Comedy Book

"Compendious, deeply considered, provoking, and rather dizzying . . . There’s a rhythm and an expertise about comedy criticism right now (Fox’s very much included) that reminds me of good jazz writing from the ’50s and ’60s: savvy, insidery, immersed, excited, with its own developing vocabulary . . . A bonus side effect of reading Comedy Book, of reading about all these comedians and their processes, was that I was cured, finally, of my sentimental attachment to the idea of the stand-up as truth-telling philosophe." —James Parker, The Atlantic

★ “This electric debut . . . serves up trenchant observations on the roles context, laughter, timing, and other factors play in comedic movies, television shows, and standup sets from 1990 through the early 2020s . . . There are fresh perspectives on every page, and the style is as humorous as one would expect . . . Brilliant and a pleasure to read, this raises the bar for comedy studies.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“An impassioned argument for why comedy matters . . . [Jesse David Fox examines] breakthroughs from the past 30 years to make the case for comedy as an art form that deserves to be analyzed and appreciated. Fox is funny in his own right, combining comprehensive knowledge with superfan enthusiasm.” —Maris Kreizman, Vulture

“Jesse David Fox is not only very funny but also one of the most thoughtful writers about comedy working today. Comedy Book catalogs the most inventive voices in the field, but also changes the way we talk about an art form that is more diverse and exciting than ever before.” —Seth Meyers 

"I thought I was the ultimate obsessed comedy nerd but after reading Jesse David Fox’s comprehensive Comedy Book I realized there is someone out there much sicker than me." —Judd Apatow

"This is a book for people who love comedy, and for people who know nothing about comedy and are curious about who is in there and how it can all work. This is a sharp, loving, well written exploration and analysis of the art form that makes us smile, helps us relate, and is perpetually mysterious. Comedy Book is excellent for many reasons, but my favorite one is that Jesse David Fox lays it all out in a way that still allows the reader to wonder. He writes about the power and mystery of comedy in a way that only adds to that very power and that very mystery." —Jenny Slate

“Not a single person alive knows, consumes or truly loves comedy like Jesse David Fox." —Tig Notaro

"Many people write about comedy but nobody writes about it with such passion and knowledge as Jesse David Fox. His Comedy Book is a thorough and caring ride through the world of comedy. I am honored to write a blurb for the book so hopefully he will write nice things about me for many years to come!" —Nick Kroll

"As someone who has been in the comedy game for 15 years and also loves to nerd out, this is one of the most comprehensive and delightful books on comedy I've ever read. It's such a joyful read from someone who, for as long as I've known him, has the purest love of stand-up, sitcoms, improv, and everything else comedy related. I'm proud of Jesse and this book and it's an honor to have him tell our story and also teach me some thangs! It's a must read!” —Phoebe Robinson

"A fascinating snapshot at a crucial moment in the fast-mutating world of comedy. Jesse David Fox has taken a loving look at where comedy stands today, and this will become a hilarious, and much-referred to, historical document when it all warps and mutates again." —Patton Oswalt

"Taking comedy seriously sounds mighty fishy to me. Then I read this juicy book and said, ‘Well, hold on a second, I think the kid has a point!’ And you know what? Everyone else in my cult agreed!" —Aparna Nancherla

"One of my favorite activities in life is talking with a smart friend about something they are obsessed with. Jesse David Fox’s brilliant Comedy Book captures that feeling flawlessly. A deep dive into the divine art of comedy by one of comedy’s most obsessive critics, this book is a beautiful blend of history, philosophy, memoir, and deep, deep study of an art form that, to quote Rodney Dangerfield, 'gets no respect.' A perfect book for fans of comedy, practitioners of comedy, or simply anyone interested in one of the greatest mysteries of the universe: what makes us laugh." —Isaac Fitzgerald, New York Times-bestselling author of Dirtbag, Massachusetts

"Jesse Fox’s Comedy Book knocks our socks off showing how comedy not only became a major cultural force, but a form of literature unto itself, and a high art." —Jerry Saltz, author of Art is Life and senior art critic for New York

"A thoughtful assessment of how, for better or worse, humor ages . . . [Fox is] clearly passionate about his subject and has an encyclopedic knowledge of modern humor . . . A well-informed, appreciative assessment of the current state of comedy." —Kirkus Reviews