A funny and personal portrait of the comedianÿwho becameÿthe headline-making, ground-breaking star of The Colbert Report.
ÿ"My name is Stephen Colbert, but I actually play someone on television named Stephen Colbert, who looks like me and talks like me, but who says things with a straight face [that] he doesn't mean."
-Stephen ColbertÿNo otherÿcomedian can generate headlines today the way Stephen Colbert can. With his appearance at aÿCongressional hearing, his rally in Washington, D.C., his bestselling book, his creation of the now-accepted word truthiness, and of course his popular TV show, nearly everyone (except theÿpoor Congressional foolsÿwho agree to be interviewed on his show) has heard of him.
Yet all these things are part of a character also named Stephen Colbert. Who is he really? In And Nothing But the Truthiness, biographer Lisa Rogakÿexamines the manÿbehind the character. She reveals the roots of his humor, growing up as the youngest of eleven siblings,ÿand the tragedy that forever altered the family. Sheÿcharts his early years earning his chops first as a serious acting student and later as a budding impov comic, especially his close connection with Amy Sedaris, which led to the cult TV show Strangers with Candy. AndÿRogak offers a look inside how The Daily Show works, and the exclusive bond that Colbert and Jon Stewart formed that would lead to Colbert's own rise to celebrity.
Aÿbehind-the-scenes look into the world of one of the biggest comedians in America,ÿAnd NothingÿBut the Truthinessÿis a terrific read for any resident of Colbert Nation.
Industry Reviews
Praise for "And Nothing but the Truthiness: """ "When The Colbert Report was launched in 2005, the entire premise was based on that character, and enthusiastic fans will delight in Rogak's lengthy, detailed behind-the-scenes coverage of both the show and Colbert's controversial keynote speech at the 2006 White House Correspondents' Dinner. The 40 pages of bibliographic notes indicate her extensive research for this engaging, entertaining biography, which succeeds in capturing Colbert's anarchic, iconoclastic spirit."--"Publishers Weekly" Praise for "And Nothing But the Truthiness" "" "In this carefully crafted, behind-the-scenes biography, Rogak succeeds in uncovering the 'truthiness' about the real Colbert."--"Booklist" "When "The Colbert Report" was launched in 2005, the entire premise was based on that character, and enthusiastic fans will delight in Rogak's lengthy, detailed behind-the-scenes coverage of both the show and Colbert's controversial keynote speech at the 2006 White House Correspondents' Dinner. The 40 pages of bibliographic notes indicate her extensive research for this engaging, entertaining biography, which succeeds in capturing Colbert's anarchic, iconoclastic spirit."--"Publishers Weekly""" "Gives us insight into the man behind the mouth.""--Kirkus Reviews""" "A conversational, multiperspective account of his life. ... This is the first major biography of Colbert and one fans will appreciate."--"Library Journal""" "Ms. Rogak's method of introducing Colbert the Person and Colbert the Character is near faultless. ... This biography could have easily been titled "The Tale of Two Colberts"; however, Colbert's signature 'truthiness' seems to befit the style and enjoyment Ms. Rogak obviously had writing "And Nothing But the Truthiness."""--New York Journal of Books" "As close to a bio of the man -- rather than the persona who hosts 'The Colbert Report' -- that we'll see anytime soon.""--New York Daily News""" "With a subject as interesting as Stephen Colbert the person, and discussion of a concept as original as the character of Stephen Colbert, the book is definitely worth reading.""--Washington Independent Review of Books" Praise for "Haunted Heart: The Life and Times of Stephen King" "" ""Haunted Heart" is a thoroughly respectful overview of King's life, and a great starter biography for new fans.""--The Boston Globe""" "Rogak ... has pieced together King's sometimes erratic life scrupulously into a clean, swift read.""--The Times" (UK) Praise for "A Boy Named Shel: The Life and Ti "There are plenty of smiles in Lisa Rogak's assemblage of facts and anecdotes." --USA Today
"In this carefully crafted, behind-the-scenes biography, Rogak succeeds in uncovering the 'truthiness' about the real Colbert." --Booklist
"When The Colbert Report was launched in 2005, the entire premise was based on that character, and enthusiastic fans will delight in Rogak's lengthy, detailed behind-the-scenes coverage of both the show and Colbert's controversial keynote speech at the 2006 White House Correspondents' Dinner. The 40 pages of bibliographic notes indicate her extensive research for this engaging, entertaining biography, which succeeds in capturing Colbert's anarchic, iconoclastic spirit." --Publishers Weekly
"Gives us insight into the man behind the mouth." --Kirkus Reviews
"A conversational, multiperspective account of his life. ... This is the first major biography of Colbert and one fans will appreciate." --Washington Independent Review of Books
"Haunted Heart is a thoroughly respectful overview of King's life, and a great starter biography for new fans." --The Boston Globe on Haunted Heart: The Life and Times of Stephen King
"Rogak ... has pieced together King's sometimes erratic life scrupulously into a clean, swift read." --The Times (UK) on Haunted Heart: The Life and Times of Stephen King
"An authoritative and accessible biography, absorbing from cover to cover." --Library Journal on A Boy Named Shel: The Life and Times of Shel Silverstein
"A tribute to the unusual life of an extraordinary man." --The Daily Texan on A Boy Named Shel: The Life and Times of Shel Silverstein
"Rogak doesn't miss a beat." --The Daily Californian on A Boy Named Shel: The Life and Times of Shel Silverstein There are plenty of smiles in Lisa Rogak's assemblage of facts and anecdotes. "USA Today"
In this carefully crafted, behind-the-scenes biography, Rogak succeeds in uncovering the truthiness' about the real Colbert. "Booklist"
When "The Colbert Report" was launched in 2005, the entire premise was based on that character, and enthusiastic fans will delight in Rogak's lengthy, detailed behind-the-scenes coverage of both the show and Colbert's controversial keynote speech at the 2006 White House Correspondents' Dinner. The 40 pages of bibliographic notes indicate her extensive research for this engaging, entertaining biography, which succeeds in capturing Colbert's anarchic, iconoclastic spirit. "Publishers Weekly"
Gives us insight into the man behind the mouth. "Kirkus Reviews"
A conversational, multiperspective account of his life. ... This is the first major biography of Colbert and one fans will appreciate. "Washington Independent Review of Books"
"Haunted Heart" is a thoroughly respectful overview of King's life, and a great starter biography for new fans. "The Boston Globe on Haunted Heart: The Life and Times of Stephen King"
Rogak has pieced together King's sometimes erratic life scrupulously into a clean, swift read. "The Times (UK) on Haunted Heart: The Life and Times of Stephen King"
An authoritative and accessible biography, absorbing from cover to cover. "Library Journal on A Boy Named Shel: The Life and Times of Shel Silverstein"
A tribute to the unusual life of an extraordinary man. "The Daily Texan on A Boy Named Shel: The Life and Times of Shel Silverstein"
Rogak doesn't miss a beat. "The Daily Californian on A Boy Named Shel: The Life and Times of Shel Silverstein""
