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Tucker Max #3
Hilarity Ensues
Tucker Max’s third and final book in his series of stories about his drunken debauchery and ridiculous antics. What began as a simple sentence on an obscure website, “My name is Tucker Max, and I am an asshole,” and developed into two infamously genre-defining books, I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell and Assholes Finish First, ends here. But as you should expect from Tucker by now, he is going out with a bang—literally and figuratively. In this book, you’ll learn:
* How to live and work in Cancun, while still enrolled in Law School,
* Why Halloween is really awesome,
* How to subtly torture a highstrung roommate until he explodes with furious anger over a misplaced condiment,
* What really happened when a dirty pageant girl tried to sue Tucker because he told the truth,
* Why you should never accept a homemade treat from a hippie with a van, and
* What happens when Tucker turns sexting into a sport.
He’s still Tucker Max, and—for one more book—he’s still an asshole.
* How to live and work in Cancun, while still enrolled in Law School,
* Why Halloween is really awesome,
* How to subtly torture a highstrung roommate until he explodes with furious anger over a misplaced condiment,
* What really happened when a dirty pageant girl tried to sue Tucker because he told the truth,
* Why you should never accept a homemade treat from a hippie with a van, and
* What happens when Tucker turns sexting into a sport.
He’s still Tucker Max, and—for one more book—he’s still an asshole.
448 pages, Paperback
First published February 7, 2012
168 people are currently reading
2819 people want to read
About the author
Tucker Max
19 books913 followersTucker Max's first book I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell, is a #1 New York Times Best Seller, spent five years on the list, and has over 2 million copies in print. His second book, Assholes Finish First, and his third book, Hilarity Ensues, are also NY Times Best Sellers. He co-wrote and produced the movie based on his life/book, also titled “I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell.” He has also been credited with being the originator and leader of a new literary genre, “fratire,” is only the third writer (after Malcolm Gladwell and Michael Lewis) to ever have three books on the NY Times Nonfiction Best Seller List at one time, and was nominated to the Time Magazine 100 Most Influential List in 2009.
Tucker Max received his BA from the University of Chicago in 1998, and his JD from Duke Law School in 2001. He even attended Duke Law School on an academic scholarship, where he neglected to buy any of his textbooks for his final two years and spent part of one semester–while still enrolled in classes–living in Cancun. He currently lives in Austin, Texas.
Tucker Max received his BA from the University of Chicago in 1998, and his JD from Duke Law School in 2001. He even attended Duke Law School on an academic scholarship, where he neglected to buy any of his textbooks for his final two years and spent part of one semester–while still enrolled in classes–living in Cancun. He currently lives in Austin, Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 279 reviews
May 16, 2015
The book was funny and I did laugh a lot, especially reading the first half. But the book it's not an easy read, that's why I put it on my not-for-the-weak-hearted shelf. There is a lot of insults towards... pretty much everyone. If you can't take a joke and will take it to heart, you might think the world is an awful place to live in, because there are people like Tucker Max roaming it freely, and then you will need some therapy :).
The dude is every father's and mother's worse nightmare. Or at least was while he was pulling those shenanigans back in a day. The word "whore" was used to describe a woman 67 times, word "slut" came in second place being mentioned 45, and a "cunt" 10 times.
Every girl that he wasn't for some reason attracted to, got called a slut, a whore or a cunt. Even the ones he ended up sleeping with, he called sluts and whores, to their faces. Why? Because chick gobble that shit up like nobodies business - it's hot. Wtf?
His adventures in Mexico was funny. The book had some good chapters, like the one about him being on a Deadliest Catch. Love that show. Apparently Tucker does too. The dude was fangirling about how cool the Alaskan fishermen were like a little girl, seriously. I get why though, they are a though bunch of guys.
Then there was a chapter about the lawsuit, which was very well told. Despite all the insults towards TheMissWhatherface, it was interesting and I get why it pissed him off as much as it did. I especially loved the letter at the end of the chapter, addressed to her mother, the pagent obsessed monster. Seriously, what the fuck is wrong with some mother? Even Tucked realised that the reason her daughter went for a dick like him, was because of a mother like her.I hope she read the letter.
The sexting chapters were lame. Toilet humor is not my thing. The chapters about him attending different bachelor parties wasn't my thing either. He was acting like dick frat boy.
Another thing I didn't like was the construction of the book, it was a mess. There was no timeline, the author was jumping back and forward, which annoyed me. "This happened in 2001.." and then "This happened in 2003.." then " this hapoened in 2001.." then "It happened in 2007."
The other thing I hated was the racist jokes. Apparently, Tucker thinks if it's a joke, it's not racist. I think he insulted every etnisity he came across. According to him, if you get offended, it's your own fault because you can't take a joke.
At the end of the book, he said he grew and matured, and doesn't do stuff he used to. I really hope he did.
Even though I sort of ended up liking this book, it did feel that with a lot of the stories, he was grasping for straws. I haven't read TM's previous books, but it made me think that he was running out of funny stories to tell. But here is where I give credit to the author, he knows when to end it and move on to something else. Not a lot of authors are willing to let go. I've seen time after time, them milking a dead cow. I appreciated the last note.
Good and funny read, if you don't take it personally the bullshit he spewed when he was younger. The author does have a good story telling skills, especially when he writes about things that had an impact on him, from an adult's perspective. I'm actually looking forward to reading his future books. He promised it would be something different. I'm intrigued.
The dude is every father's and mother's worse nightmare. Or at least was while he was pulling those shenanigans back in a day. The word "whore" was used to describe a woman 67 times, word "slut" came in second place being mentioned 45, and a "cunt" 10 times.
Every girl that he wasn't for some reason attracted to, got called a slut, a whore or a cunt. Even the ones he ended up sleeping with, he called sluts and whores, to their faces. Why? Because chick gobble that shit up like nobodies business - it's hot. Wtf?
His adventures in Mexico was funny. The book had some good chapters, like the one about him being on a Deadliest Catch. Love that show. Apparently Tucker does too. The dude was fangirling about how cool the Alaskan fishermen were like a little girl, seriously. I get why though, they are a though bunch of guys.
Then there was a chapter about the lawsuit, which was very well told. Despite all the insults towards TheMissWhatherface, it was interesting and I get why it pissed him off as much as it did. I especially loved the letter at the end of the chapter, addressed to her mother, the pagent obsessed monster. Seriously, what the fuck is wrong with some mother? Even Tucked realised that the reason her daughter went for a dick like him, was because of a mother like her.I hope she read the letter.
The sexting chapters were lame. Toilet humor is not my thing. The chapters about him attending different bachelor parties wasn't my thing either. He was acting like dick frat boy.
Another thing I didn't like was the construction of the book, it was a mess. There was no timeline, the author was jumping back and forward, which annoyed me. "This happened in 2001.." and then "This happened in 2003.." then " this hapoened in 2001.." then "It happened in 2007."
The other thing I hated was the racist jokes. Apparently, Tucker thinks if it's a joke, it's not racist. I think he insulted every etnisity he came across. According to him, if you get offended, it's your own fault because you can't take a joke.
At the end of the book, he said he grew and matured, and doesn't do stuff he used to. I really hope he did.
Even though I sort of ended up liking this book, it did feel that with a lot of the stories, he was grasping for straws. I haven't read TM's previous books, but it made me think that he was running out of funny stories to tell. But here is where I give credit to the author, he knows when to end it and move on to something else. Not a lot of authors are willing to let go. I've seen time after time, them milking a dead cow. I appreciated the last note.
Good and funny read, if you don't take it personally the bullshit he spewed when he was younger. The author does have a good story telling skills, especially when he writes about things that had an impact on him, from an adult's perspective. I'm actually looking forward to reading his future books. He promised it would be something different. I'm intrigued.
June 5, 2013
The title of the book is a bit misleading. Hilarity Ensues... eh. I admit, I had a few really solid laughs. Mostly at the way Tucker Max phrases things. The stories aren't nearly as encapsulating as they were in I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell, but the updated story about Miss Vermont is worth the price on the back cover though.
Let's be honest. How this douchecanoe continues to get laid is one of the great mysteries of our time. I subscribe to some of his tactics (that doesn't mean I employ them)... preying on women's insecurities truly is a way to succeed, but not at the rate that Tucker Max does. It baffles the mind. His unabashed misogyny paints nearly all females in a terrible light. Unfortunately, I may or may not know a guy very well who seemingly tries to emulate this kind of behavior. I might go as far as to call Tucker Max this particular guy's hero. It's sad. It's a sad state of affairs when somebody who behaves this way has this kind of influence.
I gave this book 3 stars because it does have its entertaining moments. There are even a few insightful sentences that caught me off guard. Thank the lord of your choosing that this is the last time we'll hear these stories as Tucker Max has retired from "fratire" with the conclusion of this book. I'll probably read whatever he writes next because as much as I think the guy is a tool, he's an intelligent tool.
And that's all I've got to say about that.
Let's be honest. How this douchecanoe continues to get laid is one of the great mysteries of our time. I subscribe to some of his tactics (that doesn't mean I employ them)... preying on women's insecurities truly is a way to succeed, but not at the rate that Tucker Max does. It baffles the mind. His unabashed misogyny paints nearly all females in a terrible light. Unfortunately, I may or may not know a guy very well who seemingly tries to emulate this kind of behavior. I might go as far as to call Tucker Max this particular guy's hero. It's sad. It's a sad state of affairs when somebody who behaves this way has this kind of influence.
I gave this book 3 stars because it does have its entertaining moments. There are even a few insightful sentences that caught me off guard. Thank the lord of your choosing that this is the last time we'll hear these stories as Tucker Max has retired from "fratire" with the conclusion of this book. I'll probably read whatever he writes next because as much as I think the guy is a tool, he's an intelligent tool.
And that's all I've got to say about that.
February 29, 2012
The fact that this guy is on the NY Times bestsellers list is appalling. He literally writes about nothing. In this book he has run out of all the "good" stories (like some of the ones in his first book) and manages to scrape together a book of non-events and retellings of stories that have already been published. He also attempts to have some "deep thoughts" in this book, which is something he should not ever do.
July 5, 2012
I honestly got the impression from this book that he struggled while writing it, and I think he acknowledges that to some degree. Many of these stories are from several years ago and I got the distinct impression that he's not the same person anymore. Case in point: during one story he mentions how he would raise a daughter. He also seemed slightly surprised to not be married or engaged yet at the end.
I know there's a lot I should hate about this book/author/genre, and I'll admit there are quite a few things I dislike. But I feel like underneath a lot of the crap, Max could really be a better author, writing about something that matters. I'll be really interested to see what he puts out once he changes the topic of conversation.
I know there's a lot I should hate about this book/author/genre, and I'll admit there are quite a few things I dislike. But I feel like underneath a lot of the crap, Max could really be a better author, writing about something that matters. I'll be really interested to see what he puts out once he changes the topic of conversation.
February 21, 2012
Me: So what did you do with all the money, Tucker?
Tucker: Well, I bought some speakers for my range rover, a bunch of kombucha, and started psychoanalysis.
Me: Cool, cool. Anything else?
Tucker: I also got a bunch of Chick-Fil-A on a Sunday when I was hungover.
Me: BULLSHIT YOU DID.
Tucker: I'm serious. When you are Tucker Max, Chick-Fil-A will sell you chicken sandwiches on a Sunday.
Me: Damn, that must be the best part about being Tucker Max.
Tucker: Definitely. I mean, except for all the times I get to explain paleo-dieting to fat chicks. That is my true passion. That and threesomes.
Me: I can understand that.
Tucker: Well, I bought some speakers for my range rover, a bunch of kombucha, and started psychoanalysis.
Me: Cool, cool. Anything else?
Tucker: I also got a bunch of Chick-Fil-A on a Sunday when I was hungover.
Me: BULLSHIT YOU DID.
Tucker: I'm serious. When you are Tucker Max, Chick-Fil-A will sell you chicken sandwiches on a Sunday.
Me: Damn, that must be the best part about being Tucker Max.
Tucker: Definitely. I mean, except for all the times I get to explain paleo-dieting to fat chicks. That is my true passion. That and threesomes.
Me: I can understand that.
April 5, 2012
Oddly enough, I think the third book of this Tucker Max trilogy is my favorite! While the first book ("I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell") has my all-time favorite story (which is him running through a Best Western Hotel lobby, crapping himself) and was my introduction to the Tucker Max phenomenon, this one had more self-awareness than ever, and a poignant ending. (Surprisingly.)
SlingBlade was funnier than ever in these stories. In fact, this is the first of Tucker's books where I felt like I got to know his supporting cast. He offers more insight into their personalities and history, which rounds them out and makes their dialogue come alive. Tucker also offers more insight into his own life and psychology than before, and by book number three I think we are all curious as to what makes a guy like this tick.
I was shocked by the news of Tucker's "retirement" from debauchery at the end of the book, but there were hints of it coming in the second installment. (He mentioned one or two actual relationships, plus a desire to settle down and start a family one day.) Now, at the end of this book, not only does Tucker resign from the fratire genre he spawned, but SlingBlade, perhaps the most bitter and resentful of the group, finds happiness and seems to resolve his issues.
I'm glad the guys are maturing -- it would get depressing if they refused to let go of this lifestyle forever, and in a way I can't even say I'll "miss" these stories. There are three whole books I can re-read any time, and there's no need to keep adding to them.
But enough about that. There are enough laugh-out-loud and jaw-dropping moments in this book to keep you up reading late at night. Tucker's lived a wild life, and it's fun to go along for the ride!
SlingBlade was funnier than ever in these stories. In fact, this is the first of Tucker's books where I felt like I got to know his supporting cast. He offers more insight into their personalities and history, which rounds them out and makes their dialogue come alive. Tucker also offers more insight into his own life and psychology than before, and by book number three I think we are all curious as to what makes a guy like this tick.
I was shocked by the news of Tucker's "retirement" from debauchery at the end of the book, but there were hints of it coming in the second installment. (He mentioned one or two actual relationships, plus a desire to settle down and start a family one day.) Now, at the end of this book, not only does Tucker resign from the fratire genre he spawned, but SlingBlade, perhaps the most bitter and resentful of the group, finds happiness and seems to resolve his issues.
I'm glad the guys are maturing -- it would get depressing if they refused to let go of this lifestyle forever, and in a way I can't even say I'll "miss" these stories. There are three whole books I can re-read any time, and there's no need to keep adding to them.
But enough about that. There are enough laugh-out-loud and jaw-dropping moments in this book to keep you up reading late at night. Tucker's lived a wild life, and it's fun to go along for the ride!
March 15, 2012
Seriously disappointed. Maybe I've matured, maybe his last set of stories just aren't as funny. I remember reading IHTSBIH and seriously laughing throughout. To the point where I was wondering what my co-workers were thinking as I shook on the smoking area bench. This one was a maybe 3 or 4 time laughing out loud book.
March 7, 2012
Not much different than "I Hope they Serve Beer in Hell" and "Assholes Finish First", so you can refer to those reviews as well to get an understanding of this book. Tucker pretty much continues to write hilarious stories of him and his friends drunken debauchery and the stupid whores that he bangs. The book is mostly short stories (except for the Dangerous Catch story; I enjoyed this one since I watch the show but Emily felt that it was too long and since she doesn't watch the show didn't enjoy it as much; and the final story about his ex-girlfriend is another long one) and an easy read that you can pick up and put down without worrying about losing any connection to the story/plot. At the end of the novel, he explains that it will be his last one as he is moving on to a new chapter in his life, which I applaud. You get the sense that he has been moving in this direction for some times as most of his stories are set in early to mid 2000s. I wish him the best of luck with that, and I'm glad that he wrote about all the crazy shit he did...even if in person, I bet he would be a douche. Overall, I find his books/stories to be very funny and entertaining, but realize his humor and antics wouldn't be for everyone. Proceed at your own risk!
January 13, 2013
I know there are varied opinions of Tucker Max, but as a librarian with varied interests in literature, I have to say - he's worth it. You experience the evolution of Max as a writer - and a man - in Hilarity Ensues. Like other reviewers have mentioned, he gets back to some of the more comedic instances involving his friends. I have to say, the "Hate" stories absolutely had me in stitches. He's funny, clever, and honest - just do yourself a favor and read it.
February 24, 2012
Basically what I expected from Tucker Max, no more, no less. Some of the stories were really funny, while others just kind of made me shake my head and groan. It must have been a fun time collecting all these stories, but at the same time I'm not surprised at Max's epilogue and essentially his retirement from his 20's.
The one thing I wasn't really a fan of was his over-the-top arrogance in his stories. The other two opened with some kind of preface about who he is and what he does, this one just kind of assumed that everyone was aware of who he is and why he's a big deal. Not that I didn't expect narcissism, I just didn't expect it so blatantly in his style of writing.
I generally liked this book, because it was still hilarious but does show a different side of Tucker Max. He wants marriage and children, and he's finally at that point in his life where he realizes that he won't get it through drinking and whoring his life away. I mean, early 30's is a little late for that kind of epiphany, but better late than never. I hope he finds what he's looking for, and finds success with writing that's not 'fratire' as he calls his stories.
Additionally, I'm really looking forward to seeing new books by him, maybe something with some kind of sustenance? He's a fantastic storyteller so I'm sure a work of fiction by him would be good. I mean, it can't be worse than Snooki's 'A Shore Thing', can it?
The one thing I wasn't really a fan of was his over-the-top arrogance in his stories. The other two opened with some kind of preface about who he is and what he does, this one just kind of assumed that everyone was aware of who he is and why he's a big deal. Not that I didn't expect narcissism, I just didn't expect it so blatantly in his style of writing.
I generally liked this book, because it was still hilarious but does show a different side of Tucker Max. He wants marriage and children, and he's finally at that point in his life where he realizes that he won't get it through drinking and whoring his life away. I mean, early 30's is a little late for that kind of epiphany, but better late than never. I hope he finds what he's looking for, and finds success with writing that's not 'fratire' as he calls his stories.
Additionally, I'm really looking forward to seeing new books by him, maybe something with some kind of sustenance? He's a fantastic storyteller so I'm sure a work of fiction by him would be good. I mean, it can't be worse than Snooki's 'A Shore Thing', can it?
May 9, 2012
Not quite as good as the original book, but far funnier than book two.... Tucker Max gives us one final collection of hilarious drunken/sexual escapades that is definitely worth the time. Much like the first book, I often found myself laughing out loud in very public places at the ridiculousness, which turned several a head. Not too many books can accomplish that. Not with me, anyway. You may not like him, you may find his content to be childish or inappropriate, but you have to at least give him credit for being a good story teller. Dude can write a funny tale better than most. This book is worth the read solely for The Miss Vermont Story and also his sexting interludes, where he basically ridicules women who have discovered his cell number and try to initiate sexting with him. Classic stuff. There's also a great one for fans of The Deadliest Catch in here too. As much as I've enjoyed his frat-type stories I am actually really interested in seeing what he does next, now that he has pronounced this to be the last of his collection of party stories. I just hope he keeps writing. It's bound to be worth a laugh. Really enjoyed this one.
March 2, 2012
If I could give it 3 1/2 stars I would. This is the third in the series and it shows. Tucker Max seems to have run out of the sort of stories that made the first two books great. This isn't really surprising and I kind of expected it. That being said, this is still a very funny book. My favorite part was hearing the whole back story on MissVermont, the woman who sued Max. I'd recommend this to anyone who read the first two books, but would recommend IHTSBIH before this any day of the week.
December 31, 2012
Tucker Max says himself that he's an asshole. And he is.
But somehow, as unpolitically correct as it is...he makes me laugh, or shake my head or mutter to myself about what a pig he is.
His stories of his drunken debauchery are amusing...sort of like a car wreck. You don't want to be in one, but you can't look away either.
This one was less shocking than They Serve Beer in Hell but still not for the faint hearted.
February 13, 2012
An almost melancholy end to an era. Less funny than his previous endeavors, but still worth a few hearty laughs, Hilarity Ensues calmly and rationally ends the way it should. Tucker Max shows his growth and depth as a human being going through life. Well-written.
February 20, 2012
You can definitely tell that he's running out of things to talk about in this book but it was still entertaining. It's probably good that this is his last book of this genre. I think that I liked the text messages the most and there were a few good lines that definitely made me laugh.
June 19, 2018
Tucker Maxx has my heart ♡
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April 17, 2013I didn't really finish it. Too hard to get through knowing what kind of a person the author is. The escapades of this author gets less funny and more annoying as you continue through the book.
March 20, 2023
To anyone who thinks he ran out of material writing this book-
Wrong.
People will act like they didn’t thoroughly enjoy reading this from start to finish- alright, the sexting bits were lame. But in a 450 page book I don’t mind wasting a few pages to Tucker’s ego, in exchange for roughly 400 pages of sheer laughter and joy.
It’s been a long time since I’ve read a Tucker Max book, but after coming across this old copy it’s clear I need to reread the series.
I grew up in the 2000’s before PC-culture took over and killed comedy. Offensive language is my love language. Essentially, this entire series is my soulmate.
There is no slanderous word spared. Any derogatory word in relation to a community you can think of is used. Yes, even THAT one. And that one. To see now extinct words flying across the page that haven’t been uttered out loud, let alone printed, in well over a decade, was heaven. C’mon, who doesn’t secretly love the word “retard”.
I’m pretty sure this book came out the last possible year it could’ve, even a year later and it may have been too late. But 2011 was still fair game for freedom of speech, and I will forever treasure getting to hear more backstories into certain characters/individuals- namely my favorite, Hate. There’s an entire section dedicated to him in this book, and by the end I almost felt like I knew him. Whereas in the first book, I just clung to any story where he made an appearance.
And if you think this is just a book about drinking and fucking, think again. There are some truly once in a lifetime shenanigans that are so epic they had me squealing with laughter.
You can stick your nose up at him, his ego, his profanities and excessive insults, but you know he’d be fun to hang out with and you don’t have any friend who’s gotten called over the loudspeaker at the airport- because that’s how fucked up the rental car was when he returned it. And outwitted the attendant, getting away unscathed. “It’s not called walk away insurance if I can’t just walk away, right?”
Chef’s kiss.
Tucker’s moved on with his life but the laughter these books have brought me through the years is truly priceless, and have gotten me out of every reading slump. I finish his books revived and ready to take on the world.
This one hit hard, a grand slam home run.
Because as much as he glorifies himself, he also makes fun of himself plenty of times and shares his own misadventures and mistakes (in a humorous way of course) and there is a surprising amount of emotional depth and reflection for a series mostly about partying.
As such, I can’t in good conscience rate this anything less than 5 stars. I tore through this- this is a book that makes you excited to keep reading. And in an era of digital distractions and social media addictions, I appreciate that.
By the end, I was amused, sad, and inspired. If that isn’t the holy trinity of reading experiences, I don’t know what is.
Wrong.
People will act like they didn’t thoroughly enjoy reading this from start to finish- alright, the sexting bits were lame. But in a 450 page book I don’t mind wasting a few pages to Tucker’s ego, in exchange for roughly 400 pages of sheer laughter and joy.
It’s been a long time since I’ve read a Tucker Max book, but after coming across this old copy it’s clear I need to reread the series.
I grew up in the 2000’s before PC-culture took over and killed comedy. Offensive language is my love language. Essentially, this entire series is my soulmate.
There is no slanderous word spared. Any derogatory word in relation to a community you can think of is used. Yes, even THAT one. And that one. To see now extinct words flying across the page that haven’t been uttered out loud, let alone printed, in well over a decade, was heaven. C’mon, who doesn’t secretly love the word “retard”.
I’m pretty sure this book came out the last possible year it could’ve, even a year later and it may have been too late. But 2011 was still fair game for freedom of speech, and I will forever treasure getting to hear more backstories into certain characters/individuals- namely my favorite, Hate. There’s an entire section dedicated to him in this book, and by the end I almost felt like I knew him. Whereas in the first book, I just clung to any story where he made an appearance.
And if you think this is just a book about drinking and fucking, think again. There are some truly once in a lifetime shenanigans that are so epic they had me squealing with laughter.
You can stick your nose up at him, his ego, his profanities and excessive insults, but you know he’d be fun to hang out with and you don’t have any friend who’s gotten called over the loudspeaker at the airport- because that’s how fucked up the rental car was when he returned it. And outwitted the attendant, getting away unscathed. “It’s not called walk away insurance if I can’t just walk away, right?”
Chef’s kiss.
Tucker’s moved on with his life but the laughter these books have brought me through the years is truly priceless, and have gotten me out of every reading slump. I finish his books revived and ready to take on the world.
This one hit hard, a grand slam home run.
Because as much as he glorifies himself, he also makes fun of himself plenty of times and shares his own misadventures and mistakes (in a humorous way of course) and there is a surprising amount of emotional depth and reflection for a series mostly about partying.
As such, I can’t in good conscience rate this anything less than 5 stars. I tore through this- this is a book that makes you excited to keep reading. And in an era of digital distractions and social media addictions, I appreciate that.
By the end, I was amused, sad, and inspired. If that isn’t the holy trinity of reading experiences, I don’t know what is.
July 7, 2025
I’m often seen reading. I’m an avid and catholic bibliophile and some folks are genuinely astonished that I’m reading a different book every time they see me.
So, when I was seen reading this last book of the Tucker Max series, someone wanted to know what the plot was. I paused and then replied that, if I could sum Mr. Max up in two words, they would be: Professional Scumbag. As I elaborated to my listeners, “He’s the man your mother warned you about.”
I’m certain Mr. Max would agree. He’s a combination of Ferris Bueller, Eric Cartman, Andrew “Dice” Clay and almost every redneck joke that Jeff Foxworthy ever made.
In Hilarity Ensues, he is as unapologetic about his callous behavior towards women, bores, preppies, pretentious oenophiles, et al., as he’s always been. He doesn’t flinch away from detailing his own bad decisions and will lay out the consequences in graphic and disturbing detail. He wishes to be amused at all times. When he’s irked and drunk, he demands entertainment…or he makes himself the entertainment.
Dudebros, nerds and frat boys idolize this man. They want to be like him: bold, assertive, sexual and uncaring. Bafflingly, women want to be around him too. (Be warned, ladies. He’s got no use for a woman unless a) she’s hot and b) she wants to sleep with him.)
However, there is something curious about this book. What you notice is that many of his intoxicated exploits lie years in the past. The book was published in 2012 (over a decade ago) but many of the book’s mad deeds occurred much earlier. Tucker’s friends are growing up and moving apart. They’re having wives and children while he…doesn’t. He’s not upset about that. He’s neither husband nor father material and I’d strongly recommend to his friends that he not babysit their offspring except that most of them live too far away to make that feasible.
Mr. Max realizes that the days of chronicling his “mad lad” years are behind him. He’s no longer the man he was at 25 (he’s pushing 50 at the time of this review) and his epilogue reflects this.
Not that he’s going to reform! No way! This is TUCKER MAX we’re talking about here! He’s not about to hang up his bar glass or stop chasing women just because he’s reaching the half-century mark. It’s just that he’s not living the same wild and crazy life he had in his youth and that’s what he was writing about for most of his books.
While I often read this as a cautionary tale (as I did the previous books), I’ve come to see it as a person living the life he wanted to live, eschewing the dreary path of the legal profession that his father craved for him. Mr. Max chose to be happy as an irrepressible, gregarious, skirt-chasing inebriate—and he made money doing it. He became rich and semi-famous doing what he loved. Isn’t that the American dream?
Whether you love him, hate him or say “Tucker who?”, this is the book that brings the Tucker Max fratire days to their expected coda along with a surprisingly graceful thanks to the people who’ve supported him along the way.
So, when I was seen reading this last book of the Tucker Max series, someone wanted to know what the plot was. I paused and then replied that, if I could sum Mr. Max up in two words, they would be: Professional Scumbag. As I elaborated to my listeners, “He’s the man your mother warned you about.”
I’m certain Mr. Max would agree. He’s a combination of Ferris Bueller, Eric Cartman, Andrew “Dice” Clay and almost every redneck joke that Jeff Foxworthy ever made.
In Hilarity Ensues, he is as unapologetic about his callous behavior towards women, bores, preppies, pretentious oenophiles, et al., as he’s always been. He doesn’t flinch away from detailing his own bad decisions and will lay out the consequences in graphic and disturbing detail. He wishes to be amused at all times. When he’s irked and drunk, he demands entertainment…or he makes himself the entertainment.
Dudebros, nerds and frat boys idolize this man. They want to be like him: bold, assertive, sexual and uncaring. Bafflingly, women want to be around him too. (Be warned, ladies. He’s got no use for a woman unless a) she’s hot and b) she wants to sleep with him.)
However, there is something curious about this book. What you notice is that many of his intoxicated exploits lie years in the past. The book was published in 2012 (over a decade ago) but many of the book’s mad deeds occurred much earlier. Tucker’s friends are growing up and moving apart. They’re having wives and children while he…doesn’t. He’s not upset about that. He’s neither husband nor father material and I’d strongly recommend to his friends that he not babysit their offspring except that most of them live too far away to make that feasible.
Mr. Max realizes that the days of chronicling his “mad lad” years are behind him. He’s no longer the man he was at 25 (he’s pushing 50 at the time of this review) and his epilogue reflects this.
Not that he’s going to reform! No way! This is TUCKER MAX we’re talking about here! He’s not about to hang up his bar glass or stop chasing women just because he’s reaching the half-century mark. It’s just that he’s not living the same wild and crazy life he had in his youth and that’s what he was writing about for most of his books.
While I often read this as a cautionary tale (as I did the previous books), I’ve come to see it as a person living the life he wanted to live, eschewing the dreary path of the legal profession that his father craved for him. Mr. Max chose to be happy as an irrepressible, gregarious, skirt-chasing inebriate—and he made money doing it. He became rich and semi-famous doing what he loved. Isn’t that the American dream?
Whether you love him, hate him or say “Tucker who?”, this is the book that brings the Tucker Max fratire days to their expected coda along with a surprisingly graceful thanks to the people who’ve supported him along the way.
July 6, 2017
This one, contrary to The Leftovers, was not old. It was probably the best book of the three, and although maybe it didn’t have the most ridiculous stories, it had the most of Tucker's real self in it I think. He lives his life in a selfishly admirable way; everything he does is for his own enjoyment, and he has a shitton of fun. He does stuff that I would never be able to do because of fear. And his lifestyle obviously wasn’t sustainable, nor was it healthy, but he knew those things in the end, and for the next part of his life I bet he does some really good stuff. He’s quite the cool dude. Recommended as a pleasure read, dude is hilarious, intelligent, and goes out and lives life in a way most of us can only dream of. It’s almost, dare I say it, inspirational.
February 27, 2019
It took me looking back at my original review of IHTSBIH to remember why I read this series. I suppose the only reason I continued was because it's an easy read and I wanted to feel complete.
Tucker Max is a deplorable human being. I don't know why he bothers trying to rationalize the horrible things he says and does. But it doesn't stop me from reading it, does it? It's some sort of escapism, or perhaps the relief of reading something so incredibly unfiltered. Or just because it's easy. I'm not sure really. But it's done. And it was fun, I guess? I think I liked reading the full Miss Vermont story best of all, and some of the stories were amusing. But for the most part, forgettable and more of a palette cleanser until my next good book.
Tucker Max is a deplorable human being. I don't know why he bothers trying to rationalize the horrible things he says and does. But it doesn't stop me from reading it, does it? It's some sort of escapism, or perhaps the relief of reading something so incredibly unfiltered. Or just because it's easy. I'm not sure really. But it's done. And it was fun, I guess? I think I liked reading the full Miss Vermont story best of all, and some of the stories were amusing. But for the most part, forgettable and more of a palette cleanser until my next good book.
April 11, 2020
Crude, rude, sexist, and full of unapologetically truthful nudes—this book is a crass anthropological foray into the mind of a successful womanizing asshole. It’s full of overconfidence and lacking in empathy, but what else would you expect? I think a lot of people might hate this book and/or the author. However, for all of his sins the man is painfully honest. He does not try to defend his actions, nor cover them up to make himself look better. For these reasons, I think it’s an indirect lens on the other friends and enemies in his life and how they’re rarely saints in any means but by comparison.
June 11, 2020
I can't remember when I first read it, but it was probably some time in college when I wasn't quite ready to recognize how actually misogynistic and terrible these stories actually are. To Max's credit, he is able to retell these stories in a way that was (to me, at the time) pretty funny and there are even times where he admits how truly wrong he was in certain situations.
Even so, this collection is easily the weakest of the three (I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell and Assholes Finish First are the other two) and seeing this in my list of Amazon purchases is a stark reminder of the person I used to be.
Even so, this collection is easily the weakest of the three (I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell and Assholes Finish First are the other two) and seeing this in my list of Amazon purchases is a stark reminder of the person I used to be.
April 3, 2025
Finally! I’m done reading this book and I will say, I must’ve matured from Sloppy Seconds to this one because…A lot of the stories I didn’t laugh at.
Not to say that it wasn’t funny, it just wasn’t funny for me and that’s ok. A guy like Tucker Max isn’t writing for someone like me. He’s writing for the white men who are too smart, too slick, too confident.
I am not white nor a man.
Again, this one just wasn’t it for me & that’s ok, we can’t win them all.
I will say this: The retirement piece softened me up. He took a bit of a turn in his writing with that & that marks a good writer.
To Tucker Max directly…You’re welcome
Not to say that it wasn’t funny, it just wasn’t funny for me and that’s ok. A guy like Tucker Max isn’t writing for someone like me. He’s writing for the white men who are too smart, too slick, too confident.
I am not white nor a man.
Again, this one just wasn’t it for me & that’s ok, we can’t win them all.
I will say this: The retirement piece softened me up. He took a bit of a turn in his writing with that & that marks a good writer.
To Tucker Max directly…You’re welcome
January 8, 2022
I actually just saw that this guy now has very weird Covid conspiracies and wrote an article on his website in which he drew very inappropriate comparisons between unvaccinated people beim asked to quarantine and people in concentration camps in Nazi Germany.
Those comparisons will always be incredibly insensitive and tasteless. It expose the person writing them for not understanding what oppression really is or what horrors Jewish people had to go through during the nazi regime and are still going through today.
To sum it up: fuck this guy.
Those comparisons will always be incredibly insensitive and tasteless. It expose the person writing them for not understanding what oppression really is or what horrors Jewish people had to go through during the nazi regime and are still going through today.
To sum it up: fuck this guy.
January 5, 2021
I enjoyed I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell, and this is the third book in his trilogy. A lot more great true stories from Tucker. You either love him or hate him as an author and/or a person. But the book while all true, should be read for entertainment value and nothing more. For even Tucker by the end will tell you that when he wrote the book, he has matured beyond his fratire years and became married with children. A great end to a book series.
August 12, 2018
I gave this book 2 stars because it just wasn’t my type of book. I would not recommend this to my family or friends because it doesn’t fit who we are. But I do applaud the author for living his life the way he wants to and staying true to himself.
January 29, 2019
This was very funny and a very crazy life to read about. The only thing is sometimes I found it hard to read from spots I found boring or uninteresting, but hey it's an autobiography basically. Overall it made me laugh like it was meant to and I really liked it.
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March 7, 2020My first zero star book! What a pathetic moron. There WERE two hilarious parts of the book though... the parts where he actually considers himself a writer and the part where he says an old girlfriend married a guy who was "also famous".
May 24, 2017
Not as good as the first one, and it appears as though he's trying too hard now. It's all about his schtick and being vile solely to have material for his book.
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