Call number
Publication
New York, NY : Grand Central Pub., 2010.
Pages
245
Description
Jon Stewart and the writers of The Daily Show embark on a mission to write a book that sums up the human race: What we looked like; what we accomplished; our achievements in society, government, religion, science and culture. Here is the definitive guide to our species--completely unburdened by objectivity, journalistic integrity, or even accuracy.
Awards
Audie Award (Finalist — Humor — 2011)
Grammy Award (Winner — 2011)
Language
Original publication date
2010-09-21
Physical description
245 p.; 10.5 inches
ISBN
9780446579223
Similar in this library
User reviews
LibraryThing member UnderMyAppleTree
Aliens have finally discovered Earth long after the human race has gone extinct. Instead of finding humans, they find a deserted planet and a book left for them by Jon Stewart and The Daily Show crew. It’s a guide to understanding our species. Science, government, culture, religion, no topic is
I listened to the audiobook version and while I liked it, and few parts were laugh-out-loud funny, it wasn’t up to what I expected from Jon Stewart and company. Although I found it to be funny, irreverent, and often sarcastic, it was missing a lot of the wit that I enjoy on The Daily Show. Too much of the humor was sophomoric and immature; toilet humor to be more exact. If you’re not familiar with The Daily Show, there is a bit of politically incorrect humor here and it’s not for the easily offended, especially those with strong feelings about a few touchy subjects; religion and sex come to mind.
I thought perhaps I was missing something by listening to the audiobook and not seeing the accompanying graphics in the book so I went to the library and checked out a copy of it. The book version contains lots of pictures and illustrations. But no, it didn’t change my opinion. In fact, I liked the audiobook better. It was read by Jon Stewart, the Daily Show correspondents, and Sigourney Weaver. Jon Stewart did a nice job chatting with the aliens with his deadpan serious delivery. I’m a big fan of The Daily Show and these guys can make me laugh, just not as much as I expected I would.
Did I like the book? Yes. Did I expect it to be better? Yes. Do I recommend it? Yes, if you’re already a fan you’ll probably enjoy it. If Jon Stewart is new to you, check this out from the library and see if you like it.
Show More
off limits.I listened to the audiobook version and while I liked it, and few parts were laugh-out-loud funny, it wasn’t up to what I expected from Jon Stewart and company. Although I found it to be funny, irreverent, and often sarcastic, it was missing a lot of the wit that I enjoy on The Daily Show. Too much of the humor was sophomoric and immature; toilet humor to be more exact. If you’re not familiar with The Daily Show, there is a bit of politically incorrect humor here and it’s not for the easily offended, especially those with strong feelings about a few touchy subjects; religion and sex come to mind.
I thought perhaps I was missing something by listening to the audiobook and not seeing the accompanying graphics in the book so I went to the library and checked out a copy of it. The book version contains lots of pictures and illustrations. But no, it didn’t change my opinion. In fact, I liked the audiobook better. It was read by Jon Stewart, the Daily Show correspondents, and Sigourney Weaver. Jon Stewart did a nice job chatting with the aliens with his deadpan serious delivery. I’m a big fan of The Daily Show and these guys can make me laugh, just not as much as I expected I would.
Did I like the book? Yes. Did I expect it to be better? Yes. Do I recommend it? Yes, if you’re already a fan you’ll probably enjoy it. If Jon Stewart is new to you, check this out from the library and see if you like it.
Show Less
LibraryThing member BookWallah
Humorous user’s guide to history of planet earth. Intended as a leave behind for aliens to find after we have self destructed. Good bathroom reading at 2 minutes per 2-page spread, with no need to read in any order.
This is biting social satire with something guaranteed to offend everyone here.
This is biting social satire with something guaranteed to offend everyone here.
Show More
If you can adopt an attitude like my father used to say, “Don’t take yourself too damn seriously”, then you will enjoy this book. Show Less
LibraryThing member bragan
A visual guide to humanity, presented for the benefit of any alien visitors who happen to swing by Earth after we're gone. It's not howlingly funny, perhaps, but it is consistently entertaining, and I'm impressed by how smart much of the humor is. The science-y parts, for instance, were clearly
Show More
written by someone with an actual understanding of the subject. And unsurprisingly, given that this is Jon Stewart and the Daily Show writers we're talking about, bits of it contain some real satiric bite. Show Less
LibraryThing member Alliebadger
Highly amusing. This book is genuinely really entertaining and I find myself laughing out loud at something on every page and wanting to turn to anyone near me to share. Great to just pick up and read from anywhere for as long as you like--be prepared to laugh.
LibraryThing member nbmars
If you are the type that still laughs uproariously every time someone uses Uranus in a sentence – or in any other way (excuse me while I laugh uproariously) this is the book for you!
Jon Stewart is ostensibly telling the history of Life on Earth to future aliens. If you listen to the CD, you will
The jokes range from smile-worthy to laugh-out-loud funny. Much of it reminds me of the type of humor one finds in “Mad Magazine,” which has always been a favorite of mine. I particularly liked the bits on “Caligula’s Bucket List,” the explanation of law and order in a society, and the [rewritten] scene from “Romeo and Juliet.”
Evaluation: If you, like me, have a sense of humor that approximates that of a 14-year-old boy, you’ll really enjoy this book. But even if you are more sophisticated, I can’t imagine you won’t crack a smile every once in a while. The one thing you can’t bring to this take on the history of the earth is a tendency to be sensitive. No group or religion or political position is immune from skewering by Stewart and his gang of writers. Furthermore, you should be prepared to hear the F word used as frequently as, um, “the.” I thought the CD was great fun.
Jon Stewart is ostensibly telling the history of Life on Earth to future aliens. If you listen to the CD, you will
Show More
hear Stewart himself narrate the story. The book has lots of colorful pictures, but the CD has lots of colorful sound effects. I listened to the CD, so I was able to laugh out loud in the car while driving totally alone (love the effect that has on cars driving by me). The jokes range from smile-worthy to laugh-out-loud funny. Much of it reminds me of the type of humor one finds in “Mad Magazine,” which has always been a favorite of mine. I particularly liked the bits on “Caligula’s Bucket List,” the explanation of law and order in a society, and the [rewritten] scene from “Romeo and Juliet.”
Evaluation: If you, like me, have a sense of humor that approximates that of a 14-year-old boy, you’ll really enjoy this book. But even if you are more sophisticated, I can’t imagine you won’t crack a smile every once in a while. The one thing you can’t bring to this take on the history of the earth is a tendency to be sensitive. No group or religion or political position is immune from skewering by Stewart and his gang of writers. Furthermore, you should be prepared to hear the F word used as frequently as, um, “the.” I thought the CD was great fun.
Show Less
LibraryThing member fredamans
As soon as I hear about this book while watching Oprah, I knew it had to be funny and well worth a read. I was right!
From the beginning, you get a sense of Jon Stewart's humor. You see, this book is geared to aliens. So you have to imagine that they really exist and need a brochure while visiting.
Brilliant!
That is my lasting impression, besides hilarious, witty, fun and sometimes true.
Definitely one I recommend to all adults.
From the beginning, you get a sense of Jon Stewart's humor. You see, this book is geared to aliens. So you have to imagine that they really exist and need a brochure while visiting.
Show More
This would be that brochure!Brilliant!
That is my lasting impression, besides hilarious, witty, fun and sometimes true.
Definitely one I recommend to all adults.
Show Less
LibraryThing member subbobmail
Having already satirized the hell out of the United States, Jon Stewart and his "Daily Show" brethren have decided to broaden their scope and make fun of the entire human race. "Earth: The Book" is written for the aliens who will one day arrive on this blue orb, long after we have wiped ourself
Show More
out. All of human history is covered, with hilarious results. Once again, half the fun lies in the way the writers mimic and subvert the format of textbooks...let us come together, across party lines, to agree that this is a very funny tome. What next: "Solar System: The Book," perhaps? Show Less
LibraryThing member melydia
This is written as a book for future aliens who come across our planet long after humanity has destroyed itself. It covers most aspects of human life, from politics to art to history to science to religion, and it's all hilarious. Definitely recommended.
A note on the audio: The audio presentation
A note on the audio: The audio presentation
Show More
is inspired. Between the music and sound effects and various narrators (including, oddly enough, Sigourney Weaver), the whole thing has the atmosphere of a museum documentary. The juxtaposition of the silly jokes against this backdrop make them just that much funnier. Show Less
LibraryThing member seekandfind
I like Jon Stewart and the Daily Show and this audiobook won an award so I thought it would be hilarious. Instead, it was soaked in sarcasm, covered with stereotypes, and dotted with cliches. I got several giggles out of it but ultimately, I only finished it because it was short and I was waiting
Show More
for my next audiobook to come in at the library. Show Less
LibraryThing member tahoegirl
Very very funny, I laughed almost every page, and I even learned a few things. I guess I was the only one who didn't know that Kirsty Alley was a Scientologist.
LibraryThing member watertiger
I read the whole thing with Jon Stewart's voice in my head. Outrageously funny.
LibraryThing member JBD1
After the success of their 2004 hit America: The Book, Jon Stewart and his "Daily Show" writers are back with Earth (The Book): A Visitor's Guide to the Human Race (Grand Central, 2010). Written as a guide for visiting aliens to a planet Earth bereft of human beings, it's a look back at what our
Not surprisingly, the humor is unsparing (as one would expect, nothing's sacred here), and in true "Daily Show" fashion, it's sometimes a bit over the top. Like America: The Book, the text is accompanied by frequent illustrations, sidebars, and featurettes (including FAQs, here glossed as "Future Alien Questions").
Fans of the Jon Stewart brand of humor will likely enjoy this book a great deal. I did.
Show More
society might resemble to outsiders, and also a vivid depiction of what might have caused the human race to meet an untimely demise.Not surprisingly, the humor is unsparing (as one would expect, nothing's sacred here), and in true "Daily Show" fashion, it's sometimes a bit over the top. Like America: The Book, the text is accompanied by frequent illustrations, sidebars, and featurettes (including FAQs, here glossed as "Future Alien Questions").
Fans of the Jon Stewart brand of humor will likely enjoy this book a great deal. I did.
Show Less
LibraryThing member KatKealy
I liked America (The Book) a lot more (I bought it for most of my friends who read, but Earth (The Book) is still definitely worth owning. It's a very entertaining and fun read.
LibraryThing member mcelhra
Earth (the book) is a synopsis of the history of the human race to be read by the aliens who will arrive on our planet after we self-destruct. Written by Jon Stewart and The Daily Show staff, it is full of same kind of witty and biting humor that you would expect from The Daily Show. It wasn't
I listened to this book on audio. Jon Stewart does most of the narration with The Daily Show correspondents doing some skits and Sigourney Weaver reading the section titles. I loved it - Jon Stewart's dry delivery was just as great as it is on the Daily Show. My husband has read the book and he tells me that the pictures in the print book were really funny - I'll have to go back and read the print version as well someday.
Show More
political though - everyone can enjoy this book and find it hilarious.I listened to this book on audio. Jon Stewart does most of the narration with The Daily Show correspondents doing some skits and Sigourney Weaver reading the section titles. I loved it - Jon Stewart's dry delivery was just as great as it is on the Daily Show. My husband has read the book and he tells me that the pictures in the print book were really funny - I'll have to go back and read the print version as well someday.
Show Less
LibraryThing member bleached
Hilarious and spot-on. A riot of satire the whole way through.
LibraryThing member bookwormteri
A VERY satirical look at everything we humans hold dear (just in case the aliens arrive and we aren't here to explain everything to them).
LibraryThing member ChicGeekGirl21
Not as hilarious as America: The Book, but still pretty amusing. A good coffee-table book to be read in spurts instead of straight through.
LibraryThing member glade1
Another fun one from Stewart and company. I enjoyed this one even more than America (The Book). This book is written to an audience of alien beings who will find it after humans have been eradicated, in order to introduce the newcomers to what the world used to be like. Lots of great humor and
As with America (The Book), I feel the need to include a caveat that this book is not for the kids. It definitely should have an R-rating due to language, sexual content, and sexual imagery.
Show More
satire, wonderful illustrations, and beautiful layout (designed to emulate the popular Dorling Kindersley books). It pokes fun at human foibles but generally does it affectionately.As with America (The Book), I feel the need to include a caveat that this book is not for the kids. It definitely should have an R-rating due to language, sexual content, and sexual imagery.
Show Less
LibraryThing member ecataldi
I'm a huge fan of Jon Stewart and this book has been laying around begging to be read for quite some time. Because I'm lazy I got the audiobook which turned out to be a huge win. It's narrated by Jon Stewart, The Daily Show correspondents (including my two favorites: John Oliver and Jason Jones),
Show More
and the ever surprising Sigourney Weaver. It is a funny visitor's guide to Earth with hilarious FAQs, summaries, and explanations for the way humans "rule" Earth. History, technology, religion, and the environment are just a few of the subjects that get delved into. The only thing I missed out on by listening to the audiobook is all the sweet pictures and diagrams, but oh well. At times laugh out loud funny, but also, a little too easy to put down. Show Less
LibraryThing member LizPhoto
Love it, just love it. What else can I say about John Stewart and The Daily Show. "Earth:The Book" is so funny that soda came out my nose while reading it. I read the book over a few weeks and it was more enjoyable that way then straight thru. I think "Earth" should become a mandatory textbook for
Show More
all schools. Show Less
LibraryThing member GaylDasherSmith
Very funny and insightful but too long.
LibraryThing member Andibook
Unlike America (The Book), which parodied a US History textbook to great effect, Earth (The Book) is presented as a guide or overview to Earth and the (now extinct) human race. Earth has the same Daily Show / Stewart sense of humor, but much less of a political bent. I preferred America –
Show More
politics is after all what the Daily Show does best – but Earth has a wider appeal and is less likely to become dated… unfortunately. Show Less
LibraryThing member Jenners26
A guide to life on Earth for the aliens that will eventually rule the planet after we destroy ourselves, this book is laugh out loud funny. If you like Jon Stewart and The Daily Show, this is a must-read. I’ve heard people say they listened to it on audio, which I can’t quite imagine as the
Show More
book is jam-packed with photos that accounted for at least 33.3% of my laughs. Irreverent, smart, and hilarious. Show Less
LibraryThing member wishanem
This book was basically a long string of humorous asides and jokes ostensibly presented as a guidebook for aliens who have discovered the planet after all of humanity has died.
LibraryThing member Platicorn
So instructive. I really learned a lot.