Jon Stewart-- Naked Pictures of Famous People

[Josh]

Let's start by stating the obvious... this is no America: The Book.

Having said that, I've been quite amused by this, Jon Stewart's first book, which I just started reading a couple of days ago. It's a collection of short, witty, mostly sarcastic essays that take on everything from politics to religion to celebrity, with all the sharp insight and smart humor we've come to expect from Stewart.

Some of the essays are uproariously funny ("The Cult"), some moderately amusing ("Da Vinci: The Lost Notebook"), some a little too crude (the, um, Martha Stewart one), but all of them are bold, often isnightful attacks on hypocrisy and stupidity, two topics that I, for one, never tire of.

Who else has read it?

[bethany]

Last night I had a dream that I was at Barnes and Noble buying America: The Book and Jon Stewart was the employee working at the counter. I had a pleasant conversation with him and thought "Hah, Josh will be so jealous that I met Jon Stewart and he works at the bookstore by my house."

[RokrantheGreat]

I have the feeling if I brought this book home my parents would confiscate it.  [_[    

[Vlad!]

I have the feeling if I brought this book home my parents would confiscate it.  <_<  

Sounds like they shouldn't judge a book by it's cover.

[RokrantheGreat]

Sounds like they shouldn't judge a book by it's cover.

Nor by its title.

Here's a thought. Should you judge a book by its reputation? My mom was concerned when I started reading the Da Vinci Code... but didn't really know why it was bad, just that she had heard it said bad things about Christ. Obviously more info would be best, but if you hear that a book is bad, should you not read it? Or make sure to see for yourself? I would lean towards judging by reputation, but that might be my upbringing. =P

[Josh]

Nor by its title.

Here's a thought. Should you judge a book by its reputation? My mom was concerned when I started reading the Da Vinci Code... but didn't really know why it was bad, just that she had heard it said bad things about Christ. Obviously more info would be best, but if you hear that a book is bad, should you not read it? Or make sure to see for yourself? I would lean towards judging by reputation, but that might be my upbringing. =P

You should seek out more information and then make an informed decision. "A little bit of learning is a dangerous thing..."

[Vlad!]

I submit that the rational, thinking human cannot be harmed by a 'bad' book except by having his or her time wasted in reading it. Even if a book says something bad about Christianity, or God, or something you hold dear, if it's true you should think about it and if it's false you should reject it. If you are worried about wasting your time with a poorly-written book or one with content you dislike, I suggest you find one or two people whose tastes you usually share and compare notes. When you read a book, share your opinion with these people. When they read a book, they will do the same for you. In this way, you will be able to benefit from their experiences and they will benefit from yours.

This is, of course, one of the intents of the Literature section of the Phorum ;]

[RokrantheGreat]

Well said Vlad. I agree.