Humblebrag

The Art of False Modesty

By: Harris Wittels

Narrated by: Harris Wittels

From comedian and writer (Parks and Recreation, Eastbound & Down) Harris Wittels comes a hysterical breakdown of boasts, brags, and self-adulation disguised as humble comments and complaints - based on his popular @humblebrag Twitter feed.

Something immediately annoyed Harris Wittels about Twitter. All of a sudden it was acceptable to brag, so long as those brags were ever-so-thinly disguised as transparent humility, such as:

"Just filed my taxes. Biggie was right, mo money mo problems."

"I hate when I go into a store to get something to eat and the male staff are too busy hitting on me to get my order right :( so annoying!"

Taking action by naming this phenomenon and creating the Twitter account called Humblebrag - dedicated solely to retweeting the humblebrags of others - Wittels's new word took the Internet by storm. Harris also shows readers what humblebrags might look like from some of history's most notable names, as well as devoting an entire chapter to a man who just might be the greatest humblebraggart of them all...

©2012 Harris Wittels (P)2012 Hachette

Critic reviews

"I haven't read this, and never intend to, but Harris is my friend, so I feel obligated to give him a 'blurb' for his book. He's a funny writer...I'm sure it's not that bad." (Aziz Ansari, comedian, NBC's Parks and Recreation)

"Great, Harris. This is a really good use of your time." (Mindy Kaling, comedian and NYT bestselling author of Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?)

"Harris Wittels is a hilarious performer and writer and with this book he has coined a new term for that thing that drives us crazy. But honestly, I don't know how I feel about this whole thing. It makes me nervous." (Amy Poehler)

Humble laugh

Very cool and funny short book! Will be quoting it in the future for sure.

Harris's Foam corner

Was looking for a break between all my very dense intellectual reading. This really hit the spot. I would like to get a beer with Harris. #HumbleBrag #RestInPeace

Witty, Ignorant and just damned HILARIOUS!!!

This book is funny is awesomely funny and very relatable. I never thought a book of twitter judgements could be amazing, but Harris's ability to call you out while making fun at your expense is impressive. He was tremendous talent and will be missed.

Snarky but fun in small bits

Any additional comments?

The concept of Humblebrag is very current. I often have felt the same level of exasperation and ranting when faced with the narcissism on twitter and facebook. The audiobook is amusing and entertaining in small doses, but after about 1/2 hour it gets repetitive and boring. I never did finish it (so far, maybe go back to it someday). Overall, the tone is snarky and adolescent but sometimes we feel that way.

HIlarious - Why didn't I think of this?!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely. I laughed out loud. Brilliant.

What other book might you compare Humblebrag to and why?

Not really a book, but I think of his commentary similar to any of the dry-witted commentators on any of the VH1's I Love the XX's shows. Just dry and deadpan.

What does Harris Wittels bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His dry demeanor - just loved it.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

This isn't really film material.

This was hilarious!

This book was a nonstop laugh session. I look forward to volume 2! I would recommend this for an honest look at the art of humblebragging.

The best purchase I have made on Audible!

I loved this book. It is hysterical. I actually laughed out loud every ten minutes or so. It is also an interesting study in human behavior and you can't help but think about some of the things you say or post on social media sites. The author is very insightful and his sense of humor is entertaining. I did not stop listening until it ended. I will listen to this again when I need a good laugh. I am going to be sharing this with friends. I have a new favorite audible book. Don't miss out on this one!

Long live Harris Wittels!

Finished this in 1 day while doing data entry at work & had to fight back the laughs so I didnt look crazy to my co workers. Harris' humor was so unique. Listen to Harris' Foam Corner on the old Comedy Bang Bang podcasts if you havent!

Not my cup of tea.

Interesting concept and insight into Twitter posts. I enjoyed it at first, but author comes off like a complete jerk after a while. Four hours of the same thing... over and over... and over.

Cathartic to hear your sassy voice. We miss you.

What made the experience of listening to Humblebrag the most enjoyable?

Hearing Harris' voice again. It's hard to accept he's gone, it was too sudden and without goodbyes. But hearing him talk, sass, and joke for 4 hours is so incredibly cathartic.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Humblebrag?

Harris' sass and humor immortalized in 4 hours worth of shit talking twitter users for their shameless tweets.

What about Harris Wittels’s performance did you like?

His dry delivery of insults is sassy-humor perfection.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

Thank you for these 4 hours of memories and emotions, Harris. It's both cathartic and hilarious. You'd appreciate how crazy you make me look when listening in public, Harris. People see me going from full-tilt laughter from the tweet-insults to quivering-lipped and quietly crying when realizing your gone, and your genius and your friendship is gone forever. :(

We love and miss you, Harris.