Publisher: W. W. Norton
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 06/18/2012
ISBN-13: 9780393063417
ISBN-10: 0393063410

Nerds and jocks may finally have found something to unite them in this entertaining (and educational) explanation of how athletes do what they do. Explaining everything from how Michael Jordan flies through the air to the physics of sky-diving and whether Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius' prostheses give him an advantage, these short essays of two to five pages will delight and inform. There's also an introduction to statistics; for more on that topic and how it relates to decision-making in sports, try a different Mathletics -- this one by the former statistics guru for the Dallas Mavericks, Wayne Winston.

Publisher: W. W. Norton
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 06/04/2012
ISBN-13: 9780393081350
ISBN-10: 0393081354

Biographies of Bruce Springsteen abound (try Dave Marsh's Born to Run for one), so those of you who already know his life back-to-front will appreciate author Marc Dolan's focus on The Boss' musical and political influences. Emphasizing studio recordings and tours alike, Dolan uses Springsteen's albums as markers of not only his personal history but that of the era's current events as well. Mixing musical criticism with social and political history can make for a bit of an academic read, but fans will nevertheless find it "readable and engrossing" (Booklist).

Table of Contents  

Publisher: Random House
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 06/12/2012
ISBN-13: 9781400068661
ISBN-10: 1400068665

Superman -- the lantern-jawed superhero who has appeared in movies, comics, television shows, and on radio and the stage -- was created by two nerdy teenagers (after six years of false starts and rejections) to be everything they were not. But though Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster deserve the credit for creating the invincible Superman, they sold him to Action Comics for $130 and soon lost artistic rights over him; over the intervening eight decades, many others have helped influence the changing characteristics of the Man of Steel to better fit the changing times and to let him live on in popular culture. Comprehensive and accessible, this is a wide-ranging history of an American hero.

First Chapter  

Publisher: Da Capo Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 06/26/2012
ISBN-13: 9780306820830
ISBN-10: 0306820838

Though best known for his role as J.J. Evans on 1970s sitcom Good Times, Jimmie Walker has also appeared on other television shows and continues to tour the U.S. doing stand-up comedy. In Dyn-o-mite!, he presents a thoughtful memoir that tracks not only his personal life and political convictions but his professional evolution as well. This latter topic should pique the interest of even those unfamiliar with Walker, for beyond his own career, he writes insightfully of the Leno-Letterman friendship-turned-feud (both once wrote jokes for him) and his observations of other comics like Chris Rock, Steve Martin, and Richard Pryor.

Table of Contents  

Whether you're a die-hard political junkie or can't get to the remote fast enough when another election ad comes on (or both!) we hope you'll find something to enjoy from the lighter side of the political sphere. Additionally, those of you waiting for Stephen Colbert's new book, American Again: Re-Becoming the Greatness We Never Weren't, might find something to keep you busy.

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 10/09/2007
ISBN-13: 9780446580502
ISBN-10: 0446580503

Though Stephen Colbert, host of the satirical news show The Colbert Report and a former correspondent for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, has a new book coming out, if you haven't yet read this one (and you're a fan), you're missing out. In I Am America (And So Can You!), Colbert selflessly offers his opinions -- and he has a lot of them -- on a variety of topics from books (he's not so fond of them) to the liberal media and the elderly (they have it too easy). There's also a transcript of his memorable speech at the 2006 White House Correspondents' Dinner. You may also want to check out the audiobook version for special sound effects and other treats.

First Chapter  

Publisher: Three Rivers Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 04/01/1999
ISBN-13: 9780609804612
ISBN-10: 0609804618

Though their articles still occasionally get taken for the real deal, The Onion reports only fake news, fake reactions to real news, or non-noteworthy pieces of information presented as news (one headline: Drugs Win Drug War). But whether satirizing or parodying real events on the local, national, or international level, The Onion is America's leading source of humorous news online (and in print, with a newspaper and several books). In this collection that is sure to offend someone, editor Scott Dikkers presents headlines and news stories, including an account of the Pentagon's development of an A-bomb-resistant desk for schoolchildren.

First Chapter  

Publisher: Blue Rider Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 11/14/2011
ISBN-13: 9780399158414
ISBN-10: 0399158413

Host of HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher, Bill Maher is a libertarian who takes shots at politicians on both sides of the aisle. Known for sharp sociopolitical commentary that spares no one, Maher targets not only the political sphere but religion, mass media, and even political correctness. In this sequel to New Rules, Maher collects more observations, and while many are political, others riff on celebrity culture, dogs in costumes, and the financial crisis of 2008. Ranging in length from a few lines to full essays, they're perfect for dipping into and skipping around.

Publisher: Atlantic Monthly Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 09/21/2010
ISBN-13: 9780802119605
ISBN-10: 0802119603

There's a decided lack of politically conservative comedians; P.J. O'Rourke, a libertarian, may be as close as it gets. Here, he here takes on political theory, skewers the irresponsibility (and shortcomings) of many members of Congress, and takes a hard, humorous look at recent legislation. Whether you agree with his politics or not, his style is "funny, cutting, and insightful" (Booklist), but if you don't agree, you may find it more palatable to take him in small doses.

Table of Contents  

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 09/21/2010
ISBN-13: 9780446579223
ISBN-10: 044657922X

Jon Stewart, host of Comedy Central's The Daily Show, has come to be a source of news despite (or because of) his tongue-in-cheek delivery and irreverent mocking of political figures. With this textbook (his second), he and his staff aim to educate readers on the history of humanity on our planet...while throwing in more than a few barbs and maintaining The Daily Show's trademark humor. Because this history of humanity attempts to cover every facet of human existence, prepare to read about everything from Larry King to reality TV in addition to politics, science, and religion.