I
Am America (And So Can You!) ,
by Stephen Colbert (Read by the Author)
Even the packaging for this audiobook is outrageous
with its demand that the listener "Buy this audiobook
before you leave the store" and Colbert's personal endorsement:
"A great listen! I laughed, I cried, I lost 15 pounds!
I cannot recommend this audiobook highly enough." Those
thoughts pretty much set the tone for the 3.5 hours of ranting
and pontificating by The Comedy Channel's premiere philosopher.
Stephen Colbert is determined to save America and all it stands
for by ensuring that everyone thinks just like him. There
is hardly an aspect of American culture that escapes his attention.
Homosexuality is a recurring theme, and one of his claims
is that "It's an addiction, like smoking, but you can
do it on an airplane." Colbert does show that he tries
to be open to differing beliefs and opinions when he recognizes
that there are many religions besides his Roman Catholicism.
In fact, he says that the Judeo-Christian world is like Sears
and Roebuck, but "the Jews are Roebuck."
This audiobook contains more than just Stephen
Colbert's opinions. There are numerous guest appearances in
the "Stephen speaks for me" segments. The highest
profile guest is God, who explains the power of prayer and
how he determines what prayers get answered. "And I always
have money on the Super Bowl, so don't even ask."
Stephen Colbert's message is so profound that he's been able
to acquire commercial sponsorship for several chapters. Blockbuster
and Chevron are among the corporate sponsors, and although
Stephen speaks of the value of digital recording, Tivo is
not specifically mentioned because they did not step up to
the plate and buy naming rights to a chapter.
This book is fun! The satire is delivered with
impassioned, serious and seemingly genuine conviction, making
it especially comical. Nonstop, rapid-fire comments cover
such a wide range of subjects that almost any listener can
find topics with which to identify or to be offended by. Fellow
comedians such as Jon Stewart and Amy Sedaris lend their voices
to the production and make the audio book even more enjoyable.
This is one book that gets better with each hearing. Whether
it's the anticipation of rehearing a favorite comment or the
chance to reflect further on a topic, the book lends itself
to repeated replay. Does that make it a classic? I don't think
so, but it does make it a great audio accompaniment to life's
journeys.
Ruth
Mormon
11/2/07
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