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Seven Dirty Words: The Life and Crimes of George Carlin
Journalist and cultural critic James Sullivan tells the story of Alternative America from the 1950s to the present in this definitive biography of the Catholic boy for whom nothing was George Carlin. Seven Dirty Words is a hilarious and insightful read, documenting the life and art of the legendary comic, provocateur, and social critic who fearlessly questioned the American way of life through the words we use.
280 pages, Paperback
First published June 8, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
August 13, 2021
This thorough biography is well written and entertaining. George Carlin became a philosopher and acerbic social critic from the late 1980s until his death. Before that he was a daring comedian who used linguistics for laughs and to challenge what was considered 'obscene.'
With perhaps more footage than anyone, Carlin may have the largest catalog of comedic material among stand ups. Some say he became too dark, too angry, but I believe the artistic, sensitive, free-thinking mind is often angry--angry to be thrust into a world that is incredibly eager to daunt it with made up systems of values which tend to promote shame, insecurity, and fear.
Another title to this might have been: The Portrait of the Artist as a Comedian.
With perhaps more footage than anyone, Carlin may have the largest catalog of comedic material among stand ups. Some say he became too dark, too angry, but I believe the artistic, sensitive, free-thinking mind is often angry--angry to be thrust into a world that is incredibly eager to daunt it with made up systems of values which tend to promote shame, insecurity, and fear.
Another title to this might have been: The Portrait of the Artist as a Comedian.
July 15, 2013
This was pretty dull. It read more like a study of the TV and entertainment industry in the '60s and '70s that happened to mention Carlin a few times than an account of his life. I found myself zoning out more than I usually do when listening to an audiobook. Carlin's posthumous Last Words was way more fun and enlightening.
March 10, 2017
3.5 stars
I felt that the first third of the book was the bio of Lenny Bruce and George Carlin. Bruce was such a potent influence as well as an important friend until his death.
What is impressive about Carlin is his defiance. He refused to conform to anyone's rules. He strove to be offensive because then he knew he was being heard. He had very leftist views and his humor could be quite political. My preference is his word play.
Carlin never stopped being anyone but himself. He knew who he wanted to be, and it more than likely wasn't what you'd wanted. He had a loving wife, a drug problem, and a strong circle of friends that included Richard Pryor and Sam Kinison. He is definitely missed.
2017 Lenten Buddy Reading Challenge book # 18
I felt that the first third of the book was the bio of Lenny Bruce and George Carlin. Bruce was such a potent influence as well as an important friend until his death.
What is impressive about Carlin is his defiance. He refused to conform to anyone's rules. He strove to be offensive because then he knew he was being heard. He had very leftist views and his humor could be quite political. My preference is his word play.
Carlin never stopped being anyone but himself. He knew who he wanted to be, and it more than likely wasn't what you'd wanted. He had a loving wife, a drug problem, and a strong circle of friends that included Richard Pryor and Sam Kinison. He is definitely missed.
2017 Lenten Buddy Reading Challenge book # 18
September 11, 2012
I was thrilled to find out more of the back story of my favorite comedian. I listened to his albums over and over and stole his jokes to make friends.. well my ONE friend, laugh -- back before I turned eighteen.
I found it interesting how much of a 'straight' career George Carlin had, before he became his hippy dippy weatherman character. You could summarize his career as writer, comedian, comedian, passive political activist. He came along between two major influences in comedy, Lenny Bruce and the slew of comedians who got sitcoms after being discovered in comedy clubs, starting with Chico and the Man.
He transformed from a black suit, skinny tie comedian into a tie dyed, sandal social commentator. I knew he'd started out straight, but I had no idea how much of a career he had straight. His transformation was risky, but the biographer showed very clearly how it was necessary.
Then, when twenty something comics were getting sitcoms, the way talk shows were being handed out in the 90's, Carlin was doing the first HBO comedy specials and playing to arenas. So, while he became more accessible in his material, he became less a part of the comedian's culture of the era. He broke new ground and bridged the two major eras in comedy.
If you've laughed at George Carlin and wished you were as funny as he was, and maybe tried to be funny, you'll find this biography required reading.
I found it interesting how much of a 'straight' career George Carlin had, before he became his hippy dippy weatherman character. You could summarize his career as writer, comedian, comedian, passive political activist. He came along between two major influences in comedy, Lenny Bruce and the slew of comedians who got sitcoms after being discovered in comedy clubs, starting with Chico and the Man.
He transformed from a black suit, skinny tie comedian into a tie dyed, sandal social commentator. I knew he'd started out straight, but I had no idea how much of a career he had straight. His transformation was risky, but the biographer showed very clearly how it was necessary.
Then, when twenty something comics were getting sitcoms, the way talk shows were being handed out in the 90's, Carlin was doing the first HBO comedy specials and playing to arenas. So, while he became more accessible in his material, he became less a part of the comedian's culture of the era. He broke new ground and bridged the two major eras in comedy.
If you've laughed at George Carlin and wished you were as funny as he was, and maybe tried to be funny, you'll find this biography required reading.
September 20, 2012
While I found a lot of Carlin's history in his rise to famous comic interesting I wouldn't call this a compelling read. Like a lot of biographies it was pretty dry and some what boring recitation of times and places occasionally punctuated with some humour.
Learning that Carlin appeared on the Mike Douglas show with John Lennon and Yoko Ono as co-hosts was actually a surprise to me. I would dearly love to see that episode. I also learned why he hates golfers. It's a few of these gems that made this worth at least a read through.
There's really nothing of Carlin himself in this biography so I'm hoping that when I finally get to read Last Words that I'll learn more about the man himself.
Learning that Carlin appeared on the Mike Douglas show with John Lennon and Yoko Ono as co-hosts was actually a surprise to me. I would dearly love to see that episode. I also learned why he hates golfers. It's a few of these gems that made this worth at least a read through.
There's really nothing of Carlin himself in this biography so I'm hoping that when I finally get to read Last Words that I'll learn more about the man himself.
February 22, 2024
..Karlins ir leģenda. protams, pirms iepazinos ar viņa stand-up, biju šo to no citiem skatījies. bet īstais meistars bija viņš. noklausoties grāmatu, gribas vēlreiz noklausīties un noskatīties viņa priekšnesumus un jokus. grāmatas autors ātros vilcienos izskrien cauri daļai komiķa karjerai. varēja būt interesantāk, bet ko nu.
May 29, 2023
Ši knyga, pasakojanti apie stand up komiko George Carlin karjerą, turi labai įdomų kampą — kovą už žodžio laisvę Amerikoje.
Siekdamas įrodyti, kad televizijoje galima vartoti absoliučiai visus žodžius ir juokauti apie viską, Carlin praėjo visų instancijų teismus ir supykdė milijonus amerikiečių. Žvelgiant iš dabartinės perspektyvos, Carlin atrodo modernus ir liberalus, bet tais laikais jis atrodė siaubingai netolerantiškas, nekorektiškas, nepraustaburnis.
Ši kova už tikrą žodžio laisvę dar įspūdingiau atrodo mūsų laikais, kai socialiniuose tinkluose klesti korektiškumu pateisinama savicenzūra ir įsivaizdavimas, kad svarbu ginti tik savo bendraminčių žodžio laisvę, o visus kitus reikia tučtuojau užčiaupti. Nes visi kiti juk yra naciukai, leftistai, vatnikai, fanatikai ir panašiai.
Siekdamas įrodyti, kad televizijoje galima vartoti absoliučiai visus žodžius ir juokauti apie viską, Carlin praėjo visų instancijų teismus ir supykdė milijonus amerikiečių. Žvelgiant iš dabartinės perspektyvos, Carlin atrodo modernus ir liberalus, bet tais laikais jis atrodė siaubingai netolerantiškas, nekorektiškas, nepraustaburnis.
Ši kova už tikrą žodžio laisvę dar įspūdingiau atrodo mūsų laikais, kai socialiniuose tinkluose klesti korektiškumu pateisinama savicenzūra ir įsivaizdavimas, kad svarbu ginti tik savo bendraminčių žodžio laisvę, o visus kitus reikia tučtuojau užčiaupti. Nes visi kiti juk yra naciukai, leftistai, vatnikai, fanatikai ir panašiai.
February 11, 2015
Šaltinis: http://www.jauti.lt/tarp-lentynu-9/
Mano rankose – dar viena biografija. Šįkart pasiėmiau paskaityti apie vieno mano mėgstamiausio komedianto George Carlin gyvenimą. Knygos pradžia daug žadanti, autorius gana taikliai įvardija kūrybos bruožus, tačiau kuo toliau, tuo labiau nusivyliau. Didžiąją knygos dalį sudaro chronologiškas George Carlin karjeros įvykių išdėstymas – kada ir kokiose pokalbių laidose ar serialuose dalyvavo, vietomis įmetama keletas citatų. Įžvalgų ar palyginimų, draugų ar paties George Carlin vertinimų ir pasakojimų praktiškai nėra. Panašiai, lyg skaitytum kokį Vikipedijos straipsnį, bet ir tas būtų įdomesnis
Mano rankose – dar viena biografija. Šįkart pasiėmiau paskaityti apie vieno mano mėgstamiausio komedianto George Carlin gyvenimą. Knygos pradžia daug žadanti, autorius gana taikliai įvardija kūrybos bruožus, tačiau kuo toliau, tuo labiau nusivyliau. Didžiąją knygos dalį sudaro chronologiškas George Carlin karjeros įvykių išdėstymas – kada ir kokiose pokalbių laidose ar serialuose dalyvavo, vietomis įmetama keletas citatų. Įžvalgų ar palyginimų, draugų ar paties George Carlin vertinimų ir pasakojimų praktiškai nėra. Panašiai, lyg skaitytum kokį Vikipedijos straipsnį, bet ir tas būtų įdomesnis
July 15, 2019
This is my second book about George Carlin this month. The first was by his daughter and was more subjective and this one is a biography that is more objective. I think the two work nicely together as the second book doesn't get very personal and the book by the daughter deals more with her perception of what her parents were like. There is not very much repetition between the two books although occasionally I would think that I had read about something in the first book but the perception would sometimes be a bit different. This book isn't funny but is written about one of the funniest men alive.
April 24, 2015
It seems hard to believe that in the modern day of “anything goes” shock humour, comedians of yesteryear were required to skirt the boundaries of decency or risk imprisonment. Carlin was one to definitely push the envelope and frequently called attention to the hypocrisy of the establishment and organised religion through his often scathing and hilarious social commentary. Iconoclastic, cantankerous curmudgeon, and linguistic genius, Carlin pioneered much of the dark humour that is often (poorly) imitated by today’s comedians. (Particularly that un-fucking-funny trinity: Steve Carrell, Will Ferrell and Adam Sandler) Sullivan’s book, more a worship piece comparable to a Wikipedia entry, provides a scant outline of an otherwise fascinating man’s life, leaving the reader wanting. 2.5/5
June 16, 2015
Fuck this shit. What kind of cocksucker manages to make George Carlin boring? The prose meanders in a way that made this awkward to read, and it wasn't always clear what was being said by the author and what was a quote from someone else. I found myself constantly back tracking realizing I'd blanked out. Some of the information in this book was new to me, but not enough was new or interesting enough to justify the price, and it wasn't entertaining enough to justify it either. The next time I'm looking for a biography, I'll know to take a pass on any written by James Sullivan.
September 21, 2015
Terrific biography of one of the greatest comedians we've ever had. I gained a much better understanding of his objectives and work ethic. Carlin created more new comedy hours than perhaps anyone. The only thing the book is lacking is more of Carlin's jokes themselves. Some choice examples are certainly woven in here and there, but I would have welcomed many more.
July 19, 2011
Just listened to this on audiobooks. Interesting to contemplate how much things have changed since the 1950s!
July 19, 2015
I've read hundreds of bios. James Sullivan is unique in his attention to backstory, making each entry about his subject that much more interesting
January 19, 2025
This one’s great!
It’s very thorough, so thorough that it felt monotonous at times but still enjoyable overall.
Happy Reading, everybody!
It’s very thorough, so thorough that it felt monotonous at times but still enjoyable overall.
Happy Reading, everybody!
March 29, 2017
This is a log sheet of Carlin's career, cataloging all of his venues and connections in the entertainment business. The dates are a bit jumbled at times. It is a tribute to a brilliant, hard working man, with full disclosure of his human frailties. It is a good expose on the industry, at least in Carlin's time. As a biography it glosses over much detail about his life but does record the events. He deserved this eulogy because of his courage, tenacity and insight.
December 29, 2011
James Sullivan pulls no punches when he writes about the rise of George Carlin in “7 Dirty Words”, words that the United States Supreme Court ruled were patently offensive to be said on the airwaves as regulated by the Federal Communications Commission.
Historically, this is a good book, which talks about Carlin’s rise as a comic from being a class clown to performing in Carnegie Hall. This is an adult biographical chronology which includes those infamous words, but they are only run together three times throughout the book so as to soften their shock value. Skipping through those words to follow the heart of the story is easy. Clearly, Sullivan is an accomplished author who is able to demonstrate how comedy changed when new faces entered the scene in the early l950’s. Lenny Bruce was one of the first who would use the words as a part of his act and when he achieved success, others, including George Carlin, followed.
If you are unfamiliar with the words that cannot be used on television or radio because of exposure to minors, just remember what got children’s’ mouths washed out with soap. Also, you really knew the words as a child, but learned very quickly they were never to be used in public.
One of the most outstanding features of this biography is the behind-the-scenes glimpses of the interrelationship between the comedians who were famous and how they would help aspiring hopefuls achieve their day in the spotlight.
HBO was a setting where Carlin was able to use some of his ‘words’, but they too had limitations on what they felt their audience could take. Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show was another venue where he was surprisingly able to host the show without offending the network censors. In fact, Sullivan points out; Carlin had hosted the show 105 times during his career before Carson had retired.
George Carlin was a brilliant and articulate man, but, unfortunately he was addicted to cocaine and pot throughout most of his career. He would do the unexpected by providing money to new comedians so that they could survive during tough economic times without his expecting a reward or recognition. He was by no means a saint and at times was a sinner, but he was a humanitarian for the benefit of his craft. Ironically, he in later years had become the voice heard by many children in voice-overs which he did for various animated characters after he had given up his addictions and became rehabilitated.
Carlin died in June 2008 after having many bouts with a failing heart. James Sullivan has written a lasting tribute to this icon of American humor which was well researched, annotated, and most of all, entirely believable.This book is highly recommended for adults who want to have their memories refreshed about comedians of the past and present.
Historically, this is a good book, which talks about Carlin’s rise as a comic from being a class clown to performing in Carnegie Hall. This is an adult biographical chronology which includes those infamous words, but they are only run together three times throughout the book so as to soften their shock value. Skipping through those words to follow the heart of the story is easy. Clearly, Sullivan is an accomplished author who is able to demonstrate how comedy changed when new faces entered the scene in the early l950’s. Lenny Bruce was one of the first who would use the words as a part of his act and when he achieved success, others, including George Carlin, followed.
If you are unfamiliar with the words that cannot be used on television or radio because of exposure to minors, just remember what got children’s’ mouths washed out with soap. Also, you really knew the words as a child, but learned very quickly they were never to be used in public.
One of the most outstanding features of this biography is the behind-the-scenes glimpses of the interrelationship between the comedians who were famous and how they would help aspiring hopefuls achieve their day in the spotlight.
HBO was a setting where Carlin was able to use some of his ‘words’, but they too had limitations on what they felt their audience could take. Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show was another venue where he was surprisingly able to host the show without offending the network censors. In fact, Sullivan points out; Carlin had hosted the show 105 times during his career before Carson had retired.
George Carlin was a brilliant and articulate man, but, unfortunately he was addicted to cocaine and pot throughout most of his career. He would do the unexpected by providing money to new comedians so that they could survive during tough economic times without his expecting a reward or recognition. He was by no means a saint and at times was a sinner, but he was a humanitarian for the benefit of his craft. Ironically, he in later years had become the voice heard by many children in voice-overs which he did for various animated characters after he had given up his addictions and became rehabilitated.
Carlin died in June 2008 after having many bouts with a failing heart. James Sullivan has written a lasting tribute to this icon of American humor which was well researched, annotated, and most of all, entirely believable.This book is highly recommended for adults who want to have their memories refreshed about comedians of the past and present.
May 9, 2011
I have the 2011 Reading Challenge to thank for the delayed, but ultimately satisfying, completion of this well-researched biography. It had been just a few months prior to picking up this book that I read George Carlin and Tony Hendra's "sorta-biography" Last Words, and 7 Dirty Words: The Life and Crimes of George Carlin seemed a bit dry and detached in comparison. Add to that the author's penchant for throwing in a few too many edifying facts about others (Bob and Ray were, "like Fred Allen," natives of Boston, etc.), and I found it easy to lay this one aside.
But happily, my own obsessive-compulsive nature regarding challenges prodded me to finish, and by book's end, I had become a fan of author James Sullivan, and his barrage of factoids about Carlin's contemporaries. In a book with sources as diverse as Buddy Greco and Jello Biafra, some explanation is necessary for an audience that presumably includes both young and old, I will admit.
What 7 Dirty Words lacks in emotional punch, it makes up for with factual examinations of not only Carlin's transition period from straight-laced suit-wearer to tie-dyed hippie, but the the Supreme Court case that will forever be linked with the boundary-pushing wise man. It's an unsentimental portrait of an unsentimental artist, and a good read for Carlin fans.
But happily, my own obsessive-compulsive nature regarding challenges prodded me to finish, and by book's end, I had become a fan of author James Sullivan, and his barrage of factoids about Carlin's contemporaries. In a book with sources as diverse as Buddy Greco and Jello Biafra, some explanation is necessary for an audience that presumably includes both young and old, I will admit.
What 7 Dirty Words lacks in emotional punch, it makes up for with factual examinations of not only Carlin's transition period from straight-laced suit-wearer to tie-dyed hippie, but the the Supreme Court case that will forever be linked with the boundary-pushing wise man. It's an unsentimental portrait of an unsentimental artist, and a good read for Carlin fans.
October 26, 2010
No biography of George Carlin could possibly be as entertaining as the man himself. The author has done a seemingly well-researched job of outlining and detailing every step of Carlin's life and career, but there's no indication the two ever met, so the biography's still a little distant, as if he were writing about Teddy Roosevelt.
There's some interesting insight, though, learning how Carlin was influenced by Mort Sahl, Lenny Bruce and Jonathan Winters and was a model for the comedy of Jerry Seinfeld, Bill Maher and Adam Carolla, among others. It's hard to reconcile his lifelong (though on-again/off again) drug addiction with the fact that he was married for 36 years to the same woman.
On the other hand, he was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, and a flag flew at the US Capitol in his honor the day after his death - two very mainstream tributes to a very non-mainstream guy.
The words of the Hippie-Dippie Weatherman seem to describe Carlin's own life: "Tonight's forecast: Dark. Continued dark throughout most of the evening, with some widely scattered light towards morning."
For more insight, I think I'll have to find Carlin's postumously-published memoir, "Last Words."
There's some interesting insight, though, learning how Carlin was influenced by Mort Sahl, Lenny Bruce and Jonathan Winters and was a model for the comedy of Jerry Seinfeld, Bill Maher and Adam Carolla, among others. It's hard to reconcile his lifelong (though on-again/off again) drug addiction with the fact that he was married for 36 years to the same woman.
On the other hand, he was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, and a flag flew at the US Capitol in his honor the day after his death - two very mainstream tributes to a very non-mainstream guy.
The words of the Hippie-Dippie Weatherman seem to describe Carlin's own life: "Tonight's forecast: Dark. Continued dark throughout most of the evening, with some widely scattered light towards morning."
For more insight, I think I'll have to find Carlin's postumously-published memoir, "Last Words."
September 7, 2015
It worked for me. I liked most of George Carlin's routine. I can remember his "Al Sleet-the hippie dippie weatherman" from the 1960s. I caught several of his HBO specials. Played his CDs (and cassette tapes) in the car. I admired the fact that Carlin pulled off quite the balance. He was anti-establishment yet appealed to the mainstream. Carlin bashed technology yet ended up shilling for FUJI VHS tape. He despised cellphones, then pitched call around plans and MCI. I'm sure that was part of the advertiser logic.
Sullivan's book is mainstream. It's fun to hear about the rest of his life--the Irish heritage, the Catholic schools, the Air Force. Of course, there is his big decision and move. In time honored tradition of going for the glitter and showbiz, Carlin sold or gave away everything but a bag of clothes. He threw the bag in the back of his Dodge Dart and pointed it toward Hollywood. The date-February 1960.
It's a nice ride following this entertainer. The title refers to his protracted legal wrangling of on-air obscenities. It helps if you are a fan, or even a little bit of a fan, of this iconoclastic comic.
Sullivan's book is mainstream. It's fun to hear about the rest of his life--the Irish heritage, the Catholic schools, the Air Force. Of course, there is his big decision and move. In time honored tradition of going for the glitter and showbiz, Carlin sold or gave away everything but a bag of clothes. He threw the bag in the back of his Dodge Dart and pointed it toward Hollywood. The date-February 1960.
It's a nice ride following this entertainer. The title refers to his protracted legal wrangling of on-air obscenities. It helps if you are a fan, or even a little bit of a fan, of this iconoclastic comic.
July 10, 2011
An excellent window into the life of one of the 20th century's most enduring comedic figures, James Sullivan's Seven Dirty Words follows George Carlin from his humble beginnings in White Harlem, his start as part of silly comedy duo, his first early successes as a traditional "clean" comic making $250,000 a year, to his reinvention as a counter-culture figure who challenged the status quo until his death as one of the grandfathers of modern comedy. The writing style is engaging, although I found the reader's voice somewhat incongruous at times with the material being read. A word of caution: the comedian's drug use, while acknowledged and referenced at various points throughout the book, is downplayed with little, if any, discussion of it's effects on the comedian's career.
April 29, 2012
I discovered Carlin in high school and spent the next several summers listening to his many HBO specials with my brother during our lazy days. Sullivan captures the details of Carlin's life in a fluid style that encompasses his many professional triumphs and personal struggles without losing his readers in minutia.
Happily, this biography combines some of Carlin's best bits in the personal and cultural context in which they were first birthed. For all that, the book is a work of scholarship, not humor. Sullivan gets Carlin's life on paper, but many anecdotes resist capture and remain at large.
Happily, this biography combines some of Carlin's best bits in the personal and cultural context in which they were first birthed. For all that, the book is a work of scholarship, not humor. Sullivan gets Carlin's life on paper, but many anecdotes resist capture and remain at large.
July 13, 2012
Bio of George Carlin. If you're looking for laughs, you won't find them here. Perhaps the odd chuckle.
The book explores Carlin's life with an emphasis on his professional career as a stand-up comedian and the various transformations in his career.
It's not a narrative non-fiction so don't expect to be entertained. The first third is more a data dump of radio stations, TV shows, night clubs and the myriad people involved.
There are no startling revelations.
Part of the book deals with the 7 words you can't say on TV and still can't. At least broadcast TV in the US. The focus is on the legal battles and ultimately the US Supreme Court ruling.
The book explores Carlin's life with an emphasis on his professional career as a stand-up comedian and the various transformations in his career.
It's not a narrative non-fiction so don't expect to be entertained. The first third is more a data dump of radio stations, TV shows, night clubs and the myriad people involved.
There are no startling revelations.
Part of the book deals with the 7 words you can't say on TV and still can't. At least broadcast TV in the US. The focus is on the legal battles and ultimately the US Supreme Court ruling.
October 5, 2011
Seven dirty words is a biography of George Carlin and highlights his early years, and the development of his comic career. The book spends a fair amount of time telling the story of the seven dirty words which ended up in front of the supreme court. I saw Carlin at Penn State and have heard a number of his bits. His outlook on things was a bit bleak but he was always a master with words and very funny and irreverent. This book provides a great look into that same individual many of us have heard but provides the additional depth that may not have been known.
August 1, 2012
I suppose that I was attracted to this book because I already liked George Carlin before I read it. However, I don't know if this bio would have made me want to listen to Carlin if I knew nothing of his style & wit. I kept wanting this author to use more extensive examples of Carlin's comedy -- but maybe this was the wrong type of book for that. Still, I enjoyed getting a fuller perspective of the man and a better understanding of how he went from a straight laced traditional comedian to counter-cultural bad boy.
June 19, 2012
I thought from the title that this book might be similar to the dry but fascinating (at least for First Amendment nerds) The Trials of Lenny Bruce, focusing on Carlin's court battles, and in particular the 7 Dirty Words Supreme Court case. Turns out, it's pretty much a straight biography covering Carlin's entire career. A lot of of the material here will be familiar to anyone who's read Last Words (Carlin's autobiography), but Sullivan provides a lot of context that's missing in Carlin's memoir, along with accounts from the other people involved in various incidents.
August 3, 2012
As a lifelong Carlin fan, there were portions of this book which interested me greatly. I would have done better with the audio book, as the text put me to sleep too often. With the depth of the reporting (this reads like an encyclopedia), this would have been better as two books: One focused on the vital statistics of Carlin's life and one on the career roller coaster.
If you are into Carlin trivia, there are gems to be mined. If you are looking for the signature Carlin humor, buy one of Carlin's books.
If you are into Carlin trivia, there are gems to be mined. If you are looking for the signature Carlin humor, buy one of Carlin's books.
December 10, 2013
I love George Carlin - he is definitely one of the voices in my head. So I expected to enjoy this biography more.
The parts about Carlin were good but, sadly, a good 40% of the book was only (at best) tangentially related to him. That 40% was a general overview of the transformation of the entertainment industry from the 50s to the present. While interesting, that's not what I was interested in reading about.
Still, the book succeeded in making me respect Carlin even more than I already did. Which is saying something.
The parts about Carlin were good but, sadly, a good 40% of the book was only (at best) tangentially related to him. That 40% was a general overview of the transformation of the entertainment industry from the 50s to the present. While interesting, that's not what I was interested in reading about.
Still, the book succeeded in making me respect Carlin even more than I already did. Which is saying something.
April 3, 2014
The writing was not enjoyable. The contents were not the information about Carlin I am interested in. A lot of boring detailing of Carlin's career. 'then he was on this talk show, then he was on that talk show, then he released this album, then it didn't win the grammy, etc etc'. The author would briefly mention something interesting like Carlin's political beliefs beginning to shift or that he was kicked out of school or the air force, and then immediately go back into detailing what happens next in his comedy career. The book contains some of Carlin's 'life' and very little of his 'crimes'.
March 12, 2012
Finished "7 Dirty Words: The Life and Crimes of George Carlin" by James Sullivan. This covered his career from very early until his death in 2008, including his military experience, his idol (Lenny Bruce), his various routines and how some of them evolved, his influence on censorship and law, his relationships and even his hairstyles. Best enjoyed with an open mind. After I finished it, I went on Netflix and watched about 4 hours of his routines.
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