I'm a Lebowski, You're a Lebowski: Life, The Big Lebowski, and What Have You

by Bill Green, Ben Peskoe, Will Russell

On the twentieth anniversary of the Coen brothers' cult classic film, the ultimate fan's guide to The Big Lebowski, with a foreword by the Dude himself, Jeff Bridges, and a new afterword by writer and film critic Daphne Merkin.

When it was first released in 1998, The Big Lebowski flopped at the box office. Twenty years later, the movie has developed a massive, passionate, and cross-generational cult following of Lebowski fans (a.k.a. Achievers), who yearly coalesce around Lebowski Fest, the film-screening/party where bowling pins tumble, costumes abound, and White Russians are the official drink of choice--"kind of a 'Star Trek' convention, but without all the geeks"(Associated Press).

Written by the Founding Dudes of Lebowski Fest--and with a foreword by El Duderino himself, Jeff Bridges--this new edition of I'm a Lebowski, You're a Lebowski also features contemporary reflections on the movie by acclaimed writer and former New Yorker film critic Daphne Merkin. This is the fan book to tie every Achiever's room together, a treasure trove of trivia and commentary, illustrations, photos, interviews with every major cast member (plus the real-life inspirations for the Coen-created characters), highlights from the Fest, a handy Achiever translation guide, and tips on how to Dude-ify your life. I'm a Lebowski, You're a Lebowski is a raucous and hilarious celebration of the greatest film ever made (condolences, Citizen Kane) and of the glorious revelry that continues in its two-decade wake.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, Film, Media Tie In, Pop Culture, Comedy, Philosophy

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Joseph D'Agnese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes, there's a book, well, it's the book for its time and place. It fits right in there. And that's this book, right here. And even if it's a lazy book - and any book 'bout the Dude is most certainly that. Quite possibly the laziest in Los Angeles County or any other, frankly, which would place it high in the runnin' for laziest worldwide. But sometimes there's a book, sometimes, there's a book. Aw. I lost my train of thought here. But... aw, hell. I've done introduced it enough.

[Luke Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I abide this book five stars for the same reason many Christians would probably give the Holy Bible five stars: It's the primary book around on its relatively specialized subject matter.

I received this book as a gift and was extremely jazzed at the prospect of catching some of the back story of a film I've seen 80 or 90 times. Turns out the book is pretty funny and slightly inspiring at times, but can't match the genius of the work it has been written to supplement.

The authors are the "founding dudes" of LebowskiFest. Though they're funny and decent researchers, it's no strike.

As Lenin said, look for the person who will benefit ... the 'founding dudes' are hopefully reaping more than an average reader. I mean, I spent a good three hours learning about the film's backstory (the real Little Larry Sellers is hilarious), and assume with the book's purchase have given myself 3 hours of enjoyment and likewise have subsidized a week on the couch for one of those 'founding dudes.' Main beneficiary: Dudes.

You don't really need this book. If you want to read it, be dudelike and get your favorite library-card-holder to check it out and drop it off at your place. With a bottle of Kahlua. And maybe some beer nuts.

Abidingly,
Luke

[SnoopyDoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

 

If you were a fan of the movie then this book is a must read. If you have not watched it, watch it and then come back and read the book. But really either way you should be familiar with the movie.

The book was almost a guide to the movie and it was fun and very enjoyable to read. What can you expect from the book? A lot. Obviously humor and a whole lot more. We get a good look behind the scenes, many pictures of scenes, characters and locations. As well interviews with the cast and crew. Plus some other really fun stuff.

Overall, like I said if you liked the movie you will love this book.

I rate it 5★ it was quick, fun and very informative read.

 

[Matthias Ferber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Skimmed this in a Barnes & Noble while I had time to kill. Basically it's the product of some scarily obsessed fanboys. It includes a fanatically comprehensive set of interviews -- they not only tracked down the actor who played Larry, the kid who steals the Dude's car ("IS THIS YOUR HOMEWORK, LARRY?") but also the former kid whose real-life involvement in a car theft inspired the Larry incident. They even interviewed the actress who played the supermarket checkout girl in one of the opening scenes. And many others (they did not succeed in interviewing the Coen Bros., however). There are a lot of background stories about where various other ideas come from.

The book's mildly entertaining, but it doesn't come close to the things I really want to know about the movie, which mostly have to do with its repeating themes: a traditional film noir structure, complete with femme fatale and hostile cops, revolving around a bewildered stoner rather than a hard-boiled detective; dialog that gets picked up from character to character ("This aggression will not stand, man!"); constant references to belief systems ("Fuckin' nihilists... say what you will about the tenets of National Socialism, at least it's an ethos").

I may be overthinking this, but I'm convinced there's something going on there under the main story. But you'd probably have to interview the Coen Bros. to get at that stuff, and apparently they're not talking. ("No, Walter, it did NOT look like Ethan was about to crack!")

[KDB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes there's a book... to describe a movie that rests in the hearts of so many Achievers. If you aren't a fan of The Big Lebowski, a masterpiece from the ever brilliant Coen brothers, then don't bother with this book. You're out of your element, like a child that wanders into the midst of pages you simply won't understand. This book is excellent - like the Dude's rug, it really ties the room together. Even after countless viewings of the greatest movie ever made, I learned quite a bit from this handy little guide. So, pour yourself a hell of a caucasian, Jackie, maybe even adhere to a pretty strict, uh, drug regimen to keep the mind limber, and enjoy.

[Kelsey Springer]

Goodreads, I got buddies who died face down in the muck so that you and I could enjoy this trivia guide. This is a very complicated book, you know, a lotta ins, a lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous. So take it easy for all us sinners, Achievers.

[Sophy H · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light frothy look at all things Lebowksi!

Some of the interviews with cast members are quite funny and their anecdotes about filming are good but this book contains a LOT of "fillage" if you will. I'm a huge Lebowski fan but I was hoping for a bit more out of this book.

If you like recipes for White Russians, lists of the commandments of the religion of Dudeism, the stories of some of the people who the characters were loosely based on and pop quiz questionnaires about being Dude-like, this is your book. For me though, it was a bit too much like a Crazy Annual from the 80's.

One read was enough for me. It's not a book I'm going to return to.

3 stars

[Rev · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love the Big Lebowski, then you will enjoy this book.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gewoon genieten

[clob]

Don’t know how to rate this, as it’s just a coffee table book of trivia and interviews. But it’s the best coffee table book I’ve ever owned. Really ties the coffee table together, does it not?

[Tom Gase · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a must have book for fans of the film, The Big Lebowski. Each actor that plays a character in this book is interviewed (except for Steve Buscheimi for whatever reason) and discusses their role in the movie as well as the filming process and why they believe the movie became a cult hit after bombing at the box office. There is a lot of into on the real characters and real situations that inspired the scenes in the movie. There is a ton on the Lebowski fest. More like a fan book and it's easy to read this in about two days. Good stuff. This dude abides.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book on impulse, and I don't regret it at all. It's a fantastic coffee table book, and easily flip-throughable. Most of the book consists of interviews with the actors in the film -- ALL of the actors, from Julianne Moore and Jeff Bridges to the Dude's landlord, and Liam (the Jesus' bowling partner.) And they all love the movie, apparently.

It's obviously all over the dick of the movie, but that's not too annoying. And it makes me more determined to actually attend a Lebowskifest, which I've been "thinking" about doing for years now.

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited to read this, thinking that it would be the end-all be-all of books about my favorite movie.

Turns out... not so much.

The best part of the book are the interviews with the actors as well as the interviews with the real-life people some of the characters were based on.

Though I expected more from the founders of Lebowskifest, this was fun and worth the $15.

[jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

please lower your voice, sir, this is a family restaurant.

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting to read some of the commentary and stories behind the movie. But it was just okay not what I was really hoping for which I am sure is why I was somewhat disappointed with it.

[John McDermott · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Big Lebowski movie is a classic that seems to get better with each viewing. However, while I enjoy the movie, I would never consider attending a Lebowski Fest.
This book is written by devoted fans, and is perfect for those who cannot get enough Lebowski and for Lebowski Fest attendees. However, there were sections of the book that bogged down in the minutie of slang and situations. Hard core fans might enjoy the little details, but I am not that interested. Nevertheless, this book was a pleasant read. It was a nice refresher about the movie and characters.
I especially enjoyed Chapter 2's interviews with various actors and reading their back stories.

[Lily ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost a year ago, I participated in a film club themed "The Big Lebowski", where, before the screening of the film, one of the organizers read some passages from this book. Since that day I have had a certain curiosity towards this booklet and finally, thanks to Amazon Unlimited, I had the opportunity to read it. Is it an essential reading? I would say no, it doesn't even aim to be a philosophical book on the fundamental principles of life and being, it would go against the very principles declared in the book itself. Definitely an enjoyable read, especially for those who appreciated the film and also appreciate the Dude's philosophy of life.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Within three or four pages, I was already feeling that this would be among my favorite books on the subject of the Coen Brothers' film The Big Lebowski. To employ an old saw, it grabbed me from the beginning and did not let go. Made up mostly of interviews with cast members, as well as with the real-life inspirations for a few of the characters, along with a foreword by Jeff Bridges, the book had me laughing out loud at a few points. I think I learned a few things about the film that I have not seen elsewhere. A fairly quick read, too, in some ways more like a magazine than like a book.

[Ronn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Needless to say, if you're not a fan [and an avid one], there is no reason to read. If you are a fan, there's a fair wealth of information about the characters, the cast, the people who inspired the characters, events that really happened and how they were translated into the movie. Not essential, but a lot of fun.

[Lukasz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ultimate Big Lebowski fan book. Filled with interviews with the cast, tips on how to Dude-ify your life, as well as a search for why the Big Lebowski has inspired so many people. Written by the creators of the Lebowski Fest.

[James Bolivar DiGriz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had no idea that the story was based on a Peter Exline's stolen car. That makes it even funnier to watch. Also, enjoyed the short interviews with some of the actors. If you're a Lebowski fanatic - it's worth reading

[Drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun look behind the scenes and into the minutiae of the movie from some very (some might say overly) dedicated fans. They talk to everybody involved except for the Coen brothers themselves.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book for Achievers

[Harm Van · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice, especially the interviews with all the actors and the original people on whom the characters were based. But: for Big Lebowski fans only!

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

I suppose I have not seen the movie the required # of times before reading the book (3) so maybe I got nothing to say about what appears to be another cult. Ah well.

[Collin Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Far out, man. Far fucking out.

[Karl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must have for any Achiever in training

[Russ Morey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must have for any Big Lebowski fan!

[Pat Ransom · Rating 4 out of 5]

That's just, like, my opinion, man

[Krisztina Papp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Far out, man!