Reflections [Hardcover]

Steve Allen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1994

"Steve Allen does so many things, he's the only man I know who's listed on every one of the Yellow Pages". That's how protege Andy Williams once described Steve Allen. Noel Coward called him "the most talented man in America." Apt descriptions, indeed, for Allen is not only a comedian, but a prolific writer, composer, pianist, actor, and a serious thinker as well. Those who are familiar with Steve Allen only in his capacity as a comedian may find it surprising that he has produced a collection of thought-provoking observations on a variety of serious topics in his new book, "Reflections". But anyone familiar with his two-volume study of the "Scriptures" - Steve Allen on the Bible, Religion, and Morality - or his incisive critique of America's declining intellectual standards - "Dumbth: And 81 Ways to Make Americans Smarter" - will realise that Allen's serious side is at least as creative and interesting as his flights of comedic fancy.Steve Allen is, for the most part, a self-taught intellectual. Perhaps this is the reason that he is able to write in a casual but clear, non-academic style, which makes even his weightiest ideas accessible to the average reader. And as befits a professional humorist, Allen displays his considerable wit from time to time in these pages. But by and large, his comments on assorted philosophical, political, and social questions are not only serious but challenging. No matter what issue he addresses - ageing, happiness, heroes, justice, love, psychology, religion, sex, or TV - the popular humorist-and-philosopher-in-one always finds something fresh and insightful to say.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Allen, a TV personality, musician and writer ( Meeting of Minds ), here collects his observations, organized alphabetically, on topics ranging from abortion to world government. Brought up as a Roman Catholic, Allen, who was born in 1921, continues to support the faith. In his comments on poverty, crime and capital punishment (all areas where Catholic belief and secular humanism can find accord), Allen clearly identifies with liberal politics. But he also notes his respect for the conservatism of William F. Buckley's National Review . Allen's emphasis on serious topics is relieved by flashes of wit: "Whenever I have my car washed, I have the illusion that the motor runs more smoothly." Author tour.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 326 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books (September 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879759046
• ISBN-13: 978-0879759049
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,533,680 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you miss Steve Allen, get this book!, December 16, 2001

By 

Blaine Greenfield "eclectic reader" (Belle Meade, NJ) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Reflections (Hardcover)

I always admired Steve Allen . . . his protege, Andy Williams,
once described him as follows: "Steve Allen does so many
things, he's the only man I know who's listed on every one
of the Yellow Pages." . . . not just a comedian,
he was also a prolific writer (having written well over 50 books),composer, pianist, actor, and a serious thinker . . . in
addition, he created NBC's TONIGHT show and PBS's
award-winning MEETING OF MINDS . . . ever since he
died, I have tried to find either a good biography or
autobiography about him; alas, the closest I could find was his own REFLECTIONS--written back in 1994 . . . so I got ahold
of it, anxious to read Allen's comments on assorted
philosophical, political and social questions . . . I enjoyed
these . . . they reminded me of the type of observations
made by George Carlin with the key exception being
that they're all clean!

There were many memorable passages; among them:
As one who enjoys biographical reports of others' lives, I
am much more interested in what a man thinks than in the fact
that he was born in Seattle, played football for several years,
or sleeps in pajama bottoms.

People today--especially if they're under forty--often have
background, soft-rock music going in their homes or offices,
sometimes during important discussions. They say it
calms them. Should international arms negotiations be conducted with a background of such music?

There are some people who seem to enjoy talking about
food more than they enjoy eating. There are those who have
a similar attitude toward sex.