The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Presents Earth (The Book): A Visitor's Guide to the Human Race

I'm a huge fan of Jon Stewart and this book has been laying around begging to be read for quite some time. Because I'm lazy I got the audiobook which turned out to be a huge win. It's narrated by Jon Stewart, The Daily Show correspondents (including my two favorites: John Oliver and Jason Jones), and the ever surprising Sigourney Weaver. It is a funny visitor's guide to Earth with hilarious FAQs, summaries, and explanations for the way humans "rule" Earth. History, technology, religion, and the environment are just a few of the subjects that get delved into. The only thing I missed out on by listening to the audiobook is all the sweet pictures and diagrams, but oh well. At times laugh out loud funny, but also, a little too easy to put down.

Looking at some of the other reviews, I'm supremely glad I picked up the audiobook instead of the actual book. It worked wonderfully as an audiobook. Like, amazingly so. I actually remember listening to one particular part and wondering just how that was going to translate into text (apparently, the answer to that was not very well).

This is a tongue-in-cheek guide to Earth to the aliens who find the planet after humans have all destroyed ourselves. It's pretty hilarious, if you're okay with the fact that this book is basically making fun of us (for the record, I am, because we are a truly ridiculous species).

A visual guide to humanity, presented for the benefit of any alien visitors who happen to swing by Earth after we're gone. It's not howlingly funny, perhaps, but it is consistently entertaining, and I'm impressed by how smart much of the humor is. The science-y parts, for instance, were clearly written by someone with an actual understanding of the subject. And unsurprisingly, given that this is Jon Stewart and the Daily Show writers we're talking about, bits of it contain some real satiric bite.

Having already satirized the hell out of the United States, Jon Stewart and his "Daily Show" brethren have decided to broaden their scope and make fun of the entire human race. "Earth: The Book" is written for the aliens who will one day arrive on this blue orb, long after we have wiped ourself out. All of human history is covered, with hilarious results. Once again, half the fun lies in the way the writers mimic and subvert the format of textbooks...let us come together, across party lines, to agree that this is a very funny tome. What next: "Solar System: The Book," perhaps?

Much like The Daily Show's America book, this isn't always as sharp as I expected, but it's generally a lot of fun and an enjoyable read with some biting social commentary.

Another fun one from Stewart and company. I enjoyed this one even more than America (The Book). This book is written to an audience of alien beings who will find it after humans have been eradicated, in order to introduce the newcomers to what the world used to be like. Lots of great humor and satire, wonderful illustrations, and beautiful layout (designed to emulate the popular Dorling Kindersley books). It pokes fun at human foibles but generally does it affectionately.

As with America (The Book), I feel the need to include a caveat that this book is not for the kids. It definitely should have an R-rating due to language, sexual content, and sexual imagery.

Well, I miss when The Daily Show was one of the best things on TV and re-reading this hilariously witty and insightful audiobook with not only Jon Stewart, but Wyatt Cenac, Samantha Bee, etc. allows me to re-live that comedic genius while simultaneously being humbled with realization of the foibles of the human race.