What do you think?
Rate this book
The Book of Leon
Everyone’s favorite houseguest who never left, Leon Black (played by award-winning comedian JB Smoove on HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm) drops his wisdom and good-bad advice for the masses. Learn the secrets Larry David has gleaned from the Falstaff of television. Live your best Leon. Bring the Ruckus.
Aristotle. Gandhi. Lao Tzu. Dr. Ruth.
Amateurs.
For centuries bespeckled dorks have pored over the scrolls of the ancients, read tea leaves, and looked to the stars for philosophy, wisdom, and advice. While some people have probably offered good advice, and others offer bad advice, Leon is here to offer his brand of good-bad advice. These are the musings of a master genius spitting out the secrets of the universe—to help you become just like him.
Be forewarned: in opening this tome and Leon’s mind, you need to be prepared for straight talk. The kind of unfiltered blunt straight talk that pounds on your door, invites itself in, makes itself at home, helps itself to your food, security pass code, your expensive organic beet juice, and finally makes itself comfortable on that twin bed in your guest room. All the while you think you’re helping it—but really it’s helping you help yourself!
Because that’s how this book doozit.
Leon Black, he ain’t wrong...he just ain’t right.
Aristotle. Gandhi. Lao Tzu. Dr. Ruth.
Amateurs.
For centuries bespeckled dorks have pored over the scrolls of the ancients, read tea leaves, and looked to the stars for philosophy, wisdom, and advice. While some people have probably offered good advice, and others offer bad advice, Leon is here to offer his brand of good-bad advice. These are the musings of a master genius spitting out the secrets of the universe—to help you become just like him.
Be forewarned: in opening this tome and Leon’s mind, you need to be prepared for straight talk. The kind of unfiltered blunt straight talk that pounds on your door, invites itself in, makes itself at home, helps itself to your food, security pass code, your expensive organic beet juice, and finally makes itself comfortable on that twin bed in your guest room. All the while you think you’re helping it—but really it’s helping you help yourself!
Because that’s how this book doozit.
Leon Black, he ain’t wrong...he just ain’t right.
Audiobook
Published October 10, 2017
50 people are currently reading
253 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
February 23, 2019
A self-help book written as if by Smoove’s Leon character from Curb Your Enthusiasm. Holy moly! This book had me laughing out loud so many times. I could actually hear JB Smoove’s voice in my head. Super funny. Liked it a lot.
January 29, 2020
This book is written in the persona of a character from Curb Your Enthusiasm. I’ve never seen this character, so some of this book was incomprehensible. Other parts of the book were absurdly hilarious. My favorite parts are unprintable. Overall, it was fun.
October 16, 2022
If you're a fan of Curb Your Enthusiasm you'll love this collection of wisdom from Leon...if you haven't seen the show I'm not sure this book will make too much sense but it is so hilarious I practically spit out my coffee while listening several times. For the best experience listen to the audio book read by Leon himself.
March 26, 2018
If you want a book of substance, this is not it. It is funny, but it gets boring quickly.
March 17, 2025
Maybe I would have liked it more if his smooth voice was treating my ear drums
January 11, 2018
Was amusing. Like if Leon had his own episode of curb your enthusiasm. Funny jokes and imagery but not much content
March 22, 2025
This one had me giggling, chuckling, perhaps a guffaw or two, every single page. Like seriously every damn one. J.B. Smoove is a comedy force. Leon himself is so ridiculous making it near impossible not to at least smile at how outrageous and spot-on his rambling thoughts are. I recommend this highly to the Curb Your Enthusiasm crowd as a fantastic companion piece into the mind of Leon.
November 8, 2017
I love “Curb Your Enthusiasm”because it shreds the politically correct fog of appeasement and lack of accountability that enshrouds much of our lives today and replaces it with the Ruckus Dominus —a character who knows what he likes, what he doesn’t, and tells it like it is. Leon is the best. Leon figuratively, and literally, brings the ruckus to this brief, anecdotal book, and it’s liberating to read. I tend to read very late at night/early morning (3 and 4 a.m.) and woke my wife up a few times because I was shaking quietly with laughter. Don’t expect Hemingway prose, but do expect modern day Hemingway observations and insights about how to be a “real” man in today’s manscaped world.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 14, 2017
If you like “Leon” on “Curb...” then this book is for you!
March 23, 2018
Leon brings the motherfucking ruckus.
September 20, 2018
I thought this would be funnier.
July 21, 2021
When my library holds didn't arrive on time before heading out on a long-awaited vacation, I went to a used bookstore (which was a very magical experience in itself). Being a huge Curb Your Enthusiasm fan, this was the first book that caught my eye, and when I opened it, I saw "I brings the ruckus," and I thought, ok, great, done.
While Leon has the best of intentions of dropping knowledge and bringing the ruckus to the reader, I'm pretty sure I'm a smidge dumber after reading this book. There were certainly moments in the very beginning where I died laughing, and you do hear Leon's distinctive voice and cadence in your head, but there's absolutely no reason for this book to be 241 pages long.
Leon adds unmistakable zest and spice to Curb Your Enthusiasm, but there's a reason he's not the main character. He's at his best in small doses. I really almost bailed, but decided to stick it out to get through the plane ride home. During many moments, I was just staring and turning pages and not processing any of the ruckus. Sorry, Leon!
"The other day a friend of mine, one of those annoying types, always whining and shit - you know what I mean. I don't want to name names, but just to put a theoretical face to him, let's just say he's a white man with glasses and bald as fuck. Anyway, this annoying ass friend of mine was like, 'Leon, you're so full of it, why don't you take all your bullshit and put it in a book!' And I was like, 'Fuck you, Larry!' So I took that naysayer's words as a challenge (yes, I said 'naysayer' - I told you I'm worldy) and wrote this damn book!" p. xvi
"Now, I'm sure you'll notice that there's nothing but a picture of me on the next page, but it's more than just a picture of me. That picture is a picture of me looking at you looking at me as you look at yourself." p. xvii The photo that followed made me full on cackle very, very loudly on the beach. That photo and its preface are definitely the best part of the entire book.
"Take it from me, a relationship should not always be blissful; that's boring ass shit. Too many muthafuckas want serenity, but you need bumps in the road, they give you character. Now, when I say 'bumps,' I don't mean potholes or craters, but more like when a woman gets so pissed she'll leave your shit out on the sidewalk, like everything you own - all your underwear, your papers, your reclining chair - that's a damn bump!" p. 62
"You do what you gotta do, till you can do what you wanna do!" p. 97
On "Leonism:" "And I believe my disciples should have their own face as their God, 'cause believing in yourself is what makes you powerful. It's what allows you to bring the ruckus." p. 215
"What is 'getting in that ass,' you ask? It is a verbal form of ass whupping. It is a way of defending yourself or your lady. To master it is to master the art of talking a good game. And when you're good at it, it can be more devastating than a sucker punch." p. 222
"So always know who you're talking to, because if you're not careful, they'll get in your ass before you have a chance to get in theirs." p. 223
While Leon has the best of intentions of dropping knowledge and bringing the ruckus to the reader, I'm pretty sure I'm a smidge dumber after reading this book. There were certainly moments in the very beginning where I died laughing, and you do hear Leon's distinctive voice and cadence in your head, but there's absolutely no reason for this book to be 241 pages long.
Leon adds unmistakable zest and spice to Curb Your Enthusiasm, but there's a reason he's not the main character. He's at his best in small doses. I really almost bailed, but decided to stick it out to get through the plane ride home. During many moments, I was just staring and turning pages and not processing any of the ruckus. Sorry, Leon!
"The other day a friend of mine, one of those annoying types, always whining and shit - you know what I mean. I don't want to name names, but just to put a theoretical face to him, let's just say he's a white man with glasses and bald as fuck. Anyway, this annoying ass friend of mine was like, 'Leon, you're so full of it, why don't you take all your bullshit and put it in a book!' And I was like, 'Fuck you, Larry!' So I took that naysayer's words as a challenge (yes, I said 'naysayer' - I told you I'm worldy) and wrote this damn book!" p. xvi
"Now, I'm sure you'll notice that there's nothing but a picture of me on the next page, but it's more than just a picture of me. That picture is a picture of me looking at you looking at me as you look at yourself." p. xvii The photo that followed made me full on cackle very, very loudly on the beach. That photo and its preface are definitely the best part of the entire book.
"Take it from me, a relationship should not always be blissful; that's boring ass shit. Too many muthafuckas want serenity, but you need bumps in the road, they give you character. Now, when I say 'bumps,' I don't mean potholes or craters, but more like when a woman gets so pissed she'll leave your shit out on the sidewalk, like everything you own - all your underwear, your papers, your reclining chair - that's a damn bump!" p. 62
"You do what you gotta do, till you can do what you wanna do!" p. 97
On "Leonism:" "And I believe my disciples should have their own face as their God, 'cause believing in yourself is what makes you powerful. It's what allows you to bring the ruckus." p. 215
"What is 'getting in that ass,' you ask? It is a verbal form of ass whupping. It is a way of defending yourself or your lady. To master it is to master the art of talking a good game. And when you're good at it, it can be more devastating than a sucker punch." p. 222
"So always know who you're talking to, because if you're not careful, they'll get in your ass before you have a chance to get in theirs." p. 223
August 10, 2018
Best to be a Curb Your Enthusiasm fan to get this. It is basically a really long stand up routine. I don't know how anyone would read this, I listened as an audiobook, which was read by JB. Not particularly good but that was my expectation going in, just wanted a little comedy break, and it was perhaps a little better than I expected. The whole thing is in Leon Black's character.
January 13, 2019
Light distraction. Made me laugh out loud a few times, mostly just smile. More enjoyable to fans of Curb Your Enthusiasm and the character of Leon Black. You sorta have to be in on the joke to enjoy it. I probably would have enjoyed it more as an aubiobook, especially since it is read by JB Smoove.
September 18, 2021
Love Curb. One of my favorite shows. Love Leon in the show. So this book?
So stupid. So consistently stupid. And so funny. Audio book I think would be ideal for this. If you like Leon, you will like this book. If not...well, probably not so much. But how do you not like the President of HTA who has a black belt in...ok, no spoilers.
So stupid. So consistently stupid. And so funny. Audio book I think would be ideal for this. If you like Leon, you will like this book. If not...well, probably not so much. But how do you not like the President of HTA who has a black belt in...ok, no spoilers.
October 29, 2023
Nettes Buch für zwischendurch, man muss den Charakter aus der Serie kennen, damit man ihn "sprechen hört". Manche Kapitel sind sehr albern und lustig, manche sind nur okay. Aber wie Leon Black selbst in seinem Epilog schreibt: "Make sure you get this book to someone else in need." Ich werde das Buch in so einem Buchkasten stellen und jemand anders freut sich vielleicht drüber. 🥳
January 17, 2018
Um no...just no. I guess I'm not the target audience for this book. I found Leon hilarious on Curb Your Enthusiasm, so I thought this would be right up my alley, but it was just crude and cringe worthy.
January 29, 2018
Absolutely hilarious.
JB Smoove as Leon Black is one of the best characters ever created, and the book did not disappoint. Curb fans will love it, but I think it would appeal to other comedy fans who aren't familiar with the character as well. Laugh out loud funny.
JB Smoove as Leon Black is one of the best characters ever created, and the book did not disappoint. Curb fans will love it, but I think it would appeal to other comedy fans who aren't familiar with the character as well. Laugh out loud funny.
August 18, 2019
This is not an audio book to listen to with children or easily offended family and friends due to profane language and sexual content. Leon is gregarious, funny and some of his musing have real merit, like his section on naming children. Great audiobook for long drives.
November 9, 2020
Crude, juvenile, and absolutely silly. If you like Leon Black's character in Curb, you'll enjoy this. I listened to the audio book read by Leon himself, and what a treat! He had me laughing in minutes.
February 27, 2019
Insightful and funny. True to the character from a the show. A nice light read.
January 7, 2018
If you read only one book written by a fictional character this year, make it this one. Hilarious.
January 11, 2018
Well, I don’t know what I expected...
If you ever watched Curb Your Enthusiasm and thought to yourself, I wonder what Leon is up to when he’s not with Larry, then this is the book for you.
If you ever watched Curb Your Enthusiasm and thought to yourself, I wonder what Leon is up to when he’s not with Larry, then this is the book for you.
March 21, 2018
Simon & Schuster I have no idea what you were thinking. The target audience for this book are not huge readers.
April 19, 2018
This book is one of the best books written by a fictional character that I have read with my eyeballs. Perfect for fans of Frasier and Garfield.
April 28, 2018
Leon is funny and I love him on Curb, but his book is about too many things and doesn’t go deep enough into any them. Also, I wish I learned more about his past and life.
June 2, 2018
Hilarious as written from the point of view of Leon from Curb Your Enthusiasm. Do not read if you are sensitive to the liberal use of the F word and its many variations.
June 6, 2018
Starts out funny, but all the profanity & sex talk gets old. I think it is written as his character on Curb Your Enthusiasm.
June 18, 2018
I recommend as an audio book, funny as he reads it and with some side comments that are likely not in the physical book. Funny and interesting way of looking at things.
July 4, 2018
About as silly as you’d expect, but I had a good time when needing a break from more serious listens.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews