“How to Talk Dirty and Influence People” by Lenny Bruce
A Fireside Book, published by Simon and Schuster by arrangement with Playboy Enterprises, Inc. © 1963, 1964, 1965
Eric Bogosian © 1992 (introduction)
"I dedicate this book to all the followers of Christ and his teachings; in particular to a true Christian - Jimmy Hoffa - because he hired ex-convicts as, I assume, Christ would have."
[This synopsis was taken directly from the back cover]
Lenny Bruce, the scathing and hilarious social satirist and comedian, died in 1966 at age 40 of a morphine overdose. During the course of a career that began in the late 40's, he challenged the sanctity of organized religion and other societal and political conventions he perceived as having hypocritical tendencies, and widened the boundaries of free speech. His performances were intensely controversial for both subject matter and the vocabulary employed, and his fight for the freedom of expression has made possible the work of subsequent generations of provacative performers. 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."
This book is much easier to find than out-of-print "Ladies and Gentlemen - Lenny Bruce!!!", but far less indicative of the true nature of Lenny Bruce's existence. I have read that Bruce took some creative liberties in telling his story. Nonetheless, "How to Talk Dirty..." still offers some interesting and entertaining insights.