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Bill Maher
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What This Comedian Said Will Shock You Kindle Edition

by Bill Maher (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
#1 Best Seller in Political Humor
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The hilarious and controversial host of HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher has written his funniest, most opinionated, and most necessary book ever—a brilliantly astute and acerbically funny vivisection of American life, politics, and culture.

Some of the smartest commentary about what’s happening in America is coming from a comedian—this comedian being Bill Maher. If you want to understand what’s wrong with this country, it turns out that one of the best informed and most thought-provoking analysts is this very funny pothead.

The book was inspired by the “editorial” Bill delivers at the end of each episode of Real Time. These editorials are direct-to-camera sermons about culture, politics, and what’s happening in the world. To put this book together, Maher reviewed more than a decade of his editorials, rewriting, reimagining, and updating them, and adding new material to speak exactly to the moment we’re in. Free speech, cops, drugs, race, religion, the generations, cancel culture, the parties, the media, show biz, romance, health—Maher covers it all. The result is a hugely entertaining work of commentary about American culture in the tradition of Mark Twain, Will Rogers, and H. L. Mencken.
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  1. Print length
    395 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Simon & Schuster
  5. Publication date
    May 21, 2024
  6. File size
    2808 KB
  7. Page Flip
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  8. Word Wise
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  9. Enhanced typesetting
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  1. There’s a phenomenon psychologists call the Dunning-Kruger effect: the tendency of ignorant people to think they’re much smarter than they are.
    Highlighted by 223 Kindle readers
  2. In forty-eight states you can’t vote if you’re in prison, but in every state, you can run for Congress from prison.
    Highlighted by 217 Kindle readers
  3. “Congressperson” is literally the only job in the world you can get with so much prestige and so many perks while being a complete doofus with absolutely no skills, knowledge or qualifications.
    Highlighted by 202 Kindle readers
  4. Before wokeness, at first a noble directive to remain alert to injustice, morphed into an ugly authoritarianism, and often in support of bad ideas.
    Highlighted by 178 Kindle readers
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"For fans, the book is a welcome reminder of Maher’s funniness, his intelligence, his sanity....Maher’s observations are often as cutting as they’re well-written [and] come from a place of wit and education and work well bundled together as a book."—New York Post

"Maher’s style...is funny but not hyperbolic, challenging but not confrontational, and urgent but not in your face. That formula has served Maher well throughout his career, and it serves him well in this book."—Booklist

"His wittiest and most incisive book yet...he writes sharp critiques on American life, politics, and culture. From covering free speech and cancel culture to race and religion, Maher manages to dissect the most controversial of topics in a way that is both funny and digestible."—Air Mail

“The least boring book I’ve ever read.”—John Cleese

“This book is so funny you may not notice how smart it is. The only thing that will make you want to put it down is to take a moment to tell someone else about it.”—Donna Brazile

“I love Bill Maher. He’s often brilliant, occasionally maddening but unfailingly original. He’s the unfiltered, hilarious voice we desperately need during these batshit-crazy times.”—Katie Couric

“Whether you agree or disagree with him—and I do both—Bill Maher had proven himself to be an illuminating force in a world that values heat over light. His is a vital voice, keeping the left honest and calling the right to account for itself before the bar of reason and of decency. I’d say ‘thank God for Bill,’ but he doesn’t believe in God. So I’ll just say thanks.”—Jon Meacham

About the Author

Before hosting Real Time on HBO for the last twenty-one years, Bill Maher created and hosted Politically Incorrect on ABC. He lives in Los Angeles, California.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CPQRFP3L
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Simon & Schuster (May 21, 2024)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 21, 2024
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2808 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 395 pages
  • Customer Reviews:

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Bill Maher

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
1,208 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the humor in the book funny and insightful. They also describe the reading experience as great and the content as insightful.

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HumorReading experienceContentOrganizationAudio format
50 customers mention "Humor"50 positive0 negative

Customers find the humor in the book funny, smart, and detailed. They also say the book is enjoyable and worth reading, with many articles.

"...This book is a reflection of his humor, wit, and often his frustration with the lack of common sense in this country...." Read more

"Bill Maher has great insight and humor when discussing the issues of the times. I enjoyed every chapter in the book...." Read more

"...supports - there are lots of truth in many articles that makes it enjoyable and worth reading ." Read more

"Easy read. Bill Maher is informational and funny. I recommend it. He points out the flaws on both sides." Read more

49 customers mention "Reading experience"49 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly entertaining, humorous, and worth memorizing. They also say it's thoughtful and critical when called.

"...Highly entertaining and humorous, while thoughtful and critical when called for." Read more

"...I enjoyed every chapter in the book. Given the times we are living in, a good laugh is worth a lot." Read more

"...are lots of truth in many articles that makes it enjoyable and worth reading ." Read more

"...Even if I don't agree on some topics been more conservative, I truly enjoyed the book and I will recommend it. I learn a thing or two...." Read more

33 customers mention "Content"33 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's insights fantastic, well-balanced, and thoughtful. They also appreciate the brilliant deductions and common sense.

"...Highly entertaining and humorous, while thoughtful and critical when called for." Read more

"It is good food for thought...." Read more

"His writing is amazing! So smart and funny!..." Read more

"...Very clever observations and irreverent and funny as hell. Quintessential Bill. 5 stars all the way." Read more

5 customers mention "Organization"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book very well organized, saying the author did a wonderful job putting the book together. They also say the book has segments, making it easy to sit down for days.

"...It's very well organized and an easy read. Something you can pick up and flip through for a few laughs, or read cover to cover...." Read more

"...He’s done a wonderful job putting this book together and it’s hard to put down with so many deep and funny insights into human idiocy...." Read more

"...Everything is basically segments in the book, so you can sit it down for days or longer, and still come back without losing anything." Read more

"Author does an excellent job of saying it like it is, making you think, and so many laugh out loud moments, and more politically correct at every..." Read more

3 customers mention "Audio format"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the audio format of the book great.

"...Got the CD audiobook format, which is great for listening to in my car...." Read more

"This book sounds just like Bill is talking! Fun read!" Read more

"Great book in audio..." Read more

Hilarious and thought provoking. Great Book
5 out of 5 stars
Hilarious and thought provoking. Great Book
Very humorous, I laughed quite a bit. Current and thought provoking. Bill is blunt and holds no punches. We can use some humorIn this crazy political environment. I couldn’t put it down the first day. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
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Top reviews from the United States

BigToe
5.0 out of 5 stars A well organized trove of Bill's sensible, fact based humor.
Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2024
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I don't always agree with Bill Maher, but I am a fan. The thing I do whole heartedly agree with him is that open dialogue in this country is greatly needed. We all need to get out of our echo chambers and try to empathize with "the other side". The majority of Americans are not binary when it comes to politics.

This book is a reflection of his humor, wit, and often his frustration with the lack of common sense in this country. There is enough in this book to both entertain and piss off those one the left and the right. Yes, it leans left in a "classical liberal" sense, but Bill will just as soon call out the left which seems to have lost all common sense over the past 8 years. For sensible people, this book great comedic entertainment based in reality.

It's very well organized and an easy read. Something you can pick up and flip through for a few laughs, or read cover to cover. Bill seems to be very meticulous with his work (Club Random aside) and it shows in this book. Highly entertaining and humorous, while thoughtful and critical when called for.
62 people found this helpful
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Jim Reed
5.0 out of 5 stars Great insight and humor on every page.
Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2024
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Bill Maher has great insight and humor when discussing the issues of the times. I enjoyed every chapter in the book. Given the times we are living in, a good laugh is worth a lot.
4 people found this helpful
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SFCB
4.0 out of 5 stars For readers with an open mind and able to separate the wheat from the chaff
Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2024
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It is good food for thought. Even though I am totally in favor or zero tolerance on any drugs, inclusive the ones for recreational use - to which is Bill openly supports - there are lots of truth in many articles that makes it enjoyable and worth reading .
4 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Educational, witty & of great interest
Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2024
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Easy read. Bill Maher is informational and funny. I recommend it. He points out the flaws on both sides.
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Carla P. Leiva
5.0 out of 5 stars Spectacular!
Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2024
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His writing is amazing! So smart and funny! Even if I don't agree on some topics been more conservative, I truly enjoyed the book and I will recommend it. I learn a thing or two. Thank you Mr. Maher for a good time.
3 people found this helpful
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nevada joe
5.0 out of 5 stars Nothing shocking here
Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2024
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I've watched Real Time for several years and found nothing much surprising here. He explains his stands on the issues of the day in a logical and entertaining way with jokes thrown in. Some of them are pretty funny. This book was a quick and easy read and I would recommend it for anybody, left or right. Very enjoyable!
One person found this helpful
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Charles A. Clemens
5.0 out of 5 stars An open mind frightens mice.
Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2024
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For years, I subscribed to HBO simply because that was the only way to watch Bill Maher. It was interesting to see Maher change from a grenade throwing radical into a logical an intelligent representative of America.
Yes, he still makes fun of Republicans in his book, Democrats, too.
Every chapter reveals another side of Mr. Maher and every sentence if worth memorizing. My favorite chapter (chapter 11) is entitled SCAMERICA. In it, he reminds us that 14% of all workers in the USA are employed by the government. He emphasizes this by following that statement with what 14% of the American work force is: 20 million people.
Always the clever wordsmith, Maher states that San Francisco is, "the city so nice you'll step in poop twice." Not content with entertaining the readers, Mr. M goes on to condemn the do-nothing bureaucrats who do nothing but waste our tax dollars. Much of the book reads like Rand Paul's annual Waste Report. Here are a couple examples: In order to stop the homeless from pooping on the streets, it was determined that the city would build a public toilet. Unfortunately, after all the permits were issued and the environmental, climate related, and POC needs were attended to, that toilet would have cost the taxpayers 1.2 million dollars. The median time it now takes to build a new house is 627 days. That's 217 days longer than it took to build the Empire State Building.
The book will shock and astound you.
11 people found this helpful
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Tommy-O
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful long-awaited next New Rules Sequel
Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2024
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I bought and loved Bill’s first two New Rules audiobooks, so naturally I was so glad this came out and after listening, so happy that I bought it. Got the CD audiobook format, which is great for listening to in my car. A tad pricey for an audiobook, but happy to subsidize Bill’s medicinal-purposes-only inhaled combustibles budget. It’s the least I can do. Not titled “New Rules”, but it could have been titled “New, New, New New Rules”, as it contains many of his most recent polite musings and end of show Real Time editorials and rants. I love this guy, and if you’re inclined to like him too, this you’ll very much enjoy this book. And as always, the best and only way to enjoy Bill in print is actually by author-read audiobook (kind of like Anthony Bourdain, he reads the way he talks). Very clever observations and irreverent and funny as hell. Quintessential Bill. 5 stars all the way.
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Michael Jones
5.0 out of 5 stars Write to the point
Reviewed in Canada on July 12, 2024
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Mr . Maher always nails it. He says truths that a lot of people are afraid of saying. His comic whit is unsurpassed. When I read the one about a certain acting couple and their apology I laughed so hard I dropped the book. Recommend to all that like truth over lies and apologies.
2 people found this helpful
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judith Winton
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 21, 2024
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Brilliant thanks, just what my friend wanted
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SmoothMarx
5.0 out of 5 stars What Bill Maher says, written. Recommended by me (a nobody).
Reviewed in Spain on July 15, 2024
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Aaaand finally, new rule:
Everyone should read at least some excerpts from “What This Comedian Said Will Shock You.” Now, I know what you're thinking—another book from a comedian? Do we really need more stand-up material disguised as literature? But here's the thing: this one isn't just another collection of recycled punchlines and backstage anecdotes. No, this book is a revelation. It's the recycling of his ending segment "New Rules" with a little bit of polish to fit its aimed timelessness, which is so much better than backstage anecdotes.

The author takes a deep dive into the socio-political landscape, dissecting everything from the absurdities of modern culture to the hypocrisies of our political leaders. And let's face it: In an era when politicians are trying to be comedians and failing miserably, it’s refreshing to have a comedian who can actually outwit them.

The writing is snappy and clever and pulls no punches, both to the left and right. "This comedian" doesn’t shy away from controversy—instead, they run towards it with a torch and a can of gasoline. They tackle everything from cancel culture to climate change with a fearless honesty that’s as refreshing as it is rare. It's like they wrote this for TV!

Stop doom-scrolling through your news feed and pick up a copy of “What This Comedian Said Will Shock You.” It’s the perfect antidote to the insanity of our times. Not only will it make you laugh, it will challenge you to see the world through a more critical lens. And in today's world, that’s not just a shock, it’s a necessity.

Alright, I'll be at the MGM Grand on Saturday and Barns & Noble all next week. Don't forget to check out other book reviews on this one because who cares what I think? Now, stay tuned for overtime. Good night, everybody!
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J.H.
5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you, mo chara cléibh
Reviewed in Germany on May 25, 2024
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An amazing book to read and I will most definitely listen to the audio book as well, which I also bought.
Bill Maher is funny, truthful, perfect, simply the best there is.
Love him!
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Deb
5.0 out of 5 stars Gotta Love 💕 Him!
Reviewed in Canada on July 21, 2024
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God he’s bang on the money!💰 💴 💵
Thanks for the great read Bill!
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