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The United States of Absurdity: Untold Stories from American History Hardcover – May 9, 2017

by Dave Anthony (Author), Gareth Reynolds (Author), Patton Oswalt (Foreword)

85 customer reviews

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The creators of the podcast The Dollop present illustrated profiles of the weird, outrageous, NSFW, and downright absurd tales from American history that you weren't taught in school.

The United States of Absurdity presents short, informative, and hilarious stories of the most outlandish (but true) people, events, and more from United States history. Comedians Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds cover the weird stories you didn't learn in history class, such as 10-Cent Beer Night, the Jackson Cheese, and the Kentucky Meat Shower, accompanied by full-page illustrations that bring each historical "milestone" to life in full-color.

The United States of Absurdity: Untold Stories from American History

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"The United States of Absurdity, a new book from the hosts of the American history podcast The Dollop, couldn't have picked a better time to arrive. Think of it as A People's History of the United States for the slightly lazy."
—NPR.org

"If my history teachers in high school had been half as smart and one-tenth as entertaining as Dave and Gareth, I could probably tell you who fought in the Spanish-American War today.”
—Josh Olson, Oscar-nominated screenwriter for A History of Violence

“This book, just like The Dollop, will teach you things you'll wish you had learned in history class. I dare you not to be equal parts fascinated, horrified, and in stitches.”
—Al Madrigal, actor and comedian, The Daily Show

"Dave and Gareth have created an amazing record of historical eccentricities which, while hysterically informative, has thus far only been available for your ears. This book will take The Dollop into the uncharted territory of your eyes. And hopefully, if my many requests are heeded—there will be a scented version."
—Chris Hardwick, @midnight and Talking Dead

"The United States of Absurdity is so funny that it makes me want to kidnap Dave and Gareth, keep them in a basement, and then live out their identities as my own…which would still not be the weirdest story in this book."
—Wil Anderson, stand-up comedian, television host, writer, and podcaster

“Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds could make anything funny. This book is proof. Good thing they decided to use their powers for good to educate the masses with the lessons we can learn from history. Even the parts of history that make us vomit in our mouths a little.”
—Ronny Chieng, stand-up comedian and correspondent on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah

About the Author

DAVE ANTHONY is a stand-up comedian, writer, actor, and podcaster. Beside co-hosting The Dollop, he's been seen as a stand up on Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Late Late Show, and on Comedy Central. He is a writer/actor on Maron on IFC. In 2015, he was named Comedian to Watch by L.A. Weekly.

GARETH REYNOLDS is a writer/comedian who has written for shows on Comedy Central, Fox, TBS, and MTV. He has executive produced shows like MTV's Failosophy and the Travel Channel's Mancations.

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Product details

Hardcover: 144 pages
Publisher: Ten Speed Press (May 9, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0399578757
ISBN-13: 978-0399578755
Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 0.6 x 8.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (85 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,522 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #16 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Humor > Parodies
- #84 in Books > Literature & Fiction > United States > Humor
- #108 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Humor > Satire

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4.8 out of 5 stars

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Top customer reviews

You are reading The Dollop

ByTrixi Trippon May 10, 2017

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Been a long-time fan of The Dollop ever since the Jackson Cheese episode was recommended to me by my best friend. I highly recommend the podcast to others, but some folks just don't listen to podcasts so I intend to throw this book at those people so they might understand some of the joy in learning about bananas stories from American history. The true stories in this book are condensed and still amusing tales covered in The Dollop episodes.

I still highly recommend listening to The Dollop, as they cover some astoundingly racist aspects of our history that should be more prevalent in what we learn in school. This book doesn't delve into those episodes (possibly because those stories cannot be summed up in 2-3 page tales), so there is plenty to explore there.

And James Fosdike's illustrations are wonderful. He just gets The Dollop.

0Comment 5 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Please read the entire review. Thanks!

ByRob Loveon June 9, 2017

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Dave Anthony is a great American comedian, husband, father, philanthropist, ergonomics expert, bathematician, linguist, occasional voter, longtime boater, classically trained harpsichordist, swimmer, rosarian, rotarian, notary public, certified ombudsman, comptroller, leftenant, heir to the Duke of Thornbury, basil enthusiast, champion of the forgotten, synesthesia advocate, master gardener, reiki practitioner, enjoyer of fine cuisine and street food alike, biographer, bicycle mechanic, undercover operative, ambassador, chain letter recipient, honorarian, amateur tile setter, and now, author.

I haven't read a book in seventeen years, but I'll probably get around to this one eventually.

0Comment 4 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Not much new for current Dollop fans, but still a slight retelling of favorite eps.

ByHoratioCornholeron June 1, 2017

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

I really love the Dollop podcast. I've heard every single episode they've released. So as a long time listener, I was excited to hear that they were publishing a book. The book itself is not so much aimed at current and on-going listeners of the podcast (such as myself) but more to people that haven't listened and are curious what it is about. Of all the stories in the book, only one of them was new (not previously discussed on an existing episode (at the time of this writing). This was a bit disappointing but I still enjoyed rereading about the historical oddities that Dave & Gareth have previously covered.

If you do listen to the podcast, you'll understand when I say that the stories contained within the book are Smallops, and very abbreviated Smallops at that. For the uninitiated, what I'm stating here is that each historical tale covered in the book is about some person or event or other form of subject. Within the span of a few pages, Dave & Gareth give you a fairly high-level essay about said subject matter. They have some quips to the reader injected here and there and a Fun Fact block at the end of each essay.

This is a coffee-table book, a very easy read, and a conversation starter for the uninitiated. If you're a fan of the podcast, buy it and share it with your friends to whet their appetite for the full-sized versions of the story where Dave & Gareth go into the meaty details that they couldn't afford to stuff into this text.

0Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Absurd Hilarity

ByJessica Laurenon May 9, 2017

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

I have been a fan of The Dollop podcast since day one and it is still my favorite today. Dave and Gary are great hosts/comedians and I knew the book would not disappoint. For longtime fans this book is like having our favorite stories on hand at any time. For someone new to the world of The Dollop it is the perfect introduction. James Fosdike's illustrations give the stories extra depth and are even frame-worthy. Since I can't force my friends to sit down long enough to listen to the podcast I will be buying them copies of this book.

11 comment 4 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Fun book, amazing podcast, superb guys!

ByMrs. Woogieon June 1, 2017

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

So happy that Dave and Gar(eth)y are sharing their greatness. Their show is fantastic, and this book serves to augment The Dollop with condensed versions of some of their highlits, with disturbingly beautiful artwork. Definitely 5 stars.

If for no other reason, buy this book to support two great humans. I met them before and after the SLC show (I gave the guys directions to the venue), and they posed for pics and signed my José poster. All with no rush, nothing but kindness. Definitely two awesome guys.

0Comment 2 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Squeeeeee!!!

ByPenny S.on May 12, 2017

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Very excited to finally get my hands on this book. It was a mother's day gift from my family. (Mother's Day is a topic I hope The Dollop covers someday.) I found out about The Dollop from listening to My Favorite Murder and it quickly became my favorite podcast. (Maybe tied for first place with You Talkin' U2 To Me?)

I love the mix of The Dollop stories we know and love and new ridiculousness I've never heard of anywhere else.

The stories are concise, sharp, and funny with a little bit of entertaining bonus trivia to wrap it up. There are new jokes and takes on the stories already on the podcast so each story feels freshly told.

The artwork is amazing. I adore it. It's beautiful, which feels weird to say since it's also often bizarre and grotesque. But it is indeed very beautifully illustrated. It perfectly matches the tone of the subject.

Also, this book is excellent even if you've never heard the podcast before. It's a great way to explain the podcast to a Dollop virgin.

I love this book. I love the podcast. I love these guys.

0Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

This book facilitated my ascension to Godhood

ByToolmanon May 9, 2017

Format: Audible Audio EditionVerified Purchase

This book is so awesome it literally changed my life; I can actually feel my DNA reformatting. It should be read aloud in every kindergarten in America 5 times a day until they can recite it by memory. For maximum effect begin each reading by meditating while softly chanting the mantra "Om Gari hozay hum"

0Comment 3 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Dave and Gareth have done it again

BySarahon May 9, 2017

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Their podcast is so entertaining and hilarious. I have listened to almost all of them and seen them live twice. I really hope they write another one to follow up the stories where this left off.
My advice to the reader: download podcast addict and subscribe to The Dollop. Definitely worth the listen.

0Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

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Most recent customer reviews

American history horror stories. I love it.

It's my favorite podcast in a form that will still be enjoyable when the world as we know it inevitably ends.Read more

Published 6 days ago by Jesse Bones

A+

Hilarious with beautiful illustrations

Published 6 days ago by Tyler

One Star

terrible read

Published 7 days ago by Bees77

A wonderful companion to the podcast

Incredible stories featuring beautiful artwork. Makes a great coffee table book, and an even better conversation starter.

Published 7 days ago by S. D. Selders

from a lover of The Dollop...

HELL YES!

Published 15 days ago by Alysajg

Five Stars

Amazing book from and amazing podcast. Couldn't have enjoyed it more.

Published 17 days ago by Josh

Happy customer

Hilarious book chock full of absurdity. Truly a great coffee table addition for those who know just how silly history can be.Read more

Published 17 days ago by Erin S.

Is it for fun?

Dave and Gary show a side of 'Merica that few others dare to. Hilarious and disturbing, this book will be a quick read. And no, this is not going to become a tickling book.

Published 17 days ago by edward singley

Five Stars

I cannot say enough good things about this book or The Dollop podcast.

Published 19 days ago by JThomasAlbert

great reminder of the best of the dollop

Love the podcasts n I always wanted to see how I can remind myself of really good episodes that are not only funny but informative.Read more

Published 20 days ago by Amazon Customer

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