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Lisa Rogak
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Angry Optimist: The Life and Times of Jon Stewart Kindle Edition

by Lisa Rogak (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 254 ratings

A New York Times Bestseller
Since his arrival at The Daily Show in 1999, Jon Stewart has become one of the major players in comedy as well as one of the most significant liberal voices in the media. In Angry Optimist, biographer Lisa Rogak charts his unlikely rise to stardom. She follows him from his early days growing up in New Jersey, through his years as a struggling standup comic in New York, and on to the short-lived but acclaimed The Jon Stewart Show. And she charts his humbling string of near-misses—passed over as a replacement for shows hosted by Conan O'Brien, Tom Snyder, and even the fictional Larry Sanders—before landing on a half-hour comedy show that at the time was still finding its footing amidst roiling internal drama.

Once there, Stewart transformed The Daily Show into one of the most influential news programs on television today. Drawing on interviews with current and former colleagues, Rogak reveals how things work—and sometimes don't work—behind the scenes at The Daily Show, led by Jon Stewart, a comedian who has come to wield incredible power in American politics.

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  1. Print length
    286 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Thomas Dunne Books
  4. Publication date
    September 9, 2014
  5. File size
    4.1 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Campbell conveys Stewart's wit, charm, and sensitivity.-- "AudioFile"

About the Author

Lisa Rogak is the author of numerous books, including And Nothing But the Truthiness: The Rise (and Further Rise) of Stephen Colbert. She is the editor of the New York Times bestseller Barack Obama in His Own Words and author of the New York Times bestseller Angry Optimist: The Life and Times of Jon Stewart. Rogak lives in New Hampshire. Learn more at lisarogak.com.

Read by Cassandra Campbell, Gabrielle de Cuir, Richard Gilliland, Jamye Grant, Stephen Hoye, Alex Hyde-White, Sunil Malhotra, Arthur Morey, P. J. Ochlan, and Stefan Rudnicki

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00IQNYULS
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Thomas Dunne Books (September 9, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 9, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4.1 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 286 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 254 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Lisa Rogak

Lisa Rogak

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Lisa Rogak is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 40 books, which have been published in more than two dozen languages. Her books Barack Obama: In His Own Words, and Angry Optimist: The Life & Times of Jon Stewart, hit the New York Times bestseller lists. Haunted Heart: The Life & Times of Stephen King was nominated for both the Edgar and Anthony Awards.

Her books have been reviewed and otherwise mentioned in the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, USA Today, and hundreds of other publications. She appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show as the featured guest in a show about small towns to promote her book, Moving to the Country Once and For All.

She served as co-author with famed YouTube star Rich Benoit on his memoir Going Fast and Fixing Things: True Stories from the World’s Most Popular DIY Repair Expert and Car Aficionado, and helped the late librarian Jan Louch tell the story of the world’s most famous library cats in The True Tails of Baker and Taylor: The Library Cats Who Left Their Pawprints on a Small Town . . . and the World

The Man Behind the DaVinci Code, her biography of famed author Dan Brown, was published in two dozen languages. In 2020, she published Rachel Maddow, the first biography of the acclaimed MSNBC anchor followed by Alex Trebek: A Biography.

Her biography of famed cartoonist, A Boy Named Shel: The Life and Times of Shel Silverstein, is currently in development for release as a major motion picture.

She lives in New Hampshire and is currently at work on a memoir.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
254 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this biography insightful, with one noting how it provides both professional and personal glimpses into Jon Stewart's life. The book receives positive feedback for its readability and humor, with one customer particularly enjoying reading about his struggles with comedy. Customers appreciate the detailed look at Stewart's career.

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16 customers mention "Insight"12 positive4 negative

Customers find the biography insightful, with one customer noting how it provides both professional and personal glimpses into Jon Stewart's life.

"This is a great behind the scenes history of The Daily Show. Not only from Jon Stewart's point of view but from many others that were involved...." Read more

"...The author of this book gives us a thorough biography, and only confirms why I still have him on my list of fantasy dinner guests!" Read more

"...he writes his own autobiography, this is quite sufficient in giving information about the man who took over The Daily Show and turned it into a..." Read more

"I like the guy, this showed me his life story and I like him even more now." Read more

14 customers mention "Readability"12 positive2 negative

Customers find the book readable, with one mentioning it's a quick read.

"...Stewart has captured the object of his angst in a brilliant, funny and sometimes painful way not unlike his remarkable performance on television..." Read more

"...A very enjoyable book. I'd just finished the author's similar book about Steven Colbert, and would describe it in the same way...." Read more

"...Until he writes his own autobiography, this is quite sufficient in giving information about the man who took over The Daily Show and turned it into..." Read more

"...It was OK, but would have been nice to hear more in depth comments from the other contributors on the show and from Jon himself." Read more

4 customers mention "Personality"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate Jon Stewart's personality, with one describing him as a wonderful person.

"Awesome book, awesome guy, hope he writes more and does not truly retire." Read more

"Love Jon! Book arrived in good shape--will pass it on!" Read more

"It's a wonderful book about a wonderful person!!" Read more

"Love Jon!" Read more

3 customers mention "Humor"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book humorous, with one mentioning they enjoyed reading about Jon's struggles with comedy.

"...Stewart has captured the object of his angst in a brilliant, funny and sometimes painful way not unlike his remarkable performance on television..." Read more

"I enjoyed reading about Jon's struggles with comedy and his self definition . I wish there were more details of his childhood and family life." Read more

"Informative & entertaining. A delightful read. Just what you would expect from from Jon" Read more

3 customers mention "Look"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's in-depth look at Jon Stewart's life and career, with one customer noting it provides a behind-the-scenes perspective.

"...Gives a great in depth look at how The Daily Show is put together, and a perhaps not surprising look at the off-stage Stewart, who is not as..." Read more

"A bit of an interesting look behind both Jon's path to where he became the iconic influential comedian-turned-social/political commentator...... as..." Read more

"...The biographer, Lisa Rogak, displayed the man we love brilliantly. I loved getting to know more about him. Thank you, Lisa!" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Amanda M
    5.0 out of 5 stars Best book I've read in ages!!
    Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Loved it so much already bought more to gift for the holidays!
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  • MES
    4.0 out of 5 stars Worth it.
    Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This is a great behind the scenes history of The Daily Show. Not only from Jon Stewart's point of view but from many others that were involved. It seems very open and honest in presenting the good and bad.
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  • Joe Sireno
    5.0 out of 5 stars Stewart has captured the object of his angst in a brilliant, funny and sometimes painful way not unlike his ...
    Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    The leader of that small band of truth telling, muck raking comedians without whom there might not be a viable source of information in our times. Stewart has captured the object of his angst in a brilliant, funny and sometimes painful way not unlike his remarkable performance on television for the past 16 years. Once again, he cuts through the chat and gets to the heart of many an important matter calling us all to get up and get to work doing what we can and what we should. How he manages to do this with the "funny" in tact is an amazing accomplishment but that is exactly where the hope lives that allows the optimist. 100 years from now and for many thousands of years hereafter, this will be the man who together with Stephen Cobert, Bill Maher and just a few other enormously talented comedians will be known as the the great liberators who managed to deliver the truth through a cacophony of social media and echo chambers by marinating it - and so disguising it in laughter. Viewable to those who read, think and care - invisible to those for whom Fox News is... News.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Peter P. Stancavage
    3.0 out of 5 stars Good facts but little emotion
    Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed reading about Jon's struggles with comedy and his self definition . I wish there were more details of his childhood and family life.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Diana Stuve
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very Insightful Biography
    Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I have been a fan of Jon Stewart since his earliest days, and he was always on my list of 'people I would like to have a conversation with'. You just have to look at some of the finest comedians out there and see how many of them shared time with Jon Stewart. Sharp wit, kudos to his writing staff of the Daily Show for helping that to shine through. The author of this book gives us a thorough biography, and only confirms why I still have him on my list of fantasy dinner guests!
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Beverly A. Sykes
    4.0 out of 5 stars The real Jon
    Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Subtitled, "The Life and Times of Jon Stewart," this book is just that -- Stewart's story from his New Jersey childhood through his years trying to hone his craft as a stand up comedian, to his short-lived and unimpressive movie career, to the phenomenal success of The Daily Show, updated to 2014 and his announcement to leave the show and naming of the new host of the show. Gives a great in depth look at how The Daily Show is put together, and a perhaps not surprising look at the off-stage Stewart, who is not as affable as his on-screen persona, yet who could blame him? The kind of fame he has achieved has got to be a heavy mantle to wear 24/7.

    I chose to read this because I was still in "grief mode" following his final Daily Show appearance! Jon Stewara's "Daily Show' was a phenomenon and I'm so glad I was a part of the viewing audience. He is missed.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Meera or, usually, Alex
    5.0 out of 5 stars An interesting look behind Jon's path to becoming the iconic influential comedian-turned-social/political commentator
    Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    A bit of an interesting look behind both Jon's path to where he became the iconic influential comedian-turned-social/political commentator...... as well as a behind the scenes look at what it took to develop the daily show to and put on episodes.
    Most of it was researched and written before he retired from the Daily Show.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Stan Delahoyde
    5.0 out of 5 stars Be optimistic-it's a good book!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    As a fan of Jon Stewart, I found it a really interesting "behind the scenes" look at Stewart. A very enjoyable book. I'd just finished the author's similar book about Steven Colbert, and would describe it in the same way. Would definitely recommend both.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • james gauthier
    3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on October 30, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    It was Okay
    Report
  • Mr. R. T. Thorley
    5.0 out of 5 stars A good read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 13, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Very interesting
    Report
  • Amazon Customer
    2.0 out of 5 stars Two Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on October 19, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    The writing is dull.
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  • Amazon Customer
    3.0 out of 5 stars ... the inside of the culture to get into it easily.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 18, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    You probably have to be on the inside of the culture to get into it easily.
    Report

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