Customer Reviews

I'd Rather We Got Casinos: And Other Black Thoughts

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There are some books that do more than just occupy space on a shelf--there are a precious few--The Wealth of Nations, the Federalist Papers, Uncle Tom's Cabin, among others--that transform the times in which they appear.

This is destined to be one of those books. "I'd Rather We Got Casinos" presents the thoughts of Larry Wilmore. These are not just thoughts. They are profound thoughts. And they are black thoughts--presented by the Senior Black Correspondent for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. This book is thought-provoking, joyously politically incorrect...and very, very funny.

No summary can do justice to the contents of this volume, but you may get a flavor for what awaits you between the covers by learning that there are chapters on why black audiences talk back to horror movies, why it's OK to hate black people who work at McDonald's in airports, why fat black weathermen make Wilmore happy (and sad), and Wilmore's extended, ultimately futile correspondence with the NAACP, which attempted to persuade the organization to join his crusade to replace the descriptive phrases black and African-American with the far superior term, "chocolate." There's real humor here, but there are deeper meanings as well.

As a white (or in Wilmore's parlance, vanilla) guy, I may not be able to fully appreciate the profound depth of these thoughts--but I do know that I laughed out loud--many, many times. And this book stimulated thoughts of my own. Maybe not as profound as Mr. Wilmore's, but they were thoughts, nevertheless.--William C. Hall

This book is a real enjoyable read. If you like Larry Wilmore on the Daily show you will like this book. Most of it sounds like what he says on TV. Some of the material is laugh out loud funny. Other stuff doesn't seem to translate to well in the book but I am sure it comes off good on a TV skit. Also I think people will be surprised at his perspective. It isn't what most people will expect.

Good book. If you love Larry Wilmore and the way he presents his point of view, you should definitely buy this book. I can almost hear him talk when I am reading some of his wilder point of views about why chocolate should replace African Americans or why every baby should have a "Nizame". And since he is never politically correct, I love his argument about why Jesus was a black man.

Not as funny as I hoped. Some of the lines are repetitive. Others would be better if delivered on The Daily Show. Its not a bad book but when you expect the humor to be like what you see on the Daily Show its a little disappointing... I saw him do some stand up and he isnt funny as a stand up. Sketch comdey and writing for tv is what he should stick with.

i watch the daily show all the time. larry wilmore is very very funny and this book does not disappoint.

OMG! (HA HA HA you have to read this book to know why this is funny)This is the funniest book I have read in a long time. I love the letters to the NAACP. I was in tears from the laughter when I was reading the chapter when they hypnotize the elder man to interview him on his alien encounter. I strongly recommend this to anyone that needs a little humor in their life. I am looking forward to seeing and hearing more of him.

PS I'm all for the chocolate movement!

Larry Wilmore's book I'D RATHER WE GOT CASINOS: AND OTHER BLACK THOUGHTS is a nice insight into the mind of a great comedian that many don't seem to know other than his Senior Black Correspondent spots on THE DAILY SHOW.

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Wilmore when he visited Miami University for a lecture, but I'm sure I'm long forgotten or simply remembered as that nervous white kid with the girlfriend that clearly lowered the bar when she agreed to go out with me. We still have a picture of her with Larry as he gives her the still funny "bunny ears."

As most humor books go, it's a quick read, but well worth it. Wilmore has many suggestions on how to better this world, specifically race relations and how to finally mend the injuries of slavery. I won't ruin any of the fun, but I can definitely recommend this read from my now favorite Milk Chocolate Brotha, Larry Wilmore.

I listened to the audio edition so that I could hear it in Larry's voice but I bought the book to share with friends and family that would prefer to read it for themselves... Enjoy this should get 10 STARS!

his wonderful voice just doesn't translate to the page well in this offering. I love Larry on The Daily Show, as his wry insights and obvious intelligence and good humor make fun of racial difficulties--but on these pages his distinctive voice didn't carry over.

The book is a collection of short chapters that follow different formats--letters to the NAACP, radio talk show "interviews," eulogies, or "random black thoughts," to name a few.

Random Black Thought #4 is:

"Sudoku

I have no black thoughts on sudoku."

I can see how this might be hilarious if Larry said it on T.V., but on the page it just fell flat.

There are occasional funny moments in the book, like when he suggests that the new name for "African-Americans" should be "chocolate" people; unfortunately the funny moments are all too few and padded with a lot of uninteresting filler.

As an example, in several of the chapters the text is a transcript of a radio talk show, and the narrative is interrupted many times by fake station breaks such as:

"Wilmore:Okay, enough of that. We'll be right back with your calls for the Man, right here on The Larry Wilmore Show. (Show music.)

Wilmore: (Show music.) Welcome back. You are listening to the Larry Wilmore Show. My guest today is the Man. . . "

There are at least 1, and sometimes more, of these little "breaks" in each of the chapters that follows the radio talk format--after I encountered the 3rd or 4th one I was really irritated by it. Just pointless filler.

I'd love to read a book of thoughtful essays by Larry--but this book, which seemed like little snippets that might work well if performed live, was not enjoyable. Metaphorical or literal pratfalls do not seem to translate effectively to the page.

Larry is very funny and very smart--unfortunately this book was neither.

sometimes quite hilarious and other times so revealing and truthful in his reporting of actual and realistic situations. Humorous and yet realistic...sometimes you have to laugh instead of crying.