Last Words »

George Carlin was one of America's pre-eminent comedic voices. In 1993 he asked his friend, author Tony Hendra, to help him write his autobiography. For almost fifteen years, in scores of conversations, the two discussed Carlin's life, times, and evolution as a major artist. When Carlin died in June 2008 with the book still unpublished, Hendra assembled it as his friend would have wanted. Last Words is the rollicking, wrenching story of Carlin's life, as well as a parting gift of laughter to the world of comedy he helped create.

The New York Times - Jim Windolf

…a jazzy, inward-looking piece of work…a treasure for anyone who has ever felt in tune with this cheerfully misanthropic comedian…The book is very strong when it goes into his analyses of how he learned to speak his mind onstage and also of how he took timid backward steps following many of his eureka moments. This is the stuff of a great comedy seminar.

Introduction Tony Hendra 9

1 The Old Man and the Sunbeam 27

2 Holy Mary, Mother of George 51

3 Curious George 65

4 The Ace of Aces and the Dude of Dudes 95

5 Air Marshal Carlin Tells You to Go Fuck Yourself 109

6 Two Guys in Their Underwear 137

7 Introducing the Very Lovely, Very Talented - Brenda! 169

8 Those Fabulous Sixties 187

9 Inside Every Silver Lining There's a Dark Cloud 219

10 The Long Epiphany 249

11 Wurds, Werds, Words 283

12 High on the Hill 315

13 Say Goodbye to George Carlin 341

14 Death and Taxes 369

15 I Get Pissed, Geddamit! 393

16 Working Rageaholic 423

17 Doors Close, Doors Open 453

18 Being, Doing, Getting 481

19 New York Boy 501