Love All the People: The Essential Bill Hicks

I had to put this book down halfway through - reading the same material over and over was too exasperating. OK, Bill is a two LIGHTER a day smoker...I get it. I get it. GOT IT!

The author suggests that there's something fascinating to be gleaned from the minute differences in transcripts from performances on different dates. No. There's not. It's the same material. I did develop a grudging admiration for a performer doing the same stuff night after night, and sometimes more than once per night; I know from experience how difficult it is to remember what you've said to a particular crowd.

I did force myself to finish the book, and indeed there were a few more worthwhile nuggets.

If you're a Bill Hicks fanatic, I have no advice for you, since you already have this book. If you're not, you can probably get as much out of a Wikipedia article and a couple YouTube videos, and save considerable time and money in the process.

One thing that surprised me in this book is its complete lack of any mention of George Carlin, the only other comedian I know of who effectively uses humor in a similar way - perhaps someone more savvy can explain?

Just like the book says, refering to the seemingly ironic title, 'Hicks was, in his angry, cynical and still unsurpassablu funny way, the most hopeless of romantics', and you get to undestand this in one way or another throughout the book, my only criticism is the reiteration of routines.

I have all of Hicks' albums, but reading this book really solidified it for me. I felt a new-found spiritual exuberance that challenged my atheism and spiritual beliefs more fully than any best-selling theologians (I remain a spiritual atheist, but with more focus), and laughed harder than any dick-joke comedian with a Comedy Central special. BUY THIS BOOK

I was a Bill Hicks fan back when he was still around. Life happened and I got busy and kind of forgot about him. References to his work would crop up now and then, but it had been many years since I'd listened to his full act or thought about his message (though, funny enough, his message seems to be with me every day - how about that? I think I learned something from him). For the past couple of months, I've been studying comedy and I'm happy that Netflix was running a couple of Hicks programs - a stand-up special or two and a doc. I watched whatever they had, and then I bought this book—it's everything I needed it to be. It really is the *essential* Bill Hicks. Now I won't forget.

This book has all the Bill Hicks you will ever need. There is some repeition in jokes, but that is part of stand-up comedy.

The stories told by Hicks' friends and family surrounding the time of his death were inspiring to say the least, and this book would be great if not for the redundant bits that really should have been left out. The most insightful prose becomes a chore when you have to read it half a dozen times in the same book.

What a revolutionary who used comedy and criticism to show us the truth, shows us the way.. he could have become a politician or a church crusader but actually glad that he brought his humor and comedy and one liners and stories to politics and religion and culture to make for a larger audience to really feel his message... Thansk for making this film, a compilation of fantastic cuts and shows!!!

I haven't finished the book yet, but I've read enough to give an opinion I think. Being a huge Bill Hicks fan, I had to get this book because I feel so connected to his whole personality.

Having already heard nearly every recorded live performance, seen the documentary on his life, seen extra videos from his life, and heard Marble Head Johnson's album, I've already seen a lot of what this book offers. A lot of it is full live performances word for word, which is cool, but the material does start to repeat. Even still, there's some stuff you probably can't find anywhere else, and for me, just that is enough.

If you're a huge Bill Hicks fan like me, and want extra details of Bill and his life, then go ahead and get this book, you'll learn a bit more personal side of Bill.

good read

I wish Bill was still here, boy he would have a lot to say about this election cycle!