Your audiobook is waiting…
The Awkward Thoughts of W. Kamau Bell
People who bought this also bought...
-
The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl
- By: Issa Rae
- Narrated by: Issa Rae
- Length: 5 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
"My name is 'J' and I'm awkward--and black. Someone once told me those were the two worst things anyone could be. That someone was right. Where do I start?" Being an introvert in a world that glorifies cool isn't easy. But when Issa Rae, the creator of the Shorty Award-winning hit series The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl, is that introvert--whether she's navigating love, work, friendships, or rapping--it sure is entertaining.
-
-
Good comedy book
- By Bella on 03-10-17
-
The List
- By: Jade Chang
- Narrated by: Jade Chang
- Length: 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The new dating craze among the divorced, recently broken up with, and frustrated singles of Los Angeles starts with the creation of “the List.” The converted swear by it - just write down everything you want in a partner, and the cosmos will provide. But could such a simple, old-fashioned technique actually work? Enter Jade, who investigates this increasingly popular path to a soul mate, with charming and hilarious effects, tracing the history of list making - and learning about dating and love along the way.
-
-
Interesting.
- By Ms. Red on 07-09-18
-
How Not to Get Shot
- And Other Advice from White People
- By: D. L. Hughley, Doug Moe
- Narrated by: D. L. Hughley
- Length: 3 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From the elections of Barack Obama and Donald Trump to the tragic events of Ferguson and Charlottesville, the subject of race has come to the forefront of American consciousness. Legendary satirist D. L. Hughley offers his own cutting observations on this contentious issue that continues to traumatize the nation, a wound made more painful by the ongoing comments and actions of the 45th president. Hughley uses humor to draw attention to injustice, sardonically offering advice on a number of lessons, like "How to make cops feel more comfortable while they're handcuffing you".
-
-
D.L. Hughley keeps me "woke"!
- By Mcmlviii on 08-21-18
-
Well, That Escalated Quickly
- Memoirs and Mistakes of an Accidental Activist
- By: Franchesca Ramsey
- Narrated by: Franchesca Ramsey
- Length: 7 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Franchesca Ramsey didn't set out to be an activist. Or a comedian. Or a commentator on identity, race, and culture, really. But then her YouTube video "What White Girls Say...to Black Girls" went viral. Faced with an avalanche of media requests, fan letters, and hate mail, she had two choices: Jump in and make her voice heard or step back and let others frame the conversation. After a crash course in social justice and more than a few foot-in-mouth moments, she realized she had a talent and passion for breaking down injustice in America in ways that could make people listen and engage.
-
-
Felt more like a lecture on how not to be a POS than anything
- By Ashley on 08-23-18
-
Semi-Prominent Negro
- By: W. Kamau Bell
- Narrated by: W. Kamau Bell
- Length: 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This stand-up comedy album stars socio-political comedian W. Kamau Bell, whose characteristically biting and hilarious take on the real issues of modern America run from gentrification to raising his family in a post-Obama nation.
-
You Can't Touch My Hair
- And Other Things I Still Have to Explain
- By: Phoebe Robinson, Jessica Williams - foreword
- Narrated by: Phoebe Robinson, John Hodgman
- Length: 7 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Being a black woman in America means contending with old prejudices and fresh absurdities every day. Comedian Phoebe Robinson has experienced her fair share over the years: She's been unceremoniously relegated to the role of "the black friend", as if she is somehow the authority on all things racial; she's been questioned about her love of U2 and Billy Joel ("isn't that...white people music?"); she's been called "uppity" for having an opinion in the workplace; and yes, people do ask her whether they can touch her hair all. The. Time.
-
-
Phoebe, You Rock
- By Kate on 12-02-16
-
The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl
- By: Issa Rae
- Narrated by: Issa Rae
- Length: 5 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
"My name is 'J' and I'm awkward--and black. Someone once told me those were the two worst things anyone could be. That someone was right. Where do I start?" Being an introvert in a world that glorifies cool isn't easy. But when Issa Rae, the creator of the Shorty Award-winning hit series The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl, is that introvert--whether she's navigating love, work, friendships, or rapping--it sure is entertaining.
-
-
Good comedy book
- By Bella on 03-10-17
-
The List
- By: Jade Chang
- Narrated by: Jade Chang
- Length: 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The new dating craze among the divorced, recently broken up with, and frustrated singles of Los Angeles starts with the creation of “the List.” The converted swear by it - just write down everything you want in a partner, and the cosmos will provide. But could such a simple, old-fashioned technique actually work? Enter Jade, who investigates this increasingly popular path to a soul mate, with charming and hilarious effects, tracing the history of list making - and learning about dating and love along the way.
-
-
Interesting.
- By Ms. Red on 07-09-18
-
How Not to Get Shot
- And Other Advice from White People
- By: D. L. Hughley, Doug Moe
- Narrated by: D. L. Hughley
- Length: 3 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From the elections of Barack Obama and Donald Trump to the tragic events of Ferguson and Charlottesville, the subject of race has come to the forefront of American consciousness. Legendary satirist D. L. Hughley offers his own cutting observations on this contentious issue that continues to traumatize the nation, a wound made more painful by the ongoing comments and actions of the 45th president. Hughley uses humor to draw attention to injustice, sardonically offering advice on a number of lessons, like "How to make cops feel more comfortable while they're handcuffing you".
-
-
D.L. Hughley keeps me "woke"!
- By Mcmlviii on 08-21-18
-
Well, That Escalated Quickly
- Memoirs and Mistakes of an Accidental Activist
- By: Franchesca Ramsey
- Narrated by: Franchesca Ramsey
- Length: 7 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Franchesca Ramsey didn't set out to be an activist. Or a comedian. Or a commentator on identity, race, and culture, really. But then her YouTube video "What White Girls Say...to Black Girls" went viral. Faced with an avalanche of media requests, fan letters, and hate mail, she had two choices: Jump in and make her voice heard or step back and let others frame the conversation. After a crash course in social justice and more than a few foot-in-mouth moments, she realized she had a talent and passion for breaking down injustice in America in ways that could make people listen and engage.
-
-
Felt more like a lecture on how not to be a POS than anything
- By Ashley on 08-23-18
-
Semi-Prominent Negro
- By: W. Kamau Bell
- Narrated by: W. Kamau Bell
- Length: 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This stand-up comedy album stars socio-political comedian W. Kamau Bell, whose characteristically biting and hilarious take on the real issues of modern America run from gentrification to raising his family in a post-Obama nation.
-
You Can't Touch My Hair
- And Other Things I Still Have to Explain
- By: Phoebe Robinson, Jessica Williams - foreword
- Narrated by: Phoebe Robinson, John Hodgman
- Length: 7 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Being a black woman in America means contending with old prejudices and fresh absurdities every day. Comedian Phoebe Robinson has experienced her fair share over the years: She's been unceremoniously relegated to the role of "the black friend", as if she is somehow the authority on all things racial; she's been questioned about her love of U2 and Billy Joel ("isn't that...white people music?"); she's been called "uppity" for having an opinion in the workplace; and yes, people do ask her whether they can touch her hair all. The. Time.
-
-
Phoebe, You Rock
- By Kate on 12-02-16
-
Black Man, White House
- An Oral History of the Obama Years
- By: D. L. Hughley
- Narrated by: Mia Barron, Cherise Boothe, Ron Butler, and others
- Length: 9 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From legendary comedian D. L. Hughley comes a bitingly funny send-up of the Obama years, as "told" by the key political players on both sides of the aisle. What do the Clintons, Republicans, fellow Democrats, and Obama's own family really think of President Barack Obama? Finally, the truth is revealed in this raucously funny "oral history" parody.
-
-
Clever and Hilarious!
- By Fylynne on 07-14-16
-
Everything's Trash, but It's Okay
- By: Phoebe Robinson, Ilana Glazer - foreword
- Narrated by: Phoebe Robinson
- Length: 8 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Wouldn't it be great if life came with an instruction manual? Of course, but like access to Michael B. Jordan's house, none of us are getting any. Thankfully, Phoebe Robinson is ready to share everything she's experienced in hopes that if you can laugh at her topsy-turvy life, you can laugh at your own.
-
-
Hilarious & Enlightening
- By Amazon Customer on 11-01-18
-
How to American
- An Immigrant's Guide to Disappointing Your Parents
- By: Jimmy O. Yang, Mike Judge - foreword
- Narrated by: Jimmy O. Yang
- Length: 6 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jimmy O. Yang is a stand-up comedian, film and TV actor and fan favorite as the character Jian Yang from the popular HBO series Silicon Valley. In How to American, he shares his story of growing up as a Chinese immigrant who pursued a Hollywood career against the wishes of his parents: Yang arrived in Los Angeles from Hong Kong at age 13, learned English by watching BET's Rap City for three hours a day, and worked as a strip club DJ while pursuing his comedy career.
-
-
Had to pull over I was laughing so hard
- By Amazon Customer on 03-23-18
-
Defining Moments in Black History
- Reading Between the Lies
- By: Dick Gregory
- Narrated by: James Shippy
- Length: 7 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With his trademark acerbic wit, incisive humor, and infectious paranoia, one of our foremost comedians and most politically engaged civil rights activists looks back at 100 key events from the complicated history of black America. Defining Moments in Black History is an essential, no-holds-bar history lesson that will provoke, enlighten, and entertain.
-
-
Baba Gregory is an Awesome Teacher
- By Terrance on 11-01-17
-
The Mother of Black Hollywood
- A Memoir
- By: Jenifer Lewis
- Narrated by: Jenifer Lewis
- Length: 10 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jenifer Lewis keeps it real in this provocative and touching memoir by a Midwestern girl with a dream whose journey from poverty to Hollywood will move, shock, and inspire listeners. Told in the audacious voice her fans adore, Jenifer describes a road to fame made treacherous by dysfunction and undiagnosed mental illness, including a sex addiction. Yet, supported by loving friends and strengthened by "inner soldiers", Jenifer never stopped entertaining and creating.
-
-
Brutally honest memoir!
- By D. Easter on 11-14-17
-
The Truths We Hold
- An American Journey
- By: Kamala Harris
- Narrated by: Kamala Harris
- Length: 9 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
By reckoning with the big challenges we face together, drawing on the hard-won wisdom and insight from her own career and the work of those who have most inspired her, Kamala Harris offers in The Truths We Hold a master class in problem solving, in crisis management, and leadership in challenging times. Through the arc of her own life, on into the great work of our day, she communicates a vision of shared struggle, shared purpose, and shared values.
-
-
Great story ..slow start
- By Sam Marlow on 01-09-19
-
Born a Crime
- Stories from a South African Childhood
- By: Trevor Noah
- Narrated by: Trevor Noah
- Length: 8 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
One of the comedy world's fastest-rising stars tells his wild coming of age story during the twilight of apartheid in South Africa and the tumultuous days of freedom that followed. Noah provides something deeper than traditional memoirists: powerfully funny observations about how farcical political and social systems play out in our lives.
-
-
On and On and On and On
- By Amazon Customer on 08-15-17
-
The Last Black Unicorn
- By: Tiffany Haddish
- Narrated by: Tiffany Haddish
- Length: 6 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Tiffany can't avoid being funny: it's just who she is. But The Last Black Unicorn is so much more than a side-splittingly hilarious collection of essays - it's a memoir of the struggles of one woman who came from nothing and nowhere. A woman who was able to achieve her dreams by reveling in her pain and awkwardness, showing the world who she really is, and inspiring others through the power of laughter.
-
-
Sad it ended
- By HerHighness on 12-08-17
-
This Is Just My Face
- Try Not to Stare
- By: Gabourey Sidibe
- Narrated by: Gabourey Sidibe
- Length: 6 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Gabourey Sidibe - "Gabby" to her legion of fans - skyrocketed to international fame in 2009 when she played the leading role in Lee Daniels' acclaimed movie Precious. In This Is Just My Face, she shares a one-of-a-kind life story in a voice as fresh and challenging as many of the unique characters she's played onscreen. With full-throttle honesty, Sidibe paints her Bed-Stuy/Harlem family life with a polygamous father and a gifted mother who supports her two children by singing in the subway.
-
-
Honest, heart wrenching, and hilarious!
- By CleverLewis on 05-16-17
-
Fear
- Trump in the White House
- By: Bob Woodward
- Narrated by: Robert Petkoff
- Length: 12 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With authoritative reporting honed through eight presidencies from Nixon to Obama, author Bob Woodward reveals in unprecedented detail the harrowing life inside President Donald Trump’s White House and precisely how he makes decisions on major foreign and domestic policies. Woodward draws from hundreds of hours of interviews with firsthand sources, meeting notes, personal diaries, files, and documents. The focus is on the explosive debates and the decision-making in the Oval Office, the Situation Room, Air Force One, and the White House residence.
-
-
Actually Humanized Trump for Me
- By BigNutz on 12-15-18
-
Well-Read Black Girl
- Finding Our Stories, Discovering Ourselves
- By: Glory Edim
- Narrated by: Glory Edim
- Length: 5 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Remember that moment when you first encountered a character who seemed to be written just for you? That feeling of belonging remains with readers the rest of their lives - but not everyone regularly sees themselves on the pages of a book. In this timely anthology, Glory Edim brings together original essays by some of our best black women writers to shine a light on how important it is that we all - regardless of gender, race, religion, or ability - have the opportunity to find ourselves in literature.
-
-
Great stories that everyone will enjoy.
- By TJ on 01-01-19
-
Calypso
- By: David Sedaris
- Narrated by: David Sedaris
- Length: 6 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
If you've ever laughed your way through David Sedaris's cheerfully misanthropic stories, you might think you know what you're getting with Calypso. You'd be wrong. When he buys a beach house on the Carolina coast, Sedaris envisions long, relaxing vacations spent playing board games and lounging in the sun with those he loves most. And it's as idyllic as he imagined, except for one tiny, vexing realization: it's impossible to take a vacation from yourself. With Calypso, Sedaris sets his formidable powers of observation - and dark humor - toward middle age and mortality.
-
-
Excellent, as always
- By Ruthie on 05-31-18
Publisher's Summary
You may know W. Kamau Bell from his new Emmy-nominated hit show on CNN, United Shades of America. Or maybe you've read about him in The New York Times, which called him "the most promising new talent in political comedy in many years." Or maybe from The New Yorker fawning over his brand of humor writing: "Bell's gimmick is intersectional progressivism: he treats racial, gay, and women's issues as inseparable."
After all this love and praise, it's time for the next step: a book. The Awkward Thoughts of W. Kamau Bell is a humorous, well-informed take on the world today, tackling a wide range of issues, such as race relations; fatherhood; the state of law enforcement today; comedians and superheroes; right-wing politics; left-wing politics; failure; his interracial marriage; white men; his upbringing by very strong-willed, race-conscious, yet ideologically opposite parents; his early days struggling to find his comedic voice, then his later days struggling to find his comedic voice; why he never seemed to fit in with the black comedy scene...or the white comedy scene; how he was a black nerd way before that became a thing; how it took his wife and an East Bay lesbian to teach him that racism and sexism often walk hand in hand; and much, much more.
Critic Reviews
More from the same
What members say
Average Customer Ratings
Overall
-
-
5 Stars659
-
4 Stars196
-
3 Stars73
-
2 Stars15
-
1 Stars11
Performance
-
-
5 Stars665
-
4 Stars150
-
3 Stars54
-
2 Stars8
-
1 Stars4
Story
-
-
5 Stars592
-
4 Stars177
-
3 Stars78
-
2 Stars19
-
1 Stars11
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 05-20-17
White Woman Raising a Black Son
Any additional comments?
I have raised my bi-racial son by myself in the same small town I grew up in, which lacks ethnic diversity. As a 6'2" 17-year-old black nerd and future Mechanical Engineer, I have always been afraid to send him out into the collegiate world not knowing what obstacles await him outside of our peaceful hometown. Has he experienced racism? Sure. But mostly from ignorant schoolmates that have never known a black person. Kamau put many things into a perspective that made me assign this book to my son as his "black homework". I think they share a lot of the same obstacles- my son and Kamau are both Blerd's and are both extremely politically educated.
I enjoyed his personal story of growing up, his comedic journey, his relationship, etc- all while peppering in the political and racial issues of our time. It's as much a story of his life as it is a lesson on logical thoughts and ideas from a brilliant mind. This book gave me "the feels", and as a white woman I wasn't sure I would relate, but was doing my due diligence as the mother of a black man. I was wrong. This book is for everyone.
24 of 24 people found this review helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Stevosabi
- 05-02-17
Another great think from Bell
I always love hearing the insights of W. Kamau Bell. Be it his podcast or his shows I always love the man's perspective humor and good natured view. In this we get a little back story and it works a bit like a legend or the origin story of some political satire superhero. A great read and worth the credit. I also would like to be the first to offer up my vote for him should he ever run for political office....
I want credit for being the first to reference that.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Outstanding
I loved every minute of this book. Kamau's sweet, funny, yet strong and powerful voice makes his storytelling come alive. This book is about comedy, family, racism, friendship, Kamau's life journey and more. It is hilarious and compelling. I highly recommend it!
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Helen
- 05-29-17
Helped me get woke.
Love this book. A useful guide to reconning with white privilege and figuring out what to do about it. awesome.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Rynnkins
- 05-21-17
If you read only one hilarious book on rasism...
I loved it; funny, moving, a plea to understand racism, and to take the action needed to end it. W. Kamau Bell is a stand up comedian so he knows how to tell a story and there are many enertaining/cringe-worthy stories of growing up African American in this book.
He lets you laugh with him about it. And you will laugh.
I look forward to his next book.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- kk
- 05-18-17
Honest and refreshing
Loved listening to Kamau's experiences although some parts left me sad and angry. The chapters are laced with humour, calls out sexism and racism and make you reminisce of your summers spent with grandparents! Read/listen to the book and thou shall not be disappointed!
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- paula
- 08-18-18
Wanted to like it but...couldn't
Didn't find Kamal funny or informative or entertaining. Really wanted to see a more interesting insight exposed, But every scenario, no matter the subject, felt like he was over explaining the intrinsic value of a comic book. Just did not relate.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 08-14-18
boring and uninteresting
worst of all made me not care about a comedian that I enjoy seeing in stand up .. the racist drum he beats in this book are old and tired not meaning they are not important but reciting the same narratives without conversation on how to correct things ... just makes it seem like he needed a platform to complain ..
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Michgal1
- 07-19-17
Surprisingly, made me think!
As a white woman married to a black man, and knowing Kamau is also married to a white woman I wanted to see what parts of his life he would present and talk about. I loved the start of the book... I loved everything about it... his background.. his family growing up, everything. But there was a time, kind of in the middle, where I realized that oh my gosh, Kamau is a black militant! I put the book down for awhile honestly. It was just a little too much. I love him on United shades of America. Love his comedy. But that was just a little too much. I decided to keep it going though, cuz I really do love this guy. And to my surprise I started embracing what he was talking about and realized that he hit it right on the nose. It made me understand more of the struggles that my husband probably goes through everyday. Our two kids don't look like they have a black father. But they do. And I'm sure that does color, no pun intended, their day at various times. Nonetheless I love the book. And I think you will too no matter what your political views are. Well if you're a right right-wing Republican, you might be a bit pissed off. But there's a lot of books for you. Go read those.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 06-28-17
Boring, Uneventful, and Unfunny
It was a truly boring, uneventful, and unfunny story. It was a chore to get through, and I wish I could get a refund. This is the first book I listened to where I was not compelled to talk to anyone anyone about it. I gave the book the benefit of the doubt (I listened to the whole book), but all I did was waste more of my time.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful