Laugh, cry, and be prepared to giggle like a schoolgirl as you join talk-show host Stephen Colbert in his literary, hysterical exploitation of our great country.
The book, I am America (And So Can You!), is basically The Colbert Report turned into a friendly, travel-ready translation of satire and political strife.
Every few lines an annotation or footnote appears. In a normal book, that would be a link to additional, legitimate information. Readers will soon discover how far from normal the book is.
These random "factoids" elicit a quick laugh from the reader. In the "Sex" chapter, for example, a footnote has an offer for a massage from none other than Colbert himself.
Colbert gained attention as one of the hilarious correspondents of Jon Stewart's The Daily Show on Comedy Central. Eventually, America's appetite for his good looks or rather comedic genius led to the formation of his own show, The Colbert Report. And as longtime fans know, the T's are silent, and classy.
At face value he could be the spokesman for the current administration, and they did in fact choose him to speak at the 2006 White House Correspondents' Dinner. The author gives readers the text of his Correspondent's Dinner speech at the end of the book, as well as a commendation for any of his heroes, or "people who did not skip ahead" to just read his speech.
Colbert's speech was just like everything he does; with a completely serious expression, the comedian will utter the most ridiculous, racist, ignorant comments, and by his demeanor you would think he expects everyone to believe him. His entire delivery is a stab at his friend and idol George W. Bush.
Interestingly enough, the book steers away from talking too much about his most prevalent topic: politics. Instead, it assaults every other sensitive social issue of American life, including family, religion, homosexuality and racism.
The savvy witticisms are interspersed with various surprises, such as Colbert speaking in cameos for various people like Mother Theresa, or that loud annoying guy in the stadium sitting next to you. Another bonus, the book has both a connect-the-dots puzzle and a word search.
Through it all, the "news pundit" shamelessly advertises himself and the various products he is associated with. And while some may deem it as arrogant, nine times out of ten it will make readers spit out their drink all over the kid next to you.
He ventures into sports, a topic he believes has a positive impact on both the winners and the losers, because "nothing puts hair on your chest like shame." However, he attacks cycling on the account that "the only legitimate reason [he] can think of to get on a bicycle is to deliver someone's steamy container of moo shu pork."
Then there is the section for seniors, in which every few paragraphs there is a sentence of appreciation directed at the older readers, accordingly in a gigantic font. In between each of these sentiments, though, is a critique of the usefulness of the elder generation; everyone knows you can't teach an old dog new tricks, "they are too tired." An excellent piece of work, it is recommended you take I am America as a multi-coursed meal, or you may burn out every funny bone in your body. For those who love the show, and unabashed satire in general, Colbert is undoubtedly America, and so can you.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
