How to Talk Dirty and Influence People

An Autobiography

By: Lenny Bruce, Howard Reich - introduction, Lewis Black - preface

Narrated by: Ronnie Marmo

During the course of a career that began in the late 1940s, Lenny Bruce challenged the sanctity of organized religion and other societal and political conventions; he widened the boundaries of free speech. Critic Ralph Gleason said, "So many taboos have been lifted and so many comics have rushed through the doors Lenny opened. He utterly changed the world of comedy."

Although Bruce died when he was only forty, his influence on the worlds of comedy, jazz, and satire are incalculable. How to Talk Dirty and Influence People remains a brilliant existential account of his life and the forces that made him the most important and controversial entertainer in history.

Critic reviews

Praise for How to Talk Dirty and Influence People"I read this book for the first time when I was twelve years old. It made me want to be in showbiz, have a lot of sex, and be Jewish. I've rethought that last one." -Penn Jillette, author of God No!
"If there was a God, then he sent down Lenny Bruce to create the art form of modern stand-up comedy. He sought the truth fearlessly and hilariously until his tragically muffled First Amendment rights surely enabled his dying for our sins." -Richard Lewis, author of The Other Great Depression
"Outside every American comedy club there ought to be a statue of Lenny Bruce - the type of big bronze statue that commemorates and immortalizes heroes... Bringing Bruce's ideas and stories to a new generation might just be the next best thing to erecting those bronze statues." - Playboy, 8/3/16
"Sheds light on the mind behind some of the most controversial comedy routines of the mid-20th century." -Spectrum Culture, 10/11/16

Like listening to the man himself

Lots of rambling, insufferable series of intro.s that add nothing, and a play by play of the courtroom drama that should have been a quarter as long. Once you get past this, you see what made him great. The experiences, the storytelling -- top notch when he's on his game. And of course, there could be no such thing as a modern edgy performer if Bruce didn't open that door and Carlin didn't keep it open.

Superbly narrated by Ronnie Marmo whose Lenny Bruce impersonation could not be more perfect. *Chef's kiss*

Great Memoir Interesting Tipping Point in Culture

It's clear early in the book that Lenny Bruce had extra ordinary perceptions and awareness of humanity and conditions around us. In particular, the spelling effect of words. How words cast spells on people. People's subconscious. The absurdities of life and social intercourse. He floated ten feet above the rest. His viewpoints were fascinating and have proven to be true all these decades later as civilization catches up to him. Amazing human being. He scared people for a reason. He could see things others couldn't. He was actually very sane, in a world of insanity. His entire memoir is a prayer for others to see the truths he did. A beautiful mind.

Like I was hearing Lenny Bruce

Enjoyed this very much—we stay on the same problems and can’t seem to solve any of them.

Wow

First of all, Ronnie Marmo’s performance is extraordinary. It feels like listening to Bruce himself. The book itself is funny, and still very relevant.

just excellent

It's totally okay to not agree or like everything someone talks about or represents. It's still an intelligent idea to listen to some you may not agree with to understand their perspective to find a common ground. Though I'm generally a fan of Lenny (and am blown away by how much the narrator sounds like him), I don't agree with absolutely everything, but it's not hard to see how unjustly he was treated and how unrelenting he was in expecting honesty in a world that is anything but and what a price he paid. This is well worth your time, but keep your mind open, listen to the ideas more than the words, and see what you find.