Comedy Book: How Comedy Conquered Culture — And the Magic That Makes It Work

Named a Most Anticipated Book by Vulture, The Millions, and Lit Hub

"Comedy Book changes the way we talk about an art form that is more diverse and exciting than ever before." — Seth Meyers "A sharp, loving, well written exploration and analysis of the art form that makes us smile, helps us relate, and is perpetually mysterious." — Jenny Slate

From a beloved comedy critic, a wisecracking, heartfelt, and overdue chronicle of comedy's boom — and its magic.

Comedy is king. From multimillion-dollar TV specials to sold-out stand-up shows and TikTok stardom, comedy has never been more popular, democratized, or influential. Comedians have become organizing forces across culture — as trusted as politicians and as fawned-over as celebrities — yet comedy as an art form has gone under-considered throughout its history, even as it has ascended as a cultural force.

In Comedy Book, Jesse David Fox — the country's most definitive voice in comedy criticism and someone who, in his own words, "enjoys comedy maybe more than anyone on this planet" — tackles everything you need to know about comedy. Weaving together history and analysis, Fox unravels the genre's political legacy through an ode to Jon Stewart, interrogates the divide between highbrow and lowbrow via Adam Sandler, and unpacks how marginalized comics create spaces for their communities. Along the way, Fox covers everything from comedy in the age of political correctness and Will Smith's slap to the right wing's relationship with comedy and, for Fox, comedy's ability to heal personal tragedy.

With memorable cameos from Jerry Seinfeld, Dave Chappelle, John Mulaney, Ali Wong, Kate Berlant, and countless others, Comedy Book is an eye-opening education in how to engage with our most omnipresent art form, a riotous history of American pop culture, and a love letter to laughter.

"Not a single person alive knows, consumes or truly loves comedy like Jesse David Fox." — Tig Notaro

"Electric...[Fox] has a knack for finding revelations in unexpected places...There are fresh perspectives on every page, and the style is as humorous as one would expect...Brilliant and a pleasure to read, this raises the bar for comedy studies." — Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

"A thoughtful assessment of how, for better or worse, humor ages...[Fox is] clearly passionate about his subject and has an encyclopedic knowledge of modern humor...A well-informed, appreciative assessment of the current state of comedy." — Kirkus

Jesse David Fox is a Senior Editor at Vulture, where he works as the site's comedy critic and serves as the Chief Curator of the magazine's event series, Vulture Festival. He is also the host of the hit podcast Good One, where he interviews comedians about their process. He lives in Brooklyn.