How to Talk Dirty and Influence People

An Autobiography

By: Lenny Bruce, Lewis Black - preface, Howard Reich - foreword

Narrated by: Ronnie Marmo

Length: 9 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

During the course of a career that began in the late 1940s, Lenny Bruce challenged the sanctity of organized religion and other societal and political conventions; he widened the boundaries of free speech. Critic Ralph Gleason said, "So many taboos have been lifted and so many comics have rushed through the doors Lenny opened. He utterly changed the world of comedy". Although Bruce died when he was only 40, his influence on the worlds of comedy, jazz, and satire are incalculable. How to Talk Dirty and Influence People remains a brilliant existential account of his life and the forces that made him the most important and controversial entertainer in history.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2016 Lenny Bruce (P)2016 Hachette Audio

Like listening to the man himself

Lots of rambling, insufferable series of intro.s that add nothing, and a play by play of the courtroom drama that should have been a quarter as long. Once you get past this, you see what made him great. The experiences, the storytelling -- top notch when he's on his game. And of course, there could be no such thing as a modern edgy performer if Bruce didn't open that door and Carlin didn't keep it open.

Superbly narrated by Ronnie Marmo whose Lenny Bruce impersonation could not be more perfect. *Chef's kiss*

An honest man.

An entertaining if sometimes challenging listening. Lenny Bruce is as relevant today as ever.

just excellent

It's totally okay to not agree or like everything someone talks about or represents. It's still an intelligent idea to listen to some you may not agree with to understand their perspective to find a common ground. Though I'm generally a fan of Lenny (and am blown away by how much the narrator sounds like him), I don't agree with absolutely everything, but it's not hard to see how unjustly he was treated and how unrelenting he was in expecting honesty in a world that is anything but and what a price he paid. This is well worth your time, but keep your mind open, listen to the ideas more than the words, and see what you find.

Ronnie Marmo as Lenny Bruce!!!

It is often hard whilst listening that this is not actually Lenny reading his own autobiography. (Which would be hard considering he died 50 years before audible even existed. ) Marmos’ performance is nothing short of outstanding! By far one of the best readings I’ve ever experienced of any of audibles books! And by far one of the best and most laughable autobiographies I’ve read since Bukowski’s Ham on Rye(even though Bukowski claims it to be a piece of fiction anyone familiar with him knows that label only sticks as far as to allow the author a certain bit of wriggle room in espousing on his own exploits and memories without being side-tracked or consumed by specific details).
This book shows exactly why Bruce was far more than a comedian and in some respects not a comedian at all when taking into account not only the sheer gravity of what he accomplished simply by being himself but also proving by example his proclivities as a writer and thinker. I realize he had another writer helping to write the book but I’d imagine that was only for technicalities and to help focus what was ,without a doubt ,a very “frantic mind”!
Bruce was hip but he wasn’t a “Hipster”. He took the stage and made people laugh and think but he was not a “stand-up comic”. He was an author but not a writer. These labels only exist to restrain and Lenny could not and would not be retrained. Bruce also kicked down doors where so many would follow and this book tells that story and shows us how he did so while all the time using words whether spoken or written down to do so.

Interesting book.

Gives a good look into both an interesting life and also a good back-door look at the stand up comedian industry.

Like I was hearing Lenny Bruce

Enjoyed this very much—we stay on the same problems and can’t seem to solve any of them.

Wow

First of all, Ronnie Marmo’s performance is extraordinary. It feels like listening to Bruce himself. The book itself is funny, and still very relevant.

Appreciating the use of a four letter word

Would you consider the audio edition of How to Talk Dirty and Influence People to be better than the print version?

I enjoyed the honesty and humor that Lenny Bruce portrayed. He went through a lot of trials and somehow through his interpretation, he did it with clarify, humor, and a bit of leveled hope.

What did you like best about this story?

This was one book that was on the wishful bookshelf for a long time. I understood Mr. Bruce to be pioneer of comedy. However, I now know him as someone who fought very hard for freedom of speech and ideals. In many ways, He reminds the reader to be very aware of the message he is sending but also delivers to be honest about one's shortcomings and mistakes.

Which character – as performed by Ronnie Marmo – was your favorite?

I found that Mr Bruce had a way of describing the events in his life like catching up with old friend. Better yet, his delivery sometimes came more off as a confession in someone he could trust. Although I know the history of this book to be originally publicized through Playboy, I will still what secrets he has confided in me to myself. :D

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

I think it would be a stretch to find something wrong about the performance but if there must something: I guess I say that he read Lenny Bruce's song All Alone rather than sing it.

Any additional comments?

I first saw this when I first saw 'Pump up the Volume'. I wish I had a chance to get to it earlier.

fascinating story, annoying narration

A really compelling story. Overall I really enjoyed it but after a while Reich's attempt at impersonation becomes annoying. He sounds nothing like Bruce and more like Larry from the Three Stooges.

Masterful

an amazing man and one of the greatest co.edians ever. Lenny salaried the real world in a way few can. He championed the fight for free speech for all of us and preselected it. highly recommend for anyone who lives comedy and even if you don't to get a glimpse into life after the war and one man's journey to understanding himself and humanity.