Play Audiobook Sample
Last Words (Abridged): A Memoir Audiobook
Play Audiobook Sample
(4.00) - 4,556 listener ratings
Quick Stats About this Audiobook
Total Audiobook Chapters:
Longest Chapter Length:
Shortest Chapter Length:
Average Chapter Length:
Audiobooks by this Author:
Publisher Description
Now in paperback, this posthumous work by an American classic was a fitting last book, an instant bestseller, and a huge success!
One of the undisputed heavyweight champions of American comedy, with nineteen appearances on the Johnny Carson show, thirteen HBO specials, five Grammys, and a critical Supreme Court battle over censorship under his belt, George Carlin saw it all throughout his extraordinary fifty-year career, and made fun of most of it. Last Words is the story of the man behind some of the most seminal comedy of the last half century, blending his signature acerbic humor with never-before-told stories from his own life, including encounters with a Who’s Who of 1970s celebrity—from Lenny Bruce to Hugh Hefner—and the origins of some of his most famous standup routines. Carlin’s early conflicts, his long struggle with substance abuse, his turbulent relationships with his family, and his triumphs over catastrophic setbacks all fueled the unique comedic worldview he brought to the stage. From the heights of stardom to the low points few knew about, Last Words is told with the same razor-sharp wit and unblinking honesty that made Carlin one of the best-loved comedians in American history.
Download and start listening now!
"Forgot how much I missed this voice. There's a chapter toward the end of the book, in which he details his writing and editing process in his later years; I read it twice. The book is by turns funny, touching, and thought-provoking, just like much of Carlin's comedy."
— Rob (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
-
“Frank and insightful.”
— Time -
“The book is at turns biting and touching, and often both, which is what you would expect from a man for whom the sacred was profane and the profane, sacred.”
— Entertainment Weekly -
“This is not a collection of setups and punch lines, but a candid, fearless accounting of his life and art...Last Words shows a comic master at the height of his storytelling powers and with no limit to what he had left to say.”
— LA Times -
“For comedy fans, this book is vital. It's easily worth its weight in gold for the biting observations on showbiz and its personalities.”
— San Francisco Chronicle -
“Seven particular words are associated with the late comedian George Carlin, and sentimental is not one of them. But that's the surprising portrait that emerges from Last Words.”
— Houston Chronicle
Awards
-
A New York Times bestseller
Last Words Listener Reviews
-
" Lovely last chapter about the wisdom of managing to rise above the "must take sides" political climate of the day. Some of the pieces were just hilarious. Others were heartbreaking. RIP a true comedic genius. "
— Kate, 2/13/2014 -
" Carlin is an under rated comic genius who pushed the boundaries of mainstream society. As much as I love everything that he stood for and admire him as a comic, this book should have been better. As far as a biography goes, it haphazardly jumps in somewhat of a chronological order, but I felt like major chunks were missing. The book is at its best when he gets into the intricate workings of his mind when developing certain bits and his on and off relationship with drugs. If you're a big Carlin fan you should check it out. If you're only a semi-fan, just stick to some of his memorable stand-up albums and you'll be good to go. "
— Chris, 1/30/2014 -
" If you like George's quirky sense of humor you will like this biography. We're gonna miss this old hippie! "
— Rosie, 1/21/2014 -
" Pretty well written but I lost interest during a lot of thie book. All addicts seem compelled to write about their problem but their stories are all the same. "
— Jeff, 1/20/2014 -
" A superb memoir of comedian ! Reading thoroughly his life gave me a sense of how words are intellectually affected people's lives! "
— Deni, 1/3/2014 -
" I've always been a fan of George Carlin's but toward the end of his career there was a change in his humor. What was once biting navigated into bitterness. Still witty, but not my favorite of his. "
— Scarlett, 1/2/2014 -
" I'm not done with this book, but I don't care. I risked my freedom for this book.. So no matter what it's going to be amazing. "
— Manny, 12/31/2013 -
" Anyone who knows me knows that I am a HUGE fan of George Carlin's, have been since I was about 20 years old, if not earlier. I was extremely saddened by his death and it seems that this is a fitting book to be my last in 2009. Last words, indeed. "
— Jen, 12/24/2013 -
" The last 2 chapters give you a real insight into Carlin's mind. I gave it another star. Worth reading just to get to the last 2 chapters. "
— Ronna, 11/29/2013 -
" Enjoyed this book very much. Always a big Carlin fan, and it was great reading about his life. "
— Bernadette, 10/24/2013 -
" Gotta love his "sortabiography." "
— Ralph, 9/19/2013 -
" An engaging look at a 40+ year career of a unique American voice in comedy. Struggles within himself, his family, and in his career, Carlin was paints himself as dedicated to his craft above all else. "
— Chad, 8/27/2013 -
" I love Carlin's way of explaining things in such a "skewed but right on the money" kind of way. Growing up Catholic, I totally relate to much of his perspective. "
— Brian, 5/24/2013 -
" If you're a Carlin fan, it's really interesting. Brutally honest with himself about lapses in judgment, control, artistic integrity, but interesting in how his creative process worked (and didn't) through the years. "
— James, 2/6/2013 -
" This is what George liked to call a "Sortabiography", the life of one of the greatest stand up comedians of all time. "
— Gerardo, 6/25/2012 -
" If you are a fan of Carlin you will enjoy this autobiography. Carlin details how his material changed from the typical comedian to the political observational comedy of his later years. Carlin was lucky to have lived so long given the drugs and heart attacks. "
— Ronnie, 6/7/2012 -
" Made me laugh, made me cry. One of the best ever. George will always have a special place in my heart. He reminds me what it is like to be human on an every day basis. The book is very well written & a beautiful way to say goodbye. Permanent spot on my bookshelf! "
— Pepper, 4/30/2012 -
" not what I expected but a good read. probably the best thing to read by Carlin, about Carlin. "
— Josh, 5/10/2011 -
" Gave me a whole new appreciation for Georgie. "
— Yosep, 5/6/2011 -
" A look into George's head. Very good read and I loved the NYC trivia. "
— Mary, 4/25/2011 -
" This was OK, I was a big Carlin fan, not sure what I was expecting. A good story, good insight on his career. "
— Jim, 3/27/2011 -
" Liked the beginning and found the last 75 pages too political and uninteresting. Finished a month or so ago. "
— Jane, 3/10/2011 -
" Honest autobiography by an amazingly creative man, warts and all. "
— Johanne, 3/6/2011 -
" George's brother Patrick reads this audiobook, and his voice is <strong><em>so uncannily similar to George's</em></strong> that is it nearly impossible not to feel that George is reading this!! "
— Steve, 2/8/2011 -
" Funny, depressing, all around great book. "
— Trinity, 2/4/2011 -
" I would give it seven stars if I could. "
— Matt, 1/30/2011
About George Carlin
George Carlin (1937–2008) was a highly influential, award-winning stand-up comedian, author and performer. Receiving both critical acclaim and popular support throughout his career, his professional accomplishments include twenty-three comedy albums, three bestselling books, fourteen HBO specials and five Grammy wins. He has also been awarded the Freedom of Speech Award and The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.