Customer Reviews

When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?

5 star:		(78)
4 star:		(44)
3 star:		(32)
2 star:		(23)
1 star:		(61)

 

 

Why is it that all the people who gave this book only one star also seem to be reviewing lots of religious and Right Wing political books? George Carlin has been a well know comedian since the 60's. He has always spoke the way he does about religion. When you see his name as the author of a book with Jesus in the title, why do you buy it if religious humor will offend you? Ok, maybe you just want to see what he has to say, I can understand that. But you know you're not going to like it, and you know you'll disagree with it. Why bother printing a review? You're not basing the review on how good the book is, you're basing it on whether you agree with it's ideas or not. One guy even made the remark that we've taken the 10 Commandments out of courthouses, but we still allow this book to be sold. It's called free speech. It's part of the same document that give you the right to have your religion. The difference is, the comandments in a courthouse are on public display. This book is something you have to conciously use your own money to buy. Let me write a shorter review: If you're easily offended by religious humor, don't buy this book.

I believe some of the reviewers of this book might be expecting too much. "When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?" is not Carlin's best book, but a lot of the material is offensive to some people and funny to most of us. That's what Carlin does, he offends people. My biggest complaint is that he did not offend enough people. I felt that too much of the book was devoted to euphemisms. The fact is that these arguments presented by Carlin are more logical than funny. By most standards, this is not a problem, unless the book is supposed to be funny.

I enjoyed a lot of the book. I enjoyed the one liners in the sections titled, "Bits and Pieces". Nobody has a better eye for observing the stupid things people do. Whether regular people or famous people, Carlin points out the problem in a humorous way. Usually it is a shocking or offensive result. That is why people like George Carlin. If you like Carlin, you will probably like the book. It is not his best book, but it is still better than most comedian's books.

This is a book in which George Carlin manages to offend everyone who reads it, depending on their political preferences, how they feel about minorities, the handicapped, the homeless, the chronically ill, the elderly, etc, etc, etc. In other words, if you have an opinion about anything at all, he will manage to upset you at some point if you read this book.

Having said that, this is one of the best books I have ever read. Not only is his take on life hilarious, he is more often than not right-on in his views on life and the way people live it. I think his views actually reflect the way the majority of people think about things, it's just that he's the only one with enough guts (read: balls) to actually put his feelings in print.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants a good laugh - really, several hundred good laughs - and has a thick skin to go along with it. At some point pretty much every type of personality (even yours) is written about in this book.

You know, ever since I got my copy of "TOLEDO WINDOW BOX" in 1974, I have been a fan of this guy. Hey, I love Jesus, and I believe he knows a good joke, and loves it! This book ain't about that. It's about Carlin and his "Stuff". I feel like a long march survivor sometimes when I sit and think about how things have been herded (no misspell,I don't mean "headed")for the last forty years. I know I can count on George to make it all sound so silly that I can belly laugh at the unbelievable hubris of culture in chaos. I saw a Carlin show about twenty-five years ago. I would have given this presentation a five If the special effects came with it. Thats part of the show my friends. Lucky for Mr. Carlin he has a literate fan-base so we can also appreciate the written word. I liked this book. I'll pay it the highest compliment a comic can get. It made me laugh;it made me think.

The reaction to this book on the part of many reviewers only proves George Carlin's point: That we as a society have become too sensitive, intolerant, and politically correct. Yes, much of this book is stinging, biting--even morbid--but Carlin's wit and wonderful writing ability thoroughly entertain through the pages of WHEN WILL JESUS BRING THE PORK CHOPS?

Here we have Carlin at his absolute curmudgeonly, disrespectful best. Nothing--and I mean nothing--is sacred in this book, as Carlin launches attacks, observations, and rants over everything from the government, to religion, to politics and politicians, to entertainment, to our diet, our lifestyles, our collective insecurity as a culture--you name it. And most of it is funny, some of it distasteful. . .and then some of it so off-the-wall I was wondering if the author had lapsed into another state of consciousness (and not from this world).

By far my most enjoyable portions of the book had to do with Carlin's discussion of all the endless euphemisms invented to take the bluntness out of life and make us all feel better about ourselves. For instance, we no longer have "poor people," we have the "economically disadvantaged." How nice. A nursing home is now an "assisted living center." Even funeral homes have become "death-care centers." Over and over, Carlin points out the countless euphemisms we have adopted to sanitize and plunder our language--and it's funny and sad at the same time.

But relax, my friends. This is all satire. Carlin doesn't mean this stuff. Or does he?
--D. Mikels

I disagree with some of George's observations, but always find his work to be hilarious and a lot "deeper" than that of comics who are a little less thoughtful. He combines the rare ability to observe life and draw conclusions while remaining funny.

The title references the fact that Jesus Christ himself was born and lived as a Jewish man, therefore he was kosher and did not eat porkchops. Jesus will never bring the porkchops because he is Jewish and kosher, that's the joke. Pretty clever, but I wouldn't expect any less from such a brilliant satirist like George Carlin.

Bypass any feelings you may have about the title. This isn't an attack on Christianity, folks, but one guy's take on life, touching on such topics as how words evolved over time, the language of football compared to baseball and other intriguing aspects of our culture.
Carlin knows we're all a little nuts (or would it be better to say we're "quirky" or "eccentric")? His genius is exposing our peculiarities, forcing us to think about the oddities in the world, especially when it comes to human reasoning and logic.
So why all the controversy over this book? Is it just the title? Looking at the world from Carlin's perspective, even if it is just for an afternoon or two, doesn't have to be threatening...and you don't have to stick around for the ride if you get too uncomfortable.

I've been a fan of George Carlin for years. How's this: I actually wrote my college application essay on him way back in high school. (Sad, but true.) So I am pretty in tune with George's style. Plain and simple, this book is very funny, but certainly not his best material. Then again, considering what George has produced in the past, it would be hard for him to top it.

George is a dying breed. He carries the legacy of Lenny Bruce. At one point he was as straight laced as could be and then he turned a complete 180 degrees. I dont think there is a more observant or intelligent comedian out there today. If a politician said that he respected George Carlin's ideas, I'd vote for him on the spot.

Do you have a cynical streak in you? A disdain for authority? Skeptical of religion? Worried about America's social structure? Equally suspicious of liberals and democrats? Think with your own mind? Refuse to be told how to think? Enjoy sarcasm? If you answered yes to any of these questions then go buy the book.

Are you timid? Closed minded? Religious nut? American zealot? Interested in imposing your will on those around you? Believe that everything is either black or white? Then you should DEFINITELY buy this book!

Those new to George would do better with buying some of his earlier material. Occupation Foole as a recording or even one of Napalm and Silly Putty or Braindroppings books.

All I need to say about this book is that it made me laugh out loud many times. That's rare, and welcome. What more could one want from a comedian?