idrumgood's review against another edition
5.0
I was surprised how funny Jillette was in writing. Though his crude humor was still present, somehow in print it seemed less raunchy and more clever. His take on the 10 Commandments gave shape and purpose to what otherwise would be a bunch of random stories. It made me laugh and it made me cry (well, get a little misty if not all-out balling), and I plowed through it faster than any book in recent history. Highly recommended.
theonionboy's review against another edition
2.0
I have read a few of Penn's books, watched many of his TV series, and listened to his podcasts. He loves a story and will do ANYTHING to have a good story. But (even by his own admission in this book) he takes so long to tell one that it becomes infuriating. That happens in this book, and it really takes away from the experience. That was why I had to stop listening to his podcasts. He takes 40 minutes to tell a 5 minute story, which just kills it for me. He even takes 7 minutes to plug his advertisers, and feels that is better than a 30 second, professionally produced commercial.
Anyway, this book started off with a theme or structure, but rambled away from it so many times for so long that it lost it. Between tangents he would mention the next of the 10 commandments that he was deconstructing and re-writing as an atheist. I respect and enjoy his well-thought out opinions, I just struggle with his storytelling style.
His language and stories are so foul that I wonder if he does it just for shock value, or to prove that he is not beholden to the religious self proclaimed keepers of morality.
This book would probably get a better reaction if it was clearly promoted as a collection of his ramblings on topics somewhat tied to atheism.
Anyway, this book started off with a theme or structure, but rambled away from it so many times for so long that it lost it. Between tangents he would mention the next of the 10 commandments that he was deconstructing and re-writing as an atheist. I respect and enjoy his well-thought out opinions, I just struggle with his storytelling style.
His language and stories are so foul that I wonder if he does it just for shock value, or to prove that he is not beholden to the religious self proclaimed keepers of morality.
This book would probably get a better reaction if it was clearly promoted as a collection of his ramblings on topics somewhat tied to atheism.
ksbookjunky's review against another edition
4.0
I love Penn and I love hearing his stories (atheism related and not) but the objectivist philosophy he speaks of is just as much a religion as those he despises. Other than that it is witty and fun and a very fast read: only one afternoon for me.
irisameliareads's review against another edition
3.0
Regarding 3 stars: I think I was searching for more answers than this book intended to give.
Hilarious book. So frank, raunchy — love it. Just makes me want to see P&T live even more.
Hilarious book. So frank, raunchy — love it. Just makes me want to see P&T live even more.
weaselweader's review against another edition
4.0
Great entertainment but academically unconvincing!
There's a lot of things to be said for Penn Jillette's outrageously irreverent, unrepentingly profane, gut-bustingly hilarious and heartfelt blue-collar paean to his atheist heroes - Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins. As a reader who professes himself to be a profoundly anti-religious but rather deeply committed deist, I found myself befuddled by Jillette's insistent refusal to admit the possibility of the state of agnosticism as something that could legitimately squeeze in between theism and atheism.
That said, any potential reader could fairly ask whether the reading was worth the time or if I enjoyed the book. The answers ... yes and yes, absolutely yes and yes!
Paul Weiss
P.S. This is an old review that I discovered I had neglected to post. I have since "graduated" to full atheism but nothing changes about the comments. I find nothing objectionable about non-religious agnostic deism and feel that it definitely has a place on such a spectrum.
There's a lot of things to be said for Penn Jillette's outrageously irreverent, unrepentingly profane, gut-bustingly hilarious and heartfelt blue-collar paean to his atheist heroes - Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins. As a reader who professes himself to be a profoundly anti-religious but rather deeply committed deist, I found myself befuddled by Jillette's insistent refusal to admit the possibility of the state of agnosticism as something that could legitimately squeeze in between theism and atheism.
That said, any potential reader could fairly ask whether the reading was worth the time or if I enjoyed the book. The answers ... yes and yes, absolutely yes and yes!
Paul Weiss
P.S. This is an old review that I discovered I had neglected to post. I have since "graduated" to full atheism but nothing changes about the comments. I find nothing objectionable about non-religious agnostic deism and feel that it definitely has a place on such a spectrum.
kmg365's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to the audio version, which for this particular title, presented a few difficulties. I'm not bothered by salty language, and I was expecting more than a few four letter words in this title. Turns out there are SO many four-letter words-- and those words are delivered with such exuberance-- that I felt it necessary to turn my car stereo OFF every time I was in a drive-thru. Didn't want the fine people at the credit union calling the po-po.
Penn strays off topic quite a bit, but you won't care, because his stories are great. Whatever you do, don't stop reading before you get to the blow dryer story.
Penn strays off topic quite a bit, but you won't care, because his stories are great. Whatever you do, don't stop reading before you get to the blow dryer story.
mrsjkamp's review against another edition
4.0
Listening to this one is easy because it's read by the author. You can see what he's trying to say and understand it better since it's in his voice. And that is super important when you're reading a novel about such a touchy subject: religion, or lack thereof.
Listening to this one is also highly NOT recommended if you're easily offended by any of the following: sex, swear words, objection to religion, being naked, sex, porn stars, strippers, Ron Jeremy, sex, Howard Stern, homosexuals, genitals, public nudity, sex, Richard Dawkins, magic, strong opinions, gay bars, crudeness, and sex. Did I mention sex? Also, don't read this if you're offended by any combination of those items. If you know anything about Penn Jillette, you know that he's lewd and offensive if you take it that way.
I will not bring in my personal religious beliefs in this review, but I obviously have to be open-minded to even attempt to read this. So that's all I will say about myself. What I will say about this book is that Jillette makes many, many great points to make his point of view convincing. There are also a whole lot of side stories about his life, crazy parties, events with Teller, and meetings with other stars and believers of his opinions.
The whole point of this book is to go through the 10 commandments to make them less about religion and more about morality and being a good human being. In the midst of explaining each one, he tells stories about himself and his life that are seemingly off-topic and made me confused at times as to which commandment we were talking about IF we were still talking about one. He used a lot of big words and mostly came off smart and well-researched, but as I am a stickler for grammar I found some errors. He also mispronounced Ke$ha, but I digress.
Some of Jillette's stories were a little long, i.e. the NASA story. Some of his stories were really easy to relate to, like the ones about his family and partnership with Teller. Other stories certainly made me rethink my own beliefs and the way I live my life. However, it was a little creepy for him to talk about being a boyfriend. He's older than my father, and that makes the word boyfriend just weird. Okay, okay. Sorry.
All in all, I think this book is fantastic when all his side stories are taken out and it is used as a tool to explain atheism and why it's so important. While I laughed a whole lot at the side stories and really enjoyed Jillette reading them (as it felt like a conversation with a friend), I really feel like the point of this book is very important. I said I wouldn't offer my own beliefs up, and I'm really not. I just absolutely love to hear ALL sides, all opinions, so I can make an educated one myself. He makes some very great points, and reasonable ones at that. I think people of all walks of life can relate to something in this novel, and while you may not agree, it's imperative to be understanding and knowledgeable so you can disagree in a respectable and intelligent manner if you so choose. Read at your own risk, and choose wisely.
Please note: this man has never had a sip of alcohol, has never done any recreational drugs, and grew up in a very religious family. He has an open mind. We all should take a page out of his book.
Listening to this one is also highly NOT recommended if you're easily offended by any of the following: sex, swear words, objection to religion, being naked, sex, porn stars, strippers, Ron Jeremy, sex, Howard Stern, homosexuals, genitals, public nudity, sex, Richard Dawkins, magic, strong opinions, gay bars, crudeness, and sex. Did I mention sex? Also, don't read this if you're offended by any combination of those items. If you know anything about Penn Jillette, you know that he's lewd and offensive if you take it that way.
I will not bring in my personal religious beliefs in this review, but I obviously have to be open-minded to even attempt to read this. So that's all I will say about myself. What I will say about this book is that Jillette makes many, many great points to make his point of view convincing. There are also a whole lot of side stories about his life, crazy parties, events with Teller, and meetings with other stars and believers of his opinions.
The whole point of this book is to go through the 10 commandments to make them less about religion and more about morality and being a good human being. In the midst of explaining each one, he tells stories about himself and his life that are seemingly off-topic and made me confused at times as to which commandment we were talking about IF we were still talking about one. He used a lot of big words and mostly came off smart and well-researched, but as I am a stickler for grammar I found some errors. He also mispronounced Ke$ha, but I digress.
Some of Jillette's stories were a little long, i.e. the NASA story. Some of his stories were really easy to relate to, like the ones about his family and partnership with Teller. Other stories certainly made me rethink my own beliefs and the way I live my life. However, it was a little creepy for him to talk about being a boyfriend. He's older than my father, and that makes the word boyfriend just weird. Okay, okay. Sorry.
All in all, I think this book is fantastic when all his side stories are taken out and it is used as a tool to explain atheism and why it's so important. While I laughed a whole lot at the side stories and really enjoyed Jillette reading them (as it felt like a conversation with a friend), I really feel like the point of this book is very important. I said I wouldn't offer my own beliefs up, and I'm really not. I just absolutely love to hear ALL sides, all opinions, so I can make an educated one myself. He makes some very great points, and reasonable ones at that. I think people of all walks of life can relate to something in this novel, and while you may not agree, it's imperative to be understanding and knowledgeable so you can disagree in a respectable and intelligent manner if you so choose. Read at your own risk, and choose wisely.
Please note: this man has never had a sip of alcohol, has never done any recreational drugs, and grew up in a very religious family. He has an open mind. We all should take a page out of his book.
marthalclausen's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the idea and I like him, but I wasn't a fan of the crazy rambling "organization". I suppose it was in line with the author's personality, it just wasn't my preferred format. I very much enjoyed getting to know such an interesting man, though, and have sought out other media of his due to this book.
beatsbybeard's review against another edition
4.0
Loosely structured around Penn's reinterpretation of the Ten Commandments, it's mostly surprisingly tender stories about his various adventures in showbiz, atheism, and his tremendous love for his family. I listen to Penn's hilarious "Sunday School" podcast, which reveals (as does this book) that he's not as much of a big fat blowhard as his 300-pound, Sasquatch-like image suggests. I've seen reviews by people who took this book way too seriously. You might not dig his atheism or his libertarianism or his obscenity, but if you go into this knowing what to expect, you'll be entertained and even touched.