RIP Mr. Carlin

An amazing man died today. George Carlin died of heart failure in Los Angeles today. He was only 71 and he wore it well. He was an amazing comedian who pushed as many limits and boundaries as he could. I was lucky enough to catch one of his many acts at the Warner Theatre in Washington DC and he was every bit as funny in person as I could have hoped.

George Carlin, a comedian famed equally for his bawdy routines about drugs and obscenities and for his ability to render absurd the most commonplace of items in modern life, died of heart failure at a Los Angeles-area hospital yesterday, a spokesman said. He was 71. – The Boston Globe

Not only was he a comedian, but he did put out a few books. So in remembrance of Mr. Carlin, here are some of his amazing books:

Three Times Carlin: An Orgy of George
Publisher: Hyperion (October 31, 2006)
ISBN-13: 978-1401302436
Synopsis: For four decades, George Carlin has been one of America’s favorite comics, known as much for his willingness to take on taboo subjects as for his absurdist wordplay. As an author, he has proved equally popular: With combined sales of more than two million copies, Carlin’s three books of razor-sharp and hilarious observations have topped bestseller lists nationwide. Now, just in time for the holidays, Hyperion proudly collects all three volumes — When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?, Napalm and Silly Putty, and Brain Droppings — into one hilarious omnibus, a slipcased edition that also includes new material.

Brain Droppings
Publisher: Hyperion (September 1, 2006)
ISBN-13: 978-0786891122
Synopsis: The thinking person’s comic who uses words as weapons, George Carlin shares all-new, cutting-edge opinion and observational humor in Brain Droppings. Filled with thoughts, musings, questions, lists, beliefs, curiosities, monologues, assertions, assumptions, and other verbal ordeals, Brain Droppings is infectiously funny. Carlin unleashes his opinions on ‘People Who Should Be Phased Out’ (guys with creases in their jeans, people who know a lot of prayers by heart) and ‘Seven Things I’m Tired Of’ (geeks with Walkmans, clothing with writing on it, having to read cloud descriptions in a book). He even offers the never-before-revealed ‘Guide to Dining Out’ (order unusual things: a chopped corn sandwich with diced peas and rye potato chips). From nonsense such as ‘Eventually there will come a time when everyone is in a band’ to the ultimately profound ‘It is impossible to dry one hand,’ you’ll get a look inside Carlin’s mind, and you won’t be disappointed. Carlin demolishes everyday values and yet leaves you laughing out loud. You’ll learn what he thinks of sports fans, how he would improve the TV networks, his suggestions for Legal Murder Once a Month, and his plan for World Peace Through Constant Dancing. Also included are two classic Carlin monologues — ‘A Place for My Stuff’ and ‘Baseball and Football.’

When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?
Publisher: Hyperion (October 19, 2005)
ISBN-13: 978-1401308216
Synopsis:George Carlin’s legendary irreverence and iconoclasm are on full display in When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops? as he vainly scours the American landscape for signs of intelligence in his third national bestseller. Ranging from his absurdist side (Message from a Cockroach; TV News: The Death of Humpty Dumpty; Tips for Serial Killers) to his unerring ear for American speech (Politician Talk; Societal Clichés; Euphemisms: 13 sections) to his unsparing views on America and its values (War, God, Stuff Like That; Zero Tolerance; Tired of the Handi-crap), Carlin delivers everything that his fans expect, and then adds a few surprises.

Carlin on the battle of the sexes:
Here’s all you have to know about men and women:
Women are crazy, men are stupid.
And the main reason women are crazy is that men are stupid.

Napalm & Silly Putty
Publisher: Hyperion (April 10, 2002)
ISBN-13: 978-0786887583
Synopsis: Few comics make the transition from stage to page as smoothly or successfully as George Carlin. Brain Droppings spent a total of 40 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, and this new one is certain to tickle even more ribs (and rattle a few more cages) with its characteristically ironic take on life’s annoying universal truths.

About Jackie 3282 Articles
I am a 30-something SAHM with two adorable boys and a supportive husband who is very tolerant of my reading addiction. I love to read and easily go through about a dozen books a month – well I did before I had kids. Now, not so much. After my first son was born, I began to take my hobby of reviewing a little more serious and started Literary Escapism to help with my sanity. I love to discuss the fabulous novels I’ve read and meeting all the wonderful people in the book blogging community has been amazing.

1 Comment

  1. Thank you for posting about George Carlin. My fiance and I saw him perform in Atlantic City, NJ twice and we were huge fans of his. We have his books and both read them over and over again. We watched his HBO peformances on TV and loved when we catch ones of him in his younger days. I was shocked and incredibly sad as was my fiance when we heard the news that George Carlin passed away. This post brought a smile to my face and I thank you for that.

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