
Comedy Book
How Comedy Conquered Culture–and the Magic That Makes It Work
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Narrated by:
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Jesse David Fox
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By:
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Jesse David Fox
Named a Most Anticipated Book by Vulture, Elle, Chicago Tribune, The Millions, and Lit Hub
"Comedy Book changes the way we talk about an art form that is more diverse and exciting than ever before.” (Seth Meyers)
"A sharp, loving, well written exploration and analysis of the art form that makes us smile, helps us relate, and is perpetually mysterious." (Jenny Slate)
From a beloved comedy critic, a wisecracking, heartfelt, and overdue chronicle of comedy’s boom—and its magic.
Comedy is king. From multimillion-dollar TV specials to sold-out stand-up shows and TikTok stardom, comedy has never been more popular, democratized, or influential. Comedians have become organizing forces across culture—as trusted as politicians and as fawned-over as celebrities—yet comedy as an art form has gone under-considered throughout its history, even as it has ascended as a cultural force.
In Comedy Book, Jesse David Fox—the country’s most definitive voice in comedy criticism and someone who, in his own words, “enjoys comedy maybe more than anyone on this planet"—tackles everything you need to know about comedy. Weaving together history and analysis, Fox unravels the genre’s political legacy through an ode to Jon Stewart, interrogates the divide between highbrow and lowbrow via Adam Sandler, and unpacks how marginalized comics create spaces for their communities. Along the way, Fox covers everything from comedy in the age of political correctness and Will Smith’s slap to the right wing’s relationship with comedy and, for Fox, comedy’s ability to heal personal tragedy.
With memorable cameos from Jerry Seinfeld, Dave Chappelle, John Mulaney, Ali Wong, Kate Berlant, and countless others, Comedy Book is an eye-opening education in how to engage with our most omnipresent art form, a riotous history of American pop culture, and a love letter to laughter.
©2023 Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux. 2023 Jesse David Fox (P)2023 Audible Inc.Listeners also enjoyed...




















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Written for me.
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Hilarious and smart
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Amazing work !!
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Keep up the good work!!
Excellent!
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A compelling case for the art of comedy
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Great book on COMEDY
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This is a really fun book, but it’s also an important book about a major art form that has a growing influence on our culture
With deeper understanding comes deeper enjoyment
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Comedy Book blew me away!
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Excellent content, very dry performance
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As for criticism I would have liked to hear about more comedians and anecdotes from the many shows he’s attended and interviews he’s done. There was a lot of talk about the right wing and anti woke comedian movement, which is definitely a huge part of the story, especially in recent years. But I would have liked that to not have dominated the second half quite as much.
Overall I’m glad I listened. If you are a fan of comedy to the point you want to hear analysis of it you will enjoy this book most likely.
Great book about the modern state of comedy
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