From the Back of the Bus

by Dick Gregory

Growing up poor in a St. Louis African American community, Dick Gregory (b. 1932) gained his improvisational skills trading insults on neighborhood streets. He honed his ironic barbs in Chicago's black nightclubs before crossing over to mainstream venues. His success at the Playboy Club led to bookings at nightspots around the country, network television exposure, and a recording contract. His first book, From the Back of the Bus, offered satiric observations on race in America in the midst of the civil rights era.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, Race, African American

Audible Audio

First published January 1, 1962

About the author

Richard "Dick" Gregory was an American civil rights activist, social critic, writer, entrepreneur, comedian, motivational speaker, author and actor. He became the first black comedian to successfully cross over to white audiences.

Reviews

[Magdelanye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading James Baldwin in my later teens really pointed a direction for me as i set about to get educated. JB set a high bar and his brilliant fiery and tender writing introduced me to worlds unimagined. DG in his wise and witty way brought it all closer to home. I couldn't march on Washington, but i could take myself to the back of the bus where for a couple of weeks on my commute I read this until my cheap paperback copy came apart- I remember reading the last chapter with it being held together with an elastic band' and feeling such an affinity

[Taylor G · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5

Dick Gregory's nuanced humor coupled with the photos proved excellent social commentary and criticism that holds up even today.

[Tony Laplume · Rating 4 out of 5]

A kind of throwaway piece of vital history, if that makes any sense, a black entertainer from 1962 breaks cultural ground by giving free voice to cultural frustrations. And since he's a comedian, it's pretty funny stuff. The name Dick Gregory may have been lost to time, but he deserves to be remembered.

[Rooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was expecting longer material, as opposed to quotes, but even with that being said, Dick Gregory was, in the words of my father, "a baaaaaad man." As such, and despite being slightly disappointed, I can't help but give this a four.

[Chad Oakley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious! Very underrated comedian.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was an interesting read. Majority of the book is qoutes from his various acts. I will give him credit for saying things that most people wouldn't dream of saying in the 1960s, even as a joke.

[Jabali Sawicki]

Brilliant. Funny. Honest. Real talk.

[Vivi · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You gotta say this for the white race - its self-confidence knows no bounds. Who else could go to a small island in the South Pacific where there's no poverty, no crime, no unemployment, no war, no worry - and call it a "primitive society". "

Cleverly written, great comedy, and unceasingly intriguing.

"Isn't it fantastic that George Washington Carver found over 300 uses for the lowly peanut - but the south never had any use for George Washington Carver?"

[Sunil · Rating 4 out of 5]

A treasury of trenchant one-liners culled from Gregory's stand-up routine (I'm guessing). It is what it is on the score of the text, but it should be noted that it's beautifully photographed -it reminded me of The Medium is the Massage at times for some reason.

[June Beavers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really awesome piece of segregation history that is a worthy addition to any library. Some of the jokes may fall a little flat or seem unhumorous to a modern audience, but there's a couple gems in there that genuinely made me crack a smile. Even those jokes that don't match modern wit or pacing contain interesting glimpses into the era

[Faith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was expecting more essays, and it's really just snippets from stand-up acts. Funny and insightful for the most part; just not what I was expecting.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun quick read of quips and snippets of social commentary from his career.

[Stitchling · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a collection of quotes with a bit if bio. I would have liked to know more, but it's a good start at least.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Painfully timely.

[Mark Rabiner]

One of my favorite books for many years I read over and over. I kept it right next to a Lenny Bruce paperback on my very small pre highschool bookshelf.... "How to talk dirty and influence people" . And there as a "Don Martin bounces back" in there somewhere. All got read over and over again. I should do that now.... re read in a regular basis.