View source for Clients From Hell by ClientsFromHell.net

{{infobox
|title=Clients From Hell
|author=ClientsFromHell.net
|reviewer=Keith Dudhnath
|genre=Humour
|summary=A hilarious collection of user-submitted stories from designers dealing with rude, clueless and demanding clients. Whilst you could just read [http://www.clientsfromhell.net the website], the book has been brilliantly packaged and is great for sharing with friends and family. Bookbag was lucky enough to talk to [[The Interview: Bookbag Talks To The Anonymous Editor|The Anonymous Editor]].
|rating=4
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|isbn=978-0982473931
|paperback=0982473931
|hardback=
|audiobook=
|ebook=B004J4X262
|pages=150
|publisher=Channel V Media
|date=December 2010
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0982473931</amazonuk>
|amazonus=<amazonus>0982473931</amazonus>
|website=http://www.clientsfromhell.net
|video=
}}

Everyone who's worked as a freelancer has a story of a client from hell - that person who asked for something that was impossible, wanted it done yesterday for a fraction of the usual price, or is just plain angry about the work produced. The website [http://www.clientsfromhell.net ClientsFromHell.net] has collated a number of such stories over the years, and has now published them as a book.

It's always tricky when reviewing a book based on a website: the best way for you to get a feel for it is to read the website, and the best way to see if you like it is to read the website. I'm largely an irrelevance. I can tell you that it's put together perfectly (one repeated story aside) and that the selection is a satisfying mix of the clueless, the rude, the absurd, the angry and the demanding. Let's go with a couple of short favourites:

''Can you re-upload the photos on my site? I think they're fading from so many people clicking on them.''

''We don't want anything interactive. We tried the internet once - it didn't do anything.''

''If I was ever going to sexually harass someone, it would definitely be you.''

''All these drawings of dinosaurs... Why can't we just use photos?''

As you'll see, you don't need to be a designer to understand the stories. With a passing knowledge of design and computers, you'll get all the jokes. Even if you don't have the first clue, you'll still be able to see why they're funny. Of course, if you're the sort of person who has their own stories of clients from hell, you'll get the most from it.

User-submitted stories always run the risk of not being true, but one or two possible exceptions aside, the selection process seems spot on. It doesn't take much of a leap of faith to think people are that thick. The standard is very high throughout - I was laughing relentlessly and sharing quote after quote with those around me. ''Clients From Hell'' would make for an excellent bathroom book or a present for the sort of person for whom you don't quite know what to get. It's a light read to dip in and out of, or you could just as happily plough through it in a quick sitting. Either way, you'll have a great time. Recommended.

My thanks to the publishers for sending it to Bookbag.

You'll also howl with laughter at the tongue-in-cheek personal ads in [[They Call Me Naughty Lola by David Rose]]. [[Emails From An Asshole by John Lindsay]] is another book based on a website, which is also brilliantly funny.

{{interviewtext|author=The Anonymous Editor}}

{{amazontext|amazon=0982473931}} {{waterstonestext|waterstones=8447420}}

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