If you would like to read about planets being blown up, ships being stolen, chronically depressed robots, and Pan Galactic Gargle Blasters, this book is for you. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is about a man named Arthur Dent. He is a very average Englishman whose house is going to be demolished for a highway bypass. As Arthur lies in front of the bulldozers, his friend Ford Prefect, an out-of-work actor, comes to take him to the pub while the construction manager lies in front of the bulldozer for him. Ford calmly tells Arthur that he is actually from a small planet somewhere near Betelgeuse and came to Earth as a researcher for The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and they need to get off the Earth before it is demolished in ten minute’s time.

The creatures that intend to destroy the Earth for a hyperspace bypass are called Vogons. They are primitive, sadistic creatures that write the third worst poetry in the known universe. Arthur and Ford manage to hitchhike onto the Vogon ship as Earth is demolished, but when they are found they are tortured with poetry and then thrown out into space to die.

            However, when the odd pair has a single second left to live, a ship called the Heart of Gold picks them up. It is the only ship in the universe powered by the faster-than-light Infinite Improbability Drive, which runs on improbability coordinates. It is crewed by Zaphod Beeblebrox, the two-headed, three-armed president of the galaxy, who stole the ship, and his human girlfriend, Trillian. They are looking for the lost planet of Magrathea, which used to create luxury planets for the superrich. And so Arthur and Ford are off on a wild adventure that will include a robot named Marvin, several mice, and The Answer to Life, the Universe, and Everything!

            The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is a great book, but the most utterly random one I have ever read. However, it is a great piece of sci-fi comedy and I would definitely recommend it. The first book in this trilogy of five books is actually the worst of them and do not get discouraged if you do not love it. Persevere and read book number two, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, for it is twice as good. In the entire Hitchhiker’s Series, the situations are hilarious, the characters are intriguing, and the dialogue is crazy. Everyone 10 and up, strap yourselves into the Heart of Gold and get ready for one heck of a ride!