Jon Stewart, host of the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning "The Daily Show", and his coterie of patriots deliver a hilarious look at American government . . . Termed a "political king-maker" by Newsweek, and "the Dan Rather of infotainment" by Vanity Fair, Jon Stewart, along with the writers of "The Daily Show", combines his riotous wit and razor-sharp insight in this hilarious book. American-style democracy is the world's most beloved form of government, which explains why so many other nations are eager for us to impose it on them. But what is American democracy? In America (The Book), Jon Stewart and "The Daily Show" writing staff offer their insights into our unique system of government, dissecting its institutions, explaining its history and processes, and exploring the reasons why concepts like "One man, one vote," "Government by the people," and "Every vote counts" have become such popular urban myths.
America (The Audiobook)A Citizen's Guide To Democracy Inaction
Jon Stewart
Summary
America (The Audiobook)
Narrarated by: Ed Helms, Jon Stewart, Samantha Bee, Stephen Colbert, Rob Corddry
eMusic Review 0
09.17.07
Jon Stewart, America (The Audiobook)
2007 | Label: Time Warner
Jon Stewart's blisteringly funny take on US history that becomes even better when you hear it.
"Welcome, non-reader." From the moment you hear The Daily Show host Jon Stewart's voice utter that deliciously tongue-in-cheek salutation, it's clear that this is no ordinary audiobook. As a rabid fan of both America (The Book) and its primary author (other Daily Show writers contribute), I was skeptical that this tome, with its panoply of visual jokes and lush graphics, could be successfully rendered in audio. Put simply, I was stupid.
The original 2004 book version generated controversy, including a ban from Wal-Mart stores and a temporary ban from several Mississippi public libraries. However, America (The Book) was also a New York Times bestseller and generated not only America (The Audiobook), but America (The Calendar), and a paperback "Teacher's Edition" published in 2006.
If someone were to ask me whether she should pick up the print or audio version of Stewart's side-splitting send-up of our beloved nation and its governance, I would be hard-pressed to choose. With appearances from Daily Show luminaries such as Stephen Colbert, Ed Helms, Rob Corddry and Samantha Bee, the audiobook comes to life in a way that the (albeit brilliant) print version just can't. Even if you've read America cover-to-cover more times than you'd care to admit, check out the audio version. I swear on the sainted heads of our Supreme Court Justices, you won't be disappointed.
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Entertaining, to say the least
An adult natured humor, with a knowledge-based , informative tone, comes through in this audio book, with hilarious undertones of the streetwise. Jon Stewart's authoritative tone and animated vocals lure the listener's attention, making this audio book an easy read to follow. A small parade of editorial and guest narratives interspersed throughout the audio book add variety and spice it up. The overall effect of the inherent plethora of paradoxes is to pleasantly mix a good bit of fact with suppositional fiction, making it highly entertaining as well as informative. In some nonsensical way, it all just makes sense. Still, at times, it did get somewhat cliché with its classic and sometimes atypical human behaviors, beliefs, and fallacies. However, anyone who loves The Daily Show, or Jon Stewart's style, is going to love this book with its all around entertainment value, and its auspicious ensemble and seamless production.
One of the best Audiobooks?
Oh my goodness. How could this be considered among the best audiobooks? I eagerly await my two books every month. Of the 22 I have "read" this thing is dead last. The humour is sophomoric at best. The formulaic jokes get so repetitive that I actually stopped listening half way through. If you want to laugh - try David Sedaris. If you want to get a history lesson hidden in a gripping tale, try Allan Furst. If you want writing in which the author crafts his words, by all means, "The Road" is for you. But if you want drivel to keep your 9-year-old happy while driving to Wall-Mart - America is just right for you.
no skips thus far
I have listened to the first 18 tracks and I have had no skips. I love this!
Shame on you emusic
From what I could understand, this audio book was totally hilarious. Audiobook credit holder be wary, as of June 2008, this recording still has many glitches and skips; spend your points elsewhere. After downloading this sloppy recording, I promptly ended the audiobook section of my account. Shame on you emusic.
Lots of skips....
I've complained about this problem in other audiobooks but this one is the worst. I dont know what the story is here, but as of March 2008 it had not been fixed. The parts that dont skip are amazing, though!
Where do we go from here?
Creative, ironic, sarcastic and appropriately crude... (I wasn't sure there was an occasion for that, but this works.) Jon Stewart is often heralded as one funny guy, but the framework of this commentary-in-an-audiobook about the sad state we're in as a nation has a powerful effect beyond the obvious. It's bound to spark some reactions as he nails the essence of the point down in a number of ways. It's not for the faint of heart or those who are easily shocked, but is a cathartic release for anyone who is frustrated beyond expression. It should be a complement to alternative history books, such as Howard Zinn's People's History of the United States.
good book bad verison
great book, great narration, but the tracks skip!!
Problem reported
i downloaded this a week ago and reported all the bad tracks. Was told by customer service the whole book would be re-ripped. Hope it happens before my subscription expires so i can re-download it. Otherwise, what i was able to listen to from the book is really good.
Only in America. Literally.
Nice to see emusic is introducing the same restrictions on audiobooks that it has on its music catalogue. "We're sorry. This audiobook is unavailable for download in your country [Hong Kong] at this time. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause".