great book if you like the colbert show people who do not enjoy the show, then save your moneu.
i gave it 4 stars since i didnt love ch. 2 much.

I laughed out loud more than from any book in a long time. The final laugh is to see that most of the negative reviews here are from people who don't even realize Colbert's character is a parody.

Two things I find amazing about this guy - 1, he never comes out of character or at least I have never seen him out of character and 2, he changed the pronunciation of his last name to sound what..., French?

I guess I'm considered a Welfare Dad because I didn't buy this garbage, I borrowed it, the CD version, from a friend at work (now I have to reconsider my friendship because my buddy actually thinks this guy is funny). Anyway, after listening to about half the first disc I can honestly say that I haven't even cracked a smile yet. Obtuse cynicism at its worst is all I can call this excuse for a book. Certainly anybody that thinks this is funny, humorous, poignant or sarcastic wit hasn't read or listened to any real humor.

The thing that bothers me most about Colbert (pronounced col-burt and not col-bear) is that I have never seen him out of character leaving me to believe that this guy is really the cynical idiot he portrays himself to be and wondering if he actually applies his value system to his own life. I don't know much about him nor do I care too but I only hope that his family isn't affected by his view of life.

I always read the worst reviews first to see what people have to say negatively about something before I make my decision. I am honest enough to say that I'm not a fan of this guy - I really can't stand him - but I figured hey, he's supposed to be a comedian so let's see how funny he is - well - he ain't funny!!!!

As long as Stephen Colbert has been performing, he's been writing. This is a brilliant man in full command of a comedic sensibility that has been delighting me for many years. When I discovered that a book would be released written in the tone of the right-wing blow-hard character that he has created for The Colbert Report, I was thrilled. When I finally got my hands on a copy (not easy to do at first, since I live in the UK), I was not disappointed in the least.

Colbert loses none of the bombastic style of his alter ego, and the observations made are riotously funny. The section where he describes all one needs to know to have a college education is perfection. I also loved his chapter on the dominance over animals (love to Gipper!)

I have heard from many, many people that Stephen Colbert, in real life, is a mild-mannered, kind man who is polite and decent. To read the rants of the egomaniacal jerk he's created to lampoon the screaming heads on television (whoever yells the loudest wins, apparently) is a bit surreal, but never unsatisfying.

I look eagerly forward to more from Stephen Colbert, in whatever media he uses to share it. No matter how I get to experience his humor, I know I'll be in for a treat.

I like the Colbert Report TV show, and this book is funny, but honestly I only got through a few chapters because much of it is just the wanderings and somewhat random musings of Colbert's mind on everything from politics to families to whatever crosses his mind. Some of it is really quite funny, but it got kind of fatiguing and boring.

I bought this for my husband for his first Father's Day and he can't get enough of it. You can pretty much turn to any page at any time and laugh hysterically.

What a great laugh! A little crude, but what else would you expect from Stephen Colbert? It is exactly like the Report, but in book form. The margin notes and foot notes are perhaps the most entertaining part of the book. One caution, though: since the sex, religion, and race chapters are all in a row, it's probably best to not read the book in one sitting. One can only take so much political incorrectness at a time!!This book is definitely worth buying if you enjoy the Colbert Report. I haven't laughed that heartily at a book in a long time.

Stephen Colbert is the type of satirical character who caters to a particular audience: The wittier of us who can comprehend the depth of the joke. This book expounds on the Truthiness he has already been so kind as to reveal to us on the Report. Best of all, it's written with The Word-esque margin notes, doubling the laughter!

In short, if you understand satire and the character Colbert has created for himself, this book shall not disappoint. If political satire isn't your thing, well, you may want to look elsewhere.

This book will keep you in stitches from cover to cover!! I wansn`t able to put it down...it`s a gut busting good time, just like his show...you`ll truly appreciate his intellectual wit and humor that`s all wrapped up with a side of wisdom that only Stephen Colbert can bring.
A two thumbs up!!

Here's a book written (or shouted into a tape recorder), by our favorite bear hating, wrist-strong wearing, anti anything that is anti-America man. In here you'll be told just how he is the 100% America that we know he is, and how if you try hard enough, you can be America too.

The book is not so much a book, as an episode of the Colbert Report quintessential-ized and shoved into book form, every few pages there's a fun zone, stickers, or a hilarious graphic, and on every page are multiple little word captions. The book has the design of a child's activity book, only much more adult, political, and Stephen-filled. Sure you tell yourself your old enough that you don't do those childish puzzle books, but who can resist connecting the dots around America's border?

The book is a must-have for anyone who loves the show, or wants to get others involved in the show, so they leave a copy conspicuously laying out on a table for a friend to pick up and shout "Hey this is funny!"

Big, big difference between amusing and funny. Will Ferrell skating with Jon Heder is funny. Throwing a Baby Ruth candy bar in a crowded swimming pool is funny. Sending a Faber College parade into tumultuous chaos is funny. Heck, even Michael Moore is funny (especially when he's trying not to be funny).

Amusing is watered-down humor: A toddler playing with his diaper; a lawyer dropping his briefcase; Bill Clinton chastising the media. Amusing is okay, it's just. . .superficial. Which could not better describe self-aggrandizing Stephen Colbert's tepid tome I AM AMERICA (AND SO CAN YOU!). Colbert's deadpan parody of morally crusading conservatism mildly entertains--even is warmly amusing in places--but still reeks of superficiality.

In other words, this book isn't very funny. And all the margin notes annoyed the tiddlywinks out of me.

You want funny in a book of satire and/or parody pick up Al Franken or early Rush Limbaugh (heavier then, but funnier) or even Glenn Beck (only after drinking heavily). Leave Colbert's I AM AMERICA (AND SO CAN YOU!) in your lawyer's briefcase. No doubt he will be amused.
--D. Mikels, Author, Walk-On
(A very, very, very, very good book. . .)

As soon as I got the book I started reading it. From the beginning you see that it is written in a specific colbert-like style. Everyone who enjoyed The Daily Show book "Democracy Inaction" will not be dissapionted.
In conclusion a great book for everyone around the world.

If you like Steve Colbert's voice blaring at you for hours at end you'll love this. Most of the time its not funny, its just his babbleing and annoying. But its my own damn fault for buying his stupid audio book. No actual content, and a little funny.

Stephen Colbert's book is very interesting and humorous and sarcastic with many silly side-notes and whatnot. Its a must have for anyone who watches Comedy Central, or anyone into anything humorous or all that is American.

Ten Thumbs Up.

The first thing you should do before buying this book is watch an episode or two of his show. If you like it, get the book and if not, avoid it.

The book reads like a really really long "the word" (fans of the show will know what i mean) segment, where Stephen mockingly assumes reactionary viewpoints to make the actual conservative pundits' opinions seem ludicrous while at the same time one-liner text pokes fun at the current subject matter (the book does this in the margins). As a liberal, I enjoy it, but with any shtick, it does get repetitive. The book is good for short reading sessions because the joke doesn't get old, but do yourself a favor and don't plow through it, you will get sick of it. Conservatives might enjoy it too, if they can take constant attacks on their views... though not many people, liberal or conservative, can, it seems (just look at some of the other user comments).

hope that helped!

I found this book to be incredibly insulting to most people. It was funny at some points, but for the most part it really ticked me off and didn't make any sense.

As a "foreigner'', that is, a person not from the United States, I have only seen Colbert occasionally. I purchased this book after watching an interview with Larry King on CNN. I was struck by his depth of knowledge and ability to convert that into humour very quickly in (what I presume was) an unrehearsed setting.

The book has the same intellectual qualities and in that sense was rewarding. But after 100 pages the presentation becomes formulaic. Perhaps its the result of being born from sketch comedy. Perhaps a sign was long list of writers at the beginning: so much polish you just slip off the page.

this book was very entertaining if you like the Colert Report.. i bought this book because i believe mr. colbert is a very brilliant man, and has knows alot about politics and such. it ends up this book is just outlining the basis for america. he loves god, hates gays, and gives you his opinions straight up. good read

I guess the joke's on me. As I kept reading each chapter, I expected more. But everything was more of the same. A title for the book should be, "Stephen Colbert has some funny one-liners among his diatribe for a right wing America". That's about it. Colbert is kind of cold guy who likes to keep his viewers on tv at a distance and guessing if he's on the level or trying to be funny. Well, the book is the same way. Colbert is either incredibly shallow or he just feels more comfortable keeping his distance with his readers. What has worked for me on tv fell short in this book.

In general I found the book tedious, occasionally interrupted by a hilarious joke or insight. I think Stephen Colbair is more easily absorbed in 30-minute video doses, rather than the gift of Gutenberg. Wait til it comes out in paperback before spending your money...

Nearly every SENTENCE in this book is funny-genius. It's mind-boggling how smart and hilarious it is. It almost wore me out. Since I take books everywhere, and read everywhere, I found myself laughing everywhere, and sometimes inappropriately. However, it was worth it, because it made me smile, and, I believe, it made ME funnier in real life.

I found this book throughly enjoyable and very funny, but the reading experience was marred by the fact that many image files - especially those including texts - were very hard to read, and even totally illegible in some cases (the "childhood letter" is probably the worst offender in this regard).

Most of these problems would have been entirely avoidable if the publisher had taken more care when converting the book to the Kindle format - for example, by resizing certain images so that they would have been split over two pages instead of one, and by increasing the brightness contrast - and thus I have to bump this product down to four stars. People who have bought the printed version of the book are obviously unaffected.

If by now you don't know who Stephen Colbert is, you need to come out of your cave, log onto the internets and order I Am America (And So Can You)
America is the land of opportunity, freedom, liberty and free enterprise. This book yields the opportunity for you to become free and liberated, and to reap the rewards of free enterprise. That's what I did in 2 short weeks! Mr. Colbert explains how you too, can be American. I strongly urge all liberals, independents, and socialists to skip this read. Your defective hearts and minds will become even more defectiver.

stephen colbert is absolutely hilarious. i've been a big fan of his ever since strangers with candy. this book was the best read for me in a long time, with all of the side notes, foot notes, pictures, etc. it's perfect for anyone with a great sense of humor.

Stephen Colbert isn't a comedian so much as he specializes in the asinine and juvenile "art" of schtick!!!! His talentless and utterly unfunny take on schtick is based on the oldest, most worn-out concept of all: mock conservatives by pretending to be one of them. So, his schtick is actually supposed to be a parody of a conservative (because as a liberal, Colbert cannot intellectually take on conservatives [he's too inept], so he relies on childish ridicule), but Colbert's misuse of tact, wit and subtlety make him a total failure, whether as author or TV host.

I read "I am America and so can You" because I stupidly gave the benefit of the doubt to Colbert and his now-exposed sycophant fans (read: cheerleaders who will laugh at anything unfunny as long as they somehow think it denigrates conservatives) as arbiters on what constitutes something legitimately funny. However, after "reading" (you can't really read Colbert's book; owing to the low intellect of his lib-fans, Colbert's actually written a "book" infested with primer language, HUGE font and lots of pictures) this tome, I now 100% understand what lowness liberals call "humor." Judging from Colbert's take on it, liberals find puerile profanity; coarse, sexual suggestiveness; idiotic and wayward tangents; and a childish mentality "funny!!!!"

The problem with Colbert isn't that he cowardly mocks conservatives by pretending to be a stereotype of one--that would actually require brains, an understanding of the culture and politics, or wit, all things Colbert falls waaaay short of. No, my resentment at Colbert and his radical fans of questionable taste is based on his failure to successfully pull off a caricature of a conservative! Lampooning, if done correctly, should be funny even if it does the taboo, which is to mock a conservative. However, Colbert's plain awful at his struggling attempts at parody, and this merely reinforces liberals' disrepute as people who are sheeple and subserviently go along with something if all their lib friends tell them to (kind of like all the brainwashed liberals who misguidedly back Obama without being able to tell of ANY accomplishment of his! BTW, how's that Reverend Jeremiah Wright thang coming along, libs, HAHAHAHA!)

So, what I'll do is cite a few, choice examples from Colbert's book, witheringly skewer the unfunny failures in them, and then educate liberals on what would TRULY make the failed parody funny! Are you ready? Then, let's go!

In the sophomoric section on marriage, Colbert, still pretending to be ultra-conservative, asserts that to stop the rising divorce rate in the US, couples should just fake happiness, even if they're trapped in a bad marriage, so they don't ruin marriage for their kids! If Colbert wanted to really make libs laugh and mock conservatives with parody, he would've asserted that American women not be allowed to demand divorces (kind of like in Islamic countries!) and instead become the property of their husbands! This would've been the far funnier parody since anti-marriage libs already think that conservatives and traditionalists who still respect the sacrament of marriage are sexists who want to enslave women, anyway!!!! Shame on failure-Colbert for not being insolent enough in his parody of conservatives, that w*ss.

In the infantile section on religion, Colbert parodies conservatives by asserting that the US is a Judeo-Christian nation and such, that there's no separation of church and state expressly written in the Constitution (absolutely true), etc.. Yet Colbert's miscalculating gags include pitiful punchlines involving assertions that thanks to religion, Americans can picket their kids' elementary schools if they find out any teacher there is g*y. Sheeple libs will gullibly find this funny, but this wasn't a good enough mockery of conservatives because Colbert is a w*ss. If he really wanted to mock conservatives for their religiosity, he would've done so in a way corresponding with what the majority of bigoted libs think about conservatives and religion. While still in ultra-conservative character, Colbert should've asserted that thanks to (Christian) religion, alternative-lifestyle g*ys are persecuted and cannot practice their children-corrupting "value-system" like in Old Europe. He should've also given thanks that the dear, innocent, Muslim demographic in the US is constantly in fear of being racially profiled because the Christians are simply carrying on their rightful Crusade of self-defense from their forefathers of the Middle Ages. That would've easily been funnier than Colbert's lameas* material because those insinuations would've been far more extreme than the schtick in his chapter.

Despite Colbert's flagrantly unmistakable derision of religion (read: Christian Americans), he's still too cowardly to mock all religions equally. In fact, proving what an unpardonable moral coward he is, Colbert actually gives Islam A PASS in the religion chapter despite the fact that making fun of Islam instead of Christianity would've yielded much, much better material! See, he could've easily made wisecracks about Islam and suicide bombings, beheadings, Sharia law, the stoning of g*ys, or the enslavement of women in Islamic marriages! Of course, being the predictably well-behaved lib he is, Colbert was SCARED of having a fatwa issued against him, so he shrewdly stayed away from ridiculing Islam, that wimp!

All right, now that I've incontrovertibly established why Colbert is just not funny under ANY circumstances and that libs simply have low-minded taste in humor, I'll subtly switch my righteous criticism to the mental maturity that's lacking in Colbert's material. In notorious example, Colbert--and by association all his sheeple liberal fans--actually gets immaturely bent kicks from talking about dog t*sticles at great length!!!! That's right: in one section on animals, DOG T*STICLES are the "intelligent punchline" of his shortcoming comedy! WTF???? Isn't Colbert well over 40 years old?! Despite his middle-age status, Colbert crookedly sees it as funny to include a whole page of close-up pictures of DOG T*STICLES (page 43 for all you p*rv-and-immature libs!) featuring the sacks of Irish setters, Dobermans, Golden Retrievers, English Setters, Schnauzers and Weimaraners!!!! Blatantly and without doubt, here, Colbert is merely expressing his unrequited desire for Colbert-on-dog sex, what with all his scary obsession with close-up pictures of DOG T*STICLES. I mean, that's just GOT to be the explanation because that section failed utterly at humor.

In closing, Colbert is an immature jackas* who childishly indulges in lowbrow humor that even high-school kids and college sophomores have grown waaaay too old for. The unsettling fact that mostly liberals find him to be a "comic genius" is further proof of how correct Michael Savage is for time and again stating that liberalism IS a mental disorder. The only reason for this "book"--because it certainly isn't the failed comedy attempts!--is for Colbert to promote his speech at the WH Correspondents' Dinner of 06 at the end...which wasn't funny either.

First, let me say that I adore the Colbert Report, from what I've seen of it. Unfortunately, he's not nearly as funny in print. Some of the book is outrageously funny, but mostly it tries too hard.

Political satire has become a genre all its own in recent years, and Colbert's book is, in a sense, the culmination of that genre when we need it most. With a historic presidential election looming and a highly divisive war lingering on indefinitely, it's a welcome relief to sit back and laugh at ourselves at least for a little while.

Colbert speaks the time-tested truth that none of us really is as important as we'd like to think. Thanks for the humorous reminder.

Terrible. Couldn't even bear to finish it. Gave it to a friend that was excited to get it and he gave it BACK 2 days later and said the same thing.

Humor is all about timing and it is sometimes difficult to catch the timing in the written word, but I think Colbert did a good job overall.
He does tackle all topics and if you aren't careful...you might learn something that makes you think. I enjoyed this book on my Kindle..

I bought this on the Kindle, and much of the content (pretty much all the graphics) is illegible on the Kindle's low-resolution, black-and-white screen. The book itself (what I could read of it) is hilarious, but I missed out on much of its content because of the Kindle's lack of zoom support for images. There are literally too few pixels to render some of his pages. It's too bad Amazon's rating system doesn't allow me to rate a particular edition of the book.

Sad to say, but the book just isn't that funny. I'm a big fan of the TV show ... but aside from a few good gags, the book just doesn't do it justice. Borrow it from the library if you must, but don't spend your $. You'll just be disappointed.

He would be the thirty-second greatest writer alive. I can't believe how every page of this book drips with previously hidden truth. It is spell-binding how easily the author demolishes thousands of years worth of history. I can hear the walls of American civilization crumbling as millions of priests, clergy, politicians, and penquins flee the bright truth-revealing light the author shines upon them.

Sell all you own and buy as many copies of this life-changing work that you can find.

If you are a fan of his show, than this is the book for you. It was extremely funny, and definetly worth picking up if political satire is your thing. I cant reccomned this book highly enough!

You might love the book. You will love some of the book.
Problem is that if you are older than 11, you won't like most of it -- it will seem corny, kinda slimey, and dumb.
But if you are the kind of gal/guy that thinks Barbra Streisand is a deep thinker, then by all means buy it!!

I gave this as a gift from a relative's wish list, so I can't say anything specific about the product - sorry. But, they were VERY pleased with it, so I would highly recommend it!!!

The host of the popular Colbert Report show celebrates the lighter side of the modern world's most relevant issues, providing straightforward discussions of such topics as faith, politics, and how the author believes the country can reacquire its nerve. BT.
I listened to this on abridged audio because it just happened to be available on the library shelf. I see now why it was available, though it was a well put together audio with other actors and sound effects.
One reviewer basically said what I felt about Colbert since watching some of his shows, and that is that he fails to successfully pull off a caricature of a neo-conservative. He's more convincing as a Liberal basher and I see very little humor in his writings. Is he making a joke or is he being serious? That's something I had to continually ask myself. And I never knew. Big disappointment.

I love the Colbert report sometimes and hated this book all the time. It was an absolute terror to read. I could not wait until I was finished. I had to collect all of my willpower to bring myself to finish it. I am disappointed that I made that decision. Burn this book for heat in a cold winter or a summer bonfire. Make some use out of this garbage.

Stephen Colbert isn't a comedian so much as he specializes in the asinine and juvenile "art" of schtick!!!! His talentless and utterly unfunny take on schtick is based on the oldest, most worn-out concept of all: mock conservatives by pretending to be one of them. So, his schtick is actually supposed to be a parody of a conservative (because as a liberal, Colbert cannot intellectually take on conservatives [he's too inept], so he relies on childish ridicule), but Colbert's misuse of tact, wit and subtlety make him a total failure, whether as author or TV host.

I read "I am America and so can You" because I stupidly gave the benefit of the doubt to Colbert and his now-exposed sycophant fans (read: cheerleaders who will laugh at anything unfunny as long as they somehow think it denigrates conservatives) as arbiters on what constitutes something legitimately funny. However, after "reading" (you can't really read Colbert's book; owing to the low intellect of his lib-fans, Colbert's actually written a "book" infested with primer language, HUGE font and lots of pictures) this tome, I now 100% understand what lowness liberals call "humor." Judging from Colbert's take on it, liberals find puerile profanity; coarse, sexual suggestiveness; idiotic and wayward tangents; and a childish mentality "funny!!!!"

The problem with Colbert isn't that he cowardly mocks conservatives by pretending to be a stereotype of one--that would actually require brains, an understanding of the culture and politics, or wit, all things Colbert falls waaaay short of. No, my resentment at Colbert and his radical fans of questionable taste is based on his failure to successfully pull off a caricature of a conservative! Lampooning, if done correctly, should be funny even if it does the taboo, which is to mock a conservative. However, Colbert's plain awful at his struggling attempts at parody, and this merely reinforces liberals' disrepute as people who are sheeple and subserviently go along with something if all their lib friends tell them to (kind of like all the brainwashed liberals who misguidedly back Obama without being able to tell of ANY accomplishment of his! BTW, how's that Reverend Jeremiah Wright thang coming along, libs, HAHAHAHA!)

So, what I'll do is cite a few, choice examples from Colbert's book, witheringly skewer the unfunny failures in them, and then educate liberals on what would TRULY make the failed parody funny! Are you ready? Then, let's go!

In the sophomoric section on marriage, Colbert, still pretending to be ultra-conservative, asserts that to stop the rising divorce rate in the US, couples should just fake happiness, even if they're trapped in a bad marriage, so they don't ruin marriage for their kids! If Colbert wanted to really make libs laugh and mock conservatives with parody, he would've asserted that American women not be allowed to demand divorces (kind of like in Islamic countries!) and instead become the property of their husbands! This would've been the far funnier parody since anti-marriage libs already think that conservatives and traditionalists who still respect the sacrament of marriage are sexists who want to enslave women, anyway!!!! Shame on failure-Colbert for not being insolent enough in his parody of conservatives, that w*ss.

In the infantile section on religion, Colbert parodies conservatives by asserting that the US is a Judeo-Christian nation and such, that there's no separation of church and state expressly written in the Constitution (absolutely true), etc.. Yet Colbert's miscalculating gags include pitiful punchlines involving assertions that thanks to religion, Americans can picket their kids' elementary schools if they find out any teacher there is g*y. Sheeple libs will gullibly find this funny, but this wasn't a good enough mockery of conservatives because Colbert is a w*ss. If he really wanted to mock conservatives for their religiosity, he would've done so in a way corresponding with what the majority of bigoted libs think about conservatives and religion. While still in ultra-conservative character, Colbert should've asserted that thanks to (Christian) religion, alternative-lifestyle g*ys are persecuted and cannot practice their children-corrupting "value-system" like in Old Europe. He should've also given thanks that the dear, innocent, Muslim demographic in the US is constantly in fear of being racially profiled because the Christians are simply carrying on their rightful Crusade of self-defense from their forefathers of the Middle Ages. That would've easily been funnier than Colbert's lameas* material because those insinuations would've been far more extreme than the schtick in his chapter.

Despite Colbert's flagrantly unmistakable derision of religion (read: Christian Americans), he's still too cowardly to mock all religions equally. In fact, proving what an unpardonable moral coward he is, Colbert actually gives Islam A PASS in the religion chapter despite the fact that making fun of Islam instead of Christianity would've yielded much, much better material! See, he could've easily made wisecracks about Islam and suicide bombings, beheadings, Sharia law, the stoning of g*ys, or the enslavement of women in Islamic marriages! Of course, being the predictably well-behaved lib he is, Colbert was SCARED of having a fatwa issued against him, so he shrewdly stayed away from ridiculing Islam, that wimp!

All right, now that I've incontrovertibly established why Colbert is just not funny under ANY circumstances and that libs simply have low-minded taste in humor, I'll subtly switch my righteous criticism to the mental maturity that's lacking in Colbert's material. In notorious example, Colbert--and by association all his sheeple liberal fans--actually gets immaturely bent kicks from talking about dog t*sticles at great length!!!! That's right: in one section on animals, DOG T*STICLES are the "intelligent punchline" of his shortcoming comedy! WTF???? Isn't Colbert well over 40 years old?! Despite his middle-age status, Colbert crookedly sees it as funny to include a whole page of close-up pictures of DOG T*STICLES (page 43 for all you p*rv-and-immature libs!) featuring the sacks of Irish setters, Dobermans, Golden Retrievers, English Setters, Schnauzers and Weimaraners!!!! Blatantly and without doubt, here, Colbert is merely expressing his unrequited desire for Colbert-on-dog sex, what with all his scary obsession with close-up pictures of DOG T*STICLES. I mean, that's just GOT to be the explanation because that section failed utterly at humor.

In closing, Colbert is an immature jackas* who childishly indulges in lowbrow humor that even high-school kids and college sophomores have grown waaaay too old for. The unsettling fact that mostly liberals find him to be a "comic genius" is further proof of how correct Michael Savage is for time and again stating that liberalism IS a mental disorder. The only reason for this "book"--because it certainly isn't the failed comedy attempts!--is for Colbert to promote his speech at the WH Correspondents' Dinner of 06 at the end...which wasn't funny either.

From the moment I first saw Stephen Colbert's fully realized conservative pundit character, I thought it was brilliant through and through. With the legions of pompous, flag-waving yahoos out there posing as political commentators in order to sell books and ad slots, the phenomenon was overripe for a skewering. Colbert pokes them with his pen-sword mercilessly, playing with their bag of tricks like Houdini debunking phony spiritualists (which most conservative pundits might well qualify as, from a certain perspective).

What makes Colbert's schtick so good is that he plays it so straight. A middlebrow Right-winger picking up this book who'd never heard of S.C. would read for a good while before realizing the mockery at work. In the Religion chapter, he says America is a nation based on Judeo-Christian values--but qualifies that as a slight misnomer in that it suggests Jesus and Moses are equal. If you think of it like Sears & Roebuck, Moses is Roebuck. Your average Mall of America shopper is as likely to nod in agreement as crack a smile at that.

If you get with the Colbert brand of court-jestering, you'll laugh (and nod... and shake your head) at this book. Parts are just OK, parts are pure genius, but it hits the mark again and again. I particularly enjoyed the appendix which reprints his 2006 White House Correspondents' Dinner speech--which will go down in history as perhaps the greatest bit of Naked Emperor-spotting of any age.

And, no, I have no "facts" or "statistics" or "research" to back that up. I just feel it in my gut.

- mattmchugh.com

The graphics aren't optimized for the Kindle, which hinders the experience of the book. I have, and love, the printed version of the book.

I loved it. It was Very Good. Very smart. Very intelligent. Very Funny. If you don't like his show, then you probably won't like the book. It's almost like reading a script for his show. If you've never seen the show, then watch it before you read this book. You have to SEE and HEAR Stephen Colbert before you can read him. Otherwise, you might not get it.
I think Jon Stewart's "America (The Book): A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction" was a little better, but they're both awesome.

I'm sorry that Stephen Colbert was not allowed to run
for President . . . he would have injected some much-needed
humor into the campaign, and you would certainly know
how he stands on any political issue.

Take the issue of laws being passed that would require
dogs to wear seatbelts:

* What's next, Massachusetts? Making dogs wear hard hats
when they chase the ball? Or life vests when they swim in a lake?
Or safety goggles when they spot-weld?

Colbert in I AM AMERICA (AND SO CAN YOU!) wrote this
bestseller, according to the book jacket, over a three-day
weekend . . . it contains his most deeply held knee-jerk
beliefs on such topics as the American family, race, religion
and even such sports as:

* Cycling: It seems a colossal waste to me to have a dozen cyclists,
in peak condition, furiously pedaling their sleek carbon-fiber machines
at mind-boggling speeds . . . and not a single one of them is carrying
a takeout order of Chinese food. Because once you're past the age
of 12, the only legitimate reason I can think of to get on a bicycle
is to deliver someone's steamy container of moo shu pork. I say we
limit the cycling events to professional delivery boys and bike
messengers, and here's a thrilling twist I came up with the other night
while watching THE ROAD TO PERDITION: Each contestant is
carrying an envelope he's supposed to deliver to the judge. Inside that
envelope: an order to shoot the cyclist dead. The spectators know what's
in the notes--the athletes have no idea!!!!

If you don't get the chance to watch THE COLBERT REPORT, his
highly rated television show, this book will help you fill the other
23 1/2 hours of your day . . . it will certainly have you laughing
in many spots, such as when he considers the role played
by your aunts and uncles:

* PRO: They have a hilarious childhood story about how Mom
got that scar.

CON: They are under the impression you should still be excited to see them
even after they stop bringing presents.

Be forewarned that you'll certainly find something offensive in
I AM AMERICA, regardless of your political persuasion or sexual
leaning . . . Colbert is tough on homosexuals, as well as on
immigrants, and I even cringed at parts of the book . . . yet
overall, you'll find yourself drawn to it as I was when I saw
the cover and this one tribute on the back:

* A great read! I laughed, I cried, I lost 15 ponds! I cannot
recommend this book highly enough.

The fact that Colbert wrote the blurb did little to take away
my enjoyment, other than to say I was disappointed that
I didn't lose any weight when reading it.

With this literary submission, as a country, we can now:

1. Mothball the Constitution ... I Am America trumps it in every way and is numbered, which is more than I can say for the Constitution.

2. Retire the Declaration of Independence ... I Am America is the only declaration that you need to worry about and/ or memorize. Speak it on the street corner, "my friend."

3. Dismantle the Supreme Court ... all you need to do is refer to I Am America on every legal decision from this day forward.

4. Emancipation Proclamation? Ever heard of something called a Live-Studio Audience?

5. Abraham Lincoln, George W. Bush? ...How about the Silent T in Colbert!

Stephen Colbert is the only name in American Politics that you should be concerned about.

When it comes time to vote in November: Stephen Colbert (write-in)

Wrist Strong!

I cannot decide which I like more...The Daily Show or The Colbert Report but I can tell you this...this book or audio book is a must buy!!!

I bought the audio book so I could listen to Mr. Colbert's voice on my way to work and in the gym when I lift weights. Sometimes it gets me laughing so hard that I almost drop weights on myself. These are very tough, depressing times. Listening to Colbert and laughing at the right wing insanity helps me through it and helps me to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Don't hesitate, this is a treat...you have earned it!

I really loved this book and thught it was the perfect companion to The Colbert Report, but one does not necessarily have to have seen the show to enjoy the book. However, because I purchased the Kindle version, I couldn't quite make out a lot of the graphs and illustrations which are an integral part of the book. Kindle doesn't allow for enlargement of these pages which is a big inconvenience when reading books like these (or, I would imagine, instructional books or reference books). Plan on buying the print version (which I had to) in order to fully appreciate the book...

Several things about Colbert's book are excellent: it is laugh out loud funny in places, unique, and politically incorrect. But its meager entertainment value is overshadowed by an overabundance of ridiculous, obnoxious vulgarity. What remains is mediocre at best. Summary: Die-hard Stephen Colbert fans will undoubtedly love it. Those (like me) who have never heard of him but feel compelled to see what all the fuss is about should borrow a copy (like I did, thank goodness) from their local library. Original in format, lacking in substance. Better: Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder, Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin, There is No Me Without You by Melissa Fay Greene, and A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah.

I Am America (And So Can You!)

All I can say right now, is that I hope Comedy Central has got the best news on Television! The Daily Show & Colbert Report will go down in history as 2 of the most groundbreaking shows in television history.

As for the book, if you love The Colbert Report you will love Steven's Book. Colbert's comedy is brilliant!

There are just enough insults in this book to make you want to fight back. The real America is not this kitch. I recommend Government Jobs in America: U.S. State, City & Federal Jobs & Careers - With Job Titles, Salaries & Pension Estimates - Why You Want One - What Jobs Are Available - How to Get One for insight into the establishment America, what your government is hiring for and doing - the small wheels that make the clock turn, carry out the garbage, drive the school buses, educate the kids, do all that contracting that spends our money, and the computing that delivers services. The computer revolution originated largely in the U.S. Another establishment in the real America. I recommend Funding a Revolution: Government Support for Computing Research. Much of the funding for early computer science has come from the U.S. government. Funding a Revolution shows the interactions among players in academic circles, government and industry. It is fitting that benefits of the computer revolution accrue to the U.S. Federal, State and Municipal governments in delivering services to citizens, to U.S. citizens, and to the U.S. economy in productivity gains, job growth, and the growth of the computing industry. Individual scientific achievement, and government and corporate support, are instrumental for developments in large scale integrated circuit computers, packet switching and the Internet, relational databases, the personal computer, speech recognition, computer graphics, GIS, cryptography and computer security. I recommend it for self-education or classroom education. A recent AP story says the National Science Foundation is providing funding for a clean-slate Internet; so the beat goes on, the story continues. Our collective heritage in computer and telecommunications technology, 50 years of achievement, affecting so many things is the real America.

I have never seen Steven Colbert's The Colbert Report. In fact when I purchased his book, I had never heard of him. Guess I'm kinda out of it. Anyway, when I read the book, I didn't hear his voice because I have never seen his show. I'm prefacing with this caveat because others may have grasped the inflections and found it much more humorous.

I found the book amusing, but hit and miss. Maybe I don't get this style of humor, but after about fifty pages, Colbert's shtick got old. For me, it didn't carry 228 pages.

So why did I buy the book? Because the irreverence toward the publishing industry caught my eye. In fact, I think the original cover may be the funniest thing about the book. The title itself is hilarious. The original cover said in bold type, "From the Author of I am America (And So Can You)." It included an embossed emblem for "The Stephen Colbert Award for Literary Excellence" and the back cover blurb is from Stephen Colbert. Funny.

I was disappointed when the "From the Author of" banner was replaced in later printings with, "The #1 New York Times Bestseller." The publishers succumbed to the very hype Colbert had originally lambasted.

The Shopkeeper

This book is meant to be humorous and it is. But what kind of humor? It's a bag of insults with no warmth. Fourteen writers are given credit for having put it together. Plenty of comedians have written the story of their lives where they manage to be warm at times, but there's something lacking in this humor by committee stuff.