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The Dangerous Animals Club Audiobook
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(4.01) - 236 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
If you ran into Stephen Tobolowsky on the street, you would not be mistaken: Yes, you've seen him before. A childhood dentist? A former geometry teacher? Your local florist? Tobolowsky is a character actor, one of the most prolific screen and stage presences of our time, having appeared in productions that range from Deadwood to Glee, from Mississippi Burning to Groundhog Day.
But Stephen Tobolowsky, it turns out, is not just an actor; he is also a dazzlingly talented storyteller and writer. He has earned a devoted base of fans for his original stories, told in front of live audiences as well as in a popular podcast. Now, for the first time, he has assembled those stories here. The result is creative mitzvah, a work of art, and a narrative feat that combines biography and essay, ranging in tone from the hilarious to the introspective.
To read these pages is to enter an astonishing world that, like all art, is universal yet individual, familiar yet disquieting. A dangerous world, indeed.
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"This book is transcripts of episodes of The Tobolowsky Files podcast - autobiographical anecdotes from character actor Stephen Tobolowsky. He is a wonderful storyteller. I have laughed out loud at some stories, choked up at others, and left pondering big questions a few times to boot. Highly recommended (perhaps better experienced as an audiobook since it is great to hear these in his voice)."
— John (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“You know those imaginary dinner parties where you get to invite any five people from history for an evening of amazing conversation? This book is the reason Stephen Tobolowsky has always been one of my five.”
— Jim Beaver, author of Life’s That Way -
“Read this book and rejoice!”
— Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey, author of A Woman of Independent Means -
“Stephen Tobolowsky has found his true calling as a storyteller. He is candid, insightful, often profound, and very, very funny, especially when he recounts his adventures in show business.”
— Leonard Maltin, film critic and author -
“No one spins yarns and knits them into a lyrical fabric of self like Tobolowsky: deep, warm and a little itchy but you love it.”
— Marc Maron -
“Funny, highly original, and quirky. Stephen Tobolowsky has written a memoir that is almost as enchanting and lovable as he is. Bravo!”
— Linda Bloodworth-Thomason -
“A great book from an uncommon man!”
— Harry Thomason -
“A copiously examined life rendered with humor and heart.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review) -
“Stories that are quirky, funny, and sentimental.”
— Publishers Weekly
The Dangerous Animals Club Listener Reviews
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" A lot more crazy shit has happened in Stephen Tobolowsky's life than you'd think. "
— Leila, 2/17/2014 -
" Like other reviewers, I picked this up after becoming a fan of the Tobolowsky Files (podcasts). I was pleased to find TDA contains original stories rather then repeats from the podcasts. I highly recommend the audiobook over the "e" or paper version. "
— Cat, 1/26/2014 -
" A rehash of stories I heard on the Tobolowsky Files but some new ones too. Excellent as always! "
— Andrea, 1/21/2014 -
" Quite entertaining, but perhaps too all over the place for me. I particularly enjoyed the essays on what an actor's life and work was like. To me, the book would have benefited from a more linear approach. "
— Karen, 1/21/2014 -
" The Dangerous Animals Club by Steven Tobolowsky (Simon & Shuster 2012)(Biography) is a funny and well-written memoir of the making of an actor. This volume follows the writer from his early years through his days in the acting departments of SMU and the University of Illinois. This guy can write! An interesting piece of trivia is that many readers (myself included) will recall having seen Tobolowsky in the movie "Groundhog Day." He plays the abrasively hilarious insurance salesman who remembers Bill Murray's from their school days and who accosts him on the street - over and over and over. Remember him? That's Stephen Toboloswky! My rating: 7/10, finished 10/1/12. "
— Dave, 1/20/2014 -
" Fan of his podcast, he is one of my favorite storytellers. Many of the stories in this book were covered in detail from Tobolowsky Files podcast or else it would be a 5 star must read. "
— Colin, 1/15/2014 -
" This was a great vacation book: Very enjoyable, often insightful and funny, although rarely in the way I expected. I'll never think of Ned Ryerson the same way again -- and again and again! "
— Shana, 1/3/2014 -
" Love the stories, love the insights, love the voice. I stretched out listening to Stephen Tobolowsky read his stories so I could savor them. I hope he comes out with another volume of stories in the future. "
— Diane, 12/27/2013 -
" Great stories, interesting life of a Hollywood insider. "
— Kevin, 12/22/2013 -
" Stephen Tobolowsky is a genius! "
— Kristine, 12/6/2013 -
" Alternately thought-provoking and funny memoir of a great character actor. This book is a pure pleasure to read. "
— Amanda, 11/24/2013 -
" Fun and easy to read. I would love to have this guy around for a dinner party!! "
— Aspa, 10/14/2013 -
" One of my favorite autobiographies so far -- tight, humorous and even thought-provoking at times. This was a fast and interesting read even at over 300 pages. Well done Ned Ryerson. Well done. "
— Rosemary, 9/7/2013 -
" Thoroughly enjoyable and uplifting. A mostly delightful, sometimes melancholy real-life journey. "
— Mayka, 8/13/2013 -
" He also does an excellent podcast called " the Tobolowsky files" "
— Smaluck, 7/24/2013 -
" I didn't expect so much from the guy screaming "Phil? Phil Connors?" This book is stories from his life that will make you think about how you live your own. Very well written and fun to read. "
— Jeff, 3/29/2013 -
" What a marvelous collection of stories. Who'd have thought that the man behind Ned Ryerson had so many wonderful stories and such a wonderful voice with which to tell them. And the beautiful nuggets of truth and wisdom sprinkled throughout. Read me! "
— Lukas, 12/23/2012 -
" What a glorious storyteller! If you have a chance to see Stephen Tobolowsky in person, do! He hits just the right note ...happy, poignant. Sad, the highs and lows of growing up, establishing a career, of relationships, family, competitiveness, etc. "
— Rosie, 11/28/2012 -
" This book is probably better to listen to on a long car drive. Read 2 chapters of book. Put it down and not motivated to read any further. "
— Jennifer, 10/16/2012
About Stephen Tobolowsky
Stephen Tobolowsky is an American actor, storyteller, and writer. He is a prolific character actor who has appeared in more than 100 movies and more than 200 television shows, including Mississippi Burning, Groundhog Day, and Glee. He also has classical theater training and a Tony Award nomination for best featured actor in a play for Morning’s at Seven. As a storyteller and writer, he has earned a devoted fan base for his original stories told in front of live audiences, in a popular podcast, and now collected and published in book form. He lives in Los Angeles.