Tuesday, July 10, 2012

I Am America And So Can You by Stephen Colbert (Review by Jason)

Genre:Humor, Non-Fiction, Culture, Politics
Publication.Date  October 20th 2009
Pages:240
Published By:  Grand Central Publishing | 
WebsiteStephen Colbert 

I Am America (And So Can You!) - Goodreads
My review copy:A copy of the book received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Where to get:



I AM AMERICA (AND SO CAN YOU!) is Stephen Colbert's attempt to wedge his brain between hardback covers. In plain conversational language, not to mention the occasional grunt and/or whistle, Stephen explains his take on the most pressing concerns of our culture: Faith, Family, Politics...Hygiene.
(Goodreads)



“Agnostics are just atheists without balls.”
“Tomorrow you're all going to wake up in a brave new world, a world where the Constitution gets trampled by an army of terrorist clones, created in a stem-cell research lab run by homosexual doctors who sterilize their instruments over burning American flags. Where tax-and-spend Democrats take all your hard-earned money and use it to buy electric cars for National Public Radio, and teach evolution to illegal immigrants. Oh, and everybody's high!
“Here's an easy way to figure out if you're in a cult:If you're wondering whether you're in a cult, the answer is yes.” 

Review by Jason


     Caveat Emptor. 
     Soon we might see health warning labels on soda cans, but do you know what’s a much bigger threat to your health than sugar drinks? It’s Stephen Colbert’s I am America (and so can you)

     This book is morbidly viral, and the side effects of reading it include but not limited to uncontrollable laughing fits, mass hysteria, and psychological dependence. 

     Some studies showed that laughter is good for your heart, but too much of anything is never good. This book can trigger a laughing fit that might perpetuate itself. I nearly succumbed to cardiac arrest laughing too hard, too long (true story). So, for those of us with a weak heart, if you get a funny feeling in your heart while reading this book, make sure to take a pause every so often to let the joke sink in slowly – call your doctor pronto if laughter lasts more than 4 hours. 

     The humor in this book is also highly contagious, and all it takes is one look, one glace. Then you are hooked and can’t stop. Some passages are just too precious not to share, so I either read it aloud in public or pass it back and forth with my wife – I might have violated the rule number 8 on how to read this book: NEVER LOAN OUT. 

     Also note that the laughter does come at a price: addiction to Mr. Colbert’s humor. One may experience difficulties retiring from this book or fighting the urges to re-read it obsessively. Try putting this book down, the withdrawal symptoms kicks in: sudden loss of low self-esteem and cynicism (everything else that used to make you laugh all of the sudden tranquilizes you). After regurgitating every sentence of this book to your friends and families, no one will find the real you funny, unless you recite verbatim this book again. My wife doesn’t find my jokes funny anymore (true story). Once you go Colbertized, you can’t go back. 

     This book is kind of like Mao’s little red book with which people blended words in everything they say during cultural revolution. In fact, you might find yourself reading and carrying it at all time or even punctuating every sentence with a quote from I am America (and so can you) in situations like… 

     When you are with a date with acne problems: Mr. Colbert says “While skin and race are often synonymous, skin cleansing is good, race cleansing is bad." (Pg 173).

     When you are at a baseball game: Mr. Colbert says “Athletes perform for our enjoyment. So “performance-enhancing drugs” are really enjoyment-enhancing drugs.” (pg. 73). 

     You might quote Mr. Colbert’s for various reasons like to imply friendship with Mr. Colbert or impress your date. The possibilities are limitless. 

     This book is also full of life lessons applicable to dating, sports, higher education, Hollywood, race, science and many more. Hey, Stephen Colbert is one of the smartest people you see on TV these days. 

     What could possibly go wrong? 

     If you are hungry for more of Mr. Colbert’s witty humor or wishes that his night time shows are a little bit longer, you might find this book intriguing. It also might be tempting knowing that every reader of this book is awarded the Stephen T. Colbert award for the Literary Excellence. But be warned that this just might be the last book you’ll ever read.





27 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love Stephen Colbert - one of very few men on television to make me laugh. A man of many talents. Glad you enjoyed this book and that it had the ability to trigger a laughing fit =)

PS. LOL at "enjoyment-enhancing drugs"

Elsie Chapman said...

My favourite is Fallon, but I think I'll be picking this up! You can't go wrong with Colbert. Thanks for the review!

Andrea @ Cozy Up said...

I really love Stephen Colbert. He is definitely one of the only late night comedy shows I enjoy watching. I can see this book being hard to put down and needing to share it with everyone. This is a great review, definitely makes me want to pick this up (and even get my boyfriend to try reading it!)

Bonnie @ A Backwards Story said...

While this isn't a book I personally have on my radar (I know OF Colbert, but that's about it *hides*), I love how you got the book's sense of humor across and made it appeal to people looking for a great read! Glad to see you reviewing with Evie!

Krazzyme(Young Readers) said...

“Here's an easy way to figure out if you're in a cult:If you're wondering whether you're in a cult, the answer is yes.”

LOL love this quote..I might actually read this one and I don't read non-fiction but if you say it's funny,,

Krazyyme @ Young Readers

Leah Scheier said...

I absolutely love his book. I also violate his rule to NOT LOAN OUT. It was just too good - had to share it. Thanks for an awesome review!

Just a Lil Lost said...

Great review Jason!! i LOVED this book too! So hilarious.. and all the comments in the margins were just like his "The Word" segments!

Gaby said...

Loved this review. I would never think to read it but I might just have to :)

Jaime Lester said...

What a funny, funny dude. The Colbert Report makes me chuckle so I have no doubt that any book that he has any part in, big or small, would be a funny read. I am slightly embarrassed to say this, but I think this would be the best kind of potty book. :)

Tanja - Tanychy said...

This is not my type of book but review is really interesting! :)

Natalie @ Book Lovers Life said...

Stephen Colbert is extremely funny and I love your review of this book!! Ill have to give it a try :)

Rebecca said...

Sounds like an interesting and hilarious book. I love that your husband posted a review on your blog, it's intriguing to see what other's read and their thoughts :) Great review!

Unknown said...

Wow! you gave 5 stars for this book. It must be a great book. Reading your review this book is sounds very interesting and very funny. I'd love to read it myself.

Thank u for the review. Great review.

maneeshaharoon said...

I absolutely LOVE Stephen Colbert! He is the funniest man on television! This book sounds absolutely amazing and you gave it 5 stars! Definitely going to pick this p, thanks to you!

Tiffany Holme said...

Review totally had me smiling and even a couple brief laughs! You made this book sound fun and alothough it is not something I would normally even consider picking up, I will freely admit I AM NOW! Great review I am so glad I stopped to read it!

Elisquared said...

This review definitely captures the book! Colbert is such a quick wit, and his writing reflects that perfectly. I love his take on life in general; I think it's smart and he doesn't dumb anything down. Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart are where I get my news from, and I regret nothing.

Isa said...

Haha I love the quotes, the book sounds great. I love Stephen Colbert, he's brilliant and I imagine my heart would suffer consequences upon reading this book. I really enjoyed reading this review. :)

Unknown said...

What a fantastic review! Just reading this made me giggle - Will definitely have to give it a read - I love books the can give uncontrollable laughing fits!

miscellaneous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
miscellaneous said...

funny dude. will check him out now

Lea Krnjeta said...

Sounds promising. I laughed my a** of on the first quote.

Anonymous said...

Great review! Always a fan of humor

Lucka said...

wonderful review, I like this book.

Mary Preston said...

I have never heard of Stephen Colbert before. Certainly worth checking out. I love clever humor.

Alice said...

Cool and funny review! I might just have to snag this one, I like books that are filled with comedy :)

Unknown said...

A book filled with criticism that makes you laugh? Well, gotta read THAT! Great review. :)

Anonymous said...

I super loved the quotes you pulled! I probably would never pick up this book on my own, but now I kind of want to just to read more quotes!

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