Sacha Baron Cohen: The Unauthorized Biography: From Cambridge to Kazakhstan

by Kathleen Tracy

The first biography of the comedic genius behind the cult favorite TV show "Da Ali G Show" and the high grossing―and gross out―smash film Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.

If the millions of fans who flocked to the blockbuster films Borat and Talladega Nights tuned in to Sacha Baron Cohen's interviews on late night TV hoping to see the man behind the characters, they were sure to be disappointed. Who exactly is this Sacha Baron Cohen, who has everyone from TV personalities to the government of Kazakhstan all riled up? Did he fool all the politicians and luminaries who made such idiots of themselves on "Da Ali G Show" or did it just look like it? Was it the RV-driving Southern good ole frat boys in Borat ― Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan who got taken for a ride or were their on-camera remarks fair game? And how did he get a fiancée as foxy as Isla Fisher, the babe from "Wedding Crashers"?

Tracing his roots as the soft-spoken son of an English clothier, biographer Tracy follows Cohen's path to Cambridge, where he ditched the idea of pursuing a Ph.D. for an infinitely trickier comedy career. As we wait to see just what Cohen will come up with next, Tracy gets to the man behind the characters―and details the outrageous moves Cohen has made in character as the boorish English hip-hop journalist Ali G, the tender and tactless Kazakh journalist Borat Sagdiyev, and more

288 pages, Paperback

First published December 26, 2007

Reviews

[Thomas Hunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read about Sacha, enjoyed hearing about how he got his start and that he also has a History degree. Was neat to see the way he took over the UK and then moved on to the US, wearing out both Ali G and Borat, Bruno to a lesser extent and then began starring in Hollywood movies. I wonder what he's doing now. So funny, so smart. He surely must be working on something.

[Jared Hubach · Rating 3 out of 5]

It talks a bit much about reactions to his work. I wish it covered more of his life before fame and discussed his life outside his work.

[Mauro Bedaque · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sacha Baron Cohen protege muito bem sua vida pessoal e essa biografia fica longe de fazer um bom trabalho. O resultado é um livro bobo, superficial, que só vale para quem é muito fã, especialmente de Borat.

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

Amusing parts and reminders of what makes him so funny not a patch on watching him in the Borat movie if you like that style of comedy.

[Kathie]

Interesting read, interesting man.If you like Ali G and/or anything he has done (TV and movie) you'll enjot this book

[Marie Dozier · Rating 4 out of 5]

What did my friend learn from Cambridge? The beloved "bouffon"and h.i.s. "unauthorized BIO" a.r.e. on the way.