Latin History for Morons

By: John Leguizamo

Narrated by: John Leguizamo

Length: 1 hr and 19 mins

Publisher's Summary

Welcome to John Leguizamo’s hilarious and educational take on 3,000 years of Latin history in 80 minutes. 

When his son gets a school assignment on heroes, John seizes the chance to teach him all about the great figures of Latin American history. But once he sets out on his irreverent crash course across three continents and three millennia of history—from conquistadores to cumbia, Montezuma to Menudo, and taking on the characters in all of it—he uncovers provocative truths that shock even him.

Entertainment Weekly called Latin History for Morons “boisterous and joyful” during its Broadway run at Studio 54, directed by Tony Taccone. A play that The New York Times says “poses sharp and timely questions of what culturally defines American identity,” Leguizamo’s newest solo adventure is educational and uproarious and is adapted exclusively for Audible.

Please Note: Latin History for Morons contains adult language. 

©2019 John Leguizamo (P)2019 AO Media LLC

Crude, Profane, and Very Funny

John is a fantastic comedian and can tell a good story. If you are a fan, you will be quite entertained. Not much depth on any History, however it is only an hour and eighteen minutes long. Warning, this is not for young kids (PG13) for strong language and sexual themes.

Funny, Profane & Heartbreaking

This was a funny, profane, yet heartbreaking account of Latin history inspired by the author's son being bullied. He discovered that Latin history was not covered in his son's school and sets about learning of it to inspire his son about their heritage. I laughed and cried, since hearing about a little boy being called racist names is heartbreaking. I hope his son and others can be proud of their unique heritage and the gifts they bring to our country. Much of what was related I already knew, having learned of it on my own. Not for kids unfortunately. A great short entertaining performance.

History?

Came here hoping to learn something. Disappointed by poor language and minimal information. Do Better

waste of time

Drops the F bomb liberally. Blames genetics for emotional ineptitude. Rallies against racism on multiple levels. Very... original. And, he somehow manages to mention some history.

Latinos can do better

Disappointed. There was some edifying information, but pretty vulgar and crass. Wouldn't recommend to most people.

Is John Leguizamo really a VICTIM?

I’m not a Latino but I do live in Mexico, and I’ve never met a Mexican that believed the President of the USA made them something less than anyone else. Please stop your crying, grow a pair and listen to your kid. Geez!

THERE GOES MY HERO⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

John Leguizamo’s LATIN HISTORY FOR MORONS is for everyone. I hope you had a chance to see this Fabulous Show in person. Thank you John Leguizamo for the National Tour Thank you for the Netflix Special. Thank you for this Audio Book. It’s so important for us and our children to see someone who looks like us on stage and on screen. Thank you for this treasure. I am proud to call you one of my Latin Heroes Thank you for making time for your fans @ThatAYLam

Well

I really wanted to like this. I was hoping to be enlightened to new insights and historical facts. Unfortunately it was a lot of raunchy speech, silly behavior and unnecessary info dump. I think there’s about 20 minutes total of history, but it’s given so quickly it is hard to retain. I wish we could have had a longer history lesson that was more about the facts with a sprinkle of comedy. I feel if you are trying to enlighten people to a subject you should do so otherwise you have failed at your attempt and have lost your audience. However he did recommend some wonderful historical reads on the subject written by professionals that might be the better route to take.

A personal one-man show w/ pitch perfect accents,

Part history, part story of a father trying to get close to his son, and all wonderful. Leguizamo is one of the best modern story-tellers, and I’ve been a fan since seeing his one-man shows on HBO in the 90s. Listen to the sample and then get this. You’ll have some laughs and maybe a few tears, but you’ll definitely enjoy it.

Orgullosa de ser Latina!!

As a puertorican I am so proud of this! us Latinos are never recognized as heros, or contributors. Well done John!

couldn't listen beyond first 10 minutes

I did not gel with this at all. I found the first ten minutes loud and offensive. I can see why it's free.

Awful

This was a total disappointment. It was childish and not funny and actually irritating.
Don't buy it!

great performance but

I loved the performance of the story but found that is was lacking in detail. I also couldn't get past how the author was upset that his son was stereotyped and bullied but then put on stereotypical accents to make fun of Indians and Arabic people. The Aapu accent was off putting

Fun history

This was fun and sometimes personal history.
Leguizamo’s animated narration bought what could be a flat subject to life.

Perfect. An informative and fun revelation.

This book is just perfect. A story of a fathers imperfect quest to find the pride in his roots for his son. Through a a lively fun reiteration of his search with it's successes and failures, I learned and in some instances relearned the overlooked and minimised story of the Latin people who were the OG Americans among others and all the things that are missing from American History books and quite a few European to. The winners tell the story their way and slowly drown the rest of it out. This book was so much fun too. The human element of parenting, the authors entertaining preformance and way with words intermingled with a few hilarious impromptu music acts made for a start to finish listening. Thank you Mr. Leguizamo.

Excellent, funny, concise, moving and powerful

First of all a warning - this short book is very sweary. I’m fine with that, but if you aren’t, it’s best to know beforehand.

I found this book very emotionally powerful. I was aware of the terrible genocidal actions that have been inflicted on native people in the Americas, but didn’t know much of the detail. This book brought the story of oppression to life, framed by a moving father/son history project narrative.

If you don’t mind swearing, I’d highly recommend this.

shockingly bad

woeful. unfunny. poorly structured. poorly performed
does hispanics a huge disservice.
simply attrocious in every way

perfection!

not enough words in the world.... funny, I mean belly-laugh-peed-a-lil-bit funny, clever, revelatory and had me crying with joy at the end. Leguizamo is a straight up legend, and when will we ever start teaching the truth about colonialism in school. COME ON!!!!

Completely accessible essential information for everyone

Brilliantly written and delivered. I am generally categorised as ‘white’ British and in my 40s and this was not the history we were taught here in the UK at school. It is essential that this is what we learn and teach from now on. Thank you.

Fantastic A MUST LISTEN

With 2020 in turmoil, this is a well written, spoken brief history, a story for modern times, crafted with real facts about White Privilege, that we take for granted in a world dominated by the privileged wealthy few, who are culturally insensitive, fearful, afraid, and blinkered. Caging children, separating families, striking fear & culturing racial segregation. When will the world wake up and say enough, this is a sad tale of truths where we cannot be equal amongst fellow humans. Thank You John Leguizamo