A Lexicon of Literacy, A Rancorous Reportage, A Concise Curriculum of Cool
Ratings3
Average rating3.7
From the bold, beloved comic and podcast star Greg Proops comes a “terrifically random appreciation of cultural touchstones” (Publishers Weekly) that is electrifying, thought-provoking, and unrelenting, full of rapid-fire references, historical name-checking, Satchel Paige bon mots, and genuine wisdom. Greg Proops is an internationally renowned comedian, best known for starring on the hit improv-comedy show Whose Line Is It Anyway? and for his popular award-winning podcast, “The Smartest Man in the World,” which Rolling Stone called “some of the boldest comedy on the podcasting frontier right now.” But Proops is also a fountain of historical knowledge, a wealth of pop culture trivia, and a generally charming know-it-all. The Smartest Book in the World is a rollicking reference guide to the most essential areas of knowledge in Proops’s universe, from history’s juiciest tales and curious backstories to the movies you must see and the albums you must hear. Full of eclectic and humorous knowledge, it is a concentrated collection and comic cultural dictionary of the essential Proops topics including poetry, proper punctuation, and Satchel Paige, all delivered with his signature style, making the full Proops experience complete. So if you’re stuck wondering why Alexander was so Great (well, he did conquer the world), which cinema bombshell would be the best shortstop (Hedy Lamarr, of course), what great work of art would be the best to steal (not that you would), or the finest way to prepare vodka-flavored vodka (add vodka), don’t fret, pumpkin butter—The Smartest Book in the World has what you need right now.
Reviews with the most likes.
Greg Proops is a horrendously funny man. His self-styled Smartest Man In The World podcast is chock full of savage wit, baseball, movies, pop culture, politics and the sound of a middle-class white dude railing against the world. The Smartest Book In The World covers much of the same ground and is none the worse for that.
This book is like wandering through the canyons of Proops' mind. It is full of his preoccupations, passions and written in such a way that you can, if you've ever heard him, hear his voice in your head. But in a good way, not a psychotic way. Ahem.
Yes, there is a LOT of baseball, which Proops acknowledges in the afterword, but it's informative and shows his love for the sport. However, maybe one too many fictional Baseball teams?
There is poetry here, art too. Movies and books too. Proops loves classic cinema and here we get short chapters on Sidney Lumet and Foreign Film amongst others. History is thrown into the mix and we get potted histories of Caesar and Alexander the Great.
If you know of Proops you'll love this book. If you don't, crack open a bottle of vodka-flavoured vodka, put your feet up and luxuriate in the ramblings of one of the world's best comics. You won't regret it.