I found this book incredibly dry considering the source material. It reads a bit like a recitation of facts. I think it would have been much better with more anecdotes and narrative woven throughout.

Mel Brooks: Disobedient Jew was a great read by Jeremy Dauber. This was a great read into the life and career of a performer, writer ad director. Mel Brooks is one of the best comic voices of the twentieth century. The author argues that throughout his extensive body of work, the comedian has the most success when he has a balance between his style and the constraints imposed by Hollywood and the American cultural norms. His humor started as solely for niche audiences to being an essential part of the American mainstream. He paved the way for generations of comedians to come. I enjoyed reading this book and cant wait to read more by the author.

This book did educate on parts of Mel Brooks I did not know about, however it was also presented in a way as to be slightly formulaic or academic. I love comedy and learning more about it behind the scenes however this book felt a little stiff. Still had great information though.

As a fan of comedy, but someone who is less versed in Mel Brooks (gasp, I know), I enjoyed this audiobook for its deep dive into Brooks’ career, filmography and how his religion impacted his life decisions, artistic choices and overall humor.

I’d recommend this to a fan of Brooks and to someone who has seen a film or two of his, and wants to learn more.

Thanks to Tantor Audio and NetGalley for the advanced listen.

One of the more boring biographies I've ever listened too which is sad because he's supposed to be such a funny guy. It was just a lot of bland Wikipedia level information. I'm sure fans will like it though.

A good biography of Mel Brooks, mainly focusing on his work and placing it in the tradition of Jewish humour. It's the right side of concise, and the author's reading of his book was surprisingly spirited and amusing (lots of reproducing of Mel Brooks bits).

A pleasant, interesting listen.

Lots of really interesting stories. I loved the story behind Spring Time for Hitler and will never look at another Mel Brooks movie the same way. It really opened my eyes to why Mel Brooks movies tend to age better than other movies from that time period. The stories about his movies and the thinking behind them stood out the most, but there was a lot of information.

4 stars

Mel Brooks
By: Jeremy Dauber
Review Score: 3 Stars

Five Key Feels
-It was interesting that Brooks actually fought in World War 2 against the Nazis.

-I liked that Brooks also entertained the troops during this time, and used his endless energy for that.

-It was interesting to learn about the rise of comedy albums, and how they were purchased at the time.

-Brooks was a part of even more shows and movies than I realized.

-He really ensured that he put his Jewish heritage front and center in his work, and that paved the way for future comedians.

———

Mel Brooks was kindly provided as an ARC by Netgalley and Tantor Audio. Thank you for allowing me to read this wonderful book!

Release Date: Out now!

My favorite Mel Brooks movie is Robin Hood: Men in Tights. When I saw this book pop up, I knew I had to dive deeper into the mind who made that movie.

I enjoyed learning more about Brooks’ rise to fame. It definitely was a slow rise, but it also showed how he never gave up in sharing his humor as well as his religion.

This book was a little dry at times, but still interesting overall.

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This was a very informative book. Not only did I learn about Mel Brooks, but society of the times. It changed everything I thought I knew about him. I have far more respect for him now that I know all of this. It was a good overview of his life, and I'd love to learn more about his film career now that I know the generalities.

Ouuuff, oh boy. This book was not for me. Mel Brooks is a legend, but this version of his biography is nearly insufferable. You either have to be obsessed with Brooks, or have a deep understanding/appreciation for all things Jewish, which I cannot relate to.

DNF @ 33%

(I received this ALC via NetGalley in return for an honest review. Thank you kindly.)

The Jewish Lives series, published by Yale University Press, is a "series of biography designed to explore the many facets of Jewish identity." This volume is dedicated to the American humorist Mel Brooks (FKA Melvin Kaminsky).

As a biography, it extends the expected dimensions, from birth to the present (as Brooks is still alive). His formative years are detailed, but the bulk of the book is devoted to Brooks career on screen, and later on stage. Blazing Saddles and The Producers get the most attention.

Dauber centers the focus on Brooks on his success or failure in balancing his anything for a laugh ethos with the constraints of his collaborators and audience. From his early career pitching jokes for the Show of Shows to his many films, Brooks career shows the progression of Jewish humor from niche to mainstream, at times alongside Woody Allen's.

Dauber is sympathetic and clearly a fan of Brooks' work, often letting other critics voice Brooks's failings and lack of critical appeal. Except for when Dracula Dead and Loving it is mentioned, and then quickly dismissed. Although Dauber does follow up these statements, sometimes discussing their use of coded language, or where popularity differed from critical reception.

Having not had the chance to read Brooks' autobiography, I can't speak to the necessity for this book, but as a short introductory work, it would be very helpful for those seeking to learn about the high (and low) points of Brooks' career, but those looking for a more in-depth biography or behind the scenes feature would need to look elsewhere.

The audio narrator did a good job in speaking this book to life. Mel Brooks has led quite a full life and is a fascinating man. He’s incredibly creative and so very funny.

I learned a little more about him in this book but not as much as I had hoped. It was a bit repetitive at times and also focused a lot of other people in Mel Brook’s orbit. I learned more about Lenny Bruce too thanks to this book.

Overall, it was fine. Not bad at all just not what I was expecting and I didn’t get a whole lot out of it.