I've been a fan of George Carlin for the longest time and have watched his skits countless times. I was in need of a bit of a laugh and decided to give one of his books a try. Sadly, just not the same. Even though, interestingly enough,some passages were identical to skits I've seen, just wasn't the same. They say comedy is all in the delivery and without George's voice and mannerisms, it just didn't find it as amusing. Although I will admit to laughing out loud and drawing some stares during my commutes to and from work. What did surprise me about this book was that I found myself, on a number of occasions, actually offended. When watching a skit, I know George is putting on a show and doesn't actually mean lots of the things he says. But when you actually see some of these hateful words on the printed page, they are quite jarring. Just goes to demonstrate the power of the printed word. Perhaps that was what George was shooting for. Miss you George. ( )

Very funny book. He does give you a thing or two to think about as well. ( )

Funny ( )

Not as funny as his shows, but identical in style: this is just a long stand-up routine written down.

While not generally funny, there are some good bits, some insights. ( )

So, tell me, what did you expect from a book in which George Carlin just riffs? You were expecting, maybe, Dostoyevsky? You thought there would be a calm, tranquil, cognizant discussion of life as we live it? You imagined a hint of civility and sanity?

Wrong.

This is Carlin being Carlin. That means often it is hilarious, often it is brash, and often it is a bit too much. So, that meant that I laughed often (even out loud). But it also meant that, often, I knew what he was trying to do, but it just wasn’t hitting. And a little too often there were times I heard my inner critic saying “Next!”

There will be people who read this that will be insulted, affronted, disgusted, not real happy. So, understand your tolerance before diving in. Understand that you will be assaulted. Understand that George Carlin will always be George Carlin (never accepting a role of doing the Hippy Dippy Weatherman over and over.)

If you can’t take it, don’t try it.

But, for those of us who know what we are getting into, and enjoy that same thing, then this is an entertaining (if occasionally uneven), voyage. That’s what happens when you throw George Carlin against the wall to see what sticks. ( )