I Am America (And So Can You!)

A few weeks ago I was mooching around a bookshop and I was unhappy. Why was I unhappy, you ask? None of your business, I reply brusquely, this is a book review not one of your group therapy sessions. Nonetheless, since I brought up the subject, I'll tell you why I was unhappy. It was because there was something missing in my life. And that something was America.

As I shuffled around feeling forlorn and book covers, one book in particular caught my attention and finger. I recognised Stephen Colbert on the cover, having seen his Report many a time. I read the title: I Am America. "Gee thanks, Stephen, you devilishly handsome man," I thought, feeling that now even books were mocking my pain. But then I saw the parenthetical subtitle: (And show more So Can You!)

"Truly? Could a Limey like me really be America?" I thought. And then I thought: "Wait, is Limey right? Is that what Americans call us Britons?" That's how much I wasn't America.

And now? Colbert has opened my eyes. Not literally; my eyes were already open before reading the book, that's kind of a prerequisite for doing so. But metaphorically my eyes were screwed shut with superglue, and Colbert had a screwdriver made of industrial strength solvent. Just a few days ago I was minus zero on the American scale, but thanks to Colbert I'm now a million times that. And so can you! show less

A few weeks ago I was mooching around a bookshop and I was unhappy. Why was I unhappy, you ask? None of your business, I reply brusquely, this is a book review not one of your group therapy sessions. Nonetheless, since I brought up the subject, I'll tell you why I was unhappy. It was because there was something missing in my life. And that something was America.

As I shuffled around feeling forlorn and book covers, one book in particular caught my attention and finger. I recognised Stephen Colbert on the cover, having seen his Report many a time. I read the title: I Am America. "Gee thanks, Stephen, you devilishly handsome man," I thought, feeling that now even books were mocking my pain. But then I saw the parenthetical subtitle: (And show more So Can You!)

"Truly? Could a Limey like me really be America?" I thought. And then I thought: "Wait, is Limey right? Is that what Americans call us Britons?" That's how much I wasn't America.

And now? Colbert has opened my eyes. Not literally; my eyes were already open before reading the book, that's kind of a prerequisite for doing so. But metaphorically my eyes were screwed shut with superglue, and Colbert had a screwdriver made of industrial strength solvent. Just a few days ago I was minus zero on the American scale, but thanks to Colbert I'm now a million times that. And so can you! show less

First, I want to thank Mr. Colbert for saving me from a dim and meaningless life as a book-reading, thought-having, liberal. "I AM AMERICA (And So Can You)" showed me the light (not that I'm a fan of The Enlightenment) and released me from my prison of 'reality' and 'facts.'

Even better, Mr. Colbert taught me that books are useless objects that only make you think. Think of all the money I'll save now that I can stop reading! (Note to Amazon: Maybe you shouldn't carry this book, if too many people read it, it could cut into your profits...)

Evern though the words are only printed on the page, it's like I can hear Stephen Colbert reading them to me in my head. This book is just like watching "The Colbert Report" but I can read it at night show more without my wife telling me to turn down the volume!

After reading this book, I realized that every other book ever published pales in comparison, so I emptied out all of my bookshelves. (Even my cookbooks.) I piled them all in my front yard. When the garbage men didn't take them away, I couldn't figure out what to do with them. Long story short, my neighbors called the police when the bonfire started to catch their lawns on fire. I say a $500 fine and a scorched lawn is a small price for such a firey (ha!) act of patriotism.

Did you hear that Stephen Colbert is running for President? After reading this book, I'm thinking of moving to South Carolina just so I can vote for him. Twice if I have to.

READ THIS BOOK. In fact, read ONLY this book. Buy multiple copies and resell them to your friends. (Don't give them away - Stephen says "no free rides!") If every person in America would read this book, we'd save our nation from femiliberislamocommunoenvirofascism (and Bears) by the end of the week.

It's up to you, Heros! show less

Stephen Colbert's book is a delight. Written in character throughout, this short (240ish pages) book is consistently funny. Right from the start, when he declares that all of the claims are "self-evidence" (thus explaining why he did absolutely no research), to the index with every entry listed under "Colbert, Stephen" the reader is treated to his brand of over the top, but still sophisticated, humor. For those unfamiliar with his show, the entire book is in character as a shameless self-promoting, ultra-conservative television pundit. Colbert's talent is to be able to use this character to provide biting and thoughtful satire without becoming too caught up in the absurdities of his character.

If you like his show, then I think you will show more like the book (and if you do not like the show, avoid the book). I kept hearing his standard delivery in every line (it really reads like he is simply talking at you), and the book is modeled on his segment "The Word" where his discussion is annotated with cheeky remarks (in this case, in the margin). If you like Colbert, then this book promises some hearty laughs. show less

If you’re not familiar with the character that Stephen Colbert plays on his Comedy Central show (that of a “well-intentioned, poorly informed high-status idiot”and a “self-important right-wing commentator” … in other words, a parody of folks like Bill O’Reilly), then this book is going to confuse the heck out of you. If you’re “in” on the joke, then I think you’ll find this book hilarious … though I really do wish I’d listened to it on audio instead of the print version. I kept imagining people who actually believe the right-wing stuff that Colbert is skewering picking up this book and thinking “Yeah! All right! This guy knows what he is saying.” (The book itself is an extension of the Colbert character’s show more political and social beliefs from the show.) I think Colbert is fearless in his commitment to his character, especially when I suspect his own personal views are likely very far from his Doppelganger. One part that is worth of the price of admission is the transcript of Colbert’s 2006 White House Correspondent’s Dinner speech, where he mocked George W. Bush and his fellow Republicans right to their faces with a brilliant satirical speech. How gutsy and fearless is that? If you’re a Colbert fan, I suspect you’ve read this already. If not, what’s stopping you? show less

I was a little worried his humor would be a bit too biting for my taste, and he does push things very far, but in the end, I really enjoyed it. Very well written, good pace, an very funny at the end, exhorting the listener to buy a "fresh" copy and re-listen.

If you like The Colbert Report there's a good chance you will enjoy this book. If not, well you get the idea. Written word has never been the best medium for laugh-out-loud humor. This is because there is no way to transfer what is possibly the most important part of any joke: the delivery. Things like timing, facial expression, and tone play a much bigger role in creating laughs than most people realize. So any funny book that tries to emulate a TV show already has one strike against.Nevertheless, Stephen and his staff writers did manage to pound together a very funny book. And the style seemed so familiar that I often imagined Stephen talking as I was reading. That helped ease the handicap a bit. They also managed to take advantage of show more the new medium's unique attributes. For example, the routines tend to be longer than they could ever be on the show.Reading this book is sure to put a smile anyone's face -- as long they don't take things so seriously. This book, like the corresponding show, is one big joke. Everything in it, from the fake award medallion on the front to the fake review blurb on the back, is designed solely to bring a smile to your face. If you take anything in this book seriously, you're obviously reading it wrong. show less