Colbert speaks to nation with 'I Am America'

By Corinne Minard, Staff Writer

October 26, 2007 | 10 a.m.

For members of the Colbert Nation, Stephen Colbert's "I Am America (And So Can You!)" might be the best book ever written. For those not in on the joke, however, the book is instead a confusing mass of insults.

Stephen Colbert plays a fake pundit on Comedy Central whose brainlessness and unwavering biases are used to mock real experts. Colbert often says on his show that everything he says is not fact-checked because he, like George Bush, “goes from the gut.” Overall, Colbert has a knack for proclaiming outrageous statements (such as bears are America’s number one threat) and presenting them in a hilarious way on his show, "The Colbert Report." His book does not step far away from this format.

Of course, many fans may be asking themselves how Colbert could possibly write a book, as it has been said many times on "The Colbert Report" that he is mistrustful of the written word. The answer to that question has two explanations. First, Colbert claims to have dictated it. Second, this book, which is published by the Hachette Book Group, is clearly Colbert’s gift to his rabid fan base.

Every page is filled with wacky thoughts similar to those expressed by Colbert on "The Colbert Report.” In book form, though, the ideas ramble into insulting paragraphs of ridiculousness. Without the restraint of time, "I Am America (And So Can You!)" is able to express Colbert’s opinion on everything, from his well-recorded hatred of the liberal media to his mistrust of synchronized swimming.

It’s also incredibly freeing to not have curse words bleeped out.

While reading the book itself is fun, the true greatness in "I Am America (And So Can You!)" lies in all the extras that are thrown into it for the real Colbert fans. There are a plethora of references to events on the show, making them funny only to those who watch regularly. The addition of “Fun Zones” and letters from fake fans at the end of each section add to the book's tone by poking fun at the serious topics that Colbert mocks. Stickers on Colbert’s fake awards and coupon cutouts from nonexistent products litter the pages, thus making the reading process more interactive.

Instead of being a typical face shot, Colbert's author shot is instead an artist’s rendering of Colbert as the Hulk slaying a bear with a flagpole flying the American flag. These and many other extras should be shared with fans and discussed lovingly. Half of the book's fun is in the social interactions it can create.

The book is not for newcomers, as there is no foreword explaining that the opinions expressed are meant as a joke. "I Am America (And So Can You!)” continues Colbert’s unwavering condition of not breaking character when in public. There is no hint that a character is writing the book, so for those not in the know, a crazy bigot who is incapable of finding a fact wrote the book. Colbert makes no attempt to add understanding for possible new fans, which ends up being the biggest problem within "I Am America (And So Can You!)."

Another main problem facing the book is that much of Colbert’s humor is in how he verbally presents these crazy ideas. While die-hard fans have his voice imprinted in their minds, those who understand the joke but are only casual watchers of "The Colbert Report" probably won't find the book nearly as humorous. The audio version of the book, while not containing the visual jokes and extras, has Colbert’s voice (and greatest strength) to make it worth buying. The perfect way to read the book might be looking at its content while listening to the audio, but this is impractical because the two are not sold together.

"I Am America (And So Can You!)" is truly the Colbert Nation’s bible. With its elaboration on old jokes, it brings Colbert’s humor into a portable package that fans everywhere can share. The book can’t be anything other than that, though, because of its lack of newcomer friendliness.

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"I Am America (And So Can You!)" is sold online and in local bookstores in both book and audio version.

Like "I Am America (And So Can You!)"? Read America (The Book) by Stephen Colbert and members of "The Daily Show."