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kitsuneheart's review
5.0
Gah, I wish I'd reviewed this soon after reading, like I did for Jillette's other book, "God, No!" Sadly, all I can really recall at this point is that it was a delight and I need to own both of these books. The audiobook reading, done by Jillette himself, is delivered with perfect comedic timing, as you'd expect from a comedian reading their own prose.
His books are an ecstatic celebration of life. Sexy and sad, angry and thankful, Jillette proves that you can live a good life without a dude in the sky shaking his finger at you for touching your bits.
His books are an ecstatic celebration of life. Sexy and sad, angry and thankful, Jillette proves that you can live a good life without a dude in the sky shaking his finger at you for touching your bits.
jenniepicky's review
4.0
So hysterical. It's worth it just for the Disney phone conversation: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Unsurprisingly, I now have a huge crush on Teller. Seriously, if he's half as fantastic as Penn claims he is, then he's awesome personified.
Unsurprisingly, I now have a huge crush on Teller. Seriously, if he's half as fantastic as Penn claims he is, then he's awesome personified.
teachinsci's review against another edition
4.0
This was an entertaining book. It reminded me most of Scott Adams' blog-post collection ("Stick to Drawing Cartoons...") with a lot more deep intellectual thinking and f-bombs thrown in.
Penn Gillette very obviously cares deeply about his family, his country, and his beliefs and is perfectly willing to let his feels about all three flop out-there for the world to see (I think he even uses this phrase in the book). The short essay collection covered topics as varied as his son's first steps, being blackmailed, and forming Penn & Teller. Never did he seem to mince words to to be hateful in what he said... instead he was just very clear about his emotions and feelings about a variety of issues, often explaining his reasoning to boot.
Definitely a book to make you think.
Penn Gillette very obviously cares deeply about his family, his country, and his beliefs and is perfectly willing to let his feels about all three flop out-there for the world to see (I think he even uses this phrase in the book). The short essay collection covered topics as varied as his son's first steps, being blackmailed, and forming Penn & Teller. Never did he seem to mince words to to be hateful in what he said... instead he was just very clear about his emotions and feelings about a variety of issues, often explaining his reasoning to boot.
Definitely a book to make you think.
matthewwester's review
3.0
If you're familiar with Penn Jillette (outspoken atheist and half of the magic duo Penn & Teller that uses humor and meta-talk throughout their show), then you definitely know what you're getting into with this book. So haha, while I cringed at the thought of giving some income to a guy whose mission is to actively work against people of faith, I still wanted to check out the humor and thoughtfulness of this book. And when it comes to that, I wasn't disappointed. Penn writes like he talks, which is conversational, witty, hilarious. His humor often draws upon the gross or inappropriate but that's easy to take in stride, knowing with Penn, what you see is what you get (which is a quality I highly respect, it's the opposite, being a hypocrite, that I don't respect).
And even when Penn is throwing abuse towards religion and the Bible, I get an ever-deepening sense that so much has been lost in translation. After all, most believers I know are huge fans of a marketplace of ideas and ideologies. The Bible I know speaks of God's truth/justice and His mercy/love simultaneously, and the danger of remembering one while forgetting the other. The claims Penn makes about the Bible (misogyny, slavery, inconsistency) are discussed fully by theologians. I've spent my whole life (and will continue to spend the rest of my life) asking questions of my faith, and I've never been unsatisfied with the answers I find. All of which is to say, Penn's comments are a great reminder to me that the world has too many religious hypocrites >-< and not enough people who are living authentically in accordance with their deepest beliefs and convictions. That's true on both sides -- whether you're talking a Saul of Tarsus, or a Paul of Tarsus, either extreme should remember to remain authentic, honest with self and others, and always seeking truth/meaning. I pray we're all bold enough to draw closer to truth when something happens to challenge our earlier beliefs.
And even when Penn is throwing abuse towards religion and the Bible, I get an ever-deepening sense that so much has been lost in translation. After all, most believers I know are huge fans of a marketplace of ideas and ideologies. The Bible I know speaks of God's truth/justice and His mercy/love simultaneously, and the danger of remembering one while forgetting the other. The claims Penn makes about the Bible (misogyny, slavery, inconsistency) are discussed fully by theologians. I've spent my whole life (and will continue to spend the rest of my life) asking questions of my faith, and I've never been unsatisfied with the answers I find. All of which is to say, Penn's comments are a great reminder to me that the world has too many religious hypocrites >-< and not enough people who are living authentically in accordance with their deepest beliefs and convictions. That's true on both sides -- whether you're talking a Saul of Tarsus, or a Paul of Tarsus, either extreme should remember to remain authentic, honest with self and others, and always seeking truth/meaning. I pray we're all bold enough to draw closer to truth when something happens to challenge our earlier beliefs.
rennegade's review
4.0
Note: I received a free copy of this book from the Goodreads Giveaway program to read and review.
This was a highly enjoyable book. Penn Jillette has some really poignant moments, and more than once I actually found myself nodding as I read because I so strongly agreed with him.
The guy is a total asshole, but he seems to acknowledge and accept that he is an asshole. There were times in the book that I seriously disagreed with him and was teetering on the border of being offended, but he always kept me interested and reading. Despite finding myself annoyed, I found it refreshing to read something written by someone who really does not give a crap about what people think of him.
Overall, it was enjoyable. Thanks, Goodreads Giveaways!
This was a highly enjoyable book. Penn Jillette has some really poignant moments, and more than once I actually found myself nodding as I read because I so strongly agreed with him.
The guy is a total asshole, but he seems to acknowledge and accept that he is an asshole. There were times in the book that I seriously disagreed with him and was teetering on the border of being offended, but he always kept me interested and reading. Despite finding myself annoyed, I found it refreshing to read something written by someone who really does not give a crap about what people think of him.
Overall, it was enjoyable. Thanks, Goodreads Giveaways!
pete0926's review
3.0
Pretty classic "famous person" type book overall. An collection of stories from Penn. I've always found him entertaining and somewhat funny so I thought this would be good.
As you can see from the date started and finished, it never really grabbed me.
As you can see from the date started and finished, it never really grabbed me.
eluse9's review
5.0
Penn Jillette has got to be both one of the most intelligent and entertaining people in show business. This series of essays and stories is both thought provoking and entertaining, I wish I was friends with Penn.
kmg365's review
4.0
Christopher Hitchens was a devastating loss, but take heart atheists-- we still have Penn Jillette on our team. He's slightly less intellectual, but a lot more flamboyant. I don't think Hitchens ever appeared naked on Showtime.
dustcircle's review
2.0
It's interesting for the most part, but his anti-fair trade and fair pay rants are random and annoying. There are some other reasons for a lower grade, but they would include spoilers. It goes to show that just because someone is like you and doesn't believe in mythology, it doesn't mean you'll like them or their choices and other beliefs.
thomcat's review
2.0
This book contains an excellent breakdown of the "I Have a Dream" speech and some good anecdotes. Not much improved from my first assessment, which was:
Each chapter starts is labeled for a holiday, which has little or nothing to do with the rambling contents. Occasional bits of funny, but in general nowhere near as good as God No. Also, if I *never* hear Penn talk about Clay Aiken again, it will be too soon. Sheesh!
Overall rating - 2 star, "It was Ok".
Each chapter starts is labeled for a holiday, which has little or nothing to do with the rambling contents. Occasional bits of funny, but in general nowhere near as good as God No. Also, if I *never* hear Penn talk about Clay Aiken again, it will be too soon. Sheesh!
Overall rating - 2 star, "It was Ok".