gadgets that appear to be useful, but on closer examination, aren't."99 More Unuseless Japanese Inventionsis written with a droll earnestness that is perfectly in pitch. But what puts the book over the top are the tongue-in-cheek catalog-style photos that show each invention in use. The idea of "The Portable Countryside" is amusing, but when you actually see a stern-faced Japanese executive with a flower box full of greenery swinging at his side like an oversized purse, it's impossible not to laugh. Or consider the definition of "Swiss Army  Gloves": "Multi-purpose mittens that keep you ready for anything. Swiss Army Gloves provide a lighter, fork, corkscrew, bottle opener, pen, cutter, hole puncher and two screwdrivers all at the tips of your fingers--literally."Chindogu is an exacting art, and the rules for its creation can be found in the front of the book. As a gentle, sly satire of the welter of new and better inventions that constantly pours down on us,99 More Unuseless Japanese Inventionsis admirable. That may be assigning much too much sense to this splendidly nonsensical volume; nevertheless, this book and its mate are wonderful.