Cosbyology: Essays and Observations from the Doctor of Comedy (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Cosby has entertained readers on subjects ranging from aging to marriage and parenthood. Some, however, will be disappointed in these 19 lightweight pieces composed of free association, fleeting memories and digressions: about how at age eight, for example, he went out to play, leaving his two-year-old brother alone, or about his refusal to do his geometry homework ("'cause home is for play"). Cosby's conversational humor involves repetition and minimalistic reduction of everything to brief sentences and simplistic language: "You don't want to have it checked because the doctor may say: Ooo! You've got it! That means you have it. If you don't go, it means you don't have it." Amid expositions on grandparents, plastic packaging, noisy boats and ingrown hairs, truly funny bits occasionally surface. On seating arrangements for the elderly, he says: "You cannot put someone who eats salt and regular food next to someone who can't have anything except a stainless steel fork and water because, if you do, they're not going to like each other." The best chapter recalls his move from Greenwich Village stand-up comedy to big-time clubs, particularly a big-time flop in Chicago. His honesty makes readers want a full-scale autobiography in place of these miscellaneous bits. Even the great George Booth falters here with offhand illustrations. (Nov. 7)Forecast: Hyperion plans an intense marketing campaign includes a radio and TV satellite tour, 12-copy counter displays and author appearances on Good Morning America, Rosie O'Donnell and numerous other national shows. This might have a big spike in sales at first, but word of mouth will slow it down.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School-Comedy is funniest when it stays as faithful to the truth as Cosby keeps it in his latest collection of 19 autobiographical essays. His topics range from the unromantic changes in married love over time to the discomforts, dangers, and expense of learning to ski. Students will laugh hardest at his quirky jokes about the problems of growing up in the projects, being identified as an intellectually gifted child, and coping with threats to health and safety. The author reveals his most vulnerable moments as a young comedian who was too nervous to make his audience laugh. He describes how he walked off of the stage feeling totally humiliated. He also discusses his difficult adjustment to the military, and explains how that experience drove him to work hard in college. In stand-up comic style, Cosby shows readers different stages of his life, and he highlights all of the laughable moments in hilarious, hyperbolic detail throughout this short book. Such a highly successful person's willingness to share his stories of triumphing over adversity, and overcoming moments of failure, is sure to inspire many teens. Even reluctant readers will breeze through this book while laughing out loud along the way.
Joyce Fay Fletcher, Rippon Middle School, Prince William County, VA
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion Books (November 13, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078688813X
• ISBN-13: 978-0786888139
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #306,647 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars IN ALL THIS WORLD, THERE IS ONLY ONE BILL COSBY!, October 1, 2001

By	Sandra D. Peters "Seagull Books" (Prince Edward Island, Canada) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Cosbyology: Essays and Observations from the Doctor of Comedy (Hardcover)

For those who will forever be fans of Cliff Huxtable M.D., you will not want to miss "Cosbyology." Bill Cosby has a gentle, down-to-Earth sense of humour and a style that is truly all his own. He can captivate an audience and make them feel raw emotion, whether it be saddness or outrageous humour. In this book we get some "brilliant" obversations from the Doctor of Comedy as only Cosby could tell them.

The only downside of the book is the length; it simply was not long enough. One just became absorbed in this man's flair for humour when the book came to an end. However, the best medicine we can sometimes receive in life is laughter, and on that note, readers will not be disappointed.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Delightfully humorous and frank, January 30, 2003

By	KNO2skull "kn02skull" (United States) - See all my reviews

If you've ever laughed at Bill Cosby's standup comedy, you'll laugh at this. Insightful looks into true stories in Cosby's life, it covers everything from skiing to ingrown hairs. He lovingly treats stories about his wife with a touching humor. Cosby isn't afraid to play his own straight man. This book was bought for me as a present, and not something I would ordinarily read. However, I do like Bill Cosby, and now, this book. I had a few chortles and laughs while reading it, and others are quite likely to as well.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Ph.D in "COSBYOLOGY"., October 6, 2003

By	Blackworm (Virginia Beach, VA) - See all my reviews

Ingrown hairs? Noisy boats? Routine Physicals? How do you get enough funny material out of these subjects? Just ask Bill Cosby. With this collection of short subjects, he pulls the most amusing moments and displays for all to read, and I will be the first to admit it, some of that stuff made me laugh out loud, especially when dealing with the subject of his wife and what makes their marriage work. Another subject worth a good chuckle is when he talks about his stint in the navy. His observations and responses to life in the armed forces was a real trip. Never having seen him in concert, I have a feeling that this book represents his stage act, and that alone is worth it's weight.