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It Wasn't Always Easy, but I Sure Had Fun
"[A] TRIED AND TRUE SOURCE OF LAUGHTER...Readers will find some of his humor wry, some wistful, some sly, some indignant. But reading his comments is like having a chat with an old friend, with intervals of belly laughs."
--The Richmond-Times Dispatch
Lewis Grizzard is not the only one who had fun. Over the course of seventeen books and countless columns, this feisty son of the South established himself as one of the most entertaining raconteurs--and provocateurs--across the nation. Whether he's trying to make you laugh, make you mad, or make you misty, his mixture of opinionated humor and down-home philosophizing is impossible to resist. Now this definitive collection brings together the cream of Grizzard's comic crop.
"STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART."
--The Indianapolis Star
"VERY MOVING, VERY FUNNY."
--Headland Observer
"RECOMMENDED."
--Library Journal
--The Richmond-Times Dispatch
Lewis Grizzard is not the only one who had fun. Over the course of seventeen books and countless columns, this feisty son of the South established himself as one of the most entertaining raconteurs--and provocateurs--across the nation. Whether he's trying to make you laugh, make you mad, or make you misty, his mixture of opinionated humor and down-home philosophizing is impossible to resist. Now this definitive collection brings together the cream of Grizzard's comic crop.
"STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART."
--The Indianapolis Star
"VERY MOVING, VERY FUNNY."
--Headland Observer
"RECOMMENDED."
--Library Journal
- GenresHumorNonfictionSouthern
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
2 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
About the author
Lewis Grizzard
65 books87 followersAmerican writer and humorist, known for his Southern demeanor and commentary on the American South. Although he spent his early career as a newspaper sports writer and editor, becoming the sports editor of the Atlanta Journal at age 23, he is much better known for his humorous newspaper columns in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a popular stand-up comedian & lecturer.
Grizzard also published a total of twenty-five books, including collections of his columns (e.g. Chili Dawgs Always Bark at Night), expanded versions of his stand-up comedy routines (I Haven't Understood Anything Since 1962), and the autobiographical If I Ever Get Back to Georgia, I'm Gonna Nail My Feet to the Ground. Although much of his comedy discussed the South and Grizzard’s personal and professional lives, it was also a commentary on issues prevalent throughout America, including relationships between men and women (e.g. If Love Were Oil, I'd Be About a Quart Low), politics, and health, especially heart health.
He made us laugh and think at the same time. Indeed, during his lifetime, Lewis Grizzard heard himself described as "this generation's Mark Twain," "one of the foremost humorists in the country" and "a Faulkner for plain folks" by the national press. What he was, without a doubt, was a masterful storyteller, stand-up comedian, syndicated columnist and best selling author.
Lewis Grizzard Museum: http://newnan.com/lg/
New Georgia Encyclopedia entry:
http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/ng...
Grizzard also published a total of twenty-five books, including collections of his columns (e.g. Chili Dawgs Always Bark at Night), expanded versions of his stand-up comedy routines (I Haven't Understood Anything Since 1962), and the autobiographical If I Ever Get Back to Georgia, I'm Gonna Nail My Feet to the Ground. Although much of his comedy discussed the South and Grizzard’s personal and professional lives, it was also a commentary on issues prevalent throughout America, including relationships between men and women (e.g. If Love Were Oil, I'd Be About a Quart Low), politics, and health, especially heart health.
He made us laugh and think at the same time. Indeed, during his lifetime, Lewis Grizzard heard himself described as "this generation's Mark Twain," "one of the foremost humorists in the country" and "a Faulkner for plain folks" by the national press. What he was, without a doubt, was a masterful storyteller, stand-up comedian, syndicated columnist and best selling author.
Lewis Grizzard Museum: http://newnan.com/lg/
New Georgia Encyclopedia entry:
http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/ng...
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 25, 2011
For those of you unfamiliar with Mr. Grizzard - as I was before reading this book - Mr. Grizzard was a humorist, stand-up comic, lecturer and newspaper columnist who was, according to the blurb on the cover, "an American by birth, and a Southerner by the grace of God." He was apparently a rather controversial voice, who was very opinionated, thought-provoking, and extremely funny. Unfortunately, Mr. Grizzard suffered from a congenital heart defect and passed away in 1994, at the age of 48. "It Wasn't Always Easy..." is a collection of previous works which was published posthumously, later that same year. Included are essays on everything from his love for the Georgia Bulldogs (How 'Bout them Dawgs??!), to his thoughts on the World Cup; from politics to speakin' 'Southern', Mr. Grizzard had an opinion on it, and it was usually a humorous one. While his politics were a bit *hard-right* wing for even *me* (yes, Vicki, those folks DO exist!), even his UN-PC'ed-ness (yeah, I made that up - so what?!) was hysterical. Obviously, some of the topics are a bit dated, but nonetheless humorous for it.
August 10, 2011
Someone from my husband's work recommended this book to him - he doesn't have time to read it so I'm reading it and giving him my opinion :-)
Written from a Southern gentelman's point of view. He's got some good points and others not so much. Makes me realize that the people I've been dealing with are "normal" for this area of the country - it's just the way they think!
Written from a Southern gentelman's point of view. He's got some good points and others not so much. Makes me realize that the people I've been dealing with are "normal" for this area of the country - it's just the way they think!
August 4, 2007
Funny as usual.
December 15, 2008
Stopped reading it cuz it didn't hold my interest enough... that takes a lot for me!
February 1, 2008
As usual, when I am worn out from real life I turn to humor. Love all his work.
Read
December 5, 2012last book before he died
February 10, 2020
I have read almost all of Grizzard’s books but it’s been quite a few years since I last read him. This collection didn’t blow me away as I had expected.
Maybe it’s because this seemed like a rehash of what I’d read before. Maybe it’s because our political opinions are so different. ( I almost said they had diverged, but I really don’t think either of us has changed that much; I’m probably less willing/able to overlook our differences than I was before).
I think I need to go back to the “Kathy Sue Loudermilk, I Love You” era and see if I still find his earlier work as funny as s I thought I remembered it being.
Maybe it’s because this seemed like a rehash of what I’d read before. Maybe it’s because our political opinions are so different. ( I almost said they had diverged, but I really don’t think either of us has changed that much; I’m probably less willing/able to overlook our differences than I was before).
I think I need to go back to the “Kathy Sue Loudermilk, I Love You” era and see if I still find his earlier work as funny as s I thought I remembered it being.
September 4, 2018
Lewis Grizzard is a newspaper column reporter who also happens to write books. This was called "The Best of..." and was printed after his death, using old columns he had written. If this was his "best of", I certainly have no interest in his regular works.
I found his "articles" to be dry, witless and rather dull. I did not read more than about 30 pages before giving up and moving on to something better.
I found his "articles" to be dry, witless and rather dull. I did not read more than about 30 pages before giving up and moving on to something better.
October 28, 2020
Lewis Grizzard. 10/20/46 - 3/20/94 -
Always a pretty clean commentator on Southern life and life styles. This was his last book. It was OK, a fast read, fairly predictable short columns. It illicit some smiles but no laugh out loud moments. 3***
Always a pretty clean commentator on Southern life and life styles. This was his last book. It was OK, a fast read, fairly predictable short columns. It illicit some smiles but no laugh out loud moments. 3***
March 5, 2018
this book made me want to burn the American flag, he had some funny parts, but over all it was out dated garbage
November 7, 2018
Series of his humorous writings. Some so so and other good. Liked his lambasting political correctness.
April 3, 2025
I had not heard of Lewis Grizzard but this collection of short writings is very funny, a little dated but I appreciate his humor.
October 27, 2016
It's been a while since I read this, so unfortunately I can't offer many specific details. But hey, it's Lewis Grizzard!! Good, Southern humor that'll make anyone laugh!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews