Rating: 
Summary: Hilarious and immensely-informative
Review: "Stand-Up Comedy" is a hilarious and immensely-informative guide to creating a "killer act," performing it, and even making money with it. Judy Carter, as sexy as she is talented, reveals a wealth of stand-up techniques. Even at the start of the book, Carter writes about the "Five Big Secrets to Making People Laugh" (one of them is, ironically, "Don't try to be funny"). This quintet of comedic wisdom is, in itself, worth the price of the book. Another estimable featue is the assemblage of master comedians (Jerry Seinfeld, Paul Poundstone, Garry Shandling, etc.) and Carter's a fine accessment of what makes each of them so unique--not to mention funny. Carter's prose is concise, witty, and insightful (though I don't agree with her when she says "the more miserable your life, the better your act"). The book's layout is appealing and has plenty of white space. And in the Appendix, Carter includes a list of comedy clubs, comedy publications, and agents who handle comedians. My only hope is that Carter is preparing a much-needed second edition to this classic work.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent How To Book on Comedy and Speaking
Review: A truly incredible book, Carter breaks down comedy performance into very tiny pieces so we ought to be able to produce outstanding material. It leaves me awestruck. With everybody near and far, high and low, saying you either have it or you don't... along comes Carter and says if you want to learn how to do it follow through with the work in this book. There are lots of projects, lists of things to do and exercises. Her blindingly insightful advise to not try to be funny is very helpful. Instead, you work on your experiences to turn them into entertaining commentary, routines or speeches. Eventually, you work you way though the process of getting laughs allowing yourself to be surprised by the positive reception. If there are no laughs you just move on having told them an interesting story. You keep working on your stories until the laughs come. It is a cross between a textbook with assignments and a highly motivational book. Carter breaks down into fine detail what makes people laugh. Even if you are not going to shoot for being a famous stand up comedian, you can learn how to spice up you speeches and conversations-to lighten up. The author does not talk down to the reader. Reading Carter, it feels like she is in the room with constant encourage that it will happen. Carter must be a wonderful caring person.She is not saying your life has to be messed up to have a source of comedy from your experiences. She is saying it is not a negative--exploit it. She shows how humility and self deprecation can work with out bringing you down. The book is impressively easy to read, but the exercises are not easy. You will need to set aside a lot of time for the projects and exercises to make the book work for you. It must be a good cheap initial substitute for going to her school. In a relative's, guest bedroom I spotted this book that was acquired at one of her seminars. I read it and promptly ordered another of her books from Amazon. Even if I don't become very funny I will be a better speaker in the future from working through this book. Even though I have read the book carefully, I have a lot of work to do with this book yet. At the end is a list of comedy clubs, comedy publications, and agents. The list of comedy schools is very short. It only lists her school. After doing such a great book it is exceeding easy for me to accept this touch of self promotion.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely an outstanding book for anyone wanting to pursue
Review: After my first time on stage, a professional comic told me I was good but I had to read Judy Carter's book "Standup Comedy - The Book". I did and it has helped tremendously! I think every aspiring comic should have this in thier collection.
Rating:
Summary: Simply Awesome
Review: Being a successful stand-up comic had always been one of my pipe dreams, like going to the moon, writing a novel and owning an electric car. Last winter, I was finally able to cross that dream off my list when I bought "Stand-Up Comedy: The Book" by Judy Carter.
I had always been a small-scale stand-up comic, performing at bus stops and movie theater lines, usually to people rolling their eyes and threatening violence. My only paying gig came for doing my material at a four year old's birthday party, and even then I was forced to change my act, leaving out most of the good jokes about Communism, instant coffee and state maps. I was just about ready to give up when I got this book.
Slowly but surely, I began to get a little funnier. I'd spice up my staff meetings at work with a few 'zingers' that would get a few 'yuk-yuks'(these are industry terms), and I'd say funny things to baggers at the check-out stand (you know, "Working hard or hardly working?" - things like that). Before long, I had about 15 pages worth of material, and the confidence to present it in front of any crowd. Since then, I've performed at a church banquet, Shady Oaks Retirement Center, a retirement party, a nine-year old's birthday party, and I opened for an Elvis impersonator. It's not great money, but I love it, and I don't mind being paid in laughs.
Rating: 
Summary: Why did I buy this book?
Review: by following the methods that judy describes in this book on how to create stand up comedy material, you will probably find yourself quickly becoming a dull comic. but i guess i really wouldn't be satisfied by any book written on how to perform stand up comedy.
Rating:
Summary: This Book Works PERIOD!!
Review: From the first page I was hooked. After finishing it I'm reading parts of it again. The techniques used in this book work. I purposely tried what I used to do on stage & Judy's techniques in the same set & Judy's received more laughs. This book is in fact the bible for anyone getting in to the business from Stand up's to comedy writers, to people looking to do one man/woman shows. It spans so many areas within comedy, even developing ideas for spec scripts for sitcoms. I've already recommended this book to two aspiring writers & one comic & I will update this review with their reactions, I know they'll be impressed. If you're out there looking to get in to stand up GET THIS BOOK!!, it's straight to the point & yes its long but for those of us without A.D.D. we can handle it!. JD Hazelwood says, "The author tells you all these "no no's " that you can't do in stand up comedy, that I hear comedians doing all the time." The idea of stand up is to become your own stand up comic, not to follow the crowd. Finding your own nitch is the key, not doing what everyone else does. Otherwise you're a "HACK!" No disrespect, but I recommend JD read this book again and this time think only about what you're capable of doing & try out Judy's techniques, you've got nothing to lose & so much to gain.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Beginner's Book!
Review: I am just realizing that stand-up is something I might want to pursue, and this book really helped me out in making that decision. If you're interested in comedy, definitely get this book!
Rating: 
Summary: Do you think you're funny?
Review: I can't teach anyone how to be funny, but if you are than my book can show you how to turn your problems into punchlines. If you would like further information, I personally answer all email. Go to judycarter.com
Rating:
Summary: Good Attempt
Review: I don't think you can really write a book to teach someone to be funny. Fortunately the author does not even attempt that task. Judy talks a lot on the structure of jokes and setting up punch lines. I guess I have a hard time buying into this cookie cutter approach of humor. I have not yet read her latest book so I can't speak to that but I would not recommend buying this book.
Rating:
Summary: You will start killing them after reading this
Review: I started doing stand-up after taking a class. I must say this book was better than the class! Everything you need to develop your own funny monologue. Even if you decide not to pursue a career as a comedian, you can improve your sense of humor which will help you in your communication skills. What is funny is usually something with a surprise at the end. Another funny topic is a known truth that society tries to keep under the rugs. The life as a comedian is rough, no pay and minimum required guests (at least in NYC). In addition to excerpts of monologues from famous comedians, this book also offers encouragement to beginners. It was told that during Arsenio Hall's first time at stand-up, he walked out the door when they announced his name. So don't feel bad if you get nervous.
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