Reviews (4)

Bush
"....otherwise [the book] is two covers surrounding emptiness."
Love It
I decided to post a review because I'm responding to the one below. I actually loved this book. Bush is made to look like a fool because he is a fool and then some. If you are a big fan of George W Bush than buying this book is probably a mistake but if you are like the rest of us, it's a lot of fun and quite informative. The fact is it's funny. period. It's nice to have for the cover alone. I'm giving it for Christmas gifts this year.

Not funny
Anybody -- anybody -- can be made to look a fool if he has been recorded enough and spoken enough.Liberals don't understand that W is a superb manager and scorn him because he is not a polished speaker.I'd rather have a solid manager than an articulate pol in charge of the country.You might enjoy this book if you are a liberal wishing to confirm his or her prejudices, but otherwise it is two covers surrounding emptiness. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Humor    2. Quotations    3. Topic - Political    4. Humor / Political    5. Reference-Quotations   

Reviews (55)

Efron Is Real
As a university professor originally from New York City and definitely past the "baby Boomer" stage, I still found time to read Nora's essays and thoroughly enjoyed them."Sleepless in Seattle" and "You've Got Mail," are not "Hilarious" as so many people expect, but rather poignant portrayals of real-life human dilemmas presented in a lighter voice.Nora has been the one who can capture the rare moment within the chaos of reality, and her essays in the "neck" book do just that. This was obviously not meant to be the "book of the year," but a snapshot of the woman behind the captivating novels and films.The essays allow us to see that, she too, is aging with the rest of us, and it comes on all so quickly.I plan on gifting this book for the holidays, along with Gangi's "Forget The Cures, Find The Cause," and "Crazy Salad."The combination will help to get many minds and bodies on a better track.

A disappointment
I ran to get a copy of Nora Ephron's newest book, as I always liked her work. I'm glad I didn't spend the money, and instead got it from the library. I expected a very funny book that would be filled with wisdom and wit. Instead I found a slightly funny book that lacked originality and really had nothing to say. It would be too harsh to call it self-indulgent, but in a way it was. So she had a rent-controlled apartment that she loved, so parenting has changed,and so she has to dye her hair (often). Yawn yawn.
Women (and men) Will Love This Book
I was one of the 5 women in Azzarella's car going to Rayna Gangi's book signing(another great book, by the way) and all of us are at least over 50.Nora, the Golden Girls, even Oprah, will love these stories. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aging    2. American Satire And Humor    3. Form - Essays    4. Humor    5. Women's Studies - General    6. Humor / Essays   

Editorial Review

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Features

• Box set

Reviews (125)

Bravo, Mr. Watterson, Bravo.
Calvin and Hobbes is quite plainly a timeless calssic. Just as Charles M Shultz's The Penuts Gang, Calvin and Hobbes brings so many emotions to the table it's not even fathomable. It will heartwarm you, bring back childhood memories, pick you up when your down, make you laugh, chuckle and quite possible cry. I have read almost every Calvin and Hobbes book, aside from the tenth aniversery and no matter how many times I read one I can always read it again. Calvin and Hobbes only lasted ten years, yes that's right, ten short years. Although Bill Watterson has refused many pleas for more, his comics are just as special.
25 pounds in comics!
This is an absolute musthave for all Calvin and Hobbes fans.I had to use almost all my birthday money to buy this treasury collection, but it was worth the price.This set has three hardbound books fitted into 1 slipcase and I found out that to get the books out you had to tip the set so the books would slide out.The pages are thick but instead of stiched they're glued to the spine.Watterson's brilliant watercolor really stood out and made the pictures come to life.The set includes an introduction by Watterson and comics he drew earlier including an earlier version of Calvin and Hobbes.These books are very heavy so don't put it on your bookcase unless it's strong enough.No family is complete without this collection especially if you're a kid.

COME BACK CALVIN!
This is the defintive collection on this iconic comic strip.It is beautifully presented and a fitting tribute to Calvin and his stuffed tiger.Everytime I see the comics section of a paper I think of Calvin and Hobbes and am reminded of how consitant and quality this strip was; it is missed everyday.I can't imagine anyone not loving this collection, it is quite simply, the best.Come back Calvin, we miss you... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Comic books, strips, etc    2. Comics & Cartoons    3. General    4. Humor    5. Cartoons & comic strips    6. Comics & Graphic Novels / Comics & Cartoons   

Reviews (9)

Pretty & Pretty Clever
The first thing to notice about this Lost Girls collection is how beautiful it is.The artwork is very attractive and it comes as three large volumes in a boxed set that is reminiscent of the collections of fairy tales the authors are emulating.Of course, you wouldn't want to inadvertently leave this on your child's bookshelf because this is a collection that is clearly for adults.
Vulgarity Without Redemption
What we have here is Moore retelling the stories of "Peter Pan", "Alice in Wonderland" and "The Wizard of Oz".He strips the tales of their fantasy elements, placing the characters of Wendy, Alice and Dorothy in real life situations of sexual awakening.Of course the idea of fairy tales and folklore carrying at their heart, themes of sexuality, is nothing new, but here Moore puts aside any pretense of masking those themes behind the fantastic.
Adults Only Reimagined Fairy Tales
Suppose you actually met Dorothy from Wizard of Oz or Wendy from Peter Pan and they at down to tell you the strange sordid tales of their lives before and after the worlds fpound in the books that made them famous. Then suppose they invited you up for a spot of tea and some sexual adventures. Sound strange? No more than this tome of sexually explicit tales that the most famous characters in childhood literature recount to one another over tea and crumpets. Well, not really cumpets, but it sure sounds British, doesn't it. Buy this only if you have a deeper understanding of sexual literature and the dark world of Alan Moore, one of the greatest authors in the history of the comic book. This i not a book for children, but it's also not an illustrated Ribald Tale that used to pop up in Playboy. It delves deeply into the psychology of sex and hints that our favorite characters from Peter Pan etc. were actually quite mad. Moore tries his best to acknowledge Freud's tenet that all of human emotions are derived from the depths of our sexual core and that such dreams and thoughts reflect the very basis of all human behavior. This is not for children or even young adults as the illustrations, which are very graphic, can obscure the very witty and intelligent dialogue when viewed by the immature mind. It is the storyline that makes this effort so attractive and at the same time repulsive to the reader but it is at the very worst stimulating reading and at the very best..well.. stimulating reading. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Comics & Graphic Novels    2. General    3. Graphic Novels    4. Graphic Novels - General    5. Humor    6. Comics & Graphic Novels / General   

Reviews (66)

World War Z Makes This Reader Want MORE
Max Brooks' shamblingly good World War Z made this zombie-genre-fan want more, more, more. This "oral history" chronicles the stories of many who fought in and survived the zombie wars. If any one of their stories were expanded into a full-length novel, I would snap it up. I'm sure he's already been asked, but I must add my voice to the clamor: Please, Max Brooks, if youhave a third zombie book in you, write one that follows a protagonist from start to finish so we can go even further into the scary, creepy, wonderful world you've created.
A cut above genre
Zombies as a genre fit overwhelmingly into a visual medium, and there have been quite a few great zombie movies, "Night of the Living Dead", "Sean of the Dead", "28 Days Later",as well as some fun zombie graphic novels, "Marvel Zombies".Zombies are simple creatures that translate well to visuals with their sole moviation of kill, eat and infect. In "World War Z" Max Brooks takes on the zombie genre in the form of an intelligent oral history from the survivors of the global epidemic. Each chapter is the story told from a different survivor and organized chronologically from the start of the infections in China, throught the rise of zombies globally, the human resistance, and eventual human triumph. How do you translate the zombie genre from their success in the visual mediums into prose form? Mr. Brooks does exceedingly well by telling the human side of the horror story.
Worthy Read for Zombie Lovers
A fun read that has a bit of difficulty maintaining a tone. Is this serious, sometimes its very serious, at others a bit comicbooky - as the narrative of war against the undead unfolds we have some rather uneven snap shots - but the highs definitely outweigh the lows. Recommend reading for Zombie or survival fiction enthusiasts. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Satire And Humor    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - Men'sAdventure    4. Humor    5. Humorous    6. War    7. War & Military    8. Fiction / General   

Reviews (64)

As informative and insightful as his TV show!
Olbermann - whose journalistic work could prove him to be this century's Edward R. Murrow - has written a fine alternative to Bernie Goldberg's "100 People Who Are Screwing Up America" that's far more witty and not nearly as one-sided...for those who deride him as another lackey of the "liberal media", I suggest you take a look back @ his coverage of Lewinskygate during the Clinton administration.
Bill O'Reilly wannabe
Give me a break. . . People you have got to be more intelligent than this.All this guy does is essentially ride Bill O'Reilly's coat tails.He's looked at what Mr. O'Reilly has done with his career, realized that he is not even CLOSE to being able to beat him at his own game, so he becomes the "anti-O'Reilly" wow - what a novel (and idiotic) concept.Keith Olbermann is a Bill O'Reilly wannabe - and can't even come close to measuring up.I thought this book was more of a typical liberal whining session.BORING and TERRIBLY PREDICTABLE!!Don't waste your money on this one. . . go check your neighbor's trash dumpster for a copy.

Great book coffee table book
While this book does not look like the typical coffee table book (no pictures) it is a great book to keep somewhere handy for those moments when you have a little time to kill.The stories are incredibly funny and enjoyable, and don't take very long to read at all.While all of them appeared on tv during Keith O's show, the ones I remembered were still funny the second time.Love his show, and love his book!
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Subjects:  1. American Satire And Humor    2. Celebrities    3. Conduct of life    4. History & Theory - General    5. Humor    6. Miscellanea    7. Politics / Current Events    8. Topic - Political    9. United States    10. Political Science / General   

Reviews (6)

I was literally sent downstairs for laughing too loud.
Seriously.I was up past bedtime, and I was reading Bryson's description of lame 1950's toys.I won't give it away, but imagine what he can do with the topic of "electric football".After a particularly vigorous episode of chortling, my wife trudged out of bed to decree that, if I insisted on continuing to read, I'd have to take it downstairs.
The FUNNIEST book I have read in years!!!
This is a wonderful, funny, and ultimately very human book, which reminds us all, no matter who we are or where we live (I'm Australian) of the total joys of a happy childhood.
A pure joy.
So far as I can tell, there are only 2 problems with Bill Bryson.First, he writes about his life, which means he has to go live it for a while before he can write another book.So he can't write constantly, which is about the only pace likely to keep up with my appetite for his work.Second, he doesn't live near me, so I can't visit him to catch up between books.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Bryson, Bill    6. Childhood Memoir    7. General    8. Humor    9. Iowa - Local History    10. Literary    11. Personal Memoirs    12. Regional Subjects - Midwest    13. Travel writers    14. United States    15. Voyages And Travels    16. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs   

Reviews (10)

Perfect book for Newhart fans
Seeing on Amazon that there is an audio CD of this book makes me wish I had listened to that instead. If only to hear the amazingly funny stories that Bob tells so well. This book is like a breath of fresh air for all those who enjoy Bob Newhart's subtle and yet hysterical brand of comedy. Reading this book makes me wish his fantastic TV shows were still on in syndication somewhere. He tells his life story with the same dry wit that he tells all of his jokes.This book is a must for anyone who is a Newhart fan.

ENJOYABLE, BUT SLIGHT.
I've recently rediscovered THE BOB NEWHART SHOW on DVD and it more than stands up to my memory of it being one of the funniest TV comedies of the '70s.I was also a fan of NEWHART in the '80s and Bob's deadpan performance at this year's Emmys made me laugh out loud.So the release of Newhart's autobiography dovetailed nicely with my renewed interest in Mr. Newhart and I was especially curious to read his recollections of his years on television.
Good For Getting Your Mind Off Other Things
"I Shouldn't Even Be Doing This" is Bob Newhart's biography, with whimsical insights into his early life, tentative beginnings in comedy, and then on to "The Bob Newhart" show and stardom.As one would expect, the book is both laidback and interesting; even better it helps fill your mind with more relaxing thoughts after being broadsided with countless stories about Rep. Foley, North Korea's "bomb" (?), Iraq, Iran's pursuit of nuclear (?), Woodward's latest book, falling house prices, the stock market bubble (part II), and Barbra Streisland's latest outburst.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography And Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Comedians    7. Entertainment & Performing Arts - Actors & Actresses    8. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    9. Personal Memoirs    10. Television actors and actresses    11. United States    12. Biography & Autobiography / Entertainment & Performing Arts    13. Biography: general    14. Humour   

Reviews (181)

terrific lampooning of the genre
THE ZOMBIE SURVIVAL GUIDE is a terrific lampooning of the genre as Max Brooks (with illustrator Max Werner) warns people to take these attacks seriously or else within twenty-three hours be dead and reanimated as a slow limping creature (that is why they instinctively hunt in packs).Mr. Brooks provides a historical perspective over the millenniums of documented Zombie attacks and what to do and more important not to do when the real judgment day occurs as the dead rise to increase their ranks.Filled with tips on combat (if a choice flight rather than fight), key supplies (two pairs of socks), and how not to lose loved ones to a Zombie.Readers will find this an amusing satire on survival, horror movies and books, and George Romero as obviously Max squared have insider information that a zombie traitor must have leaked, but the humor holds up better by reading small bites over time.
F**KING BRILLIANT!!!
I expected to be disappointed with this book . . . but it is destined to be a classic!And when I read the section on "zombie outbreaks throughout history," it was written so convincingly that I actually did a series of Google searches to see what came up!Apparently, the guvmint has suppressed all mention of these events . . . .
Great Read.
This book is a wonderful piece of fiction. I hesitate to really call it "humor", because while I find it amusing that the book is presented as deathly serious, it doesn't really make me laugh while reading it. Rather, I think this book is just well-designed as a no-nonsense guide to living through a Zombie attack. Perhaps the best thing about the book is that it advises you NOT to be a hero, it warns against trying to take on hordes of undead. It tells you to be reasonable; avoid confrontation unless necessary. It treats its reader as an average suburbanite.
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Subjects:  1. Form - Parodies    2. General    3. Humor    4. Monsters    5. Zombies    6. Humor / General   

Reviews (33)

You're kidding me, right?
Not insightful, not even humorous. I am willing to admit that maybe I just don't get his writing style, whatever that might be. I hope Mr. Rakoff gets into a new line of work

Well Written, but Non-Productive
This is some brilliant writing.It moves right along, it keeps you interested, and it has a very clear voice and strong point of view.I defintely think it's worth reading, but it's like a bucket of KFC -- delicious, satisfying, but probably bad for you.

ShoppersParadise
If you're like a man like me, you hate to shop. But my wife is a shopaholic, that's why I've found this book to be so delightful, I didn't actually have to leave the house, to go shopping. Too bad it doesn't really count with my wife, I'm going to the mall where I'll sit on anything stationary this afternoon
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Subjects:  1. American - General    2. American Satire And Humor    3. Essays    4. Form - Essays    5. Humor    6. Social Science    7. Sociology    8. Social Science / Essays   

Reviews (2)

"Welcome to 1962!"
It's almost 45 years since Sally uttered this rather sarcastic prophecy to Linus after he filled her ears with tales of the Great Pumpkin (much of this story featured here in The Complete Peanuts Volume 6 would later make its way in It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown).The cartoons in this anthology would be featured in Holt paperbacks such as We're On Your Side, Charlie Brown, You Can't Win, Charlie Brown, Snoopy Come Home and You Can Do It, Charlie Brown.Other cartoons featured here would include one of the 1st Beethoven birthday parties hosted by Schroeder (featured on the cover of this volume), though one year he'd forget Beethoven's birthday and sink into a deep depression and would resign as catcher in order to devote more time to practicing his piano ("You're what?!" asks a devastated Charlie Brown, several times).Also, a new character named Frieda would make her debut.She was known for her vanity ("How do you like my naturally curly hair?") and harrassing Snoopy ("Why aren't you chasing rabbits?").She would later get a cat to spite Snoopy, whose attitude towards cats is typical of any dog "Cats are the crabgrass in the lawn of modern life!"Also, one of the great characters you never saw in person is mentioned quite a bit in the Van Pelt household- Linus's blanket hating grandma!Linus defends his blanket after being teased by Violet and Patty ("I am the Count Dracula of Transylvania!") and takes the brunt by a disappointed Sally after a night of sitting in the pumpkin patch.In 1962, he'd be featured wearing glasses, which Snoopy would often steal, along with his blanket.He and Charlie Brown are best buddies, though Charlie Brown doesn't share his beliefs in the Great Pumpkin and they get in an argument when Charlie Brown reveals to Linus that Miss Othmar gets paid for teaching (imagine the shock and depression when Linus discovers Charlie Brown is right!).He pulls a fast one on big sister Lucy, congratulating her for being crabby at him every day for over a year.Charlie Brown has trouble flying a kite (he almost buys a kite until Lucy preaches to him how cruel that would be to the kite!) and is bereaved when his baseball hero Joe Shlabotnik is sent to the minors (he stays loyal to his baseball hero, for the "blockhead" knows quite well the agony of defeat).He is given his own t-shirt which reads "Manager" and will not call off a ballgame just because of rain (Linus erects a wooden shade to protect him) and this is one of the only times his team wins a game!But he takes a chance on stealing home and slide as he might, he doesn't make it and becomes the goat again.Lucy gives some advice for free "The sooner you forget about it, the sooner everybody else will.Good night, goat!"Shermy says "Well, Charlie Brown, there a lots of pills we must swallow."Charlie Brown says he'd rather cancel his prescription!Charlie Brown admits he wishes he could be known as "Flash" Brown!The Van Pelts get a pool table and the entire Peanuts gang gets upset when their mothers spend more time playing pool than taking care of them.Sally is thrilled to get her own library card, gets frustrated with jumpropes and fears entering Kindergarten.Lucy is still Lucy, crabby to Linus ("Am I buttering too loud for you?")and Charlie Brown("AUUUUGH!"), she's hopelessly in love with Schroeder (painfully, too, since he often yanks the piano away from her head!) though admittedly the "fussbudget" knows nothing about his hero Beethoven after the Beethoven shindig and offers advice for anyone who has 5 cents (quite often good ol' wishy washy Charlie Brown).Snoopy's imagination still runs wild as he makes friends with a snowman who melts before his eyes and imitates a ferocious vulture, much to the chagrin of the Peanuts gang.As you can guess, Snoopy is less than thrilled with rabbit chasing (he'd rather make friends with them) and the prototype of Woodstock is featured here (though it'd be 8 years before he'd be introduced by name).The beagle gets a turkey as a Christmas present and reflects "Happiness is a thoughtful friend!"Also, look forward to an intro by Diana Krall, who like Schroeder, is an accomplished pianist.

Waiting eagerly...
This series is going to be a regular drain on my bank balance for the coming decade, as that is how long it is going to take Fantagraphics to finish publsihing this collection, if they stick to their published schedule.
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Subjects:  1. Comics & Cartoons    2. Comics & Graphic Novels    3. General    4. Humor    5. Comics & Graphic Novels / Comics & Cartoons   

Features

• Box set

Reviews (1)

Complete 2-book Set : Identical as the books sold separately only cheaper!
The Complete Peanuts is definitely complete! It's a real collectors' item! Hats off to Fantagraphics Books for initiating such an ambitious project though their release schedule (releasing only two books every year - it will take twelve and a half years before the entire collection is published) leaves one frustrated.
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Subjects:  1. Comics & Cartoons    2. Comics & Graphic Novels    3. General    4. Humor    5. Comics & Graphic Novels / Comics & Cartoons   

Reviews (4)

Steve....the ultimate humorist!
Being an avid fan of Fox & Friends already, having watched it for years & years, when I knew Steve was writing a book - first thing I thought, this will be a smash hit! He's hilarious on the show and I knew that it would leak over to his book. I had to get a copy & was the first one in my town that bought one!Unfortunately, not with an autograph :(((
Funniest book I've read in a long time...
I really enjoyed this book. Doocy's humor is so random and dead-on when it comes to marriage, diapers, and snakes. It's a perfect wedding gift, and cheaper than china.

Hilarious: You're About To Laugh So Hard - So Make Sure You're Close To A Bathroom!
Hilarious!
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Subjects:  1. General    2. Humor    3. Love / Sex / Marriage    4. Marriage    5. Psychology    6. Self-Help    7. Marriage & relationships    8. Self-Help / General   

Editorial Review

Beginning with the "10 Greatest Lies About Pregnancy" (number 10: Lamaze works), and ending with postpartum dementia, Vicki Iovine's Read more

Reviews (881)

LOVED this book.Kept me laughing all the way!
I have recommended this book to several of my expecting friends, and each of them have equally loved it.I needed the laughter during my lonely pregnancy, and this book provided 100%.
Fun and Frustrating
"The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy" is a difficult book to rate. Vicki Iovine's honesty and sense of humor about pregnancy deserves 5 stars.If you find pregnancy difficult for even a moment, this book will be a great comfort to you.It is a delightful antidote to the dry, frightening pregnancy books that flood the market.
This Book Is Great!!!
I loved it!I thought it was honest and fun.Vicki does a great job of letting you know how it is, while giving you suggestions on getting through it.I look forward to reading her other books. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Child Care/Parenting    2. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    3. General    4. Pregnancy    5. Pregnancy & Childbirth    6. Topic - Family    7. Family & Relationships / General    8. Humour    9. Pregnancy, birth & baby care   

Editorial Review

David Sedaris became a star autobiographer on public radio, onstage in New York, and on bestseller lists, mostly on the strength of "SantaLand Diaries," a scathing, hilarious account of his stint as a Christmas elf at Macy's. (It's in two separate collections, both worth owning, Read more

Reviews (637)

Caution, this book will make you laugh....hard.
I reread this recently and I laughed as much as I did the first time I read it.David Sedaris is quite a national treasure even though most people don't know who he is!His writing is wonderful, poignant, sentimental and hilarious.The man knows how to write well and you can tell he continues to love his craft.
Don't take life too seriously. You'll never get out alive.
David Sedaris just might be the funniest man alive.
Me tAlK PRettY ONe DAY
"I know the thing that you speak exact now. Talk me more, you, plus, please, plus," Says David Sedaris, "talking pretty" in his book, Me tAlK PRettY ONe DAY. (page 173) The quote above is from a story about the absurdities of taking French lessons. The book is a collection of funny memoirs about such awful experiences as speech therapy in elementary school, his father forcing him to take guitar lessons from a midget and moving to France and not being able to speak French. Most of the stories center around his bizarre siblings and parents, including his obsessively swearing brother Paul, his alcoholic, chain-smoking mom and his drama-obsessed sister Amy. As the book progresses the stories take place later in his life and follow him into adulthood. We see him growing older but still being the same timid, disturbed outsider. While this book is not part of a series, David Sedaris has written many other humor books like it, such as Naked, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, Barrel Fever and Holidays on Ice.
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Subjects:  1. Americans    2. Essays    3. Form - Essays    4. France    5. Humor    6. Paris    7. Paris (France)    8. Humor / Essays    9. American Satire And Humor   

Editorial Review