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   

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 (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   

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

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Reviews (577)

Teachers United
As a high school teacher I was surprised and pleasantly amused to hear that Jon Stewart had decided to make a Teacher's Edition of anything.When I found out that a colleague of mine had decided to buy the book and reference it in a History class I thought that I should look it over and see if it was worth its weight in satire.It is definitely worth its weight in something.I find that The Daily Show's viewpoint is refreshing and that Jon Stewart's attempts at unraveling the political veil is essential to what we consider Democracy.The Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction is a good reference and cocktail party conversation starter.I think that most of the book is interesting but I wouldn't want my child to come home and quote verbatim some of the blather that is inside.As a book for the masses sure.As a book intended for teachers no.I suppose that is the joke of it all.No teacher should use this text as a real reference or they would probably end up on 60 Minutes or The Daily Show explaining why their students were arrested for harrassing Supreme Court justices with naked pictures.

FUNNY!!!!!!
If you are a Democrat...you will like it.If you are a Republican...you will probably not like it quite as much.Either way, you cannot deny that this book is HILLARIOUS!

Warning! Hysterical Content!
Wow, this book was so refreshing and funny!Jon Stewart's wit and wisecracks always leaves me in hysterics and this book didn't disappoint.This is book is a farce on US history - but isn't done in a demeaning way..more of a poke fun type of way which is typical of Jon's sense of humor. Really enjoyable! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Satire And Humor    2. History    3. Humor    4. Politics and government    5. Topic - Political    6. United States    7. Humor / Political    8. Bargain   

Reviews (3)

The Get Fuzzy crew at its best
I just bought this book a couple of days ago and have already read most of it. It is another great collection of hilarious cartoons featuring Bucky, Satchel and Rob and their efforts to maintain a happy household. Of course Bucky does his best to keep that from happening. I'm glad it was finally released. It was well worth the wait.

The Best Yet
This is by far the best Get Fuzzy collection to date. It has some of the newer strips, some I've seen in the papers and more than a few that I haven't. Perhaps the funniest is when Bucky takes Smacky to get appraised at one of those traveling antique tv shows. I laughed until I cried. A definite classic Bucky moment. This is Conley at his best.

Renevatio
Sweetness is upon us my friends. life long get fuzzy fan and i tell ya, thar aint no comic out there is better than get fuzzy. es[ecially the new stuff. the new stuff isHILARIOUS.
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Subjects:  1. Comics & Cartoons    2. Comics & Graphic Novels    3. General    4. Graphic Satire And Humor    5. Humor    6. Comics & Graphic Novels / Comics & Cartoons   

Reviews (7)

BUY THIS BOOK!! It might save your life.
This is a slightly edited copy of mail I sent to Andy Borowitz. I seriously needed and loved this book. Please take a chance and buy it. As I said, above, it might save your life. Or at least your mental health!
It's not really a play ...
but it is a tragicomedy. The manipulation and betrayal of American voters may not seem hilarious, but Borowitz shows us humor galore there.
Sharp Satire Shocker!
Andy Borowitz is a genius of political satire! I ordered "The Republican Playbook" and Frank Rich's "The Greatest Story Ever Sold" at the same time. One is fiction, one is non-fiction. One makes me laugh, one makes me cry.
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Subjects:  1. American Satire And Humor    2. American wit and humor    3. Form - Parodies    4. Humor    5. Political Process - Political Parties    6. Political satire, American    7. Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- )    8. Topic - Political    9. United States - 21st Century    10. Humor / Parodies   

Reviews (105)

grand ole' time
Hilarious encounters and stories involving ample idiots and alcohol.A great read, but definitely not for the sensitive types.My female friends and I all loved it!Word for the wise, you need a cynical outlook and sick sense of humor to enjoy.But if you're a slightly twisted individual as myself who has no problem laughing at other's unfortune/stupidity, you will have a field day with this quick and easy read. I may even inspire you to take down some of your own unbelievable stories.

Hilarious
I didn't know how funny a book can be until I was reading this book. I didn't think reading it in public would be that bad, but apparently, bursting out in hysterical laughter on the eliptical machine in the gym is a little frowned upon, especially if I accidentally mension the fact that he shat all over himself during my laugh. I believe I fell in love with Tucker just a little, but too bad he doesn't look as good as he does on the cover, the little chubster. Hopefully, I hear of more encounters with women that aren't blonde haired and blue eyed. He should visit hawaii where he can get more variety.
A hilarious walk down memory lane....
I couldn't put this book down.This was an absolutely hilarious, and sometimes wincingly so, over-the-top account of random "hook-ups" with women that are glimpses of an earlier time in most college aged males lives that, for Mr. Max, seem to continue long past when the majority of us have sold out to marriage, kids, the white picket fence, stable pay check....etc.I found myself thinking during every chapter..."Holy cr**, what if his mother reads this?" Unforturnately fate has a sense of humor and I have three daughters now...maybe I'll have them read this book before they go off to college as a "heads-up" to what is out there.Mr. Max, I'll see you in hell and the first round is on me! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Satire And Humor    2. Conduct of life    3. Humor    4. Men    5. Topic - Adult    6. Tucker, Max    7. Biography: general    8. English    9. Fiction / Humorous    10. Humour    11. USA   

Editorial Review

Lumberjacks, pirates, and Chuck Norris all agree that there is but one arbiter of manliness, and he has but one name: Maddox. The longtime proprietor of the absurdly popular website, The Best Page in the Universe, Maddox has thoughtfully collected his vast masculine wisdom for the first time in a useful reference work, The Alphabet of Manliness. Since men of course communicate with others only under duress, this book may be the sole resource for those starved for answers about basic manly subjects such as urinal etiquette, road rage, and beef jerky.Read more

Reviews (147)

Awesome, bro, I hope the new Maxim is out
Yeah, this isn't funny - at all.
Bow-down, you supplicant pussies
Holy beaver biscuits... I've been in a Jim Beam-soaked kidney buster of a dream for the last 5 months, ever since Maddox sent me his book and I celebrated by bagging the entire PAC 10 cheerleading collective... the smelly skanks deserved it.
Get ready to laugh out loud!
My Goodness, he is an incredible guy and this book is one of the funniest I have ever read. I was wondering why he has so many fans but now I know. He really delivers great, original and very funny content that I read and reread wherever I am not in good mood. I have to agree that the author knows how to entertain and keep you turning the pages. If you missed your Manliness 101 and 202 then you will want to get a copy and even pair it with scientfically guaranteed male multiple orgasms and ultimate sex for even greater score with the ladies. Some of the guys here claim that due to the humor in this outstanding book you will grow extra hair. Well I didn't observe such "side effects" but at a few times I could hardly stop laughing. This book is incredible and I highly recommend getting a copy. Cheers. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Conduct of life    2. General    3. Humor    4. Men    5. Satire And Humor    6. Topic - Adult    7. Humor / General    8. Humour   

Reviews (55)

Why are readers taking this books to heart, it's a book, written by an Fictional Person!
We have to remember that this is fiction, just as Terry Perry Movies and Plays.I feels it's to make you think, laugh and draw your own conclusion.Instead of picking out things that you did not enjoy, try picking out things that were good about the book, that made you think.Many times you may read something that isn't entertaining to you, but entertaining to others.In purchasing this book, you have to remember that Madea is a man in women clothing, and accept it for what it is, entertainment.
Very Humorous, very insightful, a great Book for all Women, no matter their race!
Personally, I had to lower my expectations after finishing this book, but it is still getting 5 stars because, as it states Madea is a fictional character and so you take it as it's meant to be, to make you look at your life and maybe see things differently, that's all, and also 5 stars for making me laugh at subjects that can be painful truths to that many of us woman don't even want to think about too deeply, let alone face up to and change.I loved the witty repartee, I liked the matter-of-fact style of Madea! If you are reading this as if it were a non-fictional self-help, instead of the inspirational and uplifting Bit of humor blended with "let's-get-real" truth that it is, you might be a very disappointed.Tyler Perry did a fantastic job of recounting the age-old Black Woman's wisdom on many private subjects we women all discuss and also of making ALL WOMAN, no matter their race, see that we need to stick together and that no matter what life brings your way, keep Laughing! I look forward to another book from the beloved Madea.Great Job, Tyler Perry! Great Job!

Entertaining and Enlightening
This was a nice light hearted read.It was enlightening as well. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Conduct of life    2. Form - Parodies    3. General    4. Humor    5. Satire And Humor    6. Fiction / Humorous   

Editorial Review

The authors of what is now casually referred to as "that nipple book" are back, with more answers to questions "you'd only ask a doctor after your third whiskey sour." Smart, funny, and informative, Read more

Reviews (10)

This Book Made Me Fall Asleep!
After reading "Why Do Men Have Nipples" and loving it, I had high hopes for book number two.
Hey Doc, here's one that you'll like!!!!!!!!
I loved this book!!!!! I learned a lot and laughed my butt off in the process (hmmm, here's one for you guys,can one laugh ones butt off).I had only read a few pages of the "Nipple" book and liked it but never bought it or finshed it (Sorry guys, a slow learner here) but halfway through this book, I went and ordered the Nipple book. I highly recommend this book to everyone I know and those I don't know.

A Probing Read For Understanding Our Bodies
Overall, I found this book very enjoyable.As suggested by the title, quirky questions that tangentially pop, or might eventually come, into one's mind are answered.Questions related to differences in the sexes, responses in sports physiology, affects of hormones, and truths of homeopathic healing are investigated among other topics.The book is tied together with lead-in fictional anecdotes and interjected IM conversations.The anecdotes are amusing, but the IM messages are very interesting as they show some of the behind the scenes methods (and digressions) that entail in the approach of putting a large literary work together.
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Subjects:  1. American Satire And Humor    2. General    3. Humor    4. Medicine    5. Medicine (General)    6. Miscellanea    7. Humor / General   

Reviews (3)

Absolute Joy
I have always enjoyed Larry Miller's stand up, and now I am delighted to find his point of view in book form.I love his take on marriage and family (his wife is a hoot!) to the everyday nonsense that we all do.I feel this book is very relatable and smart -- even though there where times I didn't understand one of his many historical refrences, I still understood what he was saying.Mr. Miller is a terrific writer, who is not afraid to reveal all sides of his personality.If you want a good laugh, then get this book!You will not be dissapointed.

Laugh-outloud funny, but wait - it's great writing, too!
That Larry Miller is a crafty one all right.You think you're reading a book of comic essays but then it suddenly dawns on you: this is really good!Impressive!It's got my brain - and my heart - pumping.How'd he do that?
This is not only delightful writing and fun reading, it is wonderfully funny!
I love Larry Miller.Ever since I heard his "Five Levels of Drinking" years ago, and his comment that woman is the most powerful magnet in the universe and all men are cheap metal, well, I knew we had found a mind that could tell the funny truth.This is not a simple thing.Most of what is passed off as comedy is just awful and obscene twaddle that gets laughs by punching the audience in the gut.The laughs are more explosive exhalations than expressions of delight and joy.Miller brings delight and joy.
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Subjects:  1. American Satire And Humor    2. American wit and humor    3. Form - Essays    4. Humor    5. Topic - Political    6. English    7. Humor / Essays    8. Humour    9. USA   

Reviews (8)

Book Just As Good As The Play!!
Byran & Sam's book "Jewtopia" is a great read. It's so funny, and helps Jews see the great humor in our culture. From the Foreward and the History (Where It All Began) to the Conspiracy Theories, you are laughing out loud. I bought this book as a present to my 21 year-old sister but I'm reading this book first before I give it to her! This book is just as good as the play. I recommend "The Chosen Book for the Chosen People" to be on everyone's coffee table for many years to come!!

A WONDER TO BEHOLD- FUNNIEST THING EVER!
What a joy to have a book that makes you laugh from beginning to end! What might appear as a "coffe table" book is actually a great cover to cover read. The artwork, illustrations and design is firstrate, but what stands out above all is the comedy - this is one REALLY REALLY REALLY funny book - and I'm not even a Jew! This is going to be my gift of choice for all my friends!

I love this!!!
If you think the book is funny, check out the play in NY. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Humor    3. Jewish wit and humor    4. Jews    5. Judaism - General    6. Religion - Judaism    7. Satire And Humor    8. Topic - Religion    9. Humor / General    10. Humour collections & anthologies   

Reviews (198)

Bathroom Humor. Next Time Print Your Material In The Stall With A Marker.
It's not a bad book if you enjoy middle school bathroom humor....about half the book is sexual humor. And for about 25% of the questions they dont know the answer.
Funny, interesting, entertaining, and "helpful"!
Somehow any further compliment to this book seems meaningless amongst the sea of positive reviews here. However, I still want to express my heartfelt appreciation to some authentic answers to some of my life long doubts, including:-
The 411 on all things gross and goofy
Funnier than the alarmist 1960s "classic" EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT SEX * BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK. This post-modern medical answer book is more of a "Goofus and Gallant explain it all to you, and then some." It is mostly presented as short medical explanations based on questions doctors often get asked at cocktail parties after the other guests' inhibitions drop from their alcohol consumption. These tidbits include sexual and scatalogical curiosities, old wives' tales, and medical oddities bordering on urban legends. These informative, if odd, explanations are interspersed with verbatim email and IM exchanges (typos left uncorrected) between the coauthors--the bona fide medical doctor Goldberg (Gallant) and medical tourist Leyner (in the Goofus role). They have no illusions about the literary merit of their collaboration and are quite frank about the room in the house where their book is most likely to be read and shelved. Don't throw about your AMA Guide to Medicine, but DO read WHY DO MEN HAVE NIPPLES? for the fun of it. If laughter is the best medicine, you'll probably extend your life by at least another week or two. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Satire And Humor    2. General    3. Humor    4. Medicine    5. Medicine (General)    6. Miscellanea    7. Reference    8. Topic - Adult    9. Humor / General   

Reviews (40)

Hilarious!
This was one of the funniest books I ever read in my life! I like how it's a religion that makes more logical sense than "real" religions, but is totally asinine. And some of the entries are just so out there they should make anyone laugh. It does make more sense that the creator of the universe was either stupid or drunk, given the state of things, than an omniscient, omnipotent, omnibenevolent being.

Painfully Effective!
This is, hands down, the absolute best parody of chemical evolution I have ever seen!

Science Triumphs!
Purchased after reading a review in Scientific American.It is a truly wonderful "defense" of Intelligent Design, written by a physicist using purely scientific methods and sure to sway any doubters.A truly hilarious work, it will be found particularly offensive by those who would most benefit from serious consideration of its contents.(I suspect will at least slightly offend nearly every reader.)I loved it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Satire And Humor    2. Fiction - General    3. Form - Essays    4. Humor    5. Humorous    6. Religion    7. Topic - Religion    8. Fiction / Humorous