Few comics make the transition from stage to page as smoothly or successfully as George Carlin. Brain Droppings spent a total of 40 weeks on the Ne...
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Mar 08, 2009
Jim
rated it: 
I'm listened to the audio book edition, read by Carlin himself. Since so much of his humor relies on the delivery, I think this was the best way to appreciate it. I am going to try to read his book, When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops? & I'll see how that goes.
The book is really just a bunch of his regular comedic material. His lists of things that piss him off, him tearing apart various sayings or making fun of people. It was good to listen to at the end of a frustrating day. More...
The book is really just a bunch of his regular comedic material. His lists of things that piss him off, him tearing apart various sayings or making fun of people. It was good to listen to at the end of a frustrating day. More...
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Jul 16, 2010
Jonny99
rated it:
Recycled gold. In 2008 George Carlin faced something he rarely faced in his stand-up comedy career – dying. Put simply Carlin was, to borrow Muhammad Ali’s phrase, the greatest of all time. No other stand-up comic was able to elicit laughs from audience across six decades or was as much a master of the full range of stand-up comedy types. Carlin did observational humor better than Seinfeld, shock humor better than the equally deceased Sam Kinison, ranting topical humor better than the now Re
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Jul 12, 2010
Evan
rated it:
This book proves, to me anyway, that there is something to be said for editorial selection. When Carlin (a hero of mine, btw) was on stage, he -- like all comics -- had to pare it down the essentials: the tried-and-true tested stuff that he knew would get the laughs. His routines were honed gemlike and glittering with gems. No filler, no fat, no "brain droppings," as it were.
There are a million laughs and "ah ha! touche'" moments in this book, almost literally, b More...
There are a million laughs and "ah ha! touche'" moments in this book, almost literally, b More...
Feb 17, 2010
Nicholas
rated it: 
Okay, I think I should write more because honestly, when am I going to write about Carlin again? I don't think that many colleges accept dissertations on comedians but hey, if they do, I have a kick ass one in the works.
So I don't really remember the first time I heard George Carlin's stand-up, some time looooong ago, but the earliest I recall is when my dad got a double-cd collection of his stand-up and put it on when we went to the drive-in theater (who still does that?). I was in More...
So I don't really remember the first time I heard George Carlin's stand-up, some time looooong ago, but the earliest I recall is when my dad got a double-cd collection of his stand-up and put it on when we went to the drive-in theater (who still does that?). I was in More...
Dec 26, 2009
Loyd
rated it:
Carlin was a master of words, which is his blessing and curse. It's impossible to imagine comedians such as Mitch Hedberg and Steven Wright existing without Carlin's example. Brain Droppings is a "greatest hits" of classic observations, such as "The Difference Between Baseball and and Football" and "A Place for My Stuff." But it also is an endless list of oxymorons, tricky wordplay and quirks of language that are hilarious in small doses, but can get tedious when co
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Oct 23, 2011
David
rated it: 
Huge fan of George Carlin's stand-up comedy; in fact, he's in my top three. But Brain Droppings was a letdown, of sorts. The ideas and witticisms presented by Carlin were too inconsistent, meaning there were far more "sighs" than laugh-out-loud moments. Having read the book more than a decade after its release may have played into this as well, considering many of the references are quite dated (pagers, fax machines, Dukakis, etc.)
If you're a die-hard Carlin fan and must co More...
If you're a die-hard Carlin fan and must co More...
Jan 05, 2011
Christ
rated it: 
I greatly enjoyed this book. George Carlin was one of my favorite comedians, and I was so disappointed and upset when he died in 2008. There aren’t too many books that I really take a lot of time into reading. This is a book that you can read in small increments, and put down and be satisfied, and pick it right back up 20 minutes later. This is just a notebook of all of George Carlins best observations on life. Each one just as funny, if not funnier, than the last. George Carlin really makes yo
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Aug 05, 2011
Christian
rated it:
I like Carlin, I really do. But this book was a big disappointment. There are some small essays that are really good, despite often being not originally new material, things you've heard him say before. They're still fun. But most of the rest is comprised of one-liners, lists of words, list of fictional book-titles, sometimes an eyebrow is raised, sometimes a smile is just around the corner, but the book isn't as good as it is made to be. Maybe I had entirely wrong ideas what the book would be,
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Aug 29, 2009
dara
rated it:
A PLACE FOR YOUR STUFF:
Hi! How are ya? You got your stuff with you? I'll bet you do. Guys have stuff in their pockets; women have stuff in their purses. Of course, some women have pockets, and some guys have purses. That's okay. There's all different ways of carryin' your stuff.More...
Then there's all the stuff you have in your car. You got stuff in the trunk. Lotta different stuff: spare tire, jack, tools, old blanket, extra pair of sneakers. Just in case you wind up barefoot o
Aug 20, 2011
Ed
rated it:
I grabbed "Brain Droppings" out of my bookcase for something to read while waiting for a friend who is always late.
It is now a few days later and I have postponed finishing the book I was reading so I could finish this one - great plot, absorbing characters, riveting dialogue, can't wait to see the movie. (And if you believe that, Carlin is not for you.)
Carlin, who died recently, was, in my opinion, one of the funniest people around. I happened to catch him at one More...
It is now a few days later and I have postponed finishing the book I was reading so I could finish this one - great plot, absorbing characters, riveting dialogue, can't wait to see the movie. (And if you believe that, Carlin is not for you.)
Carlin, who died recently, was, in my opinion, one of the funniest people around. I happened to catch him at one More...
Jul 28, 2008
Rachel
rated it:
My roomates had this book back in 2001. I read a few pages in the middle, including the part about the very strange phoneomenon known as sleeping, and ever since then, I always wanted to get it from the library and read the whole thing.
Well, finally, I DID! I liked it ... I got a kick out of George Carlin's in your face, irreverent style of humor. I laughed out loud in lots of parts and was bored but dutifully reading on in other parts ... pretty much what I expected from a 258-pa More...
Well, finally, I DID! I liked it ... I got a kick out of George Carlin's in your face, irreverent style of humor. I laughed out loud in lots of parts and was bored but dutifully reading on in other parts ... pretty much what I expected from a 258-pa More...
Aug 07, 2007
Eric
rated it:
With a career length approaching a half-century, the most consisent standup still working here "drops" many of his musings into book form. In this brisk read, the great Carlin riffs on everything from the "true" meanings of certain words to his traditional targets: religion, sexual chess, and the cult of celebrity.
My personal favorite gag from the book was taken from one of his more recent standup routines, in which he remarks that he would love to see a Pope t More...
My personal favorite gag from the book was taken from one of his more recent standup routines, in which he remarks that he would love to see a Pope t More...
Jun 07, 2011
Still reading, but I have to say what a profound effect George Carlin has had in my life. I know, its cheesy, but its true. My dad introduced me to George when I was 9. Good parenting decision? Probably not. My first record was "What am I doing in New Jersey?" Actual vinyl LOL. George changed my relationship with words forever. It impacts my life every single day...and not just because I have potty mouth....
The day he died I sat down and wept like a baby.
The day he died I sat down and wept like a baby.
Dec 19, 2008
Michelle
rated it:
This book induced absolutely hysterical laughing fits, so much that the other people in my house would come to check on me and make sure I was alright, only to have my hilarity spread to them without even hearing more than one or two words, which was all I could get out before cracking up again.
My husband and I saw Carlin do stand-up about 5 years ago, and he was great, but this book is AWESOME!!! If you like Carlin, read it.
My husband and I saw Carlin do stand-up about 5 years ago, and he was great, but this book is AWESOME!!! If you like Carlin, read it.
Aug 23, 2007
Holly
rated it:
"Humor lovers with an open mind." Okay, what I mean is that this book has TONS of funny, but it also has tons of bad language and some rather shocking assertions by Carlin.
That said, I did not agree with every single observation he makes of the world. BUT, and this is a big but--he has A LOT of very smart, true, thinker observations about what is ludicrous in human behavior and society. So, you have to weed out the things he says for sensational effect (and though I'm sur More...
That said, I did not agree with every single observation he makes of the world. BUT, and this is a big but--he has A LOT of very smart, true, thinker observations about what is ludicrous in human behavior and society. So, you have to weed out the things he says for sensational effect (and though I'm sur More...
Mar 04, 2010
Justin
rated it:
Spurred by my recent reading of his "sorta-biography" Last Words, I've been on something of a George Carlin kick. Brain Droppings is hilarious and really highlights Carlin's mastery of, and extreme fascination with, the written word. It has some of his classic bits - "Baseball vs. Football," "A Place for My Stuff," etc - and tons of short jokes, stories, musings, and attacks on society. I thought it was fantastic.
Aug 21, 2011
Ryan
rated it:
If you're going to get one book by Carlin... make it this one. Fast, funny and random--and if it offends you, loosen up! it's only "language". If you're going to get all of them--get his 3+ book collection 'An Orgy of George' with stuff (or shit) not in the others. Rest in peace George, you will be greatly missed. You were someone I looked up to and helped me laugh to see past the darker times in life.
Feb 29, 2008
Manussawee
rated it:
"I like to look at tattoo on people; I think they're cool. But I would never get one. I always thought it was a bad idea to let some guy draw a picture on me that'll probably never come off. Ya know? I'm conservative on this one. Not only the thin never comes off, but it hurts to put it on, and you gotta pay the guy. Plus if you do wanna take it off, it hurts again, and you gotta pay the guy again.
So I never got a tattoo. But had some good ideas. I was gonna get dotted lin More...
So I never got a tattoo. But had some good ideas. I was gonna get dotted lin More...
Jun 16, 2011
Brian
rated it:
I was on vacation and wanted a book that I could read a little at a time and not be stuck reading the whole book if I didn't want to. This is the book for that.
Good book with a lot of witty truthful pieces of wisdom written in a funny way. It does contain a lot of profanity which lowers its star rating in my book but it is purely George Carlin and probably wouldn't be half as good without it.
Good book with a lot of witty truthful pieces of wisdom written in a funny way. It does contain a lot of profanity which lowers its star rating in my book but it is purely George Carlin and probably wouldn't be half as good without it.
Feb 10, 2011
Kat
rated it:
I've been on a bit of a comedy roll lately, so I purchased this one because I really like Carlin's live stuff and this audiobook won the Grammy for Best Spoken Comedy Album in 2001. "How could it go wrong?" I figured. I should have known that thought was a bad sign. The book ended up being rather disjointed, and I could definitely tell that it was an abridged work. I can't imagine what the rest of the Spoken Comedy field was in 2001 if this was the best of the bunch.
Feb 08, 2011
William
rated it:
Yet another hilarious book by a man I consider to be the funniest man of this century. His observations on everyday life are hysterical, and at the same time seem to make a whole lot of sense. I laughed so hard at some of the one liners in this book, that I was actually thrown out of class. If you are a fan of Carlin's stand-up this is definitely a book for you.
Oct 10, 2011
Miguel
rated it:
I've read 4 George Carlin books... This was the first book of his that I read and I instantly fell in love with him... The dude is mad funny and a genius at the same time... He gave me the courage to be an atheist!!!
Read this book, they dont make comedians like this anymore... and he is from Washington Heights!!!
Read this book, they dont make comedians like this anymore... and he is from Washington Heights!!!
Jan 28, 2008
Johnsergeant
rated it:
Downloaded from Audible.com
Narrator: George Carlin
Publisher: HighBridge Audio, 2001
Length: 2 hours 30 min.
Grammy Award Winner, Best Spoken Word Comedy Album, 2001
Publisher's Summary
The thinking person's comic who uses words as weapons, George Carlin shares all-new, cutting-edge opinion and observational humor in this best seller. Carlin demolishes everyday values and leaves you laughing out loud. Learn what he thinks of sports fans, how he would impro More...
Narrator: George Carlin
Publisher: HighBridge Audio, 2001
Length: 2 hours 30 min.
Grammy Award Winner, Best Spoken Word Comedy Album, 2001
Publisher's Summary
The thinking person's comic who uses words as weapons, George Carlin shares all-new, cutting-edge opinion and observational humor in this best seller. Carlin demolishes everyday values and leaves you laughing out loud. Learn what he thinks of sports fans, how he would impro More...
Oct 07, 2010
Dan
rated it:
Classic Carlin - and what a nice guy. I got to meet him back in my bookstore days up in DC when he came for a book signing. He actually had to re-schedule the signing due to his wife's unexpected death. When he did come all of his fans were so great & many brought him flowers & cards.
Mar 04, 2011
Tom
rated it:
The usual George Carlin. Much in the vein of Napalm and Silly Putty, this is mostly his superb stand-up style of narrative (a bit more verbose and enriching in book format) but there's still some filler.
There were alot of thought-provoking gem quotes that I didn't recall from any of his specials in this one. The kind that utilize just the right mix of cleverness, wordplay, and preaching to make you feel like you're in the presence of a master.
It's probably like $6 in the More...
There were alot of thought-provoking gem quotes that I didn't recall from any of his specials in this one. The kind that utilize just the right mix of cleverness, wordplay, and preaching to make you feel like you're in the presence of a master.
It's probably like $6 in the More...
Oct 06, 2010
Wednesday
rated it:
Hmm, I like George Carlin for the most part. Some truly insightful hilarity mixed with garbage, seems hard to believe that part of this got through editing. There were times when I felt paraembarassment at what supposedly passed for humor. Other times - much too much of bitter cynicism which displayed an aching human heart. I would have appreciated the honest of vulnerability more often than not, but it comes through and the contribution is unique and irreplaceable. Peace out, George - I'm glad
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Dec 20, 2011
Rakan
rated it:
The usual. Carlin being hilarious and all. I find it hard to rate his books though. I recommend When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops? over this one.
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Jan 22, 2012
Drew
rated it:
I haven't read very many of George Carlin's books, but I've seen most of his stand-ups. This seems to be a good blend of all of his best bits. He has a whole section on oxymorons and redundancies. He has a few longer bits that are pretty solid too.
Apr 03, 2011
Sharon
rated it:
Somewhere in heaven George Carlin is giving God hell or else somewhere in hell George Carlin is bedeviling Lucifer. I miss his bitting wit, astute observations of human behavior and his general irreverance for things usually revered by others.
Nov 04, 2009
I like George Carlin. People could say this book of complaints is not worth reading. But anything that makes me laugh out loud is good enough for me. Plus, I had no idea being strung out on cocaine could be so amusing...
