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You Can Get Arrested for That: 2 Guys, 25 Dumb Laws, 1 Absurd American Crime Spree
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You Can Get Arrested for That: 2 Guys, 25 Dumb Laws, 1 Absurd American Crime Spree
Author: Rich Smith

Book Information
Publisher: Three Rivers Press
Book Type: Paperback
Rating:

ISBN-13: 9780307339423 - ISBN-10: 0307339424
Publication Date: 8/1/2006
Pages: 256

Book Description:
Two Englishmen on a crime spree break American laws!

Stupid, unreasonable, and long-forgotten laws—but laws just the same.

In 1787 the wise framers of the U.S. Constitution laid out the laws of the land. Since then, things have gone awry, and a few laws even the far-sighted framers couldn’t have imagined have worked their way onto the books in towns and cities across the country.

Did you know that in the United States it’s illegal to:

• Fish while wearing pajamas in Chicago, Illinois?

• Enter a theater within three hours of eating garlic in Indianapolis?

• Offer cigarettes or whiskey to zoo animals in New Jersey?

• Fall asleep in a cheese factory in South Dakota?

Englishman Rich Smith discovered these little-known laws during a great American crime spree that took him from coast to coast in search of girls to kiss (it’s illegal to kiss for longer than five minutes at a time in Kansas), oranges to peel (which the law says shouldn’t be done in hotel rooms in California), and whales to hunt (unlawful in Utah).

What inspired a perfectly law abiding, mild-mannered Englishman to come to America and take on the law? He simply wanted to know why. How did these “only in America” laws come to be, do the police know they exist, and would they care if he broke them? So with his best mate, Bateman, by his side—and at the ready should bail be required—Smith set out to break the law in the United States.

Part road trip, part chronicle of the absurdity of human behavior, part search for the ultimate in roadkill, You Can Get Arrested for That follows Smith and Bateman on their not quite Bonnie and Clyde adventure.

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Please Rate these Book Reviews

Kayote B. (kayote) wrote on 12/12/2008...


The story of two Englishmen who found a book of silly US laws and set out to spend a summer breaking as many as possible. And the back claims he wants to know why.

This is...a really good idea for a book, but it sounded more like someone telling you about their vacation. Which lots of people do, and very few have the skills to turn it into an interesting story, let alone a book. This one was an interesting enough story to rescue it somewhat (though I think they spent most of their time drinking), but the recurring humor wasn't really funny the first time, there was no discussion of the whys of any of the laws (despite the back claiming this as part of the book).

The roundabouts was amusing to me, because my SO spent time in England and loved roundabouts, and it drives him nuts that the couple we have in this town none of us US folks have a clue how to use (and the lack of signs means no one learns). But that was just a personal amusement, more from my situation than the book.

This isn't to say the book didn't have its amusing parts. It's just I had hopes for it being very entertaining, and it came out as overall mildly amusing.

Amanda B. (aebonnett) wrote on 10/11/2008...


This is a really quick and easy read. We all know that America has some pretty strange laws. Two British men travel around the United States looking to break some of these laws. For example, in Chicago it is illegal to fish in your pajamas, but they do it anyway. I really enjoyed reading this book and at times it really cracked me up.

Candy B. (candieb) wrote on 1/15/2008...


This was a little boring at times (a little too much information at times), but was fun. What a great holiday, traipse across America acting silly. Note, you can see picture evidence of them breaking the laws at http://www.rich-smith.net/slideshow.html - some of the laws are pretty silly, and even if they weren't "real laws on the books anymore", it doesn't matter. It was fun. A decent read.

Gina H. (kyrasmom) wrote on 8/7/2006...


Humorous account of two young Englishmans attempt to break outrageous laws in America. Good, but read it in an English accent and it's even funnier.


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