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I'm Your Emotional Support Animal: Navigating Our All Woke, No Joke Culture
Instant National Bestseller! Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestseller!
Three-time New York Times bestseller Adam Carolla is back to take on social media, social justice warriors, and a society gone to s**t.
As seen on Fox News's Fox & Friends!
“As the revolution reaches its final, most humorless stage, there’s no better, braver, or more insightful observer than Adam Carolla. You may feel despondent about what’s happening right now. This book will remind you that you should also be amused.” —Tucker Carlson
In I’m Your Emotional Support Animal, Adam Carolla examines how our culture went careening off a cliff. We used to have one that created real warriors who fought world wars. Now it spawns social justice warriors who fight Twitter wars. He takes on those who are traumatized by Trump and “emotional support animal” owners who proclaim their victimhood at every airport. He stands up for the collateral damage of the #MeToo movement and for freedom of speech on “safe space” filled college campuses. Examining the calculated commercials churned out by Madison Avenue, like the ones about cars “made with love,” Carolla rants on ads designed to either bum us out or make us think the corporation is run by Mr. Rogers. Turning to social media, Adam takes down the “hashtag heroes” who signal their virtue daily from atop Twitter mountain. And in the era of the Roomba, performances by dead celebrity holograms, and meals-on-demand delivery services, he looks down the road at our not-so-bright future as a species.
“Adam and I agree on absolutely nothing but he’s a sharp, smart, funny guy to disagree with. And there’s a human heart under all the gruffness, snark, and melted cheese.” —Patton Oswalt
Frank, funny, and utterly unapologetic, this is not a book for those who need a trigger warning, but is THE book for everyone who wants to hit the snooze bar on the “woke” culture.
“Adam has written a funny, insightful book with a powerful message a bunch of people will manage to be offended by without reading it.” —Tim Allen
“Adam has done it again! In this book he’s managed to make me laugh at one moment, then cry out “What an idiot!” in the next. His own blue-collar mastery of the language invites the reader into the conversation—just like the podcast—so much so that I breezed through the book in only one sitting on the toilet.” —Bryan Cranston
Three-time New York Times bestseller Adam Carolla is back to take on social media, social justice warriors, and a society gone to s**t.
As seen on Fox News's Fox & Friends!
“As the revolution reaches its final, most humorless stage, there’s no better, braver, or more insightful observer than Adam Carolla. You may feel despondent about what’s happening right now. This book will remind you that you should also be amused.” —Tucker Carlson
In I’m Your Emotional Support Animal, Adam Carolla examines how our culture went careening off a cliff. We used to have one that created real warriors who fought world wars. Now it spawns social justice warriors who fight Twitter wars. He takes on those who are traumatized by Trump and “emotional support animal” owners who proclaim their victimhood at every airport. He stands up for the collateral damage of the #MeToo movement and for freedom of speech on “safe space” filled college campuses. Examining the calculated commercials churned out by Madison Avenue, like the ones about cars “made with love,” Carolla rants on ads designed to either bum us out or make us think the corporation is run by Mr. Rogers. Turning to social media, Adam takes down the “hashtag heroes” who signal their virtue daily from atop Twitter mountain. And in the era of the Roomba, performances by dead celebrity holograms, and meals-on-demand delivery services, he looks down the road at our not-so-bright future as a species.
“Adam and I agree on absolutely nothing but he’s a sharp, smart, funny guy to disagree with. And there’s a human heart under all the gruffness, snark, and melted cheese.” —Patton Oswalt
Frank, funny, and utterly unapologetic, this is not a book for those who need a trigger warning, but is THE book for everyone who wants to hit the snooze bar on the “woke” culture.
“Adam has written a funny, insightful book with a powerful message a bunch of people will manage to be offended by without reading it.” —Tim Allen
“Adam has done it again! In this book he’s managed to make me laugh at one moment, then cry out “What an idiot!” in the next. His own blue-collar mastery of the language invites the reader into the conversation—just like the podcast—so much so that I breezed through the book in only one sitting on the toilet.” —Bryan Cranston
196 pages, Hardcover
First published June 16, 2020
389 people are currently reading
632 people want to read
About the author
Adam Carolla
21 books266 followersAdam Carolla is an American radio personality, television host, comedian, and actor. He is currently the host of The Adam Carolla Show, a talk show distributed as a podcast.
Carolla is also known as being the co-host of the radio show Loveline from 1995 to 2005 (and its television incarnation on MTV from 1996 to 2000), as the co-host of the television program The Man Show (1999–2004), and as the co-creator and performer on the television program Crank Yankers (2002–2007).
Carolla has been featured in television shows, talk radio shows, films (appearing in both independent films and those of the major film studios), internet media, podcasts, and other media outlets.
Carolla is also known as being the co-host of the radio show Loveline from 1995 to 2005 (and its television incarnation on MTV from 1996 to 2000), as the co-host of the television program The Man Show (1999–2004), and as the co-creator and performer on the television program Crank Yankers (2002–2007).
Carolla has been featured in television shows, talk radio shows, films (appearing in both independent films and those of the major film studios), internet media, podcasts, and other media outlets.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews
June 22, 2020
Do I enjoy raunchy humor? No.
Do I think he is offensive? Yes.
Do I agree with his views? Some of them.
Do I think he should be censored? Absolutely not.
And that, my friends, is the point.
Do I think he is offensive? Yes.
Do I agree with his views? Some of them.
Do I think he should be censored? Absolutely not.
And that, my friends, is the point.
October 28, 2020
Raw, Unfiltered, and Cutting Through the BS
In which Carolla, a comedian and radio host by trade, offers his humorous rants about the BS of modern life. Carolla is an equal opportunity comedian and gives a good dose of it to anyone regardless of where they fall on the political spectrum. He begins by complaining about the literal Noah's Ark of emotional support animals people are taking just about everywhere with no one having the balls to say enough enough. He attacks the politically correct effeminate commercials of today's tv and compares them to the commercial jingles of his youth. He attacks campus safe space culture where mob rule stifles free speech. If you've ever heard Corolla, here he is, unfiltered. If he annoys the crap out of you, this book isn't for you. Typical of these types of books though, the rants get a little repetitive after awhile.
In which Carolla, a comedian and radio host by trade, offers his humorous rants about the BS of modern life. Carolla is an equal opportunity comedian and gives a good dose of it to anyone regardless of where they fall on the political spectrum. He begins by complaining about the literal Noah's Ark of emotional support animals people are taking just about everywhere with no one having the balls to say enough enough. He attacks the politically correct effeminate commercials of today's tv and compares them to the commercial jingles of his youth. He attacks campus safe space culture where mob rule stifles free speech. If you've ever heard Corolla, here he is, unfiltered. If he annoys the crap out of you, this book isn't for you. Typical of these types of books though, the rants get a little repetitive after awhile.
July 5, 2020
This author seems to be someone you either like or hate. I find him amusing despite being rude and crude. Whenever his books show up on my library's website I grab them, especially if they are in audio as he narrates them himself. This often leads to some funny times as often he goes off on tangents, cracking himself up. While I don't agree with a lot of what he says, sometimes I find myself nodding my head, going yes, other times I'm rolling my eyes, others I'm yelling out what the hell at what he's talking about, but I am entertained no matter what.
May 29, 2023
4.5 Stars for I’m Your Emotional Support Animal: Navigating Our All Woke, No Joke Culture (audiobook) by Adam Carolla read by the author.
I think Adam nailed it with this his take no prisoners look at culture and wokeism.
I think Adam nailed it with this his take no prisoners look at culture and wokeism.
April 22, 2022
I’m not going to apologize for anything in this book. I’m not going to qualify anything in this book.
Truth teller. Straight shooter. Calls it as he sees it. Tells it like it is.
People are sad, pathetic, and weak.
Not going to sugar-coat it.
Feminine Canine Hydration Disorder. FCHD, pronounced “fucked,” is a type of dementia in which the brain of the female deteriorates beginning at age thirty-eight...
Plainspoken, forthright, upfront.
At the time, you would have been an idiot not to own slaves.
Unvarnished honesty.
The only crew a black guy has ever been on is a work crew.
Face Your Fears (of being mildly inconvenienced)
Adam Carolla is brutally honest. Brutally honest that everything seems to annoy him.
Woe betide animals on planes, steampunk cosplayers, or gardeners who leave the gate open. Carolla's setting society on its rightful course of parents sending their kids to the dairy to free up time to browse YouPorn uninterrupted. As for a guy who gets up at 5.03am without an alarm? You better believe Adam's pissed. Pissed enough to write it down and sell it to us as a bit of homespun wisdom, along with how Subaru Outbacks are for lesbians.
Lucky Carolla's brave and fearless.
Like how Milo Yiannopoulis bravely stands on college campuses and talks about race... ...a guy sure to have valuable insights on a wide range of subjects, such as the age gap discourse. Carolla fearlessly talks about about his wife's inability to grasp problems with rationality, surely a foolproof approach to relationships.
Old Man Yells at Cloud
Like Carolla's Guinness Record for most downloaded podcast... ...from 2011, the laurels he rests on have started decomposing.
It's clear Carolla's got a format (complaining). Every few years he will calibrate it to whatever is topical to complain about. And it is very much what he finds irksome.
Ignore the fake sympathy for the airport worker cleaning up dog poop, because Carolla's willing to bully his own employees for laughs. Frugality is an important lesson for others when Carolla's nanny strips leftover meat from the bone to take home, not a pause for Carolla to reflect that someone he pays finds it necessary to do that.
Ignore his call backs to his working class origins for, whatever his mythology about that, it hasn't given him any extra insight as to why Blue-collar guys and gals’ electing Trump happened. Because, it didn't.
Ignore his "cure", which is training the mind by jumping into a cold pool or walking in the forest while listening to Mozart. Yes, he writes about self discipline, but it's all physically based - there's no suggestion of broadening the mind, questioning one's views or critical thinking. Carolla offers a half scribbled version of asceticism as though "toughness" grants automatic enlightenment, all mixed in a book glorifying watching pornography and ignoring your kids, while practically weeping that someone once set alight the American flag.
You might be that one eighth of the audience from a decade ago that finds Carolla just as funny now. And that's fine, I'm not going to tell you what humour is. However, "it's a joke" or mocking me for taking any of this seriously is realistically the only response to even the mildest pushback on significant portions of this book. Which, to me, feels a little bit...
... dishonest.
Truth teller. Straight shooter. Calls it as he sees it. Tells it like it is.
People are sad, pathetic, and weak.
Not going to sugar-coat it.
Feminine Canine Hydration Disorder. FCHD, pronounced “fucked,” is a type of dementia in which the brain of the female deteriorates beginning at age thirty-eight...
Plainspoken, forthright, upfront.
At the time, you would have been an idiot not to own slaves.
Unvarnished honesty.
The only crew a black guy has ever been on is a work crew.
Face Your Fears (of being mildly inconvenienced)
Adam Carolla is brutally honest. Brutally honest that everything seems to annoy him.
Woe betide animals on planes, steampunk cosplayers, or gardeners who leave the gate open. Carolla's setting society on its rightful course of parents sending their kids to the dairy to free up time to browse YouPorn uninterrupted. As for a guy who gets up at 5.03am without an alarm? You better believe Adam's pissed. Pissed enough to write it down and sell it to us as a bit of homespun wisdom, along with how Subaru Outbacks are for lesbians.
Lucky Carolla's brave and fearless.
Like how Milo Yiannopoulis bravely stands on college campuses and talks about race... ...a guy sure to have valuable insights on a wide range of subjects, such as the age gap discourse. Carolla fearlessly talks about about his wife's inability to grasp problems with rationality, surely a foolproof approach to relationships.
Old Man Yells at Cloud
Like Carolla's Guinness Record for most downloaded podcast... ...from 2011, the laurels he rests on have started decomposing.
It's clear Carolla's got a format (complaining). Every few years he will calibrate it to whatever is topical to complain about. And it is very much what he finds irksome.
Ignore the fake sympathy for the airport worker cleaning up dog poop, because Carolla's willing to bully his own employees for laughs. Frugality is an important lesson for others when Carolla's nanny strips leftover meat from the bone to take home, not a pause for Carolla to reflect that someone he pays finds it necessary to do that.
Ignore his call backs to his working class origins for, whatever his mythology about that, it hasn't given him any extra insight as to why Blue-collar guys and gals’ electing Trump happened. Because, it didn't.
Ignore his "cure", which is training the mind by jumping into a cold pool or walking in the forest while listening to Mozart. Yes, he writes about self discipline, but it's all physically based - there's no suggestion of broadening the mind, questioning one's views or critical thinking. Carolla offers a half scribbled version of asceticism as though "toughness" grants automatic enlightenment, all mixed in a book glorifying watching pornography and ignoring your kids, while practically weeping that someone once set alight the American flag.
You might be that one eighth of the audience from a decade ago that finds Carolla just as funny now. And that's fine, I'm not going to tell you what humour is. However, "it's a joke" or mocking me for taking any of this seriously is realistically the only response to even the mildest pushback on significant portions of this book. Which, to me, feels a little bit...
... dishonest.
June 10, 2022
Dangit, Adam...we know you’re right, but do you have to be such an uncouth a-hole about it? 😇
June 27, 2020
This was so entertaining that I read it in one day. Couldn't put it down. I agreed with pretty much everything in here but didn't like the vulgarity at some points--not because I don't like cursing/hearing cursing, but because I felt like the cursing weakened some counterarguments by taking the text space of an actually valid, factual observation. I also learned quite a bit of specificities from this book that I was unaware of, for example, regarding language used in certain state orders thanks to the whole "PC" trend. Adam Carolla is clearly a very smart man, and he's examined the status quo from various angles to form his own opinions and theories, like how he believes the "pussification" of society is partially attributed to the after-effects of WWII (i.e., deadbeat or distant fathers). Highly recommended, especially for leftist people to read with an OPEN MIND -- they could learn a lot and may re-evaluate some of their positions. The only parts I didn't like/skimmed over were those about comedians whose careers were attacked because of "rape" culture comments and also one about female actresses who wouldn't want to f-ck Adam, but only because I had no idea who most of those people were.
July 4, 2020
I'm doing a reading challenge this year that required me to read a book that I was pretty sure I would "disagree with."
Admittedly, I sort of cheated. I figured I would agree with the overall theme of the book - We live in a victim culture and it is making us societally weak. However, I was more so curious at how Adam Carolla would approach this subject from his atheistic worldview (which he mentions a few times in the book.) While we may agree on the premise, we are polar opposites regarding how we approach these issues - Adam is an ashiest and I am actually a Christian Pastor!
Before I was a Christian Adam was one of the comedians that I idolized. His comedy was edgy and the way he carried himself just seemed manly - the, "I don't care what you think of me attitude" resonated with me.
The Cons:
- This book is often vulgar... and I mean VULGAR. The jokes, the language, the innuendo, etc. I found myself skipping to the end of the paragraph more than once. I figured there would be some crassness to navigate, but this is a landmine field of obscenity. There is some chicken here, but you will be spitting out a whole lot of bones.
- The way he flippantly talks about his pornography addiction and emotional disengagement from his family is really disheartening, and though he probably doesn't acknowledge it, in coloration.
- Adam rails on the hypocrisy of Hollywood; which I found curious. As an ashiest (whose worldview doesn't allow for moral absolutes) I'm not sure why he believes this whole mess is "bad."
The Pros:
- Adam actually has some thoughtful points in this book. Our nation HAS lost its mind with woke culture. I thought that his bit on collateral damage in accusations and lawsuits was particularly insightful. That being, that you don't even have to be guilty of a crime to be sucked into being made an example of.
- Although its steeped in irony (yaknow… because of the porn thing) He makes a good point about human worth and dignity with the story about the airport worker having to clean up the emotional support animals poop that was drug through the airport.
While I agree with Adam that men need to be men, we have a totally different understanding of what that means, how it is accomplished, and WHAT it will accomplish. This book is almost totally void of solutions. There is an attempt in the last chapter to rectify this problem by suggesting that reacquainting ourselves with real danger will drown out the supposed danger (fear) that many feel.
Might I suggest that a major part of the solution to this woke culture is that men start being men in the biblical sense. Submission to Christ that results in: working hard, leading their families, loving their wives, living by moral absolutes, and loving others - which includes telling them things they don't want to hear.
Would I recommend this book? No. Did it give me an interesting glance into the non-religious trying to work with concepts of what is right and wrong as they pertain to culture? Yes.
Admittedly, I sort of cheated. I figured I would agree with the overall theme of the book - We live in a victim culture and it is making us societally weak. However, I was more so curious at how Adam Carolla would approach this subject from his atheistic worldview (which he mentions a few times in the book.) While we may agree on the premise, we are polar opposites regarding how we approach these issues - Adam is an ashiest and I am actually a Christian Pastor!
Before I was a Christian Adam was one of the comedians that I idolized. His comedy was edgy and the way he carried himself just seemed manly - the, "I don't care what you think of me attitude" resonated with me.
The Cons:
- This book is often vulgar... and I mean VULGAR. The jokes, the language, the innuendo, etc. I found myself skipping to the end of the paragraph more than once. I figured there would be some crassness to navigate, but this is a landmine field of obscenity. There is some chicken here, but you will be spitting out a whole lot of bones.
- The way he flippantly talks about his pornography addiction and emotional disengagement from his family is really disheartening, and though he probably doesn't acknowledge it, in coloration.
- Adam rails on the hypocrisy of Hollywood; which I found curious. As an ashiest (whose worldview doesn't allow for moral absolutes) I'm not sure why he believes this whole mess is "bad."
The Pros:
- Adam actually has some thoughtful points in this book. Our nation HAS lost its mind with woke culture. I thought that his bit on collateral damage in accusations and lawsuits was particularly insightful. That being, that you don't even have to be guilty of a crime to be sucked into being made an example of.
- Although its steeped in irony (yaknow… because of the porn thing) He makes a good point about human worth and dignity with the story about the airport worker having to clean up the emotional support animals poop that was drug through the airport.
While I agree with Adam that men need to be men, we have a totally different understanding of what that means, how it is accomplished, and WHAT it will accomplish. This book is almost totally void of solutions. There is an attempt in the last chapter to rectify this problem by suggesting that reacquainting ourselves with real danger will drown out the supposed danger (fear) that many feel.
Might I suggest that a major part of the solution to this woke culture is that men start being men in the biblical sense. Submission to Christ that results in: working hard, leading their families, loving their wives, living by moral absolutes, and loving others - which includes telling them things they don't want to hear.
Would I recommend this book? No. Did it give me an interesting glance into the non-religious trying to work with concepts of what is right and wrong as they pertain to culture? Yes.
August 12, 2020
I’ve never listened to Carolla’s podcast before, so I wasn’t totally sure what to expect here. However, I imagined there’d be a good deal of rallying against cancel culture and complaining about some of the more extreme social changes we’ve seen in the past few decades. I like reading about and listening to such things, so that’s why I picked this one up.
The good news is that those talking points are definitely in this book. The bad news is that I thought Carolla’s discussion was a bit over-the-top in terms of its crassness. Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with swearing, in general. I just think it’s a bit overdone in this book. There are many parts that would’ve been funnier and more clever without so many cuss words.
On the subject of the narrative itself, I thought it was sort of a mixed bag as well. On the one hand, I loved some of the dangers Carolla highlighted in terms of societal changes like California’s gross misuse of criminal-related euphemisms and the essential banning of free speech on college campuses. I think these, as well as many similar issues put forth in the book, are really important discussion pieces.
On the other hand, some of Carolla’s other arguments either didn’t make much sense to me or felt like they needed more tact in their delivery. For example, he claimed that removing smoking from bars and restaurants was primarily a progressive (and annoying) viewpoint. I disagreed with this stance, and I’m not a progressive — I merely think that anything that actually / legitimately harms someone else is grounds for legislative change, as is the case with smoking indoors.
Of course, I didn’t expect to agree with everything Carolla said in this one, but there were many topics like the one I just mentioned where I found myself disagreeing fairly hard with him, despite us probably having a fair amount in common, politically.
So, if I had to sum this one up, I think I’d say this: if Carolla is your guy, then you’ll undoubtedly love this one. But if you’re new to his content or aren’t a traditional “tough guy,” then you’ll probably find yourself leaving this one feeling like there are better reads in the genre. It’s definitely got some stuff that will make you laugh, and I certainly respect his courage to speak his mind, but the book lacks any and all refinement, and, as such, isn’t for the faint of heart.
-Brian Sachetta
Author of “Get Out of Your Head”
The good news is that those talking points are definitely in this book. The bad news is that I thought Carolla’s discussion was a bit over-the-top in terms of its crassness. Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with swearing, in general. I just think it’s a bit overdone in this book. There are many parts that would’ve been funnier and more clever without so many cuss words.
On the subject of the narrative itself, I thought it was sort of a mixed bag as well. On the one hand, I loved some of the dangers Carolla highlighted in terms of societal changes like California’s gross misuse of criminal-related euphemisms and the essential banning of free speech on college campuses. I think these, as well as many similar issues put forth in the book, are really important discussion pieces.
On the other hand, some of Carolla’s other arguments either didn’t make much sense to me or felt like they needed more tact in their delivery. For example, he claimed that removing smoking from bars and restaurants was primarily a progressive (and annoying) viewpoint. I disagreed with this stance, and I’m not a progressive — I merely think that anything that actually / legitimately harms someone else is grounds for legislative change, as is the case with smoking indoors.
Of course, I didn’t expect to agree with everything Carolla said in this one, but there were many topics like the one I just mentioned where I found myself disagreeing fairly hard with him, despite us probably having a fair amount in common, politically.
So, if I had to sum this one up, I think I’d say this: if Carolla is your guy, then you’ll undoubtedly love this one. But if you’re new to his content or aren’t a traditional “tough guy,” then you’ll probably find yourself leaving this one feeling like there are better reads in the genre. It’s definitely got some stuff that will make you laugh, and I certainly respect his courage to speak his mind, but the book lacks any and all refinement, and, as such, isn’t for the faint of heart.
-Brian Sachetta
Author of “Get Out of Your Head”
June 22, 2020
Fun read.
I like Ace. I was not particularly offended by this book. But I am not easily offended. Here's the weird part though! How on earth did he predict the whole Aunt Jemima and Uncle Ben thing??? Hmmmm. Sad to say Ace...the whole COVID thing did not make us better...
I like Ace. I was not particularly offended by this book. But I am not easily offended. Here's the weird part though! How on earth did he predict the whole Aunt Jemima and Uncle Ben thing??? Hmmmm. Sad to say Ace...the whole COVID thing did not make us better...
July 20, 2020
More like 3.5 stars. I didn't like the crudeness and vulgarity but it's Adam Corolla so you should definitely expect it. This book was humorous, on point and exactly right. The scary thing was this was published before all of the rioting, looting and racial tension so it was even more relevant or prophetic today. Things have deteriorated fast.
June 21, 2020
"In the land of the lazy the competent will be king." A humorous and serious look at the lazy, entitled, softness of culture today. The basic premise of this book is something I like to call the blue collar theory. People need to stop looking at their screens, complaining, and get to work using your hands, accomplishing things, and stop blaming people and being a victim. Carolla uses the analogy of the fly landing on your nose. People are so quick to flick the fly away. Imagine that both of your hands have a pie in it. If you react too hastily and in a reactionary way the fly does go away, but you get a pie in the face. That's how Carolla sums up the mentality today. The biggest problem is fear - and people haven't figured out how to adequately deal with fear. Master that and you can live a more productive life. The book is quite strong in it's language and content...clearly a negative to the overall message.
July 18, 2020
My whole life I have been attracted to books that were banned for one reason or another.
I don't like being told what to think. I want to make my own opinion.
I recently read an article about how Brave New World was "problematic and dated." For the recent television adaptation, they completely changed aspects of the book. I figured it was time to finally read the classic, before someone watching the TV show ruined every plot point for me. I ended up reading Brave New World within two days. It's probably one of the five best books I've read in my life.
I grew up listening to Adam Carolla on Loveline and his radio show. I've always been a fan. But I haven't listened to his daily podcast in probably 4-5 years. I'll occasionally catch him doing a bit with Dr. Drew or Mark Geragos, but that will be it.
Anyways, I heard Carolla finally wrote a book his major publisher wouldn't touch. It's one of the first major books out which (briefly) references Covid-19. I had to take a peak.
I can certainly see why a major publisher didn't want this title. Carolla seems to be pushing back on the current cultural climate, much in the way Chapelle did with his latest special. He wants to make a joke of people's sensitivities, so there is a ton to get offended at here. If that's your thing.
But I honestly burst out loud laughing at least 20+ times during the slim tome. There were a few times I nearly cried I laughed so hard. I know I actually dropped the thin volume a couple times.
A few of the bits are more tired than others, and I've been told if you listen to his podcast all of this stuff is old hat. But damn, I needed a laugh badly. I was up in my head one day after a long week of work, and this book made a Saturday morning coffee incredibly enjoyable.
Carolla's essentially the old white man at your bar who doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut. He drops a great deal of homespun wisdom that truly resonates. He's got a few lines that will have you thinking for days. Then, more often than not, he'll say something that gets you going, "alright old man, you've had one too many."
As he gets older, he seems to get more entrenched in his nuttier views. But hell, somewhere deep down is still the guy who introduced me to Jo Koy, David Allan Grier, and Patton Oswalt when I was younger. The guy is incredible at written comedy and abstract social commentary. I highly recommend this one if that's your thing.
I don't like being told what to think. I want to make my own opinion.
I recently read an article about how Brave New World was "problematic and dated." For the recent television adaptation, they completely changed aspects of the book. I figured it was time to finally read the classic, before someone watching the TV show ruined every plot point for me. I ended up reading Brave New World within two days. It's probably one of the five best books I've read in my life.
I grew up listening to Adam Carolla on Loveline and his radio show. I've always been a fan. But I haven't listened to his daily podcast in probably 4-5 years. I'll occasionally catch him doing a bit with Dr. Drew or Mark Geragos, but that will be it.
Anyways, I heard Carolla finally wrote a book his major publisher wouldn't touch. It's one of the first major books out which (briefly) references Covid-19. I had to take a peak.
I can certainly see why a major publisher didn't want this title. Carolla seems to be pushing back on the current cultural climate, much in the way Chapelle did with his latest special. He wants to make a joke of people's sensitivities, so there is a ton to get offended at here. If that's your thing.
But I honestly burst out loud laughing at least 20+ times during the slim tome. There were a few times I nearly cried I laughed so hard. I know I actually dropped the thin volume a couple times.
A few of the bits are more tired than others, and I've been told if you listen to his podcast all of this stuff is old hat. But damn, I needed a laugh badly. I was up in my head one day after a long week of work, and this book made a Saturday morning coffee incredibly enjoyable.
Carolla's essentially the old white man at your bar who doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut. He drops a great deal of homespun wisdom that truly resonates. He's got a few lines that will have you thinking for days. Then, more often than not, he'll say something that gets you going, "alright old man, you've had one too many."
As he gets older, he seems to get more entrenched in his nuttier views. But hell, somewhere deep down is still the guy who introduced me to Jo Koy, David Allan Grier, and Patton Oswalt when I was younger. The guy is incredible at written comedy and abstract social commentary. I highly recommend this one if that's your thing.
April 1, 2022
Loved this from Ace Man. Hilarious and couldn’t be said better. While people my age are idiots and a lot are lazy and worthless, I see this as an advantage to over take them. Also, if you bring a dog or any kind of animal on a plane and you aren’t blind, I would have no problem putting a bullet thru that dog if it so much whimpers.
August 8, 2020
Adam Corolla is vulgar and offensive - I LIKE him! We need more books like this to help us all to learn to get over ourselves.
December 8, 2021
If you know Adam you know this book is going to be vulgar and crude. But between all that, he has a genuine perspective on what’s going on. I think he is running for The Minister of Common Sense, in a time when we really need one.
June 19, 2020
You may get triggered...I laughed out loud literally at parts. I don't understand the hate on Duran Duran though! I don't agree with everything but agree he can say what he wants. Yes, there are bad words. I hear the same words on TV, so I guess they do not bother me too much.
September 13, 2021
Raises a lot of good points on how soft we’ve become in the US.
His language is a bit too crass for my taste, but it’s how Adam Carolla talks, so if you’re used to it you’ll live.
His language is a bit too crass for my taste, but it’s how Adam Carolla talks, so if you’re used to it you’ll live.
December 11, 2021
Three is as low as I go rating a book. If it was a 2 or 1 I would have quit reading it. I thought some of it was funny, but it was mostly just yelling and over dramatization.
July 7, 2020
Insanely funny but very apropos. Corolla blows the lid off of the victim society and cancel culture we are contaminated by these days. This book is filled with F-Bombs and other "four letter" words (or French). It will certainly crush the snowflakes of today. The saddest thing about this book is that he is 100% on point. There is a purity test that all have to pass in order to be a member of the new society. Apparently there is no room to evolve your thoughts, opinions or decisions. You are now forever defined by the rants of your sixteen year old self. I have evolved from being a Republican to being libertarian because I did not agree with many of the planks of the Republican Party. If this is the way we plan the future to be, not even the Purest of the pure would be eligible for a place in the new society.
The wusification of men today will have huge effects down the line. I know in my family, I am the one willing to take the risks and lay down my life for my family. If there is a need to get a second job, to go out in the middle of a hurricane, fight to protect my loved ones, even standing in line for an entire day to get gas for our hurricane generator, that's me. My kids are learning and I take my oldest one with me. I teach them to safely handle AR style rifles, hand guns, knives, dress a deer etc. I teach them about making fire, cooking and most important the respect of women and God. These days men are more feminine than women. They gossip and rat on each other, they don't ask out girls anymore. My 14 year old told me last year "I hope she asks me to the dance". I was floored. This is not the way it is supposed to be.
I recommend this book for anyone that is a rational person. If you believe is safe spaces, micro aggressions, culture appropriation and the drivel espoused the morons of today, move on. You will only hurt your delicate feelings.
The wusification of men today will have huge effects down the line. I know in my family, I am the one willing to take the risks and lay down my life for my family. If there is a need to get a second job, to go out in the middle of a hurricane, fight to protect my loved ones, even standing in line for an entire day to get gas for our hurricane generator, that's me. My kids are learning and I take my oldest one with me. I teach them to safely handle AR style rifles, hand guns, knives, dress a deer etc. I teach them about making fire, cooking and most important the respect of women and God. These days men are more feminine than women. They gossip and rat on each other, they don't ask out girls anymore. My 14 year old told me last year "I hope she asks me to the dance". I was floored. This is not the way it is supposed to be.
I recommend this book for anyone that is a rational person. If you believe is safe spaces, micro aggressions, culture appropriation and the drivel espoused the morons of today, move on. You will only hurt your delicate feelings.
November 22, 2020
This was a difficult book to rate. I listened to the audio book read by the author, which was both good and bad. He does a great job, but...his language is really crude ... and if I were reading it, I could just skim by it. But out loud, it really is offensive. I love the points that he makes. I think his rants are very funny. But for me, his vocabulary spoils an otherwise entertaining and thoughtful book.
June 6, 2022
The last paragraph!
It will offend some but those are the ones that need to read it.
It will offend some but those are the ones that need to read it.
November 10, 2021
Book 68 of 2021 (audiobook)
Sigh, this is a tough one. I like Carolla, laughed out loud a bunch, agreed with him a bunch...and disagreed with him on the bigger issues. As a pretty proud liberal, I just can't get behind some of the more populist points that, on the surface, seem to make sense but are actually destructive to society. That said, I'm pretty much a free-speech absolutist. Throw in the humor and I'll listen.
I often reference Mike Judge movies (Office Space is the funniest movie ever made, Extract is brilliant, Idiocracy is one of the great ideas if not poorly executed). And the very same day I began this audiobook, I made some jokes about feeding the service dogs in the hallway at work. So for Adam to reference Idiocracy in the preface and have an opening chapter about what service dogs mean in our culture?? Great!!
A lot of it is downhill from there. I don't listen to Adam enough to know his politics so I was a little disheartened to learn some of that. He makes some great points about our victim-based society. Even though I disagree with him on some of the specifics, I did agree a lot on how living your life as a victim impacts society. I expect a lot from comedians and Carolla delivered well on much of his social commentary.
Regardless of it all, this was kind of the point of his book: here is a raging liberal listening to some pretty conservative horseshit. And laughing. And sharing it. I'm not angry. I'm not hurt. Especially not physically hurt as some of my contemporaries claim to be by the spoken and written word. Frightening.
There is plenty of throwaway garbage in the book, as there is in most books by comedians. That's to be expected. But near the end, if you make it, is this conversation Adam has about being bullied. Even though he was, by definition, bullied, he just never thought of it that way. That's actually really profound. By either not giving a shit or by fighting back physically or with words, he never even let the idea of victim cross his mind. Compare that to a generation now that is physically threatened by words. That's the whole point of the book...how that change really carries with it some drastic repercussions.
Sigh, this is a tough one. I like Carolla, laughed out loud a bunch, agreed with him a bunch...and disagreed with him on the bigger issues. As a pretty proud liberal, I just can't get behind some of the more populist points that, on the surface, seem to make sense but are actually destructive to society. That said, I'm pretty much a free-speech absolutist. Throw in the humor and I'll listen.
I often reference Mike Judge movies (Office Space is the funniest movie ever made, Extract is brilliant, Idiocracy is one of the great ideas if not poorly executed). And the very same day I began this audiobook, I made some jokes about feeding the service dogs in the hallway at work. So for Adam to reference Idiocracy in the preface and have an opening chapter about what service dogs mean in our culture?? Great!!
A lot of it is downhill from there. I don't listen to Adam enough to know his politics so I was a little disheartened to learn some of that. He makes some great points about our victim-based society. Even though I disagree with him on some of the specifics, I did agree a lot on how living your life as a victim impacts society. I expect a lot from comedians and Carolla delivered well on much of his social commentary.
Regardless of it all, this was kind of the point of his book: here is a raging liberal listening to some pretty conservative horseshit. And laughing. And sharing it. I'm not angry. I'm not hurt. Especially not physically hurt as some of my contemporaries claim to be by the spoken and written word. Frightening.
There is plenty of throwaway garbage in the book, as there is in most books by comedians. That's to be expected. But near the end, if you make it, is this conversation Adam has about being bullied. Even though he was, by definition, bullied, he just never thought of it that way. That's actually really profound. By either not giving a shit or by fighting back physically or with words, he never even let the idea of victim cross his mind. Compare that to a generation now that is physically threatened by words. That's the whole point of the book...how that change really carries with it some drastic repercussions.
November 6, 2024
Wow! On point. Only took more than a day to listen to because I kept laughing out loud in public and had to take breaks!
Listening is the way to go as Adam Corolla is a great narrator and often adds to the telling beyond what is written.
I agreed with many if his points and observations even if his manner of talking is vulgar sometimes.
“You’ve heard of helicopter moms…I’m more of a submarine dad.”
“The news grabs on to trends and makes it seem like this $**% happens every day.” (Shark attacks, pit bull stories, road rage stories) Why? Because you watched last night and they want you to watch tonight. Once you stop taking the anxiety bait-the news moves on.”
On living virtually vs living a real life life:
“If you have zero relationship with danger, you can’t adequately calibrate what real danger is !”
“Adult men are struggling with ’reason’ and I think technology’s the problem. When every action is virtu, so are the consequences.”
“Lack if gratitude and the inability to delay gratification sneak up on you…”
“We need to make Mental conditioning a part of our lives rituals just as we’ve done with the physical conditioning.”
** I like that his book talks about what NEEDS to be DONE vs just whining about our faults.
We need to develop thicker skin! Challenge ourselves to be better vs blaming others!!!! YES!
Practice patience-take a breath-think before you speak-develop a thicker skin-make the world better, don’t just look for faults!!
Listening is the way to go as Adam Corolla is a great narrator and often adds to the telling beyond what is written.
I agreed with many if his points and observations even if his manner of talking is vulgar sometimes.
“You’ve heard of helicopter moms…I’m more of a submarine dad.”
“The news grabs on to trends and makes it seem like this $**% happens every day.” (Shark attacks, pit bull stories, road rage stories) Why? Because you watched last night and they want you to watch tonight. Once you stop taking the anxiety bait-the news moves on.”
On living virtually vs living a real life life:
“If you have zero relationship with danger, you can’t adequately calibrate what real danger is !”
“Adult men are struggling with ’reason’ and I think technology’s the problem. When every action is virtu, so are the consequences.”
“Lack if gratitude and the inability to delay gratification sneak up on you…”
“We need to make Mental conditioning a part of our lives rituals just as we’ve done with the physical conditioning.”
** I like that his book talks about what NEEDS to be DONE vs just whining about our faults.
We need to develop thicker skin! Challenge ourselves to be better vs blaming others!!!! YES!
Practice patience-take a breath-think before you speak-develop a thicker skin-make the world better, don’t just look for faults!!
November 22, 2020
This book contains Adam Carolla's amusing perspective about today's overly-sensitive cancel culture and how harmful this young generation is to our free and prosperous society. With wit and humor, Adam carefully explains why microaggressions, emotional support animals, safe spaces, trigger warnings, and the #metoo movement are misguided and only serve to propagate fear and unhappiness. While I didn't agree with all of the author's points, I found most of them to be logical, well-reasoned, and (just as important) entertaining.
My one and only complaint about this book is that it is not as funny as his other books. If you are looking for a laugh out loud read, I highly recommend Adam's earlier book entitled Not Taco Bell Material.
I believe everyone has a right to their own opinion, and I deeply respect Adam for publicly sharing his thoughts on these controversial topics while knowing that he will most likely be blacklisted by Hollywood/TV producers (if he is not already) and shunned by anyone else who disagrees with his viewpoints (e.g., social media, academia, and the mainstream media). I wish more people would stand up for what they believe is right and not cowardly bow down to anyone who frivolously claims they are offended or attempts to silence others who have different views. Just my 2 cents.
My one and only complaint about this book is that it is not as funny as his other books. If you are looking for a laugh out loud read, I highly recommend Adam's earlier book entitled Not Taco Bell Material.
I believe everyone has a right to their own opinion, and I deeply respect Adam for publicly sharing his thoughts on these controversial topics while knowing that he will most likely be blacklisted by Hollywood/TV producers (if he is not already) and shunned by anyone else who disagrees with his viewpoints (e.g., social media, academia, and the mainstream media). I wish more people would stand up for what they believe is right and not cowardly bow down to anyone who frivolously claims they are offended or attempts to silence others who have different views. Just my 2 cents.
August 2, 2020
Like all of his books, this one has way way way too much gross bathroom humor and sex. I’m not frigid or humorless, but that’s just not my thing. Please note however, that I still gave this book 5 stars because, I like most of what he has to say in this book, along with the fact that it’s well written.
Also, like how most of society functions, I don’t agree with everything he says. I like some of his politics a lot, and I loathe other aspects of them. But, that’s the entire point of his book...if you don’t like the radio station, change the channel! Don’t be a victim. If you’re offended, close the book and walk away.
Mostly though, I agree wholeheartedly with his message, and I did enjoy the book overall. I only wish this had gone to print just a few months later. For, I would love to hear his thoughts on how America, and the collective world, have lost their minds in riots, physical assaults, destroying cities, attacking cops, blocking freeways, all in the name of “peaceful” protests, which they’re anything but, for the Black Lives Matter urban terrorist movement. Also, closely linked to this chaos, is the devolving of society due to Coronavirus propaganda, of which, I would also like to hear what he has to say.
Also, like how most of society functions, I don’t agree with everything he says. I like some of his politics a lot, and I loathe other aspects of them. But, that’s the entire point of his book...if you don’t like the radio station, change the channel! Don’t be a victim. If you’re offended, close the book and walk away.
Mostly though, I agree wholeheartedly with his message, and I did enjoy the book overall. I only wish this had gone to print just a few months later. For, I would love to hear his thoughts on how America, and the collective world, have lost their minds in riots, physical assaults, destroying cities, attacking cops, blocking freeways, all in the name of “peaceful” protests, which they’re anything but, for the Black Lives Matter urban terrorist movement. Also, closely linked to this chaos, is the devolving of society due to Coronavirus propaganda, of which, I would also like to hear what he has to say.
October 18, 2020
Being a regular listener of Adam's podcasts, I didn't expect anything less from the book. Salty unapologetic humor, and a desperate attempt to salvage what seems to be a failing civilization. The more I read it, the more I couldn't shake off the feeling that I am not (or should not be) the target audience for this book. I was just nodding along, as I agree with 99.9% of Adam's views, and it just felt comforting to know I am not crazy (or racist, or backwards in any other way that mainstream media will make you think). But people who REALLY should read this book, won't. People who source their information exclusively from CNN and Washington Post, are generally deaf to anything that does not fall into the line preached by these news sources. Which is honestly just too bad. And infuriating.
I feel like I got at least some weapons from this book to build my argument if ever confronted by a zombified liberal. And courage, too. Definitely got more courage.
I feel like I got at least some weapons from this book to build my argument if ever confronted by a zombified liberal. And courage, too. Definitely got more courage.
October 29, 2020
Picked this up on a whim. Not something I’d normally read but that was the point at the time. Just wanted something fun and light. Having now finished the book, I’m not sure I’d necessarily call it ‘light’ or ‘fun’, but it definitely had its moments. I enjoyed most the honest reality of his views. These are things I find myself frustrated with so often during these crazy times - it helps to put humor to the hypocrisy! Not everyone will agree, many of his points are political in nature. Some of it is just silly ‘man show’ type humor. I would consider picking up one of his books again in future. I was not aware that he has been writing books - he has several published works. Read via audiobook with Mr Carolla narrating himself, which was an additional treat. My husband overheard from time to time and is very much looking forward to taking it on himself. He’ll enjoy it completely, I am certain!
April 22, 2021
BEWARE! All Snowflakes should avoid this book...Adam Corolla pulls no punches in this book. He obviously is crass and blunt. But, he is also dropping some truth bombs on the all-too fragile modern world. I read this last Sept in the middle of dealing with the Pandemic. And, he discussed the pandemic in the book. So, it won't be as fresh today. But, a lot of the issues he points out in the book are still with us and are still issues we are grappling with across America. He is definitely keen on free speech and how colleges are all way too fragile when the "free speech" doesn't agree with the prevailing acceptable thoughts at the time.
This free speech issue, in my opinion, will not be changing anytime soon. The rhetoric of the political left and right in this country is at an all-time high. And, the two are 100% intolerable of the other and unwilling to even listen for commonalities, preferring instead to look for all the tribal signs of difference.
This free speech issue, in my opinion, will not be changing anytime soon. The rhetoric of the political left and right in this country is at an all-time high. And, the two are 100% intolerable of the other and unwilling to even listen for commonalities, preferring instead to look for all the tribal signs of difference.
September 11, 2020
Adam Carolla is seriously funny and has done great work at exposing the hypocritical and ludicrous left, especially with the “No Safe Spaces” documentary. As a serious Christian, I had to filter the unnecessary disrespect and vulgarity chocked throughout the book. He is who he is though and wouldn’t expect him to change for anyone but it’s just hard for me to understand how great comedians can’t see that it doesn’t add an ounce to their hilarity. Classy comedians can be genuinely funny without faking an additional shock tactic. I know atheists like Adam truly don’t believe they’re doing anything wrong but that’s only because morality becomes completely subjective when you are the only god you answer to. But if you can manage to filter the comical genius from the filth, you won’t stop laughing.
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