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

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).

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?

Humorous user’s guide to history of planet earth. Intended as a leave behind for aliens to find after we have self destructed. Good bathroom reading at 2 minutes per 2-page spread, with no need to read in any order.

This is biting social satire with something guaranteed to offend everyone here. If you can adopt an attitude like my father used to say, “Don’t take yourself too damn seriously”, then you will enjoy this book.

This is written as a book for future aliens who come across our planet long after humanity has destroyed itself. It covers most aspects of human life, from politics to art to history to science to religion, and it's all hilarious. Definitely recommended.

A note on the audio: The audio presentation is inspired. Between the music and sound effects and various narrators (including, oddly enough, Sigourney Weaver), the whole thing has the atmosphere of a museum documentary. The juxtaposition of the silly jokes against this backdrop make them just that much funnier.

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.

Hilarious and yet oddly informative, don't read Earth (The Book): A Visitor's Guide to the Human Race for the info - it's in what's not said, what's read between the lines, the truth in the sarcasm or the irony where you find the nuggets of truth. Or in moments of brutal honesty. But it really should be called Earth (The Book): A Visitor's Guide to the 21stC American. The authors don't really pretend their version of events and facts aren't from the American perspective, except that they do. And it's American, not even a Western perspective. I think it would have been even funnier if the point of view was broader.

As with The Daily Show, if you're informed on the topics they touch upon, you will get the jokes. And they are many.