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: Liberal, moderate, conservative, undecided? This book is for YOU
Summary: 4 Stars
Here is the great thing about this book. You don't have to care about the writer's stance (whatever that is) and you'll STILL be laughing your head off. You don't have to feel guilty (but if it makes you feel good, go ahead) and can just sit back and enjoy this for all sorts of reasons.
If you've watched Colbert, you know what to expect, which is leading you in one direction and then...whoops!...a sudden unpredictable turn and hijacking of subject matter.
This comes complete with his own brand of humor which, thank goodness, doesn't require SO much thought that you can 't take this book into the bathroom with you or read it before you fall asleep. It is ready for you to read half-heartedly or with total devotion. Take your pick. It'll meet you halfway or even more.
Just one caution: don't read it where people might care if you burst into hysterical laughter. You might not want to try and read it surreptitiously in a business meeting, for instance, or during a really boring lecture, not unless you are trying to get ejected from the room or get a "mental health day" or even total lack of job security.
Book Review: Good translation of his show to book form
Summary: 4 Stars
If you are considering this book, make sure you watch the author's television show, The Colbert Report, first. That will tell you what to expect. I think most people who enjoy the show will enjoy this book. I was a bit skeptical of whether Colbert's quick style wit and banter would translate well to book form.
I found that the margin notes and table and figures are what made this book funny. It is that part of it that captures the spirit of his show. The fact that every element of this book (including the dedication, the liner, and the index) are done facetiously is what makes it work. Best of all, there is satisfaction of knowing that, like the show, there will be those who get a deeper grasp of Colbert's humor than the crowd who thinks he is just lampooning conservatives. He is doing much more.
I felt this was a very good translation of the show into a book format. The one complaint I have (minor) is that there really isn't a lot of material here. In fact, the part I enjoyed most was the transcript of his famous White House Correspondent's Dinner speech. I had never read it before. That was truly hilarious.
Book Review: The Art of Ironic Humor
Summary: 4 Stars
With a few exceptions, this book didn't have me laughing out loud or bring any tears to my eyes. This however, is not to suggest that this book is devoid of any humorous content. Far from it. The book is funny; it's just that the hilarity is more along the lines of bringing a smile to your face or causing one to chuckle a few times than it is laugh uncontrollably funny.
I should note that the type of humor in this book is overwhelmingly ironic in nature, so if witty type of humor isn't what you enjoy, this book is going to strike you as a bunch of nonsense and a waste of your time. For those of you used to Colbert's brand of him though, you'll encounter that familiar irony welding funny man you're accustom to. The book reads like a transcript of his show, just not as funny; the closest the book comes to matching his show comedic greatness is when it uses notes in the margins and footnotes, to mimic his The Word feature. At times this is highly successful.
In the end then, the book is not as funny as it could have been, but nonetheless it is definitely funny enough to purchase.
Book Review: Oh...My...God...Outrageously Funny!
Summary: 5 Stars
By now it is becoming a cliché that this book will make you laugh in the checkout line, but it is just so true (actually happened here). From the arched eyebrow on the cover to the stupid smile on the back and all the nonsense in between, Stephen Colbert is outrageous!
"I Am America" is just what America needs: nonstop laughs and heavily sarcastic political commentary. Mr. Colbert does this by laying out his vision for his America in three sections, covering everything from parenting--"A father has to be...a distant authority figure who can never be pleased. Otherwise, how will children ever understand the concept of God?"--to religion--"Do all dogs go to heaven? Only if they've accepted Christ"--to how to dance when dating--"the Colbert Shuffle," (instructions inside). The side comments are equally gut-busting.
This is even funnier than Jon Stewart's awesome "America." Whether it was really dictated or not, who cares. Stephen Colbert is awesome. The 2006 Presidential Dinner speech is here, too. Get it, and be America (or at least part of the Colbert Nation).
Book Review: I read the first chapter
Summary: 3 Stars
I read the first chapter.
It didn't catch my attention.
It didn't make me laugh.
All that happened while reading the first chapter was that I felt like I'd heard it before.
Perhaps it's a mockery of bloviated personalities that I haven't read previously.
I don't read rush limbaugh books and hope that I never will.
But Colbert's pompous opening: that he never actually reads books and dictated the book over a weekend didn't capture my attention. His mockery of goose-stepping conservatives failed to light my comedy fire.
I wasn't entertained.
At all.
If you disagree, please point me to a chapter that is obviously amazing and full of wisdom/sarcastic humor.
please.
I'll read it.
I've enjoyed Colbert in the past and hope to in the future.
I desperately want to enjoy Colbert's comedic genius.
Sincerely
A disappointed fan.