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Lizz Winstead

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Lizz Free or Die: Essays Hardcover – Bargain Price, May 10, 2012

by Lizz Winstead (Author)

4.3 102 ratings

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Lizz Winstead, co-creator of The Daily Show and one of today's most hilarious comedians and insightful social critics, pens a brilliant account of how she discovered her comedic voice.

In this collection of autobiographical essays, Winstead vividly recounts how she fought to find her own voice, both as a comedian and as a woman, and how humor became her most powerful weapon in confronting life's challenges.

Growing up in the Midwest, the youngest child of conservative Catholic parents, Winstead learned early in her life that the straightforward questions she posed to various authority figures around her-her parents, her parish priest, even an anti-abortion counselor -prompted many startled looks and uncomfortable silences, but few answers. Her questions rattled people because they exposed the inconsistencies and hypocrisies in the people and institutions she confronted. Yet she didn't let that stop her from pursuing her dreams.

Funny and biting, honest and poignant, this no-holds-barred collection gives an in-depth look into the life of one of today's most influential comic voices. In writing about her childhood longing to be a priest, her role in developing The Daily Show, and of her often problematic habit of diving into everything head first, asking questions later (resulting in multiple rescue-dog adoptions and travel disasters), Lizz Winstead has tapped an outrageous and heartfelt vein of the all-too-human comedy.

Print length

320 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Riverhead Hardcover
Publication date

May 10, 2012
Reading age

18 years and up
Dimensions

5.81 x 1.09 x 8.52 inches
ISBN-10

1594487022
ISBN-13

978-1594487026
See all details

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Sharply witty and iconoclastic.”—Elle

“Searching and lively … and moving. … Ms. Winstead writes with a feel for the sound of words.” – The New York Times

“Engaging…Winstead proves that she’s got a writer’s touch.”—Minneapolis Star Tribune

“Charming… with insight and understated humor.”—Mother Jones

“[An] indelible, hilarious, often poignant romp.”—American Way

“Political satirist and stand-up comedian Winstead… [is] shrewdly observant, linguistically adept, bravely soul-baring, and caustically smart.”—Booklist

“Funny, thoughtful… recommended.”—Library Journal

“With this book, Lizz Winstead takes us on a hilarious, honest, moving and insightful journey. It is the journey of a funny, fearless woman as she finds her voice and shares it with the world.”
—Arianna Huffington

“Reading Lizz Winstead's hilarious collection of very personal essays somehow leaves you changed. You laugh, and yet there are nutrients in her words.”
—Sarah Silverman

“Lizz Winstead has written a fantastically readable collection. I really did laugh, and then, I really did cry. Most important, though, I found someone I can leave my dogs with, should I have to flee the country.”
– Julie Klam

"Lizz Free or Die is brilliantly funny and razor sharp. Lizz Winstead observes our times with candor, hope and a gimlet eye. She is a national treasure."
--Adriana Trigiani

"Reading Winstead is like hanging out with Winstead: invigorating, infuriating, and hilarious."
-- Patton Oswalt

About the Author

Lizz Winstead is the co-creator and former head writer of The Daily Show and one of the founders of Air America Radio. She has been cited by Entertainment Weekly as one of the magazine's 100 Most Creative People and frequently appears on MSNBC, CNN, and Comedy Central. She lives in Brooklyn. Learn more at www.lizzwinstead.com or follow her on twitter @lizzwinstead.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00B1L49GI
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Riverhead Hardcover (May 10, 2012)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1594487022
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1594487026
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 18 years and up
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.81 x 1.09 x 8.52 inches

Customer Reviews:
4.3 102 ratings

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Customer reviews

102 global ratings

How customer reviews and ratings work

Customers say

Customers find the humor in the book enjoyable, hilarious, and dark. They describe the book as a great, fun, and delightful read that will not disappoint. Readers also appreciate the author's insights, saying she's insightful, observant, and relatable.

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Humor Readability Insight Honesty

37 customers mention "Humor"36 positive1 negative

Customers find the humor in the book enjoyable, hilarious, and unique. They say it makes them laugh out loud. Readers also appreciate the interesting writings and mention the author is terrific.

"...It was fun, bittersweet, sad, maddening, and back around to laugh out loud. Um, not so great to read when your partner is asleep next to you...." Read more

"...only is Lizz Winstead one of our generation's most talented, intelligent humorists and political pundits, she is also a woman deeply devoted to her..." Read more

"...book but from a woman's perspective. It's also entertaining and has a decent comedic timing - which I'm sure she's practiced. Obviously...." Read more

"...and comedy, She also has a unique "voice" and ability to find humor in dark situations or make the reader think about issues or dealing with..." Read more

21 customers mention "Readability"21 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a great, fun read. They say it's delightful from beginning to end and educational. Readers also mention it's an easy and short read.

"...Sadly, now I am finished. I hope she decides to write more. It was fun, bittersweet, sad, maddening, and back around to laugh out loud...." Read more

"...This is a good book. It's the typical 'Follow your dreams!' book but from a woman's perspective...." Read more

"...It's a fun book but not "fluffy" because she tackles some serious subjects but with humor as well as insight." Read more

"...She is hugely entertaining in her heartfelt telling of many poignant tales which she pulls from a wide array of amazing adventures asserting her..." Read more

17 customers mention "Insight"17 positive0 negative

Customers find the author insightful, observant, and relatable. They say the book is inspiring, poignant, and educational. Readers also mention that the book is packed with powerful personal stories and professional triumphs.

"...Ever honest and insightful, with her trademark smart, laser-sharp wit in hand, Lizz Winstead shares her life story about finding her voice and..." Read more

"...be right at home on the last page of the New York Times magazine; insightful, observant, trenchant, and aware...." Read more

"...This book is laugh out loud funny, poignant, heartfelt, very well written and impossible to put down--a must read!" Read more

"...She is hugely entertaining in her heartfelt telling of many poignant tales which she pulls from a wide array of amazing adventures asserting her..." Read more

4 customers mention "Honesty"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book honest and laugh-out-loud funny.

"...Ever honest and insightful, with her trademark smart, laser-sharp wit in hand, Lizz Winstead shares her life story about finding her voice and..." Read more

"...These essays are by turns hilarious and sobering, and always honest...." Read more

"...She's raw and honest and laugh-out-loud funny. If I liked her before, I absolutely LOVE her now...." Read more

"...Of course it's funny but it is also poignant and quite honest. I love this book." Read more

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darswords

Read/Listen, It's Great!

Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2014

Verified Purchase

Like Rachel Maddow and Jon Steward? Read/listen to Lizz Free or Die to find out how they all relate.

I remember seeing Lizz on Rachel's show and on Melissa Harris-Perry when she was promoting her book. But I remember seeing her stand up for feminism and abortion and rights for everyone. I loved her point of view. I couldn't wait to read her book. Sadly, now I am finished. I hope she decides to write more. It was fun, bittersweet, sad, maddening, and back around to laugh out loud. Um, not so great to read when your partner is asleep next to you. The LOL moments got me in trouble a few times.

This book is written in essays. Sort of in chronological order, but not. I like that it strays as her mind does which fits perfectly with mine. I wish I would have had a book like this as I was a teen or early twenties. Following her own path made her the strong wonderful person she is today.

Try it! I loved it!

One person found this helpful

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Sugar Dove

Excellence With Extra Awesome Sauce

Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2012

Verified Purchase

Reading Lizz Winstead's recent biographical 'Lizz Free Or Die' brought me squeals and peals of side-splitting laughter and repeatedly lit up my brain with potent doses of insightful wisdom. Ms. Winstead generously shares 302 brilliant pages absolutely packed with powerful, personal stories and professional triumphs. She is hugely entertaining in her heartfelt telling of many poignant tales which she pulls from a wide array of amazing adventures asserting her honesty in such diverse arenas as; her 70s youth in Minnesota, growing up in the Catholic religion, performing stand-up comedy and creating contemporary media. This is some truly superb reading from one hella-smart, gloriously funny, truth-rocking role model of a modern woman. Consider these words my online standing ovation.

One person found this helpful

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SB

Until the End

Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2013

Verified Purchase

I bought this book not knowing what to expect. I didn't even know who Lizz was. I saw on the book's synopsis that she had something to do with The Daily Show but I didn't think she was a creator. This is a good book. It's the typical 'Follow your dreams!' book but from a woman's perspective. It's also entertaining and has a decent comedic timing - which I'm sure she's practiced. Obviously. I came across some reviews that called the book just a 300 page political agenda. I didn't get that from this book but I'm assuming it comes from her women's reproductive rights activism - specifically to do with abortion access. She mentions abortion once or twice in the book but not until the end does she truly address it. Honestly, I skimmed through the chapter because I felt it just didn't flow with the rest of the book. It was like a weird epilogue. I wouldn't let that last thing ruin the entire book for me but it could have been done without. Other than that, not too much politically here and that's coming from a staunch conservative who just finished this book... Written by a progressive liberal.

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Dave Schwinghammer

Lizz Leaves Too Much Out

Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2012

Verified Purchase

I first heard of Lizz Winstead when she joined forces with Al Franken on Air America, a radio station harder to find than the Fountain of Youth. Those were the days Franken was duking it out with Bill O'Reilly and writing books with titles like RUSH LIMBAUGH IS A BIG FAT IDIOT, so I would have listened if I could've found it.

Then I heard she was the co-creator of "The Daily Show". Yes, that's the Jon Stewart "Daily Show." I've never actually seen Lizz Winstead on television, which is strange since I watch her protégé Rachel Maddow from time to time.

Anyway, LIZZ FREE OR DIE is a book of essays, held together by her progressive personality. We Minnesotans get a good look at the music scene as it first began to explode as Lizz and her friends go dancing at The First Edition frequented by Prince and Soul Asylum. It was there a friend recommended that she try stand-up comedy. This was when Minneapolis was one of the havens for new comedians, led by Scott Hansen and including Louie Anderson. Even Roseanne Barr and Tom Arnold get a mention. Lizz eventually gets a job as the MC at First Edition.

There are times when the book skips over some possibly absorbing information. Lizz's hockey boyfriend gets her pregnant and she sees a sign offering help to wayward girls. The place sounded like the Texas House of Representatives; they put heavy pressure on her to have the baby, but Lizz never mentions the name of the place. It sounds a whole lot like Birthright. Considering the hammering Planned Parenthood is taking lately, one would think she would have jumped at the chance. Then the essay just stops; we can guess that she had an abortion but she never says where, tells us how she felt about it or anything. She just leaves it out. She also doesn't say anything about her relationship with Al Franken, something I was kind of looking forward to.

She does this again when she spends two years as the producer of "The Daily Show." After two years she just leaves. There's no explanation whatsoever as to why she left. Two months later Jon Stewart takes over the show.

Perhaps the best essay in my mind was the one about the death of her father. He literally died laughing. That's the way I want to go if I can't die in my sleep. The family spends his dying days talking about all the goofy stunts the guy pulled like buying a quarter of beef off the back of some guys truck for forty dollars. He and Lizz's mother were also stars on "The Daily Show". Maybe that's where David Letterman got the idea to feature his mother. They were also dyed-in-the-wool conservative Catholics; I could relate to that as well.

The Air America sequence is also rather interesting. It was the only Liberal radio response, outside of Garrison Keillor, to Limbaugh and the other conservative haters, and that's where Lizz discovered Rachel Maddow who was her partner during her three hour segment. They even interviewed Tim LaHaye, author of the LEFT BEHIND series and contributor to dozens of conservative "think" tanks. LaHaye could not stop talking about the coming Rapture, and Maddow who is usually nice to everybody said, "Can I have your stuff?" Talk about precognition; that's exactly what happened to Harold Camping and his followers.

Lizz would have been better served to find a co-author. It's not that she can't write, she did it for a living after all, but she too often sounds like she's bragging, and that's just not likable, no matter who you are.

12 people found this helpful

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Teresa Strahlman

Funny, moving, inspiring book

Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2012

Verified Purchase

"Lizz Free or Die: Essays" is wonderfully funny, moving, and inspiring. Ever honest and insightful, with her trademark smart, laser-sharp wit in hand, Lizz Winstead shares her life story about finding her voice and following her heart in a series of essays that found me laughing one minute and crying the next. There is no false note in this book and I walked away understanding that not only is Lizz Winstead one of our generation's most talented, intelligent humorists and political pundits, she is also a woman deeply devoted to her family, friends, colleagues, and her beloved dogs. I loved every page of this book and I felt like I was saying goodbye to a friend when it ended.

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