Congratulations! Now What?: A Book for Graduates

By Bill Cosby

Book Overview

Just as a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, so a spoonful of humor helps the wisdom go down. In Congratulations Now What?, America's funnyman Bill Cosby gently ribs college graduates about their time spent--or lost--in the hallowed halls of the university and postulates what four years of higher education have suited them for: " If no job offer] ever turns up with a four-day week, a three-hour lunch, and a holiday for Count Basie's birthday, you still might be able to make a few dollars on Jeopardy." But he also assures graduates that their studies were not in vain and bestows advice to job seekers. Those who acquired several piercings while in school are cautioned to make sure the studs and hoops are shined before going to an interview. Those who are buffing their first professional r sum are advised to strike a tone somewhere between "lyrical lying and fanciful fraud." Cosby, whose successful career as a humorist has always turned on his affection for kids, is a regular speaker at college commencements--in the chapter "As I Look Out at Your Foggy Faces," he says it's a hobby of his--and this 130-page book collects bons mots and sage advice from speeches given because he has "a feeling for anesthesiology."Graduates--and their now-broke parents--will find a reason to smile on every page. --Brenda Pittsley

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0786865725
• ISBN13: 9780786865727
• Release Date: May 1999
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.72 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.8" x 8.8"
• Age Range: 18 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Postsecondary to Grade 12

Customer Reviews

This book is so true

Bill Cosby does it again. Being a recent College grad, I found this book very amusing and enjoyable to read. He hits the nail on the head in talking about apartments, job interviews, and leaving home.Final Word: A DEFINITE buy for any graduate!

Humorous Reading for Parents at Commencements

Commencements are always long, and usually boring. I occasionally get a 30 second view of my relative or child from a half a mile a way or so. The speakers drone on for hours. It usually rains. Over the years, I have learned to bring crossword puzzles and novels to keep me entertained. From now on, I'll bring Congratulations! instead. It's the best humor I have ever read from the parents' point of view. I am impressed that some of the students and graduates also found it funny. That shows a lot of maturity. Bill Cosby says all of the things that parents say to each other when they are alone, but would never say to their children. Here are two people who are usually spending every spare dollar they can find (and borrowing more) to send their child to a school while the child often feels overworked while doing less than an order taker does at McDonald's every day. The child often studies something with little future economic relevance, and the parents worry about paying for graduate school to help add some employability to their offspring's resume. As you can sense, parents are more than a little paranoid at these times. Cosby captures, appreciates, and beautifully lampoons that paranoia. The book will always be funny to parents, but more so at Commencements. Be sure to get and bring a copy before you attend your next one!

Absolutely great book

First for all those people who bashed this book...it's supposed to be funny. I just recently graduated college and I thought this book was very funny. Learn to laugh at yourself. If you were buying this book to learn about college life in a factual non-humourous way you bought the wrong book. Mr. Cosby isn't making college kids out to be morons. In all of his books he picks out a class of people and makes fun of them. Laugh people! As for the book it was what it was meant to be, funny! The jokes are great as they always are!

Great book by an inspirational person

Mr. Cosby has done it again! Last year I graduated from the University of Southern California and he was our guest Commencement speaker. His speech was very entertaining yet inspirational. I was afraid I would not remember much of his speech but after reading this book I was able to recall his kind words of advice. This is a man who is very experienced in life and I think any college graduate or to be graduate should read and appreciate what he has to say.

Full of Great Advice and Humor

I love how Mr. Cosby takes a very real situation and creates a humorous feel to it. This book may not be true about everyone who graduates from college, but paints a very realistic picture of where a lot of graduates end up and gives caring, yet humorous advice. Great gift.