History & Criticism
![Kat Timpf - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_B0C24RLCYQ.jpg)
You Can't Joke About That: Why Everything Is Funny, Nothing Is Sacred, and We're All in This Together
What happens when we can't joke about some of the most important stuff in life?
In a 2019 study, 40% of people reported censoring themselves out of fear that voicing their views would alienate them from the people they care about most. Those people should probably not read this book in public.
In You Can't Joke About That, Kat Timpf shows why much of the way we talk about sensitive subjects is wrong. We've created all the wrong rules. We push ourselves into unnecessary conflicts when we should feel like we're all in this together. When someone says "you can't joke about that," what they really mean is "this is a subject that makes people sad or angry."
Hilariously and movingly, Timpf argues that those subjects are actually the most important to joke about. She shows us we can find healing through humor regarding things you probably don't want to bring up in polite conversation, like traumatic break-ups, cancer, being broke, Dave Chappelle, rape jokes, aging, ostomy bags, religion, body image, dead moms, religion, the lab leak theory, transgender swimmers, gushing wounds, campus censorship, and bad Christmas presents.
This book is Kat Timpf with her hair down, except since hers is mostly extensions, this book is Kat Timpf with her hair out. Read it because you want to get to know her better. Read it because it's the best book on free speech and comedy in a generation. Read it because you want to laugh out loud… even at the kind of stuff we're afraid to say out loud. Just read it, and you'll be glad you did.
In a 2019 study, 40% of people reported censoring themselves out of fear that voicing their views would alienate them from the people they care about most. Those people should probably not read this book in public.
In You Can't Joke About That, Kat Timpf shows why much of the way we talk about sensitive subjects is wrong. We've created all the wrong rules. We push ourselves into unnecessary conflicts when we should feel like we're all in this together. When someone says "you can't joke about that," what they really mean is "this is a subject that makes people sad or angry."
Hilariously and movingly, Timpf argues that those subjects are actually the most important to joke about. She shows us we can find healing through humor regarding things you probably don't want to bring up in polite conversation, like traumatic break-ups, cancer, being broke, Dave Chappelle, rape jokes, aging, ostomy bags, religion, body image, dead moms, religion, the lab leak theory, transgender swimmers, gushing wounds, campus censorship, and bad Christmas presents.
This book is Kat Timpf with her hair down, except since hers is mostly extensions, this book is Kat Timpf with her hair out. Read it because you want to get to know her better. Read it because it's the best book on free speech and comedy in a generation. Read it because you want to laugh out loud… even at the kind of stuff we're afraid to say out loud. Just read it, and you'll be glad you did.
Editorial Reviews
Kat uses her acerbic wit to destroy the mythos that anything is comedically off-limits. She gives me hope for the future of satire and I'm honored to call her my friend. - Ben Kissel, Last Podcast Network
My mom first introduced me to Kat Timpf, and this book shows why I'm so glad she did. Kat delivers biting, savage commentary with enough heart to make it hard to stay mad at her. By targeting everything she's not supposed to target and laughing at stuff that's supposed to be too dark, she shows us why it's important to respect all kinds of speech. - Jerry Only, bassist for the Misfits
In You Can't Joke About That, Kat Timpf takes us on a personal journey into the power of comedy. With sometimes gross anecdotes and an impeccable use of semicolons, she reminds us that intent and forgiveness matter, free speech is an indispensable cultural value, and laughter is the best medicine for so much of what ails us. I learned a lot about Kat in this book and found myself agreeing throughout, which is genuinely extraordinary. I can't wait to recommend it to everyone. - Justin Amash, former member of the US House of Representatives
A ruthlessly honest exploration of comedy and cancellation in our era of outrage. By courageously exposing her every foible, Kat, a free-speech absolutist, makes the case that no topic is off-limits. From ostomy bags to death, Kat catapults us through her most extraordinary decade and teaches us that when we give people the freedom to take risks and speak freely, we find connection with those around us. - Dr. Drew, television host, addiction medicine specialist, and New York Times bestselling author of It Doesn't Have to Be Awkward
Kat Timpf lays herself hysterically bare in her first triumphant book. The best Kat is bare Kat, and this honest and beautifully written love letter to free speech makes me love her even more. - Kennedy, Fox News cultural icon
My mom first introduced me to Kat Timpf, and this book shows why I'm so glad she did. Kat delivers biting, savage commentary with enough heart to make it hard to stay mad at her. By targeting everything she's not supposed to target and laughing at stuff that's supposed to be too dark, she shows us why it's important to respect all kinds of speech. - Jerry Only, bassist for the Misfits
In You Can't Joke About That, Kat Timpf takes us on a personal journey into the power of comedy. With sometimes gross anecdotes and an impeccable use of semicolons, she reminds us that intent and forgiveness matter, free speech is an indispensable cultural value, and laughter is the best medicine for so much of what ails us. I learned a lot about Kat in this book and found myself agreeing throughout, which is genuinely extraordinary. I can't wait to recommend it to everyone. - Justin Amash, former member of the US House of Representatives
A ruthlessly honest exploration of comedy and cancellation in our era of outrage. By courageously exposing her every foible, Kat, a free-speech absolutist, makes the case that no topic is off-limits. From ostomy bags to death, Kat catapults us through her most extraordinary decade and teaches us that when we give people the freedom to take risks and speak freely, we find connection with those around us. - Dr. Drew, television host, addiction medicine specialist, and New York Times bestselling author of It Doesn't Have to Be Awkward
Kat Timpf lays herself hysterically bare in her first triumphant book. The best Kat is bare Kat, and this honest and beautifully written love letter to free speech makes me love her even more. - Kennedy, Fox News cultural icon
Readers Top Reviews
sonshinesonshineD
Haven’t finished the book but Kat is so right about laughter being better to helps us all through the dark times. We all go through them but if we stop tip toeing around the “unspeakable” things and talk about; even joke about it, then we might find some common ground with each other and realize we are better for it.
Cynthia W.sonshin
This is a great read and sounds just like Kat speaking. I wish you even greater success!!! And, I just need to add this in response to a negative reviewer: If one is going to publicly review a book that obviously has not been purchased, much less read, heed the quote. It says a lot. "There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man (person) in everlasting ignorance - that principle is contempt prior to investigation.” Herbert Spencer, English Philosopher 1820-1903
Dave BartelsCynth
I just purchased this book. If anyone has the right to curl up in a ball and sedate themselves into a coma it is the life experiences of Kat Timpf. I'm a 6' 2" ex-football player who's current health situation has me using a walker with a laundry list of prescriptions and I my life experiences are far less trough than Ms. Timpf. Not only has she survived she's excelled. Well Done Kat Timpf.
timDave BartelsCy
Great read. Received it this morning, already done. She walks us through her early life after college, her struggles and inspires us through the book to face adversity, get up, shake it off and get back on with life. A great mixture of her own blend of comedy throughout the book, I must say, this is a "MUST READ". Although I will say, the space battles weren't very convincing, she needs to take a refresher course in physics.
Mark R. Whittingt
If you’ve never seen Kat Timpf on TV, you really ought to. The lanky, acerbic blond can be seen five nights a week on the Gutfeld! Show on the Fox News Channel. The idea, which Kat presents in this book, that humor can come from a place of pain is not a new one. Robin Williams used to tell jokes about his problems with drug addiction. Richard Pryor would riff on racism (with a generous application of the N word that would get him cancelled now) and his drug addiction. Kat is quite open and honest about the turbulence of her life, including a hard scrabble youth, the death of loved ones, toxic romances, and her own brush with death, among other things. Her idea of coping is not through prayer or wallowing in despair, but through laughter is a good one. Laughter has the power to take the sting out of any misfortune. That is sound wisdom, especially coming from a young woman still in her thirties. Her advice should be taken to heart by everyone. This book is highly recommended.
