The Dangerous Animals Club

By: Stephen Tobolowsky

Narrated by: Stephen Tobolowsky

Length: 11 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2012 Stephen Tobolowsky (P)2012 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"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. By blending sharp memories of his childhood with astute, adult observations of the world around him, he weaves a spell not unlike Jean Shepherd or Garrison Keillor… but he has a voice all his own, and I love it." (Leonard Maltin, film critic and author)

"I LOVE THIS!" (Sarah Silverman)

"Great storytelling, beautiful stuff." (Rian Johnson, director of The Brothers Bloom and Brick)

A Masterful Storyteller

These stories are simply mesmerizing, funny, heartfelt and often profound, he has had an incredible life and career and manages to cover all aspects of it with modesty and intelligence. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve listened to this book. Highly recommended.

Go Tobo Go!

Everyone knows Stephen Tobolowsky, even if they are not sure who he is. Try IMDB and you'll figure out who he is. This was not only a great set of stories about Stephen's life, but in so many ways a lesson on how everyone should approach their lives.

This book had me really laughing in places. Stephen tells great stories and I could relate to each and every one of of his stories.

This is a book that benefits reading by the author and I can't wait for the next instalment. Highly recommended.

What a life!

This book is a perfect example of the fact that most of us have an interesting life story, it's just in how you tell it. The stories in this book aren't, for the most part, told in any sort of chronological order. They all have a theme. It's a wonderful look into the life and history of Steven Tobolowsky. My only complaint (and the reason I gave Tobolowsky 4 out of 5 as a narrator) is that he can't do accents. That said, hearing him tell his own stories in his own voice was fun.

Wonderful stories

this book is filled with wonderful stories, told by the legend who lived them. a delight from start to finish. Mr. Tobilowsky is a great human and a superb story teller.

A welcome surprise.

I took a chance on this, because it had great reviews. I did not know who the author was, until I googled him halfway through. He's one of those actors that you've seen so often, but never paid attention to.

The stories jump around a lot, but are so interesting.

Wonderful

Just listen
You’ll be happy
If you ever had a dream
Or if you never had a dream
Just listen

NOT Even acting, this guy is GREAT

If you could sum up The Dangerous Animals Club in three words, what would they be?

Riveting Insightful Hilarious
This book was very enjoyable, from the inside stories of his acting experiences, to the mundane everyday occurences. He is a terrific writer, and I hope he has some more stories left for another book (or more!).

Who was your favorite character and why?

Tobo

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. I listened over several weeks.

Awesome Audible Book.

Loved it. Can't get enough of this guy!
Please keep writing!
Thanks for enriching my life!

Will Rogers, Spalding Gray, Alexandre Dumas HACKS!

If you could sum up The Dangerous Animals Club in three words, what would they be?

Charming, human, inspirational.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Dangerous Animals Club?

It happens a lot with the way Tobo crafts a tale. There is an A and B story line and they always intertwine at the end with a great "youseetimmy" Which of course is the morale to a given story. The term is derived from the end of Lassie episodes. "you see, Timmy...."

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

His own experience. These stories are his own. He knows where to slow down, where to punch a line, where to pause. I can't imagine them told in any other voice.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I honestly feel like I am a better human being for hearing this book, not to mention his podcast. I giggle, I get misty, even with repeated listens. I have bought this book and the audiobook for family and friends, I suggest you do the same.

Any additional comments?

I've had one cyber run in with the author. My daughter who was 11 at the time, was auditioning for a play and subsequently got the lead. She was freaking out about a fast approaching opening night and worried about learning all her lines. I had been a fan of the Tobolowsky Files podcast and I shot a tweet to him.

Not only did he respond to my tweet, but he sent my daughter a long email spelling out different techniques for learning a script and preparing a part. Anybody in the industry that is as busy as he who takes that kind of personal time out for a fan who is thousands of miles away is a stand up guy in my book.

Cheers

Insightful truths and laugh out loud vignettes

Where does The Dangerous Animals Club rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I have listened to hundreds of audiobooks. This one ranks in the top 5.

What other book might you compare The Dangerous Animals Club to and why?

Alan Alda's autobiography, a bit reminiscent of Bill Bryson in some ways. The humor, sheer storytelling talent and complex intellect of the author. His depth and ability to truly feel make him seem like a friend you wish you had.

Which scene was your favorite?

"The grandmother and the egg"