You Can Do It!: Speak Your Mind, America

by Rob Schneider

A searing and hilarious commentary on woke culture in America from the legendary comedian, actor, and Emmy-nominated SNL writer. Rob Schneider’s childhood in the San Francisco Bay area with parents of mixed-race backgrounds shaped his view of the that America afforded the greatest opportunity for peoples from all nations and all faiths. Now, Rob keeps finding himself in controversy in Hollywood for expressing a few commonsense opinions about what woke ideology is doing to our great nation.

With humor, Schneider takes on the current neoliberal authoritarians in America and argues we are living under a new kind of tyranny, with provocative commentary on the new threats to free speech, the fight for medical freedoms, climate change hysteria and, of course, Hunter Biden. As Rob says, "I am a traditional liberal which makes me a right-wing fascist now!" In this debut book, Rob also touches on his unique experience in show business and Saturday Night Live for the first time, like what he learned from Academy Award winning actors Christopher Walken and Martin Landau to the 27 films he made with Adam Sandler. He tells untold stories too, like seeing an eleven year old boy, Macauley Culken, be the bread winner for his large family and Sylvester Stallone calling him to hire him for a movie, saying, "Joe Pesci wants 5 million dollars. You're cheaper!" Rob Schneider refuses to be censored. This hilarious book is both for longtime fans of Schneider and readers looking for a true critique of woke culture before it destroys the America we love. 

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Humor, Politics, Memoir, History

256 pages, Paperback

First published September 24, 2024

Reviews

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent read. Rob Schneider wrote a good book about our failing woke culture and the lies and damage that has been done by blindly following along with those who do not have our best interests at heart.

This book is a must read for anyone who was not given any education into the history of our world, especially the horrors that tyrants have brought. All of this I learned when I was growing up, but it is totally lost for the last couple of generations and that was by design.

This book is also very funny. Rob is after all, a comedian, and a good one. I laughed a lot and I had a hard time putting the book down. May it be passed on to someone who needs to read it and may many pick it up.

[Wil · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book if you are Anti woke in politics.

[Gohnar23 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Its sooooo underwhelming, it feels like a low budget commentary book about current popular political issues, nothin adding anything new, the mini stories he wrote a little bit on the side if the chapters are boring and I'm just sitting here waiting for the book to end.

[Clayton Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rob Schneider’s You Can Do It is both very funny and bold which is refreshing in an era of woke censorship. Schneider doesn’t hold back at all and he doesn't pull any punches. He reminded me why, now more than ever, we need more fearless comedic voices like his to knock down the absurd liberal walls that have been erected over the past 10 years in America.

Don't buy the paper version of this book I think the audiobook, narrated by Schneider himself, is hands down the best way to experience this book. His delivery, timing, and personality bring every story and joke to life in a way the written word just can’t match. He's a comedian, and it feels like you've been invited to one of his shows or just sitting down with him over a cocktail, laughing and learning along the way. The audiobook for the win!

If you’re sick and tired of overly sanitized entertainment or woke shit being shoved down your throat this is a must-listen. Also, watch his interview on Tucker Carlson's channel. It's fantastic.

[Kymberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely not what I was expecting but it was so nice to hear someone from Hollywood speaking the truth. My favorite line from Water Boy "You Can Do It!" Which I use with his character voice to encourage my loved ones and even strangers. As a former liberal myself I never understood shutting down someone else's freedom of speech. Although, some may say he is too crude; I would have to say I'm grateful for his honesty towards the issues. Some may say Hollywood needs to keep their mouth's shut; I say let them have the same freedoms we do. As well, let ideas intelligent and dumb ideas be heard and spoken about. Although I may disagree on a few points of his book I have to say I'm impressed with his intellect, wisdom, and balls. Thanks man! We appreciate you!!

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was good. It was crude which didn’t care for but he expressed my thoughts. He has interesting facts and footnotes that aren’t in a lot of books. He has family and works in the real world not separate. He expressed so many of the same thoughts I had or have. Worth the read and yes a reread.

[Chris Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tremendous read! Don't judge the book by its cover. Please read it yourself. I was completely entertained from the very first page.

[Dylan Hodge · Rating 1 out of 5]

This could be one of the worst books I’ve read in a very long time. This is what happens when a guy who isn’t funny strikes it rich with their much funnier friend, and falls off the deep end. He blames woke culture and COVID for his downfall. I don’t think celebrities should talk about their political beliefs, frankly bc no one gives a shit.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend. Smart and funny as hell. Rob hit it out of the park with this one!

[Sue Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spot on about covid and how the government handled it. Doctors and scientists were silenced and forced to keep
Quiet. This was refreshing

[Tim Heise · Rating 5 out of 5]

A surprisingly well written book.

[Rebecca Sarjoo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why was this in the humor section at Barnes and nobles?

It should’ve been in the politics section *rolls eyes*

Not a single laugh, jokes seemed forced.

[Haylee Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I don’t agree with Rob on everything, he does make some really good—and often hilarious—points. It’s good to listen to things you don’t always align with yo learn and broaden your perspectives.

[Amanda Fragale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always been a fan of Rob Schneider and his wide variety of characters from SNL and his movie career. Glad I got to see him perform his stand up as it gave more insight into his viewpoint on comedians and their role in society especially in regards to free speech. Quick, well written read wasn't expecting.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I am not a great fan of Rob Schneider's humor or movies, I found his book of interest. He hits on all of the current topics in today's culture unafraid to speak his mind and to provide the opposing views from the woke culture.

[Shaina Goodson Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious. Insightful. Well researched. I know this won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but Rob’s comedic view point is so refreshing. All speech is free speech.

[Lindi · Rating 3 out of 5]

More political/social commentary than a memoir, however his narration of the audiobook was a hilarious experience. Rob Schneider truly leaned into his genre through insane accents and interpretations, crass jokes, and calling out other comedians consistently, particularly David Spade. I guess after almost 50 years of friendship, he gets the right to do that, and it was very entertaining. It was fun learning of Rob Schneider’s early experience in Hollywood and fame: his SNL career, friendships with other comedians, and even behind the scenes moments on filming Fifty First Dates. However, that all lasted for about the first half while the second focused predominantly on today’s political and social culture. Don’t get me wrong, that’s always interesting hearing people’s perspectives—and I was aware going into this that he would talk about that—but I did begin to miss hearing more about his life and experiences.

[Tiffany · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 50%.

I blame my inability to finish Schneider's book not on him but on my own misguided hopes of finding a politically and socially moderate voice of reason from the star of The Hot Chick.

I picked up Schneider's book because I have developed a mindset that I suspect is much more common than we have yet admitted: I'm a former devoted liberal who is going through a political and social identity crisis.

America had stopped making sense to me in many different ways and when I look around I feel like I'm being gaslit (to use a trendy term) into feeling like I'm a) crazy, or b) a racist transphobic entitled white person.

When I try to voice what I believe are reasonable questions to current events I am berated by social conservatives ("You're just believing everything the liberal media tells you!") and social liberals ("What are you? A conspiracy therorist?") alike.

My answer to both groups: calm down. I'm just over here trying to be a reasonable human being in a time of extremely rapid change and conflicting information. The two opposing groups slinging mud at each other over my head are only making me grow more despondent to either point of view.

There has to be many many more people within this camp and we have all become so gun shy from being screamed at from the extreme ends of the ever increasing polarization of America.

The fact that I hoped I would find a comrad in Rob Schneider was perhaps an obvious error in judgment in my part.

Schneider brings up many interesting talking points but then quickly skips off on a tangent that escalates feom 0 to 60 in a few short minutes and then he never finishes the point he was apparently trying to make in the first place.

I would have loved to have his comic voice and satirical take on these issues but with a more concise, thorough narrative with periodic research or sources being cited. I found this not to be the case in this book.

I remain in the moderate middle. Quiet and afraid to speak, despite Schneider's initial cheerleading in his title.

[Melissa Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rob did really well with this. Read it in one day. This book is well written, he’s done a lot of research, and knows his stuff. It was refreshing to listen to a celebrity that isn’t “woke” for once. He didn’t fall into the Covid bullshit scare and talks about censorship and how easy it is to silence people you don’t agree with. Comedians used to be funny, and could joke about whatever they wanted to. Now they have to fall in line and only joke about things that are allowed, or they get “canceled”. He also talks about how F’d the government is and how easy it is to get people to fall in line, and follow “authority figures”.
I actually learned a lot listening to his history lessons and stories in the book. It was informative, and yet funny. Great job, Rob!

[Tyler Trotter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was truly and pleasantly surprised about this book. I listened to the audiobook and it was great to hear the passion in Rob's voice, along with hearing and understanding the jabs and jokes throughout the book. I am definitely buying a physical copy of the book and will be placing it on my bookshelf. I don't agree with everything Rob talks about and I would really like a list of citations for his sources (will update review if they're in the physical copy) but he raises many good points. I am a Gen Z'r born in 2000 and I grew up watching and loving everything Rob was in. I voted for Trump every year (except 2016 because I was too young but I would've if I could've) so I obviously have a right leaning bias with political issues, but I would still recommend the book to people who lean left. Rob goes against the grain on so many issues that have been forced down the throats of all Americans. It's inspiring to hear someone stand up against the mob and I hope this book helps people to stand up and start asking questions instead of going back to scrolling through tiktok and letting government overreach slowly take away our rights while massive private companies lie to our faces then turn our health and wellness into profit margins. You don't have to be a conspiracy theorist to understand things are getting out of hand and to do something about it. Ask questions, inspire civil discussion, and talk to people that disagree with you then shake their hand and move on peacefully. Thank you Rob for being the voice we needed.

[Matthew DiGiacomo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rob is truly one of the most underrated comedians. He certainly did his research writing this book. A lot of cited material that he puts in layman’s terms. He says what we are all thinking of the craziness that has gone on in this world. His stories about Sandler, Farley, and McDonald were truly hilarious. I also recommend listening to him read the audiobook, as his impressions of other people and his funny way of telling a story makes the book that much more enjoyable! I went in not knowing what to think about this book and finished it being very satisfied. A true SNL legend that has this guy “wanting more juice, eh”

[Sabrina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping for more of a memoir-esque book but instead I got Schneider's political pov.
I felt some things were addressed but others were not and a significant amount of time of this book was spent complaining about COVID and vaccinations. I understand that there are many views of both of these things and that is ok. I would have enjoyed a range of more topics and more about his personal life. The snippets he gives of his personal life are the best parts of the book for me.

[Yvette · Rating 1 out of 5]

0⭐️ I was so excited to read Rob’s story. Being Filipino myself, I was sure I’d love his story. I had to DNF due to his dive into political conspiracy theories and how he was some sort of comedic messiah by continuing to “perform” during Covid restrictions. I’m so sad about this one, and I NEVER DNF books. I just can’t continue with this one.

[Andrew Morrow · Rating 1 out of 5]

A long anti vax rant.

[Bradley Rhotenberry · Rating 1 out of 5]

Subject material aside the logic (or lack there of) in this book is nearly impossible to follow.

[Jung · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rob Schneider’s "You Can Do It!: Speak Your Mind, America" is a bold defense of free speech and a personal exploration of resilience in an increasingly polarized world. Drawing from his life experiences and family legacy, Schneider argues that open dialogue is not just a right but a responsibility. He believes that societal progress depends on challenging norms, questioning authority, and embracing uncomfortable truths.

Schneider’s outlook was shaped by his parents, whose resilience and moral courage left an indelible mark on his values. His mother, Pilar, endured immense hardship during World War II in the Philippines, losing family members and facing the brutal realities of war. Yet, she maintained an unwavering belief in the promise of America, inspiring Schneider’s optimism and faith in personal freedom. His father, Marvin, quietly defied racism in 1950s San Francisco by renting homes to African American families in neighborhoods resistant to integration. Marvin’s steady commitment to justice taught Schneider the importance of standing up for what’s right, even when it comes at a personal cost.

In the book, Schneider explores the pervasive influence of self-censorship, which he considers one of the greatest threats to free expression today. Unlike external censorship, self-censorship stems from fear—fear of backlash, offending others, or facing social and professional consequences. Schneider, reflecting on his career in comedy, laments how this fear stifles creativity and allows absurd ideas to go unchallenged. He believes that comedians and artists, once society’s truth-tellers, are now retreating from their role, undermining the critical dialogue necessary for cultural growth.

A significant portion of the book critiques the role of Big Tech in shaping public discourse. Schneider argues that companies like Google, Facebook, and Twitter use algorithms to manipulate information, subtly influencing how people think, vote, and engage with the world. He cites research on how search engines can sway voter preferences as evidence of the danger posed by such concentrated power. For Schneider, this control over the flow of information threatens democracy by narrowing the range of voices and ideas accessible to the public.

Schneider also confronts cancel culture, reflecting on his personal experiences with public backlash and professional fallout for questioning mainstream narratives during the COVID-19 pandemic. He shares anecdotes about being labeled a conspiracy theorist and facing ridicule for his critiques of pandemic policies and vaccine mandates. For Schneider, cancel culture doesn’t just punish dissent—it erodes the creative and intellectual diversity necessary for societal progress. He laments the transformation of late-night comedy into a partisan echo chamber, where applause often replaces laughter and dissenting views are unwelcome.

The book delves into the importance of skepticism in science and medicine, areas where Schneider believes dissenting voices are increasingly silenced. He discusses how questioning consensus is vital for scientific progress, warning against equating consensus with certainty. Drawing parallels to historical scientific mistakes, he argues that open dialogue in fields like medicine and climate science is essential for innovation and truth.

Ultimately, Schneider calls on readers to resist conformity and embrace the discomfort of speaking their minds. He sees free speech as a collective duty, urging individuals to challenge societal norms and question prevailing narratives. By fostering open dialogue and defending diverse perspectives, Schneider believes we can preserve creativity, liberty, and the integrity of public discourse.

"You Can Do It!" is both a personal manifesto and a rallying cry for free expression. It challenges readers to think critically about the forces shaping modern society and to take an active role in defending their freedoms. Whether readers agree with Schneider’s views or not, the book invites reflection and debate on the future of speech, creativity, and individuality in a changing world.

[Robert Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a weird sort of a book and it’s a bit difficult to pin down exactly what it’s all about. The subtitle tells America to “speak your mind,” which fits precisely with one of the book’s fundamental theses; namely, that free speech has been under siege lately and is not only worth defending but essential to defend. That more sociopolitical point competes for page space throughout the book with the author’s memoirs beginning with his family’s history before he was born and spanning his career in show business and beyond.

Both are interesting subjects, though one might expect fitting them into the same book (and not a terribly long book at that) might be akin to squaring the circle. Somehow, though, Schneider manages to pull it off and the book reads as a coherent whole rather than a mere collection of disjointed thoughts.

Because of when it was written, it may come as no surprise to anyone that the Covid pandemic dominates a lot of the political arguments (though the book does veer into other territory as well), so it may be that five or ten years down the road, many of the book’s points might seem out of date and a relic of our own particularly confusing half-decade. And I’m sure many readers will take issue with plenty of the author’s ancillary political points even if they find themselves in complete agreement with his fundamental argument about the importance of free expression, particularly in the political sphere. Fair enough. I certainly don’t agree with everything he’s written, either. But I do appreciate the importance of being able to have those debates openly and I commend Mr. Schneider for defending the role of comedians as the essential court jesters who can make controversial ideas more palatable through laughter.

As for comedy itself, there are some laugh out loud funny moments in the book, but it’s not AS funny overall as his purely comedic work. He has a serious message which he’s happy to deliver in humorous form, but sometimes the seriousness of his point does mean the jokes have to take a back seat. In that way, it’s not quite the book I expected to read, but I’m nevertheless glad I did.

The writing style is fun, light, and conversational, which serves well. Some awkward turns of phrase probably should have been caught by the editors and made me have to re-read a few passages. I think the goal was to present the text in the same style as a stand-up comedy routine, and it’s mostly successful, but there are those few places where I think the different media just require a different style of writing.

Overall, though, I’m quite happy with this book. A couple awkward sentences and a few points of political disagreement don’t significantly detract from a delightful yet thought provoking reading experience.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Center Street publishing sent me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I honestly loved this book. Rob Schneider does an excellent job balancing his background with SNL anecdotes and his political beliefs. I never got bored (as sometimes happens with “edutainment” type books) and I literally laughed out loud numerous times. Even though I was given a copy, I used an Audible credit for the audio to hear Schneider read the book himself (and so my audiobook-only husband would read it).
Schneider is very spot on with the political and cultural climate of today. I love that he included past government indiscretions to show that all of these issues have just snowballed through the decades.
I also loved his take on the “scamdemic”!
It was fun reading about all his celebrity acquaintances and, although the book is (unsurprisingly) profanity laden, it still does an excellent job of getting the point across, especially about the importance of free speech.
Many of the politically-focused chapters seemed to echo the great “Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death” speech by Patrick Henry.
I’m not sure Rob Schneider is a modern-day Patrick Henry, but this book is definitely worth the read!!

[Natali · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't have high expectations of this book but if I had, he would have blown them all away. I bought this because I think he is a funny presence on X. I had no idea he was so clever!

Schneider does a beautiful job laying out how traditional liberals have been jettisoned by the new war-loving, censorship-loving, illiberal and intolerant religious left. Traditional liberals love questions and free speech and open dialogue and are weary of big government. The new left hates all of that. He lays out cautionary tales about speech suppression that lead to social oppression and he does so with humor, although he is clearly a very erudite person. I laughed when he said that nowadays, you are either in the liberal box or Mussolini's box.

There is so much here. It's really worth picking up this book and I echo my husband's admonition that the audiobook is a real treat since he reads it himself. It made me so glad to live in a world where people who are canceled for critical thought can still have an independent career and make a difference.

[Laura (Laura and Literature) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a hard time rating this one.. I went back and forth on stars.. ultimately I’m settling on 3.5 for this audiobook. Read by the author.

I like the premise behind this book- “speak your mind” and the author absolutely does that. He has a LOT to say about our political system, medical system, propaganda, and the covid pandemic. He’s using his book as a platform to get out what appears to be a lot of bottled up thoughts and emotions.

I’d say 1/4 of the story is about Rob, his past and his career. I loved hearing about the movie “50 first dates”.

The other 3/4 of the story is about all the rest I listed above. Interesting material, his thoughts seem researched and thought out, but some of it came off as rambling and shouting out grievances.

I did like how he addresses us readers.. “dear reader”

The humor was funny, but could be crude- which was purposefully done. And he uses so much profanity. My personal opinion, I just don’t like to read/listen to profanity.

He has an honorable goal for his book and I like his reference to faith and love for his country.