📞 Book Review: Stupid 911 Calls (Volume 1) edited by S. Schell (Kindle Edition)
A hilarious, bite-sized collection of real emergency calls that highlight the absurd side of public service—perfect for a quick laugh and a reminder that truth is often stranger than fiction.
🧠 Overview
Originally published in December 2011, Stupid 911 Calls (Volume 1) is a 15-page Kindle short read edited by S. Schell, featuring 45 actual emergency call transcripts submitted by 911 operators across the United States. The book is dedicated to taxpayers—those who unknowingly fund these bizarre moments of public confusion.
This volume is part of a niche genre of real-life humor, offering a glimpse into the daily chaos faced by emergency dispatchers, and the wildly inappropriate, misinformed, or downright ridiculous reasons people call 911.
😂 What You’ll Find
- 🧠 Calls about invisible burglars: “I don’t know, he’s invisible. Only the dog can see him.”
- 🧢 Tin foil hats and brainwaves: “I think my neighbor’s cable TV is sending messages to my brain.”
- 🏖️ Vacation vs. incarceration: “Hi, I’m supposed to go to jail next week, and I need the date changed. I already had vacation plans.”
Each entry is short, punchy, and designed to deliver a quick laugh—making it ideal for casual reading or sharing with friends.
💬 Reader Reception
- ⭐ Amazon rating: 4.0/5 from over 1,500 reviews
- ⭐ Goodreads rating: 3.89/5 from 1,200+ readers
- 📖 Readers love the absurdity, brevity, and real-world authenticity
- 🧾 Some wish it had more context or commentary, but most agree it’s a fun, lighthearted read
“Just enough for a grin of the day!” — Amazon description
⚠️ Considerations
- 📄 Very short format: At 15 pages, it’s more of a novelty than a full book
- 📚 No deep analysis or narrative: Purely a collection of quotes without commentary
- 🧾 Best for humor lovers: Especially those who enjoy real-life absurdity and quick reads
🏁 Final Verdict
Stupid 911 Calls (Volume 1) is a quirky, laugh-out-loud compilation that showcases the bizarre side of emergency dispatch work. If you’re looking for a quick dose of humor or a conversation starter, this Kindle edition delivers exactly what it promises.
