According to the cover, the book contains "jokes, notions, doubts, opinions, questions, thoughts, beliefs, assertions, assumptions, and disturbing references" and "comedy, nonsense, satire, mockery, merriment, sarcasm, ridicule, silliness, bluster, and toxic alienation".

For longtime Carlin fans, the book also contains complete versions of two of his most famous monologues, "A Place for My Stuff" and "Baseball and Football".

The hardcover edition was on the New York Times Best Seller List for 18 weeks straight.

Writer and television commentator Mike Barnicle supposedly lifted material from the book, without accreditation, and presented it as his own.

In May 2000, the book was published as an audiobook by HighBridge,[3] in both CD and cassette tape formats.