Stephen Colbert Lib/E: Beyond Truthiness

by Bruce Watson

Stephen Colbert is far more than a comedian and improv genius. As head of his fanciful Colbert Nation, the quick-witted host of Comedy Central's The Colbert Report has delighted fans with his wit, audacity, and innovative uses of language and the media.In this biography, award-winning journalist Bruce Watson, author of Jon Stewart: Beyond the Moments of Zen, charts Colbert's rise from boyhood tragedy to "greatest living cultural/media critic."

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Humor, Comedy, Audiobook, Politics, Memoir

Audio CD

First published January 20, 2014

About the author

Bruce Watson is the author of "Light: A Radiant History from Creation to the Quantum Age" (Bloomsbury, Feb. 2016). Starting with creation stories and following the trail of luminescence through three millennia, "Light" explores how humanity has worshiped, captured, studied, painted, and finally controlled light. The book's cast of characters includes Plato, Ptolemy, Alhacen, Dante, Leonardo, Rembrandt, Galileo, Newton, Daguerre, Monet, Edison, Einstein... The American Library Association's Booklist called "Light: A Radiant History" "a dazzling book."

Watson currently writes the online magazine The Attic (www.theattic.space.) With weekly articles about American Dreamers, Wonders, Wits, Rebels, Teachers, and more, The Attic promotes “a kinder,cooler America.”

Watson is also the author of four other well-reviewed books, including "Freedom Summer: The Savage Season that Made Mississippi Burn and Made America a Democracy," "Sacco and Vanzetti: The Men, The Murders, and The Judgment of Mankind," and "Bread and Roses: Mills, Migrants, and the Struggle for the American Dream."

Watson has also written more than three dozen feature articles for Smithsonian. His work has appeared in the Boston Globe, the Los Angeles Times, American Heritage, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, Yankee, Reader’s Digest, and Best American Science and Nature Writing 2003.

Reviews

[Book2Dragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found Stephen Colbert on YouTube during the 2020 election cycle and his satire was a balm for non-news (I'd believe his before theirs), and craziness (truthiness) for a world gone mad.
The book chronicles his rise from a fun-loving family to Second City to the Daily Show with Jon Stewart, finally to Late Night with Stephen Colbert. A well-balanced read, and insight into the man.
The narrator almost sounds like Colbert when imitating him. Recommended.

[Theresa Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this off Bookbub without actually paying attention to what I was buying. It’s a book about Stephen Colbert, not by him, whoops. But I’m fascinated by people who can write sketch and perform improv, and indeed, much of Colbert’s history with Second City and the Second City philosophy toward comedy that has churned out many stars of TV sitcoms and blockbuster movies reminded me of autobiographies I’ve read about my idols Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.

Also, as a communications major who has always made at least part of my living in media, it was interesting to be reminded of the impact of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and subsequently The Colbert Report had on our culture. Initially, pundits worried that fake news would turn us into an even bigger nation of uninformed idiots than we already are, but instead it was found that fans of those shows were actually more informed than other people—for us to get the jokes, we had to understand what the “real” news was.

This is a fast read and if you’re a fan of Colbert, you will enjoy learning about how he became the character Stephen Colbert and who he is when he’s not on stage.
For more of my reviews, please visit: http://theresaalan.net/blog/

[Greg · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book reminds me of those Scholastic biographies on famous celebrities that I used to read when a kid -- with just as little insight (but more gushing from the author). The book does give the reader a basic chronological biography of Colbert-the-person and his creation of Colbert-the-character, so if all you're looking for is a book that gives you basic knowledge on the man and his craft, the book succeeds. But that's all. No great use of language, or passages that do more than give us a perfunctory idea of Colbert's struggles and triumphs. Luckily, it's a short read, and there are photos of Colbert, his wife, and a couple of his kids. Plus, when Watson doesn't give his hyberbolic opinion on major events in the life of the Colbert Report, it's enjoyable.

[Beverly K · Rating 2 out of 5]

How odd, to again give a Colbert book such a low rating. While this book was more up to date than the previous Colbert book I had read, it is strongly reminiscent of a term paper. It consists of a compilation of anecdotes and quotes from second-hand sources and no firsthand information. Moreover, most of what it contains is public knowledge.

The writing is easy enough to parse and it was short. When I bought it, it was on sale for $2.99. I will add that paying the list price, $9.99, is absurd for a book this short lacking any firsthand research.

[Jarvis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though it was a short biography, it captured the greatness of the funniest/smartest man on television. Its amazing how Colbert grew out of childhood tragedy to become the best media satirist. if you are a fan of the Colbert Report, you need to read this. If you love Colbert the character, you'll love Colbert the man. Thoughtful, giving, and a wonderful father. This story is much more than truthiness.

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

My truthiness news will not be the same without the leader of the Colbert Nation.

[Graceann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure what I was expecting, but this book ticks the boxes of Colbert's life without getting much deeper. I've been a fan of Mr. Colbert's since before many other people noticed him (he's still a fairly unknown quantity in my new home in the UK, sadly), and have read all the articles about him that I could find and watched interviews with him. I know a fair amount about the man just by following the culture and media coverage of him, so there wasn't a huge amount of new information here for me.

The book is balanced, comfortably written, concise at only 95 pages (the last 10 or so being a sources list) and obviously written by someone who admires Stephen Colbert. If you are unfamiliar with Colbert or his work, or only passingly familiar, this will be a helpful primer to the man and his superlative work and it is extremely useful in that context. If you are an uber-fan, it is more of a refresher course, without very much information that will be new to you.

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very quick read. I really enjoyed learning more about Stephen Colbert. If you are a fan of his you will enjoy learning about his life. I admire his command of the English language as well as his quick wit.

[Chris Loveless · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short and enjoyable book about Stephen Colbert. Talks about growing up in a big family. The unfortunate loss of life with his dad and 2 older brothers dying in a plane crash. His family moved around and settled in South Carolina. He was a huge book reader and has supposedly read the lord of the rings books over 40 times. He started finding his calling in Chicago working with Steve Carrill and Amy sedaris. Eventually landed an opportunity at the daily show with Jon Stewart who he would become really close with. Colbert report was started and eventually got his own nighttime talk show.

[Melissa McGowan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started this because I thought it was a book written by Stephen Colbert, but it was a book about Stephen Colbert. I stayed with it though, as Colbert’s history in Chicago at Second City and relationships with comedians who came from that scene was mildly interesting.

[Simon Vacca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this book because I consider myself to be a pretty big fan of Stephen Colbert. It is a piece about the comic -- not by him. In all, the text pretty well serves as the equivalent of a Wikipedia article on Colbert... and little beyond that.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stephen Colbert

Stephen Colbert, who posed as an egotistical conservative on 'The Colbert Report' is nothing like that in real life. Watson writes, "Off camera, the loud-mouthed self-promoter turns into a gentle polite father of three, a staunch Catholic and Sunday School teacher.....and a major comedic artist whose career has been as finely tuned as his jokes."

In this slender book Watson briefly traces Colbert's journey from his boyhood in South Carolina to television stardom.

Colbert was the youngest of eleven children in a loving intellectual family. Stephen's father James was a doctor; his mother Lorna was a devoted matriarch; and his siblings were fast-talking, funny, and fun.


Little Stephen Colbert


James and Lorna Colbert and their children


James Colbert reading to his children

The family moved all around for Dr. Colbert's career before settling in South Carolina for good. Encouraged to be adventurous, young Stephen enjoyed fishing and thought of being a marine biologist.

Then in 1974 tragedy struck. Stephen's father and two older brothers were killed in a plane accident and Stephen was devastated. He found his escape in books, playing Dungeons and Dragons, and acting in school plays.


Stephen Colbert in middle school

Stephen was very active in high school clubs, and one teacher remembers him as being brilliant, a little naughty, and super-charged with energy - in essence, an early version of the Stephen Colbert on television today.


Stephen Colbert in high school


Stephen Colbert's page in his high school yearbook

Stephen went to the ultra-conservative, all-male Hampton-Sydney College in Virginia, a stilted institution that "gave Colbert insight into the mainstream American values he now so sarcastically champions." Stephen didn't like the school but found an outlet by appearing in plays. At this point, Stephen planned to become a serious actor.

In junior year Colbert transferred to Northwestern University in Illinois, where a train-ride took him to Chicago and its many improv clubs. This is when Stephen Colbert changed the pronunciation of his name from Col-burt to Col-bear. He also lived in a co-ed dorm, broadened his horizons, and began his career as a comic.


Stephen Colbert liked comedy clubs


Stephen Colbert broadened his horizons

Watson writes about Stephen's early career and people he worked with, like Amy Sedaris, Paul Dinello, and Steve Carell.


Stephen Colbert, Amy Sedaris, and Paul Dinello


Stephen Colbert, Amy Sedaris, and Paul Dinello


Stephen Colbert and Steve Carell

Colbert struggled with hard times before he became successful, but eventually joined the Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and then became host of The Colbert Report.


Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart




Stephen Colbert on The Colbert Report

The author describes some of Colbert's funny segments, which are classic and hilarious. For example, Colbert coined the term truthiness and got it into the dictionary; showed fans how to revise Wikipedia with their own 'truth'; tried to get a bridge named after him in Hungary; skewered politicians on Better Know a District; debated inane subjects with Steve Carell on Even Steven bits; ran for President; and much much more. (Colbert now hosts The Late Show, but that's not covered in this book.)

In Colbert's private life he wooed and married Evelyn McGee and they have three children. Colbert is a devoted husband and father, and makes sure to re-orient to domestic mode while driving home from his television shows.


Stephen Colbert and his wife Evelyn


Stephen Colbert with his wife and children

Colbert's good nature, open mind, and immense talent make him popular with colleagues, employees, and the public. I watched the 'The Best of the Colbert Report' and laughed through the whole thing. Thank you for being a balm in hard times Stephen Colbert.



You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com

[Stefan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick read (when I actually got the time to sit down and read that is).

I enjoyed this book as it gave me a little more insight into the world of Stephen Colbert and The Colbert Report. I admittedly am a late-comer to Colbert Nation as I just started watching his show about 18 months ago.

There are no deep dark secrets in this book, and probably nothing that cannot be found elsewhere, but being a relatively short book, it does give you some information on this wonderfully talented man.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read that I enjoyed reading, but, I think this is written for a person who hasn't been a fan of Colbert's very long, and is looking for a biography that can better help them get to know him better. I've been a fan of Colberts for a few years now and I have read pretty much everything in this biography on-line or through the many magazine articles that Colbert has been interviewed in.

[Liz Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

informative

My husband, an avid fan, introduced me to the Daily Show and the Colbeert Report. This book enabled me to better understand what is real and what is satire. This has helped me understa d my husband better as he and Stephen Colbert. Also, this was well written a.d enjoyable.

[Simon Sweetman · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a quick skim of a read but it covers the timeline well enough and gives some order to how Colbert turned from improv-player to important pundit, influential satirist and soon to be talk-show host.

[Marilyn Vix · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really fast read. Gives a glimpse into Stephen Colbert and the real man behind the desk. I wanted some more in depth background in some areas, like background and Colbert as a kid. But as a good "Get To Know Stephen" overview, it worked well.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

As everyone has indicated a quick read. Enjoyed knowing more abut this man. This gives a quick understanding to his career. Helped me to be ready to watch the next phase of his comic life unfold with the take over of Letterman

[Romelle Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short glimpse into what makes him tick...this a brief bio of this very interesting man who overcame a lot to be the funny man he is today. Loved his persona on The Colbert Report..will miss it. Will be interesting to see how he does on his new late night show. I wish him well.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this might not be the most in-depth biography about Stephen Colbert: "Beyond Truthiness" it was a lot of fun to read. Things that you learn about Colbert helped me see how he became the man he is today. Nice book!

[Dawn Downey · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a Colbert fan, you'll like him even more after reading this. A quick read, not very challenging.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick, short book, but fun to read.

[Gabriel Law · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read. Treat this as an extended Wikipedia.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This biography is sufficiently good for a quick read and provided the necessary context around Colbert's experiences with comedy and satire.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read on Stephen Colbert.

[NancyL Luckey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good to know Stephen is the fine man I thought he is.

[Bill Mcferren · Rating 4 out of 5]

It kept me entertained! An interesting Man to say the least.

[kt · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the information contained in this book was interesting, I thought this would be a biography, but instead, it read more like a school assignment. The author did not have any actual first person contact with Colbert. All of the information was gained from other sources and chunks of the book were just a regurgitation of clips of Colbert's shows. I could have just as easily gotten this information, and probably more, just from a few quick internet searches. I'm not mad, I'm just disappointed.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a longtime fan of Stephen Colbert, this was both an eye opener and a treat. First let me say, I've always felt Stephen was an intelligent and thoughtful personality. After reading this book, I find I've not given him nearly enough credit. He is highly intelligent and well educated. There is so much in this book that I never knew, but was happy to learn about this man. I highly recommend this book to anyone, wether a fan or not

[Gayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really thought this was going to be one of the books Colbert has authored, but it was more of a biography. Good, nonetheless, and only 100 pages or so. Written up to the time that Colbert was hired to replace David Letterman. I'm a more recent fan - really enjoy his first half-hour of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert."