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| Napalm & Silly Putty | 
 enlarge | Author: George Carlin
Publisher: Hyperion
Category: Book
List Price: $13.95
Buy New: $0.01
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Avg. Customer Rating:  (142 reviews)
Sales Rank: 28734
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 288
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.6 x 0.7
ISBN: 0786887583
Dewey Decimal Number: 818.5402
EAN: 9780786887583
ASIN: 0786887583
Publication Date: April 10, 2002
Release Date: April 10, 2002
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Sub par Carlin November 12, 2006
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is far from Carlin's best work, and I say that as a fan. The book is hit or miss, with slightly more misses than hits. It's sure to offend, but that's part of Carlin's brilliance.
If you only buy one Carlin tome pass on this, If you already own most of Carlin's books then go ahead and buy "Napalm." Instead read Brain Droppings. Brain Droppings
 Funny and almost as good as Brain Droppings February 8, 2006
Like a sequel to his first book. If you're a Carlin fan you'll enjoy it.
 George the Genius December 7, 2005
George Carlin is a modern marvel of observation and brilliance. He demonstates in every one of his witty comments about human behavior, that the only way people can smarten up and change for the the better, is to look at all of the irrational things we do and say. From the first sentence in this book until the last, you will not want to put Napalm and Silly Putty down, as it sucks the reader into the mind of one of the most talented comedic performers of all time.
Those familiar with Carlin's style of comedy and stand-up routines will no doubt enjoy this book, as it gives the reader many of the ponderings George has expressesed to his audiences throughout is career. Any man that makes fun of human activity for a living will no doubt have an abundance of material, and Carlin takes all of that garbage we call life and shoves it back at us in a funny and entertaining way. I strongly recommend this book to anyone looking for a laugh or at the very least, a new perspective on life.
Carlin, the voice of the people August 20, 2005
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
NAPALM & SILLY PUTTY was a quick read. Some of the writing in the book is verbatim from his comedy acts that are legendary on HBO. However, reading them is not so much a letdown but rather a different way to look at Carlin. Behind his humor and his bold stage presence there is a learned intellectual. And one can't help but admire his mind and the way it works.
Not all of the book is his stage acts, there are brilliant little insights he calls "Short Takes". They are only a sentence or two, but each one has the value of a paragraph of attempted humorous writing. Not to mention I doubt there is anyone that has seen all of Carlin's comedy specials, and if there are a few they certainly would appreciate to see what else the underappreciated wag has regurgitated from his unique mind. The book isn't brilliant, it isn't moving, but it can make you laugh with every page. And if you are even looking into buying the book, that's what you after in the first place anyway.
He is at times politically incorrect, and uses some brilliantly colorful language. But he's George Carlin folks, what do you expect?
Best if read a little at a time July 28, 2005
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
There are three books out that I know of, by George Carlin; "Brain Droppings," This one, called "Napalm And Silly Putty," and the newest, "Will Jesus Please Pass The Pork Chops?" I have the first two, and I learned my lesson with "Droppings." Read it a little at a time, digest it slowly, and it's easier to take. The bulk of material in these books has been used in his live monologues, especially this one. The harshest critics say it's just old live stuff, rehashed; OK, I'll give you that, but I see it as a document to his work. Expect that, and it's not disappointing.
His live shows are about an hour or so each, but to sit through one of these books in one sitting, will take up more than that, and then you start to lose sight of how good his material is. The vulgarity is way over the top, and when you understand that his social commentary is a reflection of what's out there, put through the wringer as Carlin does, anyone can see it's not always pleasant; in fact, it's crude, nasty, and in spectacularly bad taste.
I saw him in person about a year and a half ago, and some of what I read in my two books was used in the show, as well as a good bit of his "Grievances And Complaints" program from HBO. He does some familiar material in the small venues, while honing the new material for the HBO shows, to be taped at the bigger places.
Personally, I much prefer the style he used in the 1970's on his records before the HBO days. I loved his appearances on the "Tonight Show," when he substituted for Johnny Carson, the monologues were par excellence, and even when the material wasn't funny, per se, this was intentional. His style has evolved over the years, it's gotten a lot more harsh, and even the sound of his voice has gotten harder. He comes off as a bitter old man, but he's been around the block many, many times, and has earned his right to cuss out the rest of us, I get what he does, he throws the junk at the world that it throws first, and I don't think other reviewers got it when they say he decries capitalism, then sells rehashed material, talks about death with a cavalier attitude, and then says he wants to be kept on life-support, at all cost. He's a comedian, a commentator on the human condition, and even though he says he wants no part of it, he IS part of it. I share his disappointment with our failed species, and I think we all, at some level, root for the things he seemingly cheers for.
As you read any of the books he's written, just know that here's a guy who has a lot of righteous contempt for the failings of humanity, and has the nerve to push that envelope, to its extreme.
Nobody else can say, "Simon says, go F**k yourself," and get an honest laugh from an adult audience.
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