"From New York Times culture reporter Dave Itzkoff, the definitive biography of Robin Williams - a compelling portrait of one of America's most beloved and misunderstood entertainers. From his rapidfire stand up comedy riffs to his breakout role in Mork & Mindy and his Academy Award-winning performance in Good Will Hunting, Robin Williams was a singularly innovative and beloved entertainer. He often came across as a man possessed, holding forth on...

"A personal history of comedy from the 1950s to the present, with interviews conducted by the author." --publisher. Steinberg, a comic instation himself, provide a personal history of comedy from the 1950s to the present. From the historic greats to the greats of right now, Steinberg makes clear why he loves comedy and the comedians who have been by his side in his work, and in his life, for more than sixty years. -- adapted from jacket

"From one of the hottest young comedians at work today--two Netflix specials, a world tour, a brand new HBO special, and a well-earned reputation as mind-bogglingly funny and hilariously offensive and challenging--a book about his favorite subject . . . and you will never think about relationships in the same way again. Daniel Sloss's comedy engages, enrages, offends, makes people uncomfortable, provides solace, and gets everyone roaring with laughter--all...

"The History of Sketch Comedy will appeal to all kinds of comedy fans as well as fans of Keegan-Michael Key. With epic personal tangents and hilarious asides, their story takes you on an illuminating look at all facets of comedy from the stock characters of commedia del arte in the 16th century, to the rise of vaudeville and burlesque, the golden age of television comedy, the influence of the most well-known comedy schools, and ascension of comedy...

"H. Jon Benjamin--the lead voice behind Archer and Bob's Burgers--helps us all feel a little better about our own failures by sharing his own in a hilarious memoir-ish chronicle of failure. Most people would consider H. Jon Benjamin a comedy show business success. But he'd like to remind everyone that as great as success can be, failure is also an option. And maybe the best option. In this book, he tells stories from his own life, from his early days...

As host of the US hit show The Daily Show, Trevor Noah provides viewers around the globe with their nightly dose of biting satire, but here Noah turns his focus inward, giving readers a deeply personal, heartfelt and humorous look at the world that shaped him. Noah was born a crime, son of a white Swiss father and a black Xhosa mother, at a time when such a union was punishable by five years in prison. Living proof of his parents' indiscretion, Trevor...

Comedian and performer Andy Kaufman's resume was impressive--a popular role on the beloved sitcom Taxi, a high-profile stand-up career, and a surprisingly successful stint in professional wrestling. Although he was by all accounts a sensitive and thoughtful person, he's ironically best remembered for his various contemptible personas, which were so committed and so convincing that all but his closest family and friends were completely taken in. Why...