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23rd out of 30 books
—
8 voters
New Rules
by
Bill Maher
Bill Maher is on the forefront of the new wave of comedians who have begun to influence and shape political debate through their comedy. He is best known not just for being funny, but for advocating truth over sensitivity and taking on the political establishment.
Maher first came to national attention as the host of the hit ABC-TV program "Politically Incorrect," where he...more
Maher first came to national attention as the host of the hit ABC-TV program "Politically Incorrect," where he...more
Hardcover, 304 pages
Published
July 26th 2005
by Rodale Press
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As usual - on audio book. Bill reads this and I can just imagine him sitting there on his talk show spouting his words of wisdom. Funny wisdom too.
It does get repetitive with the "new rules" being stated each time he changes topics; however, it does help keep the subjects separate. Some items are dated (and it is funny hearing him and perhaps how close he became to reality when he "predicts" what might happen).
Some laugh out loud moments, others to snicker at, and some to ponder...
Pretty good an...more
It does get repetitive with the "new rules" being stated each time he changes topics; however, it does help keep the subjects separate. Some items are dated (and it is funny hearing him and perhaps how close he became to reality when he "predicts" what might happen).
Some laugh out loud moments, others to snicker at, and some to ponder...
Pretty good an...more
Sep 09, 2007
Shelley
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
people who are not easily offended
Maher is a funny, funny man. Having said that, he frequently makes statements that I totally disagree with or even find rather offensive.
Why is he so very down on kids? Is it an easy but absurd generalization that all parents are suckers who spoil the crap out of their jaded, repellent offspring. Okay, maybe in L.A., but not everywhere. And I sincerely do not want to know what kind of nightmare marrige-from-hell Maher's parents must have had for him to be so utterly horrified by the very idea of...more
Why is he so very down on kids? Is it an easy but absurd generalization that all parents are suckers who spoil the crap out of their jaded, repellent offspring. Okay, maybe in L.A., but not everywhere. And I sincerely do not want to know what kind of nightmare marrige-from-hell Maher's parents must have had for him to be so utterly horrified by the very idea of...more
Really funny, but not for the easily offended. Bill Maher does not discriminate. He makes fun of everyone. The material is a little out of date, but still entertaining. He has a good statement on the issue of gay marriage. Progress is being made, but really, why is this an issue?
But at least the Right isn't hypocritical on this issue; they really believe that homosexuality is an "abomination" and a dysfunction that's "curable." They also believe that if a gay man just devotes his life to Jesus,...more
In the spirit of full disclosure, I am a Bill Maher fan, so read on at your own risk. This book, really just a collection of New Rules bits from the show (I think), is funny, profane and insightful, just like its author. It's a great "turn your brain off and enjoy" book with some incredibly funny observations interspersed with several shockingly cogent and piercingly insightful commentaries on contemporary life. This being said, because it's just a series of snippets, I can't say that I would be...more
I did not realize just how close my mindset is to his. When I read this book, I felt as though he pulled information out of my brain to write it! I often laughed heartily while reading it. It was very validating for me to read a book by someone with the same values as me, and realize that I am not alone in my thoughts.
How about this...
New Rule: Bill Maher has to actually find one thing in life to be happy about. This book was about seventy pages or so too long. The first fifty were occasionally humorous, somewhat witty, and usually offensive, but after two hundred plus sarcastic pages the book becomes tiresome. Bill Maher is extremely bright, insightful, and gutsy, but I sometimes wonder why he’s so mad, sarcastic, and arrogant. It is part of his persona I suppose, and it is this daring banter that probably d...more
New Rule: Bill Maher has to actually find one thing in life to be happy about. This book was about seventy pages or so too long. The first fifty were occasionally humorous, somewhat witty, and usually offensive, but after two hundred plus sarcastic pages the book becomes tiresome. Bill Maher is extremely bright, insightful, and gutsy, but I sometimes wonder why he’s so mad, sarcastic, and arrogant. It is part of his persona I suppose, and it is this daring banter that probably d...more
Bill Maher can be exceptionally entertaining, or quite annoying, often trenchant observant and funny with it, or just as likely to annoy people with misfired snark and over-egged notions. This is seen most clearly in the New Rules segment of his HBO series, Real Time, which has as many misfired gags as on-the-mark points. This book compiles a collection of those New Rules pieces, slanting it towards the better ones, but editorial focus doesn't overcome the basic issue here -- reading these in pr...more
I love Bill Maher.
I love him enough that, despite its flaws, I still managed to enjoy this book.
It came out a few years ago and is therefore a bit dated, so a lot of the pop culture references are outdated (as is the contention that Democrats can't win elections). But whereas recently, Bill has been a fighter for an honest kind of truth about our society and its problems, here he more complains and kvetches for 200 pages. He's also a little high on the bitter/sexist/intolerant meter. I can und...more
I love him enough that, despite its flaws, I still managed to enjoy this book.
It came out a few years ago and is therefore a bit dated, so a lot of the pop culture references are outdated (as is the contention that Democrats can't win elections). But whereas recently, Bill has been a fighter for an honest kind of truth about our society and its problems, here he more complains and kvetches for 200 pages. He's also a little high on the bitter/sexist/intolerant meter. I can und...more
I bought this book quite awhile ago on clearance and finally got around to reading it. At 2005, how dated could it be? Answer: Almost to the point of being unbearable. So much has happened since then, the gripes in the book seem either trite or quaint. Complaining about $2/gallon gas? Those were the days! Every other page mentions Bush, which got old fast. It was repetitive and had many cheap shots (often the same shot just worded differently).
There were some funny bits, it's not Maher's fault i...more
There were some funny bits, it's not Maher's fault i...more
Smart, mostly funny, sometimes telling, these NEW RULES for how the world out to be really would make it a better place, but people are too damn stupid to follow the new rules. These bits originated on Bill Maher HBO television program, and that is the main fault of the book. Some of the gags were timely when they were given, but are dated now. Some simply work better as a bit on TV where there is Maher's sarcastic voice to drive the text and pictures to illustrate the point. These problems are...more
I know bill maher can be a total asshole, but this book is funny. and i agree with most of what he says. so, HUZZAH!
Coffee table wankery from a liberal superstar. A few giggles, not worth the price of admission.
There's really no explanation needed here. Bill Maher is his usual witty, brilliant,and sassy self.
I love Bill Maher. He's obviously an intelligent, well-read guy, and much like Jon Stewart, he pulls no punches - liberals, conservatives, blacks, whites, gays, straights, and your average everyday idiot are all up for criticism. However, unlike Jon Stewart, his observations are brutal. His sense of humor is more grimly amusing than laugh-out-loud hilarious (although he has his moments) and, listening to this book, I found myself nodding enthusiastically in agreement with a smirk on my face. He...more
Nov 27, 2008
Erikhart Hart
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
lovers of irreverent political humor.
Recommended to Erikhart by:
The sale table at Borders
This was a phenomal night stand, just before bed, or bathroom read. Comprised of Maher’s observations and witticisms packaged as rules, just like his closing thoughts on the HBO show he stars in, many of these had me belly laughing so hard my wife thought I was having a seizure. While many will claim that Maher is just another left wing liberal politico pundit wanna be, his intellect, humor, and wry power to observe scathe both left, right and indifferent. Excellent choice for the beach, or tra...more
Meh. I agree with much of his politics and got a handful of chuckles out of it. This is pretty old so most of it is very much out of date - I thought this was the newer book when I borrowed it from the library. That'll teach me to pay closer attention. Very happy I borrowed it and didn't buy it.
Maher, much like Stephen Colbert in his I Am America, seems to equate all things gay with only men. As a lesbian, that gets pretty old. I didn't mark this down in stars because of that, it's a solid 2 st...more
Maher, much like Stephen Colbert in his I Am America, seems to equate all things gay with only men. As a lesbian, that gets pretty old. I didn't mark this down in stars because of that, it's a solid 2 st...more
New Rules works as a segment on Maher's television show but not lumped into a book or audio format with nothing else. Constant "new rule" after "new rule" became tiresome and the tone of the book was rather bitter overall. So instead of being funny, as it is on TV, it was a mad rant from an angry guy who constantly uttered "new rule". Plus, these "new rules" are largely dated and greatly impacted my enjoyment. Overall, if you're looking to have a good mood ruined this may work! I do not recommen...more
Good, but just not as good as watching the show. I enjoyed the clever little jabs at some of the more ridiculous things that surround us from the simply annoying, to the truly dangerous. The trouble is, I missed the facial expressions, the response of the crowd, Bill's response TO the crowd, especially when they disagree with him, and the visual aids that lend such an important aspect to the humor. This was still funny, and it still had some important things to say, but it's just not as good as...more
Nov 16, 2008
asteroidbuckle
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Everyone, esp. open-minded people
Shelves:
funny-satirical
I love Bill Maher. And okay, so I don't agree with everything he says, but some of the things he does say are pretty effing spot-on.
I picked this book up today off the bargain books table at my local bookstore and read it in one sitting. It was easy to do because: a) it's an easy read and b) it was so entertaining. I found myself laughing out loud several times.
Bill Maher is not a Christian conservative Republican. Neither am I, which is why I enjoyed this book. If you are a Christian conservati...more
I picked this book up today off the bargain books table at my local bookstore and read it in one sitting. It was easy to do because: a) it's an easy read and b) it was so entertaining. I found myself laughing out loud several times.
Bill Maher is not a Christian conservative Republican. Neither am I, which is why I enjoyed this book. If you are a Christian conservati...more
it was okay. some of the little blurbs were scathing and funny, some were just harsh. some didn't mean much out of the 2005 context being a political commentary kind of book. a whole alphabet of "new rules" some of which don't sound like rules at all. comments on our social subjectivity and political polarity, not all funny but some that were: exceptional. excellent mind, good wit; not a great book, even as a gift. if i'd received it as a gift i would wonder what my "friend" was trying to tell m...more
One of the books that are read in one session.
Profane, cruel, politically incorrect, hilarious, intelligent, and thoroughly entertaining. The variety of the topics keeps it from being redundant and gives the reader a good laugh. In general, this was a pretty good book. With that being said, you may want to reconsider reading it if you're easily offended, like NASCAR, or think President Bush is intelligent. Maher is as shocking as they get and if you're easily offended, he's not your guy.
Profane, cruel, politically incorrect, hilarious, intelligent, and thoroughly entertaining. The variety of the topics keeps it from being redundant and gives the reader a good laugh. In general, this was a pretty good book. With that being said, you may want to reconsider reading it if you're easily offended, like NASCAR, or think President Bush is intelligent. Maher is as shocking as they get and if you're easily offended, he's not your guy.
The book is composed of hundreds of "new rules" the author made up based on his opinions on current/past affairs. (No coherent stories). To enjoy this book, one needs to be prepared to treat some "new rules" as pure joke (the author's attempt to be funny, and they often are funny) to not get offended, and at the same time, to be prepared to be deadly serious about some other "new rules" that challenge the abnormal phenomena of the society. Be ware, the author is quite liberal.
I have been souring on Bill Maher for awhile, particularly after his recent comments criticizing vaccination, but I think this book finally did it for me. He includes a blurb condemning breastfeeding in public, which I think is a low blow. I'm not political about it, but I breastfed my son and will breastfeed my daughter, and think that his outrage over breastfeeding in public is poor choice for his rage. You should probably stick to the political comedy, Bill, but I won't be watching anyway.
I think this is probably better on audiobook. Real Time is a show I never miss and some of his New Rules are hilarious, others not so much. This is a bit dated, but it's interesting to see how prophetic he was about so many things, especially how the massive spending by Bush/Cheney on Iraq and what it eventually led to. I would probably not buy another New Rules book though. I'd be better off buying the Real Time seasons on DVD perhaps. Love Bill Maher, he's fearless!
This came out a long time ago but I've been watching Maher for a long time so I'm assume I'll enjoy it. The format is perfect for ahem... bathroom reading.
This was awesome. Bill Maher hates a lot of things but really he's on a crusade against things that just don't make sense like Andy Rooney or (gag) John Stossel. Can anyone begrudge him that? Yes he's a liberal (if he wasn't I probably wouldn't be reading his book) and yes he does go on about the conservatives but he dishes it out to both par...more
This was awesome. Bill Maher hates a lot of things but really he's on a crusade against things that just don't make sense like Andy Rooney or (gag) John Stossel. Can anyone begrudge him that? Yes he's a liberal (if he wasn't I probably wouldn't be reading his book) and yes he does go on about the conservatives but he dishes it out to both par...more
I usually love Bill Maher, but I really didn't enjoy this book so much. First off, Bill's material is very current and contemporary. Because this was written six years ago, the jokes really were pretty dated. Secondly, I listened to this book on my iPod and although Maher himself narrated, his delivery was so laid back - so very different than when he rants the New Rules on Politically Incorrect. It was a little underwhelming.
I would have liked this even more had I read it closer to its 2005 release, as a lot of the small bite-sized tidbits didn't age very well. Then again, had I got it new and paid full price, I probably would have been disappointed with how little content there was. As it is, finding this for $1 at a used book sale provided a quick, enjoyable read and plenty of laugh out loud moments thanks to Maher's signature biting wit.
Bill Maher managed to make a book out of his hilarious "New Rules" segment from his show, "Real Time With Bill Maher". Not only do you laugh a lot from reading this book, but you learn things about celebrities, politics and world issues as well. Him and his writing staff prove themselves to be brilliant when it comes to comedy. Arranged in alphabetical order of topics, this book is a great and funny read.
This collection of "New Rules" highlight some of the best from the show "Real Time" as well as some that have never aired. As Maher questions the state of the Nation he causes the reader to pause in order to mull over questions he raises as well as to laugh.
You might not always agree with what he says, but you will be entertained.
Find this book at Kennedy Library
You might not always agree with what he says, but you will be entertained.
Find this book at Kennedy Library
I like Bill Maher. I like his humor and I like his politics. So I was looking forward to reading something by him. The humor in this book did not disappoint me but it had a problem a lot of these books by comedians has. It reads like excerpts from his stand-up routine. For that, it deserves at least three stars but I was hoping for something a little more substantial than a collection of one liners.
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William Maher, Jr., is an American comedian, actor, writer, and producer. He hosted the late-night television talk show Politically Incorrect on Comedy Central and ABC, and is currently the host of Real Time with Bill Maher on HBO. On June 1, 2006, he also began hosting an Internet-exclusive talk show on Amazon.com entitled Amazon Fishbowl.
Maher is known for his political satire and sociopolitical...more
More about Bill Maher...
Maher is known for his political satire and sociopolitical...more
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“New Rule: Gay marriage won't lead to dog marriage. It is not a slippery slope to rampant inter-species coupling. When women got the right to vote, it didn't lead to hamsters voting. No court has extended the equal protection clause to salmon. And for the record, all marriages are “same sex” marriages. You get married, and every night, it's the same sex.”
—
114 people liked it
“Let's make a law that gay people can have birthdays, but straight people get more cake--you know, to send the right message to kids.”
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90 people liked it
More quotes…
Jun 09, 2010 07:17pm