Nothing's Sacred

Written by Lewis Black

Narrated by Lewis Black

Comedian Lewis Black unleashes his trademark subversive wit while recounting his own life story in his New York Times bestselling memoir.

You've seen him on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart offering up his trademark angry observational humor on everything from politics to pop culture. You've seen his energetic stand-up performances on HBO, Comedy Central, and in venues across the globe. Now, for the first time, Lewis Black translates his volcanic eruptions into book form in Nothing's Sacred, a collection of rants against stupidity and authority, which oftentimes go hand in hand.

With subversive wit and intellectual honesty, Lewis examines the events of his life that shaped his antiauthoritarian point of view and developed his comedic perspective. Growing up in 1950s suburbia when father knew best and there was a sitcom to prove it, he began to regard authority with a jaundiced eye at an early age. And as that sentiment grew stronger with each passing year, so did his ability to hone in on the absurd.

True to form, he puts common sense above ideology and distills hilarious, biting commentary on all things politically and culturally relevant. "No one is safe from Lewis Black's comic missiles." (New York Times)

You have been warned....

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Apr 1, 2005
• ISBN: 9780743551489

Lewis Black

Lewis Black is a playwright, a stand-up comedian, and a correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. His characteristic rants on the state of the nation have won him much critical praise including an American Comedy Award, a place on Entertainment Weekly¹s 50 Funniest People list, and an HBO special.

Reviews for Nothing's Sacred

[fionarobyningram · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Meet Harry Brennan, CIA officer and go-to guy on Afghanistan. When his mission in Afghanistan is aborted and he finds himself back in Washington, Harry starts digging until he finds out what everyone doesn't want him to know. And it comes as no surprise to Harry that it's all about money, or oil to be exact. As the Western world's need for oil increases, something must be done to break the stranglehold of the Arab world on oil supplies. A secret deal has been struck to get a U.S.-financed trans-Central Asian oil pipeline to the Arabian Sea built through Afghanistan and Pakistan. This scenario would bring Croesus-like wealth for the oil companies, back-channel cash to politicians and cement American political and economic supremacy in Central Asia at Russia's expense. It would also force the Afghan allies to share power with the Taliban so pipelines could be built and US troops finally withdrawn. Harry finds himself enmeshed in the double and triple cross of the relentless Washington political machine. In a surprise turn of events, Harry finds himself branded a traitor and fleeing for his life from jihadists in Afghanistan and Predator drones in Yemen, a target of his own CIA, while trying to rescue his kidnapped daughter.This is a brilliant book that is well-paced and -plotted with many interesting layers. It is clear the author has first-hand experience of the novel's politics and his encyclopedic knowledge of the turmoil of the Middle East and Afghanistan is impressive. The author has created in Harry Brennan a likeable character, with a conscience that compels him to do the right thing in a political arena where most people are doing the wrong thing. The author is a former insider and the book has undergone US government censorship, which explains the occasional `vague' patch. However, nothing can detract from this riveting read. Harry Brennan's laid-back inner monologue adds to the appeal of the author's style. Readers will also enjoy Harry's pertinent, humorous references to the books, movies, and well-known personalities of popular culture that underscore his worn, somewhat cynical take on politics. The author has an eye for detail and a style of rich description that the eager reader can feast upon. The fund-raising scene is the ultimate description of US politics devouring itself - hilarious yet frightening. Written with an underlying dry, perceptive sense of humour, I really enjoyed this book. Highly recommended. First reviewed for Readers Favorite by Fiona Ingram

[Steven Stankevitz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed listening to this because it really hits home on politics today

[addunn3 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

You learn a little about Mr. Black's early years. Interesting read, especially if you lived through the same era (the 60s-70s!).

[auntie0nanuuq · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

**************************QUOTES*************************

"Here's a little known fact: All the candy corn that was ever made was manufactured in 1904. That's because we don't eat enough of it and we throw most of it away. So the candy corn company sends out their representatives in early November to gather up all the discarded candy corn from the Dumpsters and bring it back to their factory, where they simply wash it off and bag it up again. A year later the same candy corn is on every coffee table in America."

"If religion is the opiate of the people, how come so many Jews seem more neurotic than sedated?"

"in short there are still plenty of places in this country where, in bar after bar on Saturday night, somebody will eventually stand up and say; "If a faggot came i here I'd kick his ass!" And this is what makes gays so cagey. most of them are too smart to hear that and respond, "Here I am, you savage!"

And so it goes.....I liked the part about taking responsibility for our children & their actions.... There was a few stories about his family.....

I love his intelligence, wit, humor & stories. I had a problem with some of the places he decided to use profanity, it seemed "put-on", but aside from that I enjoyed this book.

[aprilgibbs-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

If you are an avid follower of Lewis Black's comedy, you will recognize some of the stories and jokes in this book. However, the book draws an intense picture of Mr. Black's life and how he became a comedian. Through sometimes funny, sometimes obscene, and sometimes dark stories, you will gain a deeper understanding of the jokes that have become so familiar. I'd highly recommend this book to any Lewis Black fan.

[psychedelicmicrobus · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

As you read this, you feel like you're at one of Lewis Black's shows. It's written in the same voice, which I enjoyed. Good for laughs.

[loafhunter13 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

You’ve seen him on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart offering up his trademark angry observational humor on everything from politics to pop culture. Now for the first time Lewis Black translates his volcanic eruptions into book form. With subversive wit and intellectual honesty, Lewis examines the events of his life that shaped his anti-authoritarian point of view and developed his comedic perspective. Growing up in 1950s suburbia when father knew best and these was a sitcom to prove it, he began to regard authority with a jaundiced eye at an early age. And as that sentiment grew stronger with each passing year, so did his ability to hone in on the absurd. This book is a mixture of printed versions of Black’s stand-up routines and auto-biography. It works at times though his power really comes through the spoken word. Not the best comedy book ever and it does not do his comedy justice but it is interesting to get a glimpse into his formative years. An easy read but not a particularly memorable or fun one.

[andres_ferraro-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Very good. Funny.

[cbradley_77 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I love the comedy of Lewis Black and this book managed to catch most of it. The only detractor from this book is the presentation. While Lewis Black can do his material as if he is on the verge of a total meltdown, his writing doesn’t portray that same sense. The material was funny and would have been perfect if I could have pictured Lewis Black saying the words himself. Still a very good and humorous read.

[tgraettinger_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Had it's interesting moments. He's definitely a man of the 60's, and this book gave me some more insight into the man behind the act.

[akritz_2 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I expected this to be much funnier. An autobiography, but a choppy one.

[amandaso_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Daily Show's Lewis Black explains it all for you -- where he came from, who raised him, and what happened to him that got his dander up. Alternately funny and moving, Black's style is conversational and easy, and he dishes the dirt on himself without gussying it up.

[ursula_2 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Try-to-keep-from-laughing-in-public-places funny at times, but uneven.