Customer Reviews

Your Seventh Sense: How to Think Like a Comedian

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
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2 star:		(1)
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This book is, essentially, one long advertisement for one of the author/comedian/public-speakers behind it - Karyn Ruth White. If that's what you're looking for in a book then you might enjoy it, but otherwise you're likely to be very frustrated and feel like you've paid for promotional material. The book starts out fairly well but gets worse and worse as it goes along. In the first few chapters the text is is interspersed with quotes and examples from well-known comedians. Most of these are really funny and support the text well. As the book goes on it increasingly begins to refer to one of the co-authors in the third person, use her jokes in the break-out boxes, quote her, refer to her techniques and praise her techniques and abilities. This is fine once or twice but it soon starts feeling like self-promotion and becomes really obnoxious. By the end of the book it becomes very clear that the whole book is, first and foremost, a pitch to hire Karyn Ruth for events, as a humor coach, etc. I was extremely frustrated realizing that I had essentially paid her to advertise to me. This situation is made worse by the fact that the co-author/comedian in question really doesn't seem to be very funny, especially in comparison with the people quoted earlier on. Now I fully realize that each person has their own sense of humor, but to me Karyn Ruth White is only marginally funny. Whether you enjoy her humor or not, the bottom line is that in buying this book you are buying an advertisement.

I bought the Kindle version and I gotta say I quite enjoyed this. It didn't feel like a near-200 page book though. In fact, the whole thing just flew by.

I must admit I didn't feel as though I learned too much. I saw where the authors were going and for sure others will gain insight from the words. But the overall message is pretty simplistic.

Quite frankly you can hone your comedic instincts just as well (probably) with a far meatier book such as "Comedy Writing Secrets" by Melvin Helitzer.

For what it's worth though, I do believe the techniques in "Your Seventh Sense: How to Think Like a Comedian" are pretty sound. I would just like more... certainly more examples or even tidbits from individual comedians to try and tap into their insight.

I couldn't quite believe when I got to the end... it was over and I remember thinking "huh... is that it?"

But I did like it... and I have tried the techniques and can attest that they do work. I certainly have faith (following their advice) that it gets easier in the long run. However, I may be the wrong person to comment, as I've often spotted patterns myself and love humor in all its forms. So immersed and surrounding yourself with books and movies and tv sitcoms, you can't NOT have some of that rub off on you. :)

I'm a comedian, and thought this book was a hoot. But the joy in this book is that it isn't for comedians...it's for anybody who wants to think like one.

Jay has the brainy side that makes you think differently, and I loved it. And Karyn is funny. It's a great value...easy to read. Go for it!

Jay Arthur is a master practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Karyn Ruth White is a standup comedian and professional speaker. In Your Seventh Sense: How To Think Like A Comedian these two quite diverse experts work together to offer the reader an introduction of the essential skills required to "think like a comedian". Chapters address how to hone one's comedy radar, learning to refine one's act before taking it public, transforming random ideas into belly-laugh gold, and much more. Each two-page spread offers solid advice on one page, and a humorous or inspirational comedy-related quote on the other. An excellent guide not only for aspiring comedians, but also for those seeking to learn just enough of the art to liven up their speeches and presentations.

I sent this book to my son who is in prison, as he has a great love of humor. He has written me twice thanking me, as it helps his spirit make it through the day. When his time is up he will leave it there to be passed among others to help them in that way. One day I pray that we will have less prisons but more rehabs., understanding, helping, healing, with humor,etc.. smile of Peace Marlene Frabasilio P.S. Thanks to Karyn Ruth

I enjoyed this book thoroughly.Both authors explain everything in simple English.Nothing boring here.The are many ideas in this book to help develop more material.The book holds your attention and the jokes throughout are enjoyable.This is a definite book that you should add to your collection if stand-up comedy is your goal.