I Think There's a Terrorist in My Soup

Following the events of 9/11, comedian David Brenner launched his "Laughter to the People" tour in an effort to demonstrate that laughter in the face of tragedy can lighten the soul. His performances were based in part on this stand-up routine. Brenner offers a very funny look at the world, grounded in a heavy dose of his common-sense personal philosophy. His observations cover everything from his youth to aging, war and terrorism, politics, air travel, struggles with weight, money, and religion. He reads his own words with great feeling, sharp sarcasm, and the exceptional timing of an entertainer with his experience. The final package results in an irreverent look at the world around us, with plausible suggestions for staying sane during crazy times. H.L.S. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine


David Brenner shares his comic material and theories about the importance of humor with well-timed delivery and great zest. He knows he's funny, and his laughter at his own jokes and at himself is infectious. Brenner is pathologically humorous. Everything can be funny, as demonstrated by his riffs on marriage, children, sports, and going to the dentist. His sometimes crude language is offset by his genuine delivery on topics such as quitting smoking and using humor to make the best of a difficult situation. In fact, his compelling testimony about quitting smoking might be helpful for anyone trying to break the habit. Overall, Brenner's East Coast/Philly/New York patois is the perfect vehicle for his manifesto to lighten up without lighting up. R.F. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine

January 1, 2004
Brenner is a very funny man. Funny is in his genes-his father was funny, his grandfather was funny, and his three sons will probably all be funny. A frequent guest on the talk-show circuit, the comedian has been making us laugh for over 30 years by concentrating his keen wit and unremitting candor on our fragile humanity. The book draws on material from Brenner's "Laughter to the People" tour, embarked upon shortly after September 11 in an effort to heal his audiences with a generous dose of humor arising from his unique perspective on life. A born storyteller who honed his craft on the mean streets of Philadelphia, the author offers observations about work, sex, marriage, divorce, political correctness, weight, pets, and religion that are laugh-out-loud funny. The section on our President's pre-9/11 malapropisms is worth the price of admission. Brenner is never mean-spirited; he has the ability to pinpoint the absurd and find the lighter side of the most difficult situations. This "survival" guide, meant to help us transcend tragedy through humor, is as good as a live performance. With humanity and honesty, he offers this work as a prescription for our ailing world. Apply liberally; repeat as needed. Highly recommended for all public libraries.-Barbara J. Kenney, Roger Williams Univ., Bristol, RI

Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.