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George Carlin Reads to You: An Audio Collection Including Recent Grammy Winners Braindroppings and Napalm & Silly Putty
Great comedy at a great value! This gift set gathers three timeless Carlin recordings including two Grammy® winners, plus an interview from public radio’s Fresh Air.
If one George Carlin audio is funny, then two are funnier and three must be funniest, right? That’s our thinking behind this collection. This laugh-out-loud program includes:
Brain Droppings • 2001 Grammy® winner
Acerbic observations, manic musings, in-your-face questions, witty word play, and more “droppings” from Carlin’s singular brain. “I put a dollar in a change machine. Nothing changed.” “Why are there no recreational drugs taken in suppository form?”
Napalm & Silly Putty • 2002 Grammy® winner
Carlin invents Past-Tense TV (“Got Smart,” “Father Knew Best,” “It Was Left to Beaver”), crusades for the Center for Research into the Heebie Jeebies, and suggests that “if the shoe fits, get another just like it.”
More Napalm & Silly Putty
Everything that wouldn’t fit on the first Napalm recording—like “A Day in the Life of Henry VIII,” “Sports Should Be Fixed,” and candid takes on life’s little moments (“I’m beyond the nice day”), all delivered with wicked glee.
Plus a bonus interview from Fresh Air.
If one George Carlin audio is funny, then two are funnier and three must be funniest, right? That’s our thinking behind this collection. This laugh-out-loud program includes:
Brain Droppings • 2001 Grammy® winner
Acerbic observations, manic musings, in-your-face questions, witty word play, and more “droppings” from Carlin’s singular brain. “I put a dollar in a change machine. Nothing changed.” “Why are there no recreational drugs taken in suppository form?”
Napalm & Silly Putty • 2002 Grammy® winner
Carlin invents Past-Tense TV (“Got Smart,” “Father Knew Best,” “It Was Left to Beaver”), crusades for the Center for Research into the Heebie Jeebies, and suggests that “if the shoe fits, get another just like it.”
More Napalm & Silly Putty
Everything that wouldn’t fit on the first Napalm recording—like “A Day in the Life of Henry VIII,” “Sports Should Be Fixed,” and candid takes on life’s little moments (“I’m beyond the nice day”), all delivered with wicked glee.
Plus a bonus interview from Fresh Air.
8 pages, Audio CD
First published October 7, 2004
28 people are currently reading
554 people want to read
About the author
George Carlin
63 books2,956 followersGeorge Denis Patrick Carlin was a Grammy-winning American stand-up comedian, actor, author and philosopher.
Carlin was especially noted for his political and black humor and his observations on language, psychology, and religion along with many taboo subjects. Carlin and his "Seven Dirty Words" comedy routine were central to the 1978 U.S. Supreme Court case F.C.C. v. Pacifica Foundation, in which a narrow 5-4 decision by the justices affirmed the government's right to regulate Carlin's act on the public airwaves.
Carlin's mid-2000s stand-up routines focused on the flaws in modern-day America. He often took on contemporary political issues in the United States and satirized the excesses of American culture.
A disciple of Lenny Bruce, he placed second on the Comedy Central cable television network list of the 10 greatest stand-up comedians, ahead of Bruce and behind Richard Pryor. He was a frequent performer and guest host on The Tonight Show during the three-decade Johnny Carson era, and was also the first person to host Saturday Night Live.
Carlin was especially noted for his political and black humor and his observations on language, psychology, and religion along with many taboo subjects. Carlin and his "Seven Dirty Words" comedy routine were central to the 1978 U.S. Supreme Court case F.C.C. v. Pacifica Foundation, in which a narrow 5-4 decision by the justices affirmed the government's right to regulate Carlin's act on the public airwaves.
Carlin's mid-2000s stand-up routines focused on the flaws in modern-day America. He often took on contemporary political issues in the United States and satirized the excesses of American culture.
A disciple of Lenny Bruce, he placed second on the Comedy Central cable television network list of the 10 greatest stand-up comedians, ahead of Bruce and behind Richard Pryor. He was a frequent performer and guest host on The Tonight Show during the three-decade Johnny Carson era, and was also the first person to host Saturday Night Live.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
April 12, 2017
I liked hearing Carlin read his own stuff. And I needed a laugh. Maybe even better is this standup stuff. Are you stressed? Worried about the state of the world? Take a few minutes and listen to Carlin. We need him now. One of the best standup comedians of all time, a disciple of Lenny Bruce. Seven Dirty Words reminds me of Bruce stuff that got him in trouble.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hy-sV...
“The planet is fine. The people are fucked.”
“Here's all you have to know about men and women: women are crazy, men are stupid. And the main reason women are crazy is that men are stupid.”
“Religion has actually convinced people that there's an invisible man living in the sky who watches everything you do, every minute of every day. And the invisible man has a special list of ten things he does not want you to do. And if you do any of these ten things, he has a special place, full of fire and smoke and burning and torture and anguish, where he will send you to live and suffer and burn and choke and scream and cry forever and ever 'til the end of time!
But He loves you. He loves you, and He needs money! He always needs money! He's all-powerful, all-perfect, all-knowing, and all-wise, somehow just can't handle money!”
“That's why they call it the American Dream, because you have to be asleep to believe it.”
“If you try to fail, and succeed, which have you done?”
“Some people see things that are and ask, Why?
Some people dream of things that never were and ask, Why not?
Some people have to go to work and don't have time for all that.”
“I do this real moron thing, and it's called thinking. And apparently I'm not a very good American because I like to form my own opinions.”
I like Carlin’s focus on politics, but I also like his focus on the absurdities and delights of language.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hy-sV...
“The planet is fine. The people are fucked.”
“Here's all you have to know about men and women: women are crazy, men are stupid. And the main reason women are crazy is that men are stupid.”
“Religion has actually convinced people that there's an invisible man living in the sky who watches everything you do, every minute of every day. And the invisible man has a special list of ten things he does not want you to do. And if you do any of these ten things, he has a special place, full of fire and smoke and burning and torture and anguish, where he will send you to live and suffer and burn and choke and scream and cry forever and ever 'til the end of time!
But He loves you. He loves you, and He needs money! He always needs money! He's all-powerful, all-perfect, all-knowing, and all-wise, somehow just can't handle money!”
“That's why they call it the American Dream, because you have to be asleep to believe it.”
“If you try to fail, and succeed, which have you done?”
“Some people see things that are and ask, Why?
Some people dream of things that never were and ask, Why not?
Some people have to go to work and don't have time for all that.”
“I do this real moron thing, and it's called thinking. And apparently I'm not a very good American because I like to form my own opinions.”
I like Carlin’s focus on politics, but I also like his focus on the absurdities and delights of language.
August 7, 2019
I don't know if it's because George is becoming a little dated or because being exposed to seven straight hours of his material affects how I view it, but I didn't get as many flat out laughs from this as I was expecting.
There is much here that is dated. If he were the same age now as he was when he wrote this stuff (and still alive), he wouldn't be complaining about baby boomers, he would be one. He would probably be targeting millennial's, or at least Gen Xers.
Sometimes he seems to be trying so hard to offend as many people as possible, that that it kind of comes across as a little flat. Besides, if he really believed everything he says here, he would be exactly like many of the worst people he's criticizing. Many of his jokes actually seem to contradict his other jokes. He often comes across as a horrible bigot. So I don't really buy it. Sorry, George, I wasn't offended. I know you don't care, but sorry anyway.
I know his thing was to be jaded and cynical while cheerleading for humanity to destroy itself as quickly as possible because it's made up of idiots and scumbags from top to bottom. I probably agree more with his view of humanity now, after decades of the Internet, than I ever did when he was at his peak. Long ago, Everyone seemed so optimistic about "the Information Superhighway" and how its unlimited river of information was going to make us all smarter and more enlightened and more empathetic. Instead, the river of information has to compete with the river of misinformation and idiots simply use the Internet to find each other so they can mutually reinforce each other's stupidity and instead of making us more empathetic, people use it to selectively full their screens with everything that reinforces their hatreds and prejudices. You were mostly right about us, George, and wouldn't you have a lot of material today.
You'll enjoy this mostly if you don't offend too easily. He goes after religion a lot, so be warned.
There is much here that is dated. If he were the same age now as he was when he wrote this stuff (and still alive), he wouldn't be complaining about baby boomers, he would be one. He would probably be targeting millennial's, or at least Gen Xers.
Sometimes he seems to be trying so hard to offend as many people as possible, that that it kind of comes across as a little flat. Besides, if he really believed everything he says here, he would be exactly like many of the worst people he's criticizing. Many of his jokes actually seem to contradict his other jokes. He often comes across as a horrible bigot. So I don't really buy it. Sorry, George, I wasn't offended. I know you don't care, but sorry anyway.
I know his thing was to be jaded and cynical while cheerleading for humanity to destroy itself as quickly as possible because it's made up of idiots and scumbags from top to bottom. I probably agree more with his view of humanity now, after decades of the Internet, than I ever did when he was at his peak. Long ago, Everyone seemed so optimistic about "the Information Superhighway" and how its unlimited river of information was going to make us all smarter and more enlightened and more empathetic. Instead, the river of information has to compete with the river of misinformation and idiots simply use the Internet to find each other so they can mutually reinforce each other's stupidity and instead of making us more empathetic, people use it to selectively full their screens with everything that reinforces their hatreds and prejudices. You were mostly right about us, George, and wouldn't you have a lot of material today.
You'll enjoy this mostly if you don't offend too easily. He goes after religion a lot, so be warned.
August 19, 2014
I remember George Carlin as a lot more open-minded. I suppose, when I was still in high school, his comedy must've seemed gleefully subversive. Revisiting these books mostly just made me sad.
George Carlin Reads to You is a collection of three of George Carlin's books on audio, read by the author with the kind of comic timing they deserve. They're not narratives; some of the jokes are one-liners, or they're just lists of observations. There are a few longer jokes, or stories about his upbringing, but there isn't anything to tie them together.
Unfortunately, a lot of his humor is of the punch-down variety. He picks on people with disabilities, complaining about being asked to stop referring to those with physical disabilities as "handicapped," and frequently stooping to poke fun at people with intellectual disabilities. I can already hear the George Carlin who wrote these books sneering at the "politically correct" terms above, but his lack of empathy doesn't make him funny.
Carlin seems to assume the reader is male, relating stories he assumes the reader will be able to relate to because they're just like him. He couldn't have written the book from any perspective other than his own, but his assumption I was in on the joke was often alienating.
The book wasn't a total waste of time. There were some jokes that got me laughing out loud, though their being framed by punch-down jokes often detracted from the humor. Carlin did have some interesting ways of looking at the world, when he wasn't reveling in being a jerk just to be a jerk.
If you like George Carlin, this is certainly George Carlin. I just remember him being funnier. I think I'd rather remember him from my favorite sketches, most immortalized on YouTube. This collection just makes him sound like an old man too set in his ways to learn better.
George Carlin Reads to You is a collection of three of George Carlin's books on audio, read by the author with the kind of comic timing they deserve. They're not narratives; some of the jokes are one-liners, or they're just lists of observations. There are a few longer jokes, or stories about his upbringing, but there isn't anything to tie them together.
Unfortunately, a lot of his humor is of the punch-down variety. He picks on people with disabilities, complaining about being asked to stop referring to those with physical disabilities as "handicapped," and frequently stooping to poke fun at people with intellectual disabilities. I can already hear the George Carlin who wrote these books sneering at the "politically correct" terms above, but his lack of empathy doesn't make him funny.
Carlin seems to assume the reader is male, relating stories he assumes the reader will be able to relate to because they're just like him. He couldn't have written the book from any perspective other than his own, but his assumption I was in on the joke was often alienating.
The book wasn't a total waste of time. There were some jokes that got me laughing out loud, though their being framed by punch-down jokes often detracted from the humor. Carlin did have some interesting ways of looking at the world, when he wasn't reveling in being a jerk just to be a jerk.
If you like George Carlin, this is certainly George Carlin. I just remember him being funnier. I think I'd rather remember him from my favorite sketches, most immortalized on YouTube. This collection just makes him sound like an old man too set in his ways to learn better.
January 1, 2016
This is a collection of three books Brain Droppings, Napalm & Silly Putty & More Napalm and Silly Putty read to you by George Carlin (hence the name).
I found myself a bit disappointed. I loved a lot of Mr. Carlin's stand up, and found his books a bit lacking. The first Napalm book was probably the best of the three.
I found these books to more humorous or clever than they were laugh out funny, and most of the best laugh out loud moments were stuff I had seen him incorporate into his stand up act over the years. Those jokes still hold up for me though, even though I had heard them before.
A lot of what is here is random and often unconnected one-liners, observations about the way language is used, and just plain off the wall thoughts.
I don't think I would have enjoyed simply reading these books, but in audio form it's not bad.
Audio book: With Mr. Carlin himself reading it, it's almost more like a comedy album than an audio book except for the aforementioned fact that it's often a lot of unconnected one-liners and random thoughts.
Really though, no one else could read these books the way Mr. Carlin does, so if you're going to read the books, you should just go for the audio book instead.
I found myself a bit disappointed. I loved a lot of Mr. Carlin's stand up, and found his books a bit lacking. The first Napalm book was probably the best of the three.
I found these books to more humorous or clever than they were laugh out funny, and most of the best laugh out loud moments were stuff I had seen him incorporate into his stand up act over the years. Those jokes still hold up for me though, even though I had heard them before.
A lot of what is here is random and often unconnected one-liners, observations about the way language is used, and just plain off the wall thoughts.
I don't think I would have enjoyed simply reading these books, but in audio form it's not bad.
Audio book: With Mr. Carlin himself reading it, it's almost more like a comedy album than an audio book except for the aforementioned fact that it's often a lot of unconnected one-liners and random thoughts.
Really though, no one else could read these books the way Mr. Carlin does, so if you're going to read the books, you should just go for the audio book instead.
August 4, 2015
Carlin was a radical almost 50 years ago and would still shock apathetic millenials today. Forthright and filthy, he was also fearless in his criticism of foolishness and foibles.
I'm fairly new to audiobooks. It was so much fun to listen to George himself, and to be shocked and delighted again by his acidic wit.
*Not recommended for the uptight or far right.
I'm fairly new to audiobooks. It was so much fun to listen to George himself, and to be shocked and delighted again by his acidic wit.
*Not recommended for the uptight or far right.
October 1, 2018
Love George Carlin, my favorite was the meeting of the village when the idea of human sacrifice is first presented. The puns are very "punny"!
August 23, 2021
The greatest comic ever. I do not even consider him a comedian. He was more of a purveyor of exploiting bullshit that everyone should listen to.
March 8, 2018
Ladies and gentlemen, the late and irreplaceable Geroge Carlin. In George's world, no person or topic is exempt from being the target of a joke. So be prepared, you will be reminded that no one should ever take him or herself too seriously. But don't worry, George's command of language and his dark and cynical humour will have you cracking up through out. Just be prepared if your enjoying this in public.
Read
October 19, 2024The title of this is weird. I thought for sure the first half of this audio book was George Carlin just reading random information, like that years Grammy nominations and winners.
January 14, 2025
Angry old man is old and angry. Sometimes funny.
October 25, 2023
Listened to it sporadically and what can I say? What's not to love about George Carlin telling me jokes! He's the best! And much missed.
Read
January 12, 2024Very entertaining and Carlin makes some great points. I do wonder though if he really “didn’t give a fuck” as much as he claimed. I really hope not.
October 21, 2017
I'd enjoyed some of George Carlin's skits before, but I'd never fully appreciated the subversive cleverness underneath his "aging guy with a ponytail who doesn't give a fuck anymore" schtick. My favorite part of his act is his deconstruction of common euphemisms and other misleading language. What does it mean to "pre-board" a plane? And why would you get "on" a plane, as opposed to "in" one? And what's a "near miss"? Really, it would be a collision (they nearly missed).
Carlin's humor is pretty profane and some of it is kind of "borderline", the sort of jokes that might have been acceptable thirty years ago, but now seem a little unfriendly towards women, the disabled, and other groups. Not that I minded his shots at the obnoxiously religious and pretentious yuppies.
I'm able to mentally adjust for older material, though. A lot of Carlin's repertoire is still funny, with some witty one-liners, inventive wordplay, and amusing skits. I got a good laugh out of the skit comparing football's violent terminology to baseball's happier language, and the one in which Jesus returns for an interview and is pretty candid about his misunderstood miracles and the behavior of his current followers (and for some reason has a Brooklyn accent).
Perhaps my favorite short bit was about the absurdity of butter covers. We humans have built warm enclosures (houses) to protect ourselves from the cold. Inside we have cold enclosures (refrigerators) to protect food from the warmth. Inside those is a warm enclosure (the butter cover) to protect butter from the cold.
Naturally, Carlin's audiobook is best heard in his own crotchety voice. "What kind of asshole walks around with earbuds in his ears?", he asked, as I was walking around listening to him with earbuds in my ears. "Someone who's scared to be alone with his own thoughts, that's who!"
Carlin's humor is pretty profane and some of it is kind of "borderline", the sort of jokes that might have been acceptable thirty years ago, but now seem a little unfriendly towards women, the disabled, and other groups. Not that I minded his shots at the obnoxiously religious and pretentious yuppies.
I'm able to mentally adjust for older material, though. A lot of Carlin's repertoire is still funny, with some witty one-liners, inventive wordplay, and amusing skits. I got a good laugh out of the skit comparing football's violent terminology to baseball's happier language, and the one in which Jesus returns for an interview and is pretty candid about his misunderstood miracles and the behavior of his current followers (and for some reason has a Brooklyn accent).
Perhaps my favorite short bit was about the absurdity of butter covers. We humans have built warm enclosures (houses) to protect ourselves from the cold. Inside we have cold enclosures (refrigerators) to protect food from the warmth. Inside those is a warm enclosure (the butter cover) to protect butter from the cold.
Naturally, Carlin's audiobook is best heard in his own crotchety voice. "What kind of asshole walks around with earbuds in his ears?", he asked, as I was walking around listening to him with earbuds in my ears. "Someone who's scared to be alone with his own thoughts, that's who!"
December 19, 2013
The parts that were funny were very funny, but I spent more time thinking 'What a bitter, angry, self-important jerkwad!' than I spent laughing.
If you want to hear some guy grating in a gravelly voice about how he hates cops and wants society to crumble and that you're a douche for buying things even though you bought his book to have him tell you this, you'll be able to look past the shortcomings I found.
If you want to hear some guy grating in a gravelly voice about how he hates cops and wants society to crumble and that you're a douche for buying things even though you bought his book to have him tell you this, you'll be able to look past the shortcomings I found.
May 17, 2014
When he wants to be, Carlin can be hysterical. His baseball vs. football and getting in (not on) airplanes routines are great as are many others. However Carlin makes himself appear as a hateful jackass with his rants. Maybe I just don't get his genius. Or maybe he's a jerk. Or maybe it's both.
January 25, 2013
I really like George Carlin's stuff, and he is a really good narrator for his material. I was LMAO at the gym as I was listening to this, and I'm sure people were giving me strange looks!
February 14, 2016
The interview with NPR raises the book from 2 to 3 stars.
July 30, 2019
George Carlin in his younger days (70s and 80s) was at the height of his career. This audio book, however, except for a few excerpts from "Braindroppings," is more of a rant against social views. Here is Carlin not so much as a comedian, but as a social commentator. Take "Napalm and Silly Putty:" it's an angry rant about things that annoy him.
I am a big fan of Carlin's earlier works when he would philosophise about something off-the-wall and make people both laugh and then think about what he said. In this audio book, though, it's one expletive after the other, so be warned. This is the mature Carlin There IS a difference between angry rants and funny rants. Carlin has delivered amusing rants in his younger years and his delivery all made the difference (his voice, his three-second pause, his eyebrow lift, his smirk). Obviously on an audiobook one can't see his face, but one can hear his anger. Good humour is funny because it's truth delivered with some exaggeration.
The interview with Terry Gross is pleasing and so is Carlin's piece on "stuff" which is more in line with Carlin's older rants. This is a collection of the older, more mature Carlin and he is speaking his mind
I am a big fan of Carlin's earlier works when he would philosophise about something off-the-wall and make people both laugh and then think about what he said. In this audio book, though, it's one expletive after the other, so be warned. This is the mature Carlin There IS a difference between angry rants and funny rants. Carlin has delivered amusing rants in his younger years and his delivery all made the difference (his voice, his three-second pause, his eyebrow lift, his smirk). Obviously on an audiobook one can't see his face, but one can hear his anger. Good humour is funny because it's truth delivered with some exaggeration.
The interview with Terry Gross is pleasing and so is Carlin's piece on "stuff" which is more in line with Carlin's older rants. This is a collection of the older, more mature Carlin and he is speaking his mind
December 22, 2020
A bit dated, but fairly entertaining. I listened to most of this on a plane though, and that feels even more dated (2020, who would've thought right?).
Finally got around to finishing though!
George Carlin has a very... relaxing comedic voice? Sometimes I found myself enjoying the soothing tone before realizing I wasn't actually listening to the story. It means it was easy to throw this audiobook on whenever, but less motivation to do so! Not sure if it was mostly me for not giving it the time that I should have (I did start this over a year ago), or if the collection itself was not written to hold your attention for this long. In all honesty, I just wanted to finish my Reading Challenge before the end of the year, and that's why I decided to finish.
Great little stories though. Some legitimately had me laughing out in public. So that's great.
Finally got around to finishing though!
George Carlin has a very... relaxing comedic voice? Sometimes I found myself enjoying the soothing tone before realizing I wasn't actually listening to the story. It means it was easy to throw this audiobook on whenever, but less motivation to do so! Not sure if it was mostly me for not giving it the time that I should have (I did start this over a year ago), or if the collection itself was not written to hold your attention for this long. In all honesty, I just wanted to finish my Reading Challenge before the end of the year, and that's why I decided to finish.
Great little stories though. Some legitimately had me laughing out in public. So that's great.
January 3, 2021
This is nothing like his HBO, stand-up performances
Unfortunately, George Carlin's narration of his book is not remotely the same laugh-out-loud experience as his performances of his stand-up comedy. In the latter, he successfully delivers laughs via witty wordplay and acerbic delivery. Unfortunately, in this book, which is inevitably written in long, narrative form, his extremely cynical outlook, whether he is discussing petty situations in ordinary life or big-picture, destructive, societal realities, simply comes off as bitter, pointless complaining by an utterly alienated man. He proudly proclaims that hope is for fools, because human life has always been lousy and always will be. But he simultaneously, without any sense of the mitigating, self-deprecating irony so evident in his standup, declares that he's been perfectly content with his own comfy, privileged existence.
Unfortunately, George Carlin's narration of his book is not remotely the same laugh-out-loud experience as his performances of his stand-up comedy. In the latter, he successfully delivers laughs via witty wordplay and acerbic delivery. Unfortunately, in this book, which is inevitably written in long, narrative form, his extremely cynical outlook, whether he is discussing petty situations in ordinary life or big-picture, destructive, societal realities, simply comes off as bitter, pointless complaining by an utterly alienated man. He proudly proclaims that hope is for fools, because human life has always been lousy and always will be. But he simultaneously, without any sense of the mitigating, self-deprecating irony so evident in his standup, declares that he's been perfectly content with his own comfy, privileged existence.
November 22, 2022
I like late Carlin’s darker comedy to a point. This book was disappointing because it didn’t really make me laugh as much as I originally thought it might.
Listening to Carlin read his book was like listening to an edgy uncle who could occasionally drop a killer one liner but scared the kids with his fuck everyone attitude.
My favorite jokes of his (within this book) were the occasional quirky random thoughts. Some of the righteous, all knowing jokes had me going, but a lot of them didn’t do much for me.
Listening to Carlin read his book was like listening to an edgy uncle who could occasionally drop a killer one liner but scared the kids with his fuck everyone attitude.
My favorite jokes of his (within this book) were the occasional quirky random thoughts. Some of the righteous, all knowing jokes had me going, but a lot of them didn’t do much for me.
August 19, 2019
I've listened to a lot of George Carlin's comedy, and I must say, for him to make an entire long audiobook in which he has mostly new material, and expedites his complete apathy toward humanity as plentifully as possible before he leaves the shit-show called humanity, is wonderful. The spoken word is as well delivered as in any stand up special, so grab this one and listen to what can be, more appropriately, titled as "why everything you love sucks."
December 9, 2020
Quick impressions: Overall, the book is a good read. Unlike watching him perform, as a reader, Carlin is a bit more calm, and the pacing is a bit more relaxed, which makes this a pleasure to listen to. I always like when an author is also a good reader, and Carlin is pretty good reading. While this book is previously published material, it is still a very nice compilation.
(Full review on my blog)
(Full review on my blog)
July 2, 2024
I love George Carlin! I listen to a lot of his stand-up acts over the years. This collection had a lot of familiar jokes in it to me, and some unfamiliar jokes. This makes me wonder if these were the "B" rated material that he left out of his stand-up acts.
It's incredible that's so much time has passed since he made this material but how much of it is still relevant to the world we live in today. (2024)
It's incredible that's so much time has passed since he made this material but how much of it is still relevant to the world we live in today. (2024)
December 1, 2025
Carlin is funny, of course, and usually relatable. I appreciate his caveat at the beginning about not assuming his allegiance to any particular group or political idea. It's not always clear whether he's expressing true beliefs or just telling jokes and it doesn't matter. I also liked the use of little piano riffs between bits. It highlights the musicality or his writing and delivery. Listening to him read his material is like listening to a jazz artist.
September 6, 2018
Mostly just musings and one-liners. I expected a lot more out of one of the funniest comedians of all time. Not necessarily a bad book, just didn't reach my high expectations.
Although, I couldn't help thinking that he'd be a very interesting social commentator in this crazy world we've found ourselves in in 2018.
Although, I couldn't help thinking that he'd be a very interesting social commentator in this crazy world we've found ourselves in in 2018.
June 28, 2020
I love Carlin. I love his outlook and his general funny grumpyness. Unfortunately, the audio book version of this (read by Carlin) comes across as just grumpyness. It sounds like your elderly grouchy grandpa just ranting. The humor isn't there. I had to bail after about 50% of the book. I just couldn't take it.
April 28, 2025
Had I only bothered with part 1 I would have given this more stars. I had some laugh out loud moments. It was by far the best and contained many bits from his old comedy routines.. Part 2 had some repeat jokes and several dated jokes. Part 3 I couldn't get, through. It was like he wanted to cross the line of being as offensive as possible, and he did without having humor follow.
June 8, 2017
I love George Carlin. There was some crossover material but just a little different among the three books in the collection. I had already read all three books in physical form. What I love about the audio format is George Carlin reading his own writing. It adds so much.
February 6, 2018
My Rating: 2.5 profanities
A little George Carlin goes a long way. Probably best in small (very small) doses, or none at all.
He sounds like an angry, bitter old man. This was a long audio book 7.5 hours.
A little George Carlin goes a long way. Probably best in small (very small) doses, or none at all.
He sounds like an angry, bitter old man. This was a long audio book 7.5 hours.
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