Customer Reviews

Jewtopia: The Chosen Book for the Chosen People

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Seriously -- this is one of the funniest books you'll ever see. Not for the "faint of heart", or anyone who can't laugh a little at themselves -- but if you can or you know anyone who truly appreciates a little self-deprecating humor, this is the perfect gift! Trust me, there's something in there for everyone.

WOW! LAUGH OUT LOUD AMAZING! I don't think I've ever laughed so hard in my life while reading a book. Bryan Fogel and Sam Wolfson have outdone themselves to create not only a visually arresting book, with tons of pictures and illustrations but a book that truly makes you laugh page after page after page. Thier history and travel chapters are absolutely brilliant! SO TRUE! What I loved most was that so much of the book was a ton of actual facts, that I found myself constantly thinking how clever the book was to be able to consistently find the humor. Their "guide to life" chapter with the "How to become a hollywood agent" and their version of the "Kama Sutra" are some of the funniest things I've ever seen on a page. This book is a KEEPER! A REAL GEM! It will go smack in the middle of my coffee-table for all my friends to see and enjoy. This is the book I'll be buying for everyone whenever I need a great funny and clever book to give to friends and family. Move over Mel Brooks! I think these guys might have you beat!

Byran & Sam's book "Jewtopia" is a great read. It's so funny, and helps Jews see the great humor in our culture. From the Foreward and the History (Where It All Began) to the Conspiracy Theories, you are laughing out loud. I bought this book as a present to my 21 year-old sister but I'm reading this book first before I give it to her! This book is just as good as the play. I recommend "The Chosen Book for the Chosen People" to be on everyone's coffee table for many years to come!!

What a joy to have a book that makes you laugh from beginning to end! What might appear as a "coffe table" book is actually a great cover to cover read. The artwork, illustrations and design is firstrate, but what stands out above all is the comedy - this is one REALLY REALLY REALLY funny book - and I'm not even a Jew! This is going to be my gift of choice for all my friends!

Hilarious book. If you've ever loved a Jew who doesn't take themselves too seriously, buy them this book. It will make you laugh out loud and the pictures are even funnier. What makes it so easy to love is the authors' ability to laugh a little at themselves and share that with others. The illustrations titled "Jews: Always Freezing" and "Christmas vs Hanukah" are especially funny. Bryan Fogel and Sam Wolfson have created a totally irreverent portrayal of Jewish people as they see them but be warned...it can offend if you're not the kind of person who finds humor in your own idiosyncrasies.

Before you start reading, check out the back-cover quip by Fogel and Wolfson, and you will get a sense of why Jewtopia has been called the chosen book. This book by Bryan Fogel and Sam Wolfson, has scribed the essence of their theatrical success, Jewtopia, lightly flashing back into the history of western religious traditions, zooming in on Jews as the 'chosen people.'

Much in this book will throw you in a hilarious craze: the modern versions of how religious icons (Adam, Eve, Moses, Abraham, Jacob, and others) felt and expressed their situations; games and fun quizzes mocking at the reader and the stereotyped ways of thinking about things--especially about Jews; bits of ice-breaking reality; political, social, and geographical roundup of the world through the eyes of a sweet cynic; the American daily parade across the corners of food and health; and much more. The book's mania never stops.

While Fogel and Wolfson masterfully diffuse the boundaries between serious address and tickling humor, Jewtopia emerges as a unique book that questions the misconceptions and gross generalizations about Jews as a nation. Why the buzz that Jews are people with big noses who should be proud of their nomadic past and easily come to terms with their neuroses? Why the irrational envy that Jews control the world's banks and mass media?

After reading this glossy, hardbound book with high-quality photos, sketches, and colorful graphs, you feel like merging the habits of a typical American person and those considered peculiar to a Jew. And if you have a questioning mind like the two guys who created the book, you may well ask yourself, "Is there really something called a Jew?"

Armchair Interviews says: An interesting look at stereotypes.

Sure, this is a funny book. There are parts that are hilarious because you know it to be true; but then again, there are parts that are offensive because they assume things (Like if you are a guy and marry a Jew, you'll never have to make another decision again in your life).
They use personal photos in here (none that are touched up) and some of them are fantastic (I love the Grandma going on a seaplane with her own floatie wrapped around her). I didn't like the comparison between Christmas and Chanukah because there actually is no comparison considering they are nowhere near alike and there is no similarity other than the exchange of gifts. If you aren't so broad minded, you will probably find parts offensive, but if you let loose a little, then you should have a couple of big laughs. These guys are quite funny (I saw them on The View and found myself laughing along with them) and I can't wait to see their show in New York when I go next year.
This certainly is an entertaining read and I think it would make an excellent Chanukah gift or a treat for yourself to read over some vacation time. I liked it.

This book is the funniest thing I've ever read! The illustrations are fantastic and should be made into posters! It's going to be given to everyone I know for Chanukah and anytime I need a gift for anyone who is a Jew or knows Jews! Armed with a good sense of humor, you will laugh till you cry! I can't decide on my favorite topic but it must be the chapter on Food. Or Travel. Or the conversations with the authors' Jewish mothers which are a riot. Buy it! You'll love it!

My husband and I saw this play last night (9/20/06) and it was very funny. After the play Bryan Fogel came on stage and told us that it was their 800th show and the story of how the book deal came to be. He thought that it was very surprising that anybody would be interested in publishing a book modeled after his play. He shared some excerpts from the book with the audience. Half way through picking out some interesting passages & very funny pictures,I was convinced that I wanted to own this book. The audience was enjoying every passage that Bryan picked. He later wrote a little something in the book and autographed it. We read and laughed all the way home to Oceanside on the LIRR. It is probably one of the funniest books every written. It will be a coffee table book and a wonderful gift for all those "hard to get gifts for people", during the holidays. BRAVO for Byran Fogel & Sam Wolfson they have a real winner on their hands. PS The back cover has their moms phone #'s to call then if you don't like the book - BUT don't call them after 9PM.

What a treat! FUNNY, IRREVERENT, AND AMAZING! I accidentally picked up this book up at Barnes and Nobel (and wo am I glad I did) and decided I would save a few bucks and buy it on Amazon...the book is incredibly well researched and the authors have been able to find the funny in everything you could ever think was a Jewish attribute (or not!) The pictures and illustrations are beautiful and the artwork is sensational! FULL COLOR! This book will remain on my coffee table for years to come - a great great present for all the people you don't know what to get but who love fun and irreverent humor!