Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
I Can't Make This Up  By  cover art

I Can't Make This Up

By: Neil Strauss - contributor,Kevin Hart
Narrated by: Kevin Hart
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $29.95

Buy for $29.95

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Editorial reviews

"In I Can’t Make This Up: Life Lessons, Kevin Hart shares his memoir in a way only he can, showcasing the charisma, personality, and talent that made him one of the most popular entertainers in the planet. This is a true rags to riches story – but it’s more than that: it’s also a blueprint for how to become your best self, and a demonstration of how perspective can triumph even the most challenging circumstances. I’ve had the pleasure of reading this twice (work perks!) – once in print, and then in audio – and while both left an indelible imprint, listening was a completely immersive and exceedingly powerful experience. Committing 150% to every moment – from the epic, ad-libbed pre-introduction down to the chapter headings – Kevin takes us on a highly personal, no-holds-barred journey filled with heartbreak, inspiration and hilarity. Add continuous "off-script" asides and anecdotes, and you’ve got one of the must-listen audiobooks of the year – or any year, for that matter." -- Jess, Audible Editor

"While I was thrilled to learn that Kevin Hart would be narrating his own memoir, it wasn’t until I had the privilege of attending a recording session that I became out-of-my-mind ecstatic. There are rare instances in which a performance not only transcends the words on the page, but actually defines how the story should be told — and experienced. This is one of them. With great skill, good-natured humor and disarming honesty, Mr. Hart shares all the ups, downs, and arounds of his life (so far), accompanied by some lessons he’s learned along the way. And the result is irresistible from start to finish. Even if you’ve been living under a rock and haven’t yet joined the Kevin Hart fan club, you’ll love this listen. Period." -- Reid, Audible Editor

Publisher's summary

Superstar comedian and Hollywood box-office star Kevin Hart turns his immense talent to the written word by writing some words. Some of those words include: the, a, for, above, and even even. Put them together and you have the funniest, most heartfelt, and most inspirational memoir on survival, success, and the importance of believing in yourself since Old Yeller.

It begins in North Philadelphia. He was born an accident, unwanted by his parents. His father was a drug addict who was in and out of jail. His brother was a crack dealer and petty thief. And his mother was overwhelmingly strict, beating him with belts, frying pans, and his own toys.

The odds, in short, were stacked against our young hero, just like the odds that are stacked against the release of a new book in this era of social media (where Hart has a following of over 100 million, by the way).

But Kevin Hart, like Ernest Hemingway, J.K. Rowling, and Chocolate Droppa before him, was able to defy the odds and turn it around. In his literary debut, he takes the listener on a journey through what his life was, what it is today, and how he's overcome each challenge to become the man he is today.

And that man happens to be the biggest comedian in the world, with tours that sell out football stadiums and films that have collectively grossed over $3.5 billion.

He achieved this not just through hard work, determination, and talent: It was through his unique way of looking at the world. Because just like a book has chapters, Hart sees life as a collection of chapters that each person gets to write for himself or herself.

"Not only do you get to choose how you interpret each chapter, but your interpretation writes the next chapter," he says. "So why not choose the interpretation that serves your life the best?"

©2017 Kevin Hart (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

Featured Article: 55+ Quotes for Whenever You Need a Little Encouragement


We all have bad days and dry spells. We all experience moments of disappointment, sadness, and self-doubt. And occasionally, we all need an encouraging word—or several—to lift our spirits, boost our confidence, and fill us with hope. Straight from the works of best-selling and widely admired authors, here's a collection of positive and reassuring words you can turn to anytime you're in need of support.

What listeners say about I Can't Make This Up

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    45,161
  • 4 Stars
    7,629
  • 3 Stars
    1,809
  • 2 Stars
    488
  • 1 Stars
    574
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    44,259
  • 4 Stars
    4,175
  • 3 Stars
    1,023
  • 2 Stars
    303
  • 1 Stars
    391
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    40,083
  • 4 Stars
    7,022
  • 3 Stars
    1,845
  • 2 Stars
    459
  • 1 Stars
    486

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Best Audiobook I Ever Listened To

I am so glad that I listened to this book!

I have been an audible subscriber since 2011 and I generally stay in the personal development/self help categories, but I am a Kevin Hart fan and figured this would be a hilarious experience. It was, and you will laugh from beginning to end with this book. What I was not expecting was to receive so many practical lessons and success principles that were on par with the best books in the personal development industry. Most people don't know the process that Mr. Hart went through to get to the top. Like he states in the book he's an overnight success 16 years in the making! You will definitely want to listen to this book multiple times. I highly recommend it. Not only is it entertaining but you WILL be motivated to step your game up in whatever arena you have chosen to play in. GET THIS AUDIOBOOK!!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

288 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I Feel Sorry For His Readers

Before I got this, I was mildly amused by Kevin Hart. I'd seen him in some TV spots and liked his energy but didn't really find him rip-roaring funny. I knew little about his background and expected to learn about that through this book. But this audio book gave me so much more.

On one level I did learn about his background, starting with his childhood and how he developed an approach and attitude toward life that helped him through his struggles into adulthood.

On another level though, I heard some profound life lessons, so valuable that I played the book back and forth several times so I could transcribe what he said (I guess I could have just bought a paper copy of his book.)

On still another level I gained a respect and appreciation for him, as a human for putting his life out to the public with all of its blemishes to show that the ugliness in life is often as important as victories when working toward our goals.

And finally, I was surprised I laughed out loud at several parts because rather than just reading his book, he added commentary that showcased his quick wit and high-speed mind, giving the listeners insights into the full-package which is Kevin. And that's why I feel sorry for people who only read his book because they will miss out on these commentaries that allowed me an even deeper view into his mind and character.

I enjoyed this book so much that I was disappointed it ended after only 90+ chapters.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

279 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Foul mouth; Good Heart. smart, funny,, insightful

As a post middle-aged white guy of comparatively gentle upbringing , it took me to just a little bit to get past all the vulgarity to appreciate how well Kevin Hart conveys where he came from and where he's coming from. He shares all and bares all his own mistakes and self-defeating behaviors and attitudes, hard Lessons Learned and the value of sheer determination and persistence. We see Kevin Hart grow up and grow in the course of this book, which he narrates in admirable fashion himself.
hHeartfelt, heart written , t heart spoken, it's a pleasure to share his bumpy ride to the top of his game. Hart is smarter law enough to learn from his mistakes and hopes that we might as well. A worthwhile listen and wise word among the obscenities.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

226 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Funny AND Oddly Inspiring...!

So sue me. He had me when he put a puppy on his head!
I love memoirs but am really not into the celebrity stuff, couldn't get into "Yes, Please". But this was much different, certainly much funnier. It's a leisurely stroll through a life where there were choices to be made, desperate situations to be lived through. From a dad who B&Es to steal money AND cook grits, to a tiny mom who'll whup you with a belt for setting all the clocks in the home two hours ahead (There are good reasons for the whole clock thing), to a loving brother who won't fight your battles for you but will teach you how not to be bullied or be a bully, to a girlfriend/wife who is absolutely positive you're cheating (and you most likely are...) Hart's family is most memorable.
And through it all is his stand-up narration/delivery, complete with laughter, perfectly timed hems and haws, and rabbit hole-like digressions galore. It all made me smile, laugh, or spew coffee from my mouth every now and then. Can't help it, the guy knows how to deliver a laugh (By the way, it's pretty interesting when he's barely learning the actual art and craft of comedy).
Inspiring the way he learns to listen to his gut, the way he puts together bands of struggling people, the way he gets himself out of financial ruin... several times. And a few times, the memoir was downright touching as it's actually written with love.
Not what I expected (expected a lot of shallowness, actually) but definitely enjoyed!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

172 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I never give anything 5 stars but in this case...

I have never been so upset about finishing a book because I simply did not want it to end. truly a must read! I could relate to this book on so many levels and I think the advice he gives and the lessons he shares definitely gives you something to think about. Not to mention he's one the best comedians amongst us so listening to his book (or reading it as books are traditionally intended for) was just like seeing him in concert for his stand up shows. I never thought a comedian would be able to give me so much insight on parenting, relationships, life goals and so much more. I think he could help bring positivity out of the most negative person if they read it with an open mind. I'd recommend listening to it on audible so you don't have to use your Kevin Hart voice in your head lol. This man had me dying laughing while driving, at work, doing house chores and everything else. I finished this 11 hour book in like 5 days and probably would've took much longer if I had to actually read it... that is all 😊

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

134 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

First Audiobook Listener

As this is my first time being a listener of an audiobook, I say in confidence that this book was a good decision. There is nothing like listening to someones personal stories that include failure, triumph and life lessons. I Can't Make This Up is funny and as a listener I feel special as you get a little bit MORE from Kevin narrating.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

84 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Seriously Funny

In typical Kevin Hart fashion, he tells his real life stories in a way that makes the listener draw a lessons from them while still cracking up.

I made the mistake of listening to a significant portion of this book while driving ...let's just say that I must've looked like an idiot to other drivers for laughing so hard with no one else in the car.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

74 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic life lessons but for adult audiences

Overall it is a great story with numerous life lessons on hard work, perseverance, sacrifice. Be warned that Kevin Hart is colorfully expressive with his choice of words.

Also be warned that I listened to this at the gym and almost dropped a dumbbell on my head from laughing so hard. So please be safe when listening to this audiobook because I would have sued the author for comic endangerment if that dumbbell had crushed my forehead. Great book and a great reading performance.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

64 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

I ❤️ Hart

Any additional comments?

Clever and made me smile. Mr. Hart talks a bit fast, watch a stand up clip on YouTube with your eyes closed if you like that you will like this. Oh and for those that don't speak fluent French and don't like sailors this is probably not your book. But if you like Kevin and want some background on him this book is funny and informative👌

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

64 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Book long standup

I pre-ordered after hearing Hart on the Howard Stern Show. I started listening this morning, and I'll be missing the Stern Show today. Hart is preforming his book, not some mono-tone e-reader, a great 8 hour long standup show.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

53 people found this helpful