I Am America (And So Can You!)
by Stephen Colbert
|
List Price: Our Price: $3.94 You Save: $23.05 (85%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of I Am America (And So Can You!)
Book Review: Ok, but not the show.
Summary: 3 Stars
Every time I watch the Colbert Report, I get a great abdominal workout and a facelift from its hilariousness, so why not expect the same from a book? But maybe because of the lack of his voice (His tones and shows of emotion) it didn't turn out half as funny as the show. The side comments and footnotes are definitely tedious; side notes appear in the left and right margins on almost every page, and I found myself groaning when a superscripted number appeared at the end of a word or sentence; it ruins the flow of my reading and, generally, I avoid reading footnotes, but I did here in hopes that something it said would inspire uncontrollable laughter. Not so. I agree with other three-star reviewers in that it definitely displays a few hilarious sections, not many, though. It seems like he struggled to put it all together. In fact, one of the funniest parts of the book is the speech he made at the presidential party, which contained the subtleties that could be a better spark for a book. The extreme satirical right-wing ideology just doesn't work in the book.
There are also serious mistakes in here that seem to denote the book was published in haste and poorly written and edited. Let's just hope that the writer's strike ends soon and Stephen's better half can overrule this overall pretty sorry display of his actual merit.
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: The Colbert Report in book form
Summary: 3 Stars
Pros:
+ Witty satire galore.
+ Typical Colbert attitude.
+ Nice use of visuals and extras.
Cons:
- Is not sufficiently different from the show itself.
In "I Am America (And So Can You!)" Stephen keeps up his witty portrayal of a self-absorbed, opinionated right winger by telling us his character's views on everything from sports to homosexuality. The book is certainly funny enough. There are a particularly large number of laughs to be had from the extras tacked onto the chapters such as excerpts from Stephen's life, the footnotes, and the charts.
The disappointing thing about this book, however, is that it basically reads like one long, average episode of The Colbert Report. What is the problem with this for someone who loves the show, you may ask? Well, basically the idea of paying twenty dollars for something that I can already catch on television every night. I would also expect the book to go above and beyond the usual show fare, saving up the best jokes and ideas. I don't get the sense that this was done at all. There is nothing special about this book. Fans will certainly get some laughs, but it isn't anything that you are going to be talking about months from now.
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: Soooooooo Superficial (And That's Colbert!)
Summary: 2 Stars
Big, big difference between amusing and funny. Will Ferrell skating with Jon Heder is funny. Throwing a Baby Ruth candy bar in a crowded swimming pool is funny. Sending a Faber College parade into tumultuous chaos is funny. Heck, even Michael Moore is funny (especially when he's trying not to be funny).
Amusing is watered-down humor: A toddler playing with his diaper; a lawyer dropping his briefcase; Bill Clinton chastising the media. Amusing is okay, it's just. . .superficial. Which could not better describe self-aggrandizing Stephen Colbert's tepid tome I AM AMERICA (AND SO CAN YOU!). Colbert's deadpan parody of morally crusading conservatism mildly entertains--even is warmly amusing in places--but still reeks of superficiality.
In other words, this book isn't very funny. And all the margin notes annoyed the tiddlywinks out of me.
You want funny in a book of satire and/or parody pick up Al Franken or early Rush Limbaugh (heavier then, but funnier) or even Glenn Beck (only after drinking heavily). Leave Colbert's I AM AMERICA (AND SO CAN YOU!) in your lawyer's briefcase. No doubt he will be amused.
--D. Mikels, Author, Walk-On
(A very, very, very, very good book. . .)