I Am America (And So Can You!) by Stephen Colbert
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Book Reviews of I Am America (And So Can You!)
Book Review: Funny read for fans of the show
Summary: 5 Stars
As someone who watches The Colbert Report fairly regularly, buying this book was a no-brainer. I loved John Stewart's America (The Book), and so I was expecting something similar here; what I got mostly met my expectations. I Am America reads almost exactly like watching Colbert's show. The frequent notes in the margins reminded me of his "The Word" feature. The overall setup is similar to America (The Book), except that instead of focusing on American history as Stewart did, Colbert tackles the various problems facing America today, such as immigrants, Hollywood, gays, and the like. I nice bonus is the entire transcript from Colbert's infamous speech at the 2006 White House Correspondents' Dinner.
I found Colbert's satirical, ultra-conservative take to be highly amusing, and I often found myself smiling as I read the book. However, I did not experience the almost-constant laugh-out-loud moments that I did when reading Stewart's America (The Book). Furthermore, I found that Colbert's frequent (virtually every page) use of both margin notes AND footnotes to be a bit distracting; it made the book feel a bit choppy and difficult to read. Overall, however, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to Colbert fans, giving it a final rating of 4 1/2 stars.
Book Review: Colbert Continues to Command
Summary: 5 Stars
As long as Stephen Colbert has been performing, he's been writing. This is a brilliant man in full command of a comedic sensibility that has been delighting me for many years. When I discovered that a book would be released written in the tone of the right-wing blow-hard character that he has created for The Colbert Report, I was thrilled. When I finally got my hands on a copy (not easy to do at first, since I live in the UK), I was not disappointed in the least.
Colbert loses none of the bombastic style of his alter ego, and the observations made are riotously funny. The section where he describes all one needs to know to have a college education is perfection. I also loved his chapter on the dominance over animals (love to Gipper!)
I have heard from many, many people that Stephen Colbert, in real life, is a mild-mannered, kind man who is polite and decent. To read the rants of the egomaniacal jerk he's created to lampoon the screaming heads on television (whoever yells the loudest wins, apparently) is a bit surreal, but never unsatisfying.
I look eagerly forward to more from Stephen Colbert, in whatever media he uses to share it. No matter how I get to experience his humor, I know I'll be in for a treat.
Book Review: Not for non-Americans, old people, non-white poeple, non-Christians, animals, or aliens
Summary: 5 Stars
Waste of money!!!! I bought (stole) this book with the understanding that it's so called "insights" into America would help me understand the country. I was mistaken. All of its advice- everything from "Old People and Animals", to "Homosexuals and Immigrants" was entirely WRONG...and insulting. I unfortunately learned this the hard way upon using his advice from his chapter "Homosexuals" and suggested to my homosexual buddy that we should throw all homosexuals into prison because "most people in prison are homosexual anyway" and that "God said so." (Use when confronted with the question "Why?")
Whether Colbert specifically wrote this book out of misguided patriotism.... or whether he's simply retarded I do not know. He thinks Americans are "holy" and makes foreigners feel like "non-Americans", which deeply hurt my feelings. Furthermore, his so-called "Steven Colbert Award" printed on the front cover... isn't even a real award! Ok on a serious note, the book was not as great as the show; many of its pages being filled with tasteless comedy and cheap laughs. Great bathroom book. Should have given it 3 stars instead of five.
note* (Upon writing this review I was unaware that Alaska was in-fact part of the United States)
Book Review: The Book is about the best parts of the TV show. Hilarious
Summary: 5 Stars
Very Funny Book, whihc reads alot like Colberts "The Word" portion of his show whihc IMO is the best part of his show.
I enjoyed this immensely and if you LIKE Colbert, than you will enjoy this book. If you do not like Colbert (or are simply being told you don't like him), why read, buy or review this book?
I find it mystifying why some people come on to review the book when they clearly have no interest in it what soever. I guess if they throw out the 1 star reviews and say it sucks, those who do enjoy it, will for some reason NOT buy it? Whatever.
The extent that these people go is very funny. Like the reviewer who said that the book was being scabbed out becuase the writers of the book, who are also the shows writers, were currently on strike?
That was a good one. ANd it would be worth listening to if not for the fact that the Book was released on Oct 9th 2007, nearly one month BEFORE the Writers Guild Strike that started on Nov 5th, 2007.
I guess they shouldn't reair shows that the writers wrote becuase that would weaken their bargaining chip too?
Oy. Facts. They always get in the way of a good story!
Hawk
Book Review: The best book I haven't yet read
Summary: 5 Stars
I don't need to read the book to know it's brilliant -- Stephen Colbert has already told me it is and I believe him because it came from his gut. Lots of things come from his gut but now is not the time to delve into scatological musings. So yes, this book is the greatest book yet written this month, I have bought a copy for myself and will be sure to make photocopies for my friends. You wouldn't mind, would you, Stephen? I think people who can't afford to pay for the truth are still welcome to experience it.
But now that this is over with, when are you going to get back to the real threat at hand, bears? We've been hearing about this book for weeks, wrists for months, but what have I not heard about in all that time? If you read the last sentence, you already know: bears! If you're not talking about them, how do I know they're still out there? One could be in my garbage can right now but I wouldn't be thinking about that, no, because my mind is on wrists. Listen here, I take care of my wrists! They're not what concerns me. I can't take care of bears. Your next book should be about the Gristly Grizzly Gmenance. (the g on gmenace is silent, helps with the visual alliteration.)