I Drink for a Reason

By: David Cross

Narrated by: David Cross

Length: 6 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

The star and creative force behind Mr. Show and Arrested Development pens his "first and final book, chronicling his meteoric rise and abysmal fall in the literary world."

After a decade spent in isolation in the Ugandan jungles thinking about stuff, David Cross has written his first book. Known for roles on the small screen such as "never-nude" Tobias Funke on Arrested Development and the role of "David" in Mr. Show with Bob and David, as well as a hugely successful stand-up routine full of sharp-tongued rants and rages, Cross has carved out his place in American comedy. Whether deflating the pomposity of religious figures, calling out the pathetic symbiosis of pseudo-celebrity and its leaching fandom, or merely pushing the buttons of the way-too-easily offended PC left or the caustic, double standard of the callous (but funnier) right, Cross has something to say about everyone, including his own ridiculous self.

Now, for the first time, Cross is weaving his media mockery, celebrity denunciation, religious commentary, and sheer madness into book form, revealing the true story behind his almost existential distaste of Jim Belushi ("The Belush"), disclosing the up-to-now unpublished minutes to a meeting of Fox television network executives, and offering up a brutally grotesque run-in with Bill O'Reilly. And as if this wasn't enough for your laughing pleasure in these troubled times, some of the pieces splinter off with additional material being created online in exclusive video and animated web content created solely for the book - a historical first (presumably)!

With a mix of personal essays, satirical fiction posing as truth, advice for rich people, information from America's least favorite Rabbi and a top-10 list of top-10 lists, I Drink for a Reason is as unique as the comedian himself, and cannot be missed.

©2009 David Cross (P)2009 Hachette

Critic reviews

"One of the funniest books I've ever skimmed!" (Paul Rudd)

"It is inappropriate for me to write a 'blurb' for Mr. David Cross, as he is rightly a legend - utterly fearless, absolutely brilliant, and a longtime inspiration to me. My endorsement would be like the weed endorsing the sun, which is to say: I live in the dirt and require David Cross (plus water) to live. But I can grow right through sidewalks, so that's something." (John Hodgman, Daily Show resident expert)

"David's writing in this audiobook for the eyes is every bit as funny, honest, and observant as the man himself-and, oddly, twice as smart. It's surprising and funny dot dot dot, a triumph!" (Mitchell "Arrested Development" Hurwitz, co-creator, The Ellen Show)

Not bad

a little abrasive at times, but overall an entertaining and funny audio book to listen to.

A good listen

This is actually the first audiobook I finished and it both hilarious and fun to listen to. His delivery is phenomenal and while I don't agree with all his points, he backs them up with valid information and reasoning.

Huge Fan of Cross But Extremely Disappointing

Any additional comments?

I expected a LOT better from my second favorite comedian. As much as I love David Cross, this audio book just sort of drags on with laughs few and far between. Nowhere near the quality of his stand-up material.

A funny and intellectual read (or listen)

I love it when an audiobook is read by the writer. Especially when I'm familiar with them! David Cross' excellent testament to mankind is outstanding and wonderful to listen to. It may sound lazy, but I didn't bother reading the book because hearing it in his voice is what makes it for me. He's extremely intellectual, he's extremely controversial, and he's extremely funny. It's a great, great read (or listen!) and I recommend it to anyone interested in learning a little something.

Great work of satire/sarcasm

If you are a David Cross fan, get this book. It's clever, funny and very entertaining. I enjoyed it so much that I started listening to it again immediately after I finished it the first time. I was also impressed that it's a multimedia experience — be sure to see the website for extras! 👍🏽

I did not like

I bought this book because I bought a Chelsea Handler book and this book was under the ???If you like Chelsea Handler you may also like???..??? Well, I didn???t like it??? too serious for me. Yes, the attempt at humor was good, but for me, when I listen to a comedy audiobook, it???s usually to get away from the real world and politics and this guy kind of just throws them in your face. But, to be fair, I only listened to about 30 minutes before I couldn???t listen any longer. Also to be fair, I had no idea who this guy was so his is probably in his genre and if he is someone you have liked in the past, you may like this.

A Perfect For Assembling a Bunk Bed.

What made the experience of listening to I Drink for a Reason the most enjoyable?

David expresses the his thoughts so effortlessly that it saves me the time of using expletives myself!

Who was your favorite character and why?

David was fantastic!

What does David Cross bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

David has other, hilarious, contributors to the reading of the book that one would totally miss if they were to read a paper copy.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

This can't be right?!

The jokes about audiobooks has hurt the rating.

David unfortunately took a few jabs at listeners that didn't resonate well. He has said since he's gotten a lot of nasty feedback but that he was 100% joking. As of now this audiobook has a 3.5 rating. No way it should be that low.

A minor criticism would be that if you've listened to comedy audiobooks from guys like Patton Oswalt, John Hodgman, etc. you may be a little burned out on the surreal humor chapters, to the point of wishing there were more anecdotes.

I'd rate this over 4, not quite 5, but I don't think it's fair for this book to be rated as mediocre simply because Cross had no idea how badly listeners would react to being teased about listening to a book rather than reading it. Remember that much of his career has been in sketchwriting and as such there are few one liners and some hits and misses.

all over the place but diferent in a good way

Cross is funny and inventive. The book was a tad too long and self indulgent. Worth a listen.

"I think I just blue myself"...

Loved this book and enjoyed it so much more with the narration by David Cross. He also added his own little comments here and there that were not in the book which made it extra special.