The book tells the story of a fictional pole finding his purpose in life.

All proceeds from the audiobook go to the United States Veterans Initiative, a non-profit dedicated to returning troops.

The book is notable for a blurb of endorsement on the cover attributed to children's writer Maurice Sendak.

Sendak coincidentally died the morning of the book's release, and, in tribute, The Colbert Report aired uncensored previously unreleased clips of the interview, with Colbert encouraging those unfamiliar with Sendak's work to "read his books.

"[2] On July 18, 2012, the Rosenbach Museum added the book to its collections, and displayed its manuscript and several artifacts that Colbert claimed were on his desk when the book was written next to the manuscript of Ulysses, along with artifacts from the original interview.