The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Presents Earth (The Audiobook): A Visitor’s Guide to the Human Race; read by Jon StewartBack-of-the-Box blurb: Where do we come from? Who created us? Why are we here? These questions have puzzled us since the dawn of time, but when it became apparent to Jon Stewart and the writers of The Daily Show that the world was about to end, they embarked on a massive mission to write a book that summed up the human race: What we looked like; what we accomplished; our achievements in society, government, religion, science and culture – … With their trademark wit, irreverence, and intelligence, Stewart and his team will posthumously answer all of life’s most hard-hitting questions, completely unburdened by objectivity, journalistic integrity, or even accuracy.
She Is Too Fond of Books’ thoughts: I love Jon Stewart. No, not “love, love” him, just love him – he’s smart, he’s funny (hey, he’s a lot like my husband). The Daily Show is entertaining, and Jon Stewart is hold-your-sides-while-tears-stream-down-your-face-from-laughing-so-hard in person. Note this post with some photos and a bit about the author breakfast Jon Stewart hosted at BEA 2010.
Smart, witty, quick with extemporaneous retorts, a known commodity when it comes to entertainment … I expected to laugh my way through my treadmill workouts with this audiobook. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out that way.
I think the disconnect came because Stewart’s delivery depends so much on his physical being. He’s not a slapstick guy (The Three Stooges, even Steve Martin’s older stuff), but his stance and his facial expressions add so much to his routine. I would say that they’re an integral part of it.
Without Jon Stewart’s grimaces, raised eyebrows, and other gestures, the Earth was indeed flat. It wasn’t funny.
The print edition of Earth fares much better, as it is full of pictures, charts, diagrams, and sidebars. These visuals add so much to the “text” that comprised the audiobook; it would definitely be my recommendation to read the book instead of listening to the audio.
Earth (The Audiobook): A Visitor’s Guide to the Human Race was read by Sigourney Weaver, Jon Stewart, Samantha Bee, Wyatt Cenac, Jason Jones, and John Oliver. The familiar voices were fun to listen to, but not enough to keep me engaged.
Interesting! I enjoyed (but didn’t LOVE) it as a companion in the car.
I enjoyed this one, but thought America was much better.
I found his last book to be better read in bits and pieces. I will probably get this one when it comes out in paperback. I love Stewart but he is best on tv!
I like Jon Stewart’s show, although I rarely watch it. I am sorry this book didn’t work for you. It’s probably not something I would give much thought to reading as I don’t generally read these types of books, whether given high praise or not. Still, I find it interesting to read other people’s takes on them.
I agree, the book is much better.
You’re not the first one to say the audio for this one didn’t work, and I’m still disappointed. I agree with you though, so much of Stewart’s humor is expression, and I can see how it would be lost.
I heard many mixed things about the audio — and I can see that the print version would come off better. But I love Stewart, too, so I completely forgive flatness in this case
rhapsody – It was a real disconnect for me, listening to the audio. I must be more visual than I realized.
Kathy – did you listen to AMERICA? Maybe I should try that one …
bookmagic – I think the print edition of the book is fun/funny; the audio didn’t grab me.
Literary Feline – I like the books for dipping in and out of (not to read straight thru)
Lisa – my sister said she’d like to listen to the audio and imagine Jon Stewart talking (visualize him), so I’m sending the CDs to her. I wonder how she’ll do …
Carrie – It’s hard to translate visual humor to the ears alone!
Rebecca – he was so so so funny in person at BEA
I think I would need the visual, too. Of course, one of the first pages I opened to in the book was the naked picture of Larry King.
I’ve read good things about the audio, but I get what you’re saying about his delivery. I hope to get to it soo, because I love, love him
Charley – oh, no! I’m not sure I would have wanted to keep reading
stacy – I’ve sent the CDs to my sister, who plans to visualize Jon Stewart as she listens to them … we’ll see how that goes. I hope you enjoy the audio when you get to it.
I LOVE Jon Stewart too but will plan to read vs. listen to this one on your recommendation. I never fare very well with audiobooks anyway.
I have never really liked comedy on audio because facial expressions and body language are so important. I have a couple of George Carlin auidobooks that I couldn’t get through and I love, love him.