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Congratulations! Now What?: A Book for Graduates
Just as a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, so a spoonful of humor helps the wisdom go down. In Congratulations! Now What? , America's funnyman Bill Cosby gently ribs college graduates about their time spent--or lost--in the hallowed halls of the university and postulates what four years of higher education have suited them "[If no job offer] ever turns up with a four-day week, a three-hour lunch, and a holiday for Count Basie's birthday, you still might be able to make a few dollars on Jeopardy ." But he also assures graduates that their studies were not in vain and bestows advice to job seekers. Those who acquired several piercings while in school are cautioned to make sure the studs and hoops are shined before going to an interview. Those who are buffing their first professional résumé are advised to strike a tone somewhere between "lyrical lying and fanciful fraud."
Cosby, whose successful career as a humorist has always turned on his affection for kids, is a regular speaker at college commencements--in the chapter "As I Look Out at Your Foggy Faces," he says it's a hobby of his--and this 130-page book collects bons mots and sage advice from speeches given because he has "a feeling for anesthesiology."Graduates--and their now-broke parents--will find a reason to smile on every page. --Brenda Pittsley
Cosby, whose successful career as a humorist has always turned on his affection for kids, is a regular speaker at college commencements--in the chapter "As I Look Out at Your Foggy Faces," he says it's a hobby of his--and this 130-page book collects bons mots and sage advice from speeches given because he has "a feeling for anesthesiology."Graduates--and their now-broke parents--will find a reason to smile on every page. --Brenda Pittsley
- GenresHumorNonfiction
144 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 1999
1 person is currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
Bill Cosby
153 books224 followersWilliam Henry Cosby Jr. is an American retired comedian, actor, and media personality. Often cited as a trailblazer for African Americans in the entertainment industry, Cosby was a film, television, and stand-up comedy star, with his longest-running live-action role being that of Cliff Huxtable in the sitcom The Cosby Show (1984–1992). He also released several stand-up comedy albums and was a popular spokesperson in advertising for decades. Cosby was well known in the United States for his fatherly image and gained a reputation as "America's Dad". Since 2014, dozens of allegations of sexual assault have been made against him.
Cosby began his career as a stand-up comic at the Hungry I nightclub in San Francisco in 1961, and primarily performed observational comedy in a conversational style. He released numerous standup specials starting with Bill Cosby Is a Very Funny Fellow...Right! (1963) and starred in the comedy film Bill Cosby: Himself (1983). Cosby still holds the record for winning the most Grammy Awards for Best Comedy Album, with seven wins. His acting career began with a starring role in the NBC secret-agent show I Spy (1965–1968), which broke new ground for African Americans when he made history by winning three Primetime Emmy Awards for Best Actor in a Drama Series, becoming the first black actor to do so.
Cosby made his film debut starring in Man and Boy (1971) followed by Hickey & Boggs (1972), Uptown Saturday Night (1974), Let's Do It Again (1975), A Piece of the Action (1977), Leonard Part 6 (1987), and Ghost Dad (1990). He produced and starred in a series of television sitcoms such as The Bill Cosby Show (1969–1971), Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids (1972–1985) and The Cosby Show (1984–1992) as well as its the spin-off A Different World (1987–1993), The Cosby Mysteries (1994–1995), and Cosby (1996–2000). He hosted Kids Say the Darndest Things (1998–2000). During his prolific career he advertised numerous products including the Jell-O ice pop treats Pudding Pop.
Over 60 women have accused Cosby of rape, drug-facilitated sexual assault, sexual battery, child sexual abuse and sexual harassment. Those allegations gained traction 2014 after a set which made mention of them by fellow comedian Hannibal Buress went viral. Numerous allegations followed with Cosby maintaining his innocence and repeatedly denying the allegations made against him. Despite receiving numerous awards and honorary degrees, several of them were revoked following the allegations. Reruns of The Cosby Show and other programs featuring Cosby were pulled from syndication. In 2018, Cosby was convicted of aggravated sexual assault against Andrea Constand. He was imprisoned until the conviction was vacated in June 2021 by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania on the basis of Cosby's 5th Amendment and 14th Amendment due process rights having been violated. In 2022, Cosby was found civilly liable for having sexually assaulted Judy Huth when she was 16.
Cosby began his career as a stand-up comic at the Hungry I nightclub in San Francisco in 1961, and primarily performed observational comedy in a conversational style. He released numerous standup specials starting with Bill Cosby Is a Very Funny Fellow...Right! (1963) and starred in the comedy film Bill Cosby: Himself (1983). Cosby still holds the record for winning the most Grammy Awards for Best Comedy Album, with seven wins. His acting career began with a starring role in the NBC secret-agent show I Spy (1965–1968), which broke new ground for African Americans when he made history by winning three Primetime Emmy Awards for Best Actor in a Drama Series, becoming the first black actor to do so.
Cosby made his film debut starring in Man and Boy (1971) followed by Hickey & Boggs (1972), Uptown Saturday Night (1974), Let's Do It Again (1975), A Piece of the Action (1977), Leonard Part 6 (1987), and Ghost Dad (1990). He produced and starred in a series of television sitcoms such as The Bill Cosby Show (1969–1971), Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids (1972–1985) and The Cosby Show (1984–1992) as well as its the spin-off A Different World (1987–1993), The Cosby Mysteries (1994–1995), and Cosby (1996–2000). He hosted Kids Say the Darndest Things (1998–2000). During his prolific career he advertised numerous products including the Jell-O ice pop treats Pudding Pop.
Over 60 women have accused Cosby of rape, drug-facilitated sexual assault, sexual battery, child sexual abuse and sexual harassment. Those allegations gained traction 2014 after a set which made mention of them by fellow comedian Hannibal Buress went viral. Numerous allegations followed with Cosby maintaining his innocence and repeatedly denying the allegations made against him. Despite receiving numerous awards and honorary degrees, several of them were revoked following the allegations. Reruns of The Cosby Show and other programs featuring Cosby were pulled from syndication. In 2018, Cosby was convicted of aggravated sexual assault against Andrea Constand. He was imprisoned until the conviction was vacated in June 2021 by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania on the basis of Cosby's 5th Amendment and 14th Amendment due process rights having been violated. In 2022, Cosby was found civilly liable for having sexually assaulted Judy Huth when she was 16.
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May 28, 2010Man, Bill Cosby is such a douchebag grumpy old man. He would, like, totally hate me and everything. I mean, just because I majored in trans-siberian economics with a minor in pan-flute appreciation doesn't mean I didn't learn anything in college, okay? And sure, I go on AIM and have cybersex and e-mail the 'Net while playing Tomb Raider while I pick my six nose rings and try to keep my pants from falling off. I still know what Waterloo is, okay? It's the main competitor of Applebee's, right?
This book only exists for some douchebag relative to hand it to an acne-scarred, humiliated youth after graduating. I handed it to myself years ago and I think I made it through the first chapter but, like, it was too hard and stuff and there were no Cliff Notes so I gave up. After all, that's the only thing I learned in college: how to fill My Needs and Find Myself. That and gender politics and ultra consent and philosophy and sleeping and calculus and other worthless stuff like that. I still don't know how to fix a tire and I guess I'm only qualified to work at a burrito counter or some other (shudder) low-paying blue collar work. I think I know everything and want to save the world and boy am I wrong!
PS: In keeping with the message of this book I have not done any word-checking but have used words in the way that best expresses my true self. Now leave me alone, it's 10 AM and I have to sleep.
This book only exists for some douchebag relative to hand it to an acne-scarred, humiliated youth after graduating. I handed it to myself years ago and I think I made it through the first chapter but, like, it was too hard and stuff and there were no Cliff Notes so I gave up. After all, that's the only thing I learned in college: how to fill My Needs and Find Myself. That and gender politics and ultra consent and philosophy and sleeping and calculus and other worthless stuff like that. I still don't know how to fix a tire and I guess I'm only qualified to work at a burrito counter or some other (shudder) low-paying blue collar work. I think I know everything and want to save the world and boy am I wrong!
PS: In keeping with the message of this book I have not done any word-checking but have used words in the way that best expresses my true self. Now leave me alone, it's 10 AM and I have to sleep.
August 31, 2021
I actually got this book as a gift from I believe my parents when I first got out of college. I read the book over 20 years ago before Cosby's legal problems. I have to admit it is a good & funny book. I doubt if anybody will read it now. But still very funny.
January 23, 2019
I hoped for actual advice, but no such luck, just attempts at humor.
February 12, 2012
Hello everyone. Now I know I do not update status very much because normally I have no reason to do so however, I think this time is a special time. I wanted to do a book review by an author that most of us know. Our dear beloved Bill Cosby. I have recently read "Congratulations Now what?
A book for Graduates" by the famous man himself. And unfortunately to be honest the book is utterly terrible. It was so terrible in fact that I am writing this review not as an informative review but as a warning to not read it and maybe if you even come across it to go out of your way to burn it. Now I am in shock as much as everyone else that this book is so terrible and even mean spirited. So here it goes. It all began when my father gave me this book to read as I am about to graduate with my master’s degree. I found out that this book was given to him by my great grandfather when my father graduated with his Master’s degree recently. So he gave me this book cause he told me that he didn’t understand it and it was an ahem “interesting” read. I found that kind of strange thing to say about a Bill Cosby book. I thought it would at least be funny. But unfortunately, there was nothing funny to be had anywhere and it was quite the opposite of funny. Never the less I read it. Now you would think that this book would just give tips, tricks, and things newly graduates would need to know (like finding a job and other practical things of that nature) in a witty, funny, manor. However, this book from what I gather is taken from the prospective of a sarcastic parent who sounds like they hate their child and also thinks that college is pretty much a waste of time. Now this book with its entire short Cummings still would not be so bad if it contained any practical information for any graduates to use. But it doesn’t. And might I remind you that this is aimed at college grads. Billy Cosby goes into these long rants about how people that graduate college basically have no common sense what so ever, have partied their way through college, do not know anything about paying any kinds of bills, do not know to shop for even basic groceries, and are just generally stupid people who do not know how to do anything but drink alcohol. Here is a quote directly from the book. “Because most graduates have just spent four years primarily preparing to receive the alumni magazine, I try to keep pointing the way for them at commencement, an ironic word for people who may be commencing nothing more than a life at Blockbuster video.” Yeah this is what you tell newly graduated individuals who have worked tirelessly to walk across that walk way. This book is riddled with rants like this. I am not joking folks. This is the whole books. Bill Cosby bashing graduates. Now I do not claim that going to college or trade school is for everyone and now do you know everything you need to know when you come out. However, to most people it is a stepping stone to a future career and from not only my experience but countless others that college takes a lot of hard work to get through. I don’t mind a joke here and there about stereotypical college students doing dumb things. But having a book that contains no pertinent information to newly grads (which is the audience by the way!!), having long insipid insane rants about absolutely nothing of value, and to make matters worse write in a tone that belittle college grads instead of empower and encourage that’s where I have a problem. I do not know Mr.Cosby’s problem is but this proves that he is clearly going insane and this book proves it. The book has written on it 1 New York times best seller. My heart goes out to the people that bought this book thinking (like me) this was going to be a good read and not ramblings of a madman. I told my father about this book and he said he had the same problems with it as me reading it and he was upset that he wasted his time reading it and felt bad for my great grandfather spending his hard earned money on it. So he gives it to me. Gee thanks dad. Getting this book is akin to everyone giving and re-giving fruit cake (but much worse) to family members around Christmas time apparently. So there you have it. Shame you Bill Cosby, Shame on you dad for giving this book when you knew how horrible it was. And shame on Hyperion publishing for even taking this book seriously. The only real reason I see why anyone would knowingly want to get this book is if they had someone whom they hated and wanted to torment them. And that has to be some seriously intense hate.
A book for Graduates" by the famous man himself. And unfortunately to be honest the book is utterly terrible. It was so terrible in fact that I am writing this review not as an informative review but as a warning to not read it and maybe if you even come across it to go out of your way to burn it. Now I am in shock as much as everyone else that this book is so terrible and even mean spirited. So here it goes. It all began when my father gave me this book to read as I am about to graduate with my master’s degree. I found out that this book was given to him by my great grandfather when my father graduated with his Master’s degree recently. So he gave me this book cause he told me that he didn’t understand it and it was an ahem “interesting” read. I found that kind of strange thing to say about a Bill Cosby book. I thought it would at least be funny. But unfortunately, there was nothing funny to be had anywhere and it was quite the opposite of funny. Never the less I read it. Now you would think that this book would just give tips, tricks, and things newly graduates would need to know (like finding a job and other practical things of that nature) in a witty, funny, manor. However, this book from what I gather is taken from the prospective of a sarcastic parent who sounds like they hate their child and also thinks that college is pretty much a waste of time. Now this book with its entire short Cummings still would not be so bad if it contained any practical information for any graduates to use. But it doesn’t. And might I remind you that this is aimed at college grads. Billy Cosby goes into these long rants about how people that graduate college basically have no common sense what so ever, have partied their way through college, do not know anything about paying any kinds of bills, do not know to shop for even basic groceries, and are just generally stupid people who do not know how to do anything but drink alcohol. Here is a quote directly from the book. “Because most graduates have just spent four years primarily preparing to receive the alumni magazine, I try to keep pointing the way for them at commencement, an ironic word for people who may be commencing nothing more than a life at Blockbuster video.” Yeah this is what you tell newly graduated individuals who have worked tirelessly to walk across that walk way. This book is riddled with rants like this. I am not joking folks. This is the whole books. Bill Cosby bashing graduates. Now I do not claim that going to college or trade school is for everyone and now do you know everything you need to know when you come out. However, to most people it is a stepping stone to a future career and from not only my experience but countless others that college takes a lot of hard work to get through. I don’t mind a joke here and there about stereotypical college students doing dumb things. But having a book that contains no pertinent information to newly grads (which is the audience by the way!!), having long insipid insane rants about absolutely nothing of value, and to make matters worse write in a tone that belittle college grads instead of empower and encourage that’s where I have a problem. I do not know Mr.Cosby’s problem is but this proves that he is clearly going insane and this book proves it. The book has written on it 1 New York times best seller. My heart goes out to the people that bought this book thinking (like me) this was going to be a good read and not ramblings of a madman. I told my father about this book and he said he had the same problems with it as me reading it and he was upset that he wasted his time reading it and felt bad for my great grandfather spending his hard earned money on it. So he gives it to me. Gee thanks dad. Getting this book is akin to everyone giving and re-giving fruit cake (but much worse) to family members around Christmas time apparently. So there you have it. Shame you Bill Cosby, Shame on you dad for giving this book when you knew how horrible it was. And shame on Hyperion publishing for even taking this book seriously. The only real reason I see why anyone would knowingly want to get this book is if they had someone whom they hated and wanted to torment them. And that has to be some seriously intense hate.
February 21, 2008
My Mom bought me this book as a present for my college graduation. After completing the painful process of reading this short little book I actually recycled it (in the recycle bin)! Cosby is extremely condescending and belittling of college students. He lumps all college students into the category of mindless, lost little children that neither care about their education nor for their future. Is this the same Bill Cosby that rails on and on about higher education? If it is then I didn't see it come through in the writing. I'm sorry that my Mom wasted her hard earned money.
January 7, 2014
I graduated last year and have lived with sophomores - this booked helped me put into words the things I noticed about college culture.
College culture and the students are so out of touch with reality - it really is sad. But this book was sad too- all it gave was discouragement.
Education is not just about a degree it's self driven and self maintained. That's what this generation needs to understand.
College culture and the students are so out of touch with reality - it really is sad. But this book was sad too- all it gave was discouragement.
Education is not just about a degree it's self driven and self maintained. That's what this generation needs to understand.
May 29, 2011
I think this book would have been funnier if it had been a live performance by Cosby. Even though I agree with him (from personal experience), that many students are in for the ride, his ridiculing them got a bit monotonous after the first quarter of the book.
September 23, 2012
I got three quarters of the way through this short book and finally gave up. It was supposed to be a humorous look at college graduates - but was just not funny. It made the same comment that graduates are not set up for any employment repeatedly.
March 6, 2008
You talk about bursting a bubble! My children didn't think it was funny...
September 20, 2008
My parents gave this to me as a graduation present. It was pretty amusing.
August 2, 2013
This is a humorous but all too short book on reality for the college grdauate. It has some genuine funny moments and stories.
April 21, 2012
it was humorous little read and i enjoyed it was just not very pratical
July 23, 2012
113 pages of discouragement. Thanks, Bill.
December 7, 2012
as a recent college graduate, the humor did not come across and it painted a bleak picture of what our parents' generation thinks of us as a whole
October 23, 2007
Random books.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews