2024 the best comedians review

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The bestselling, laugh-out-loud, reach for your hanky story of one of Australia's best-loved comedians - now in hard cover gift edition.

Anh Do nearly didn't make it to Australia. His entire family came close to losing their lives on the sea as they escaped from war-torn Vietnam in an overcrowded boat. But nothing - not murderous pirates, nor the imminent threat of death by hunger, disease or dehydration as they drifted for days - could quench their desire to make a better life in a country where freedom existed.

Life in Australia was hard, an endless succession of back-breaking work, crowded rooms, ruthless landlords and make-do everything. But there was a loving extended family, and always friends and play and something to laugh about for Anh, his brother Khoa and their sister Tram. Things got harder when their father left home when Anh was thirteen - they felt his loss very deeply and their mother struggled to support the family on her own.

His mother's sacrifice was an inspiration to Anh and he worked hard during his teenage years to help her make ends meet, also managing to graduate high school and then university. Another inspiration was the comedian Anh met when he was about to sign on for a 60-hour a week corporate job. Anh asked how many hours he worked. 'Four,' the answer came back, and that was it. He was going to be a comedian!

The Happiest Refugee tells the incredible, uplifting and inspiring life story of one of our favourite personalities. Tragedy, humour, heartache and unswerving determination - a big life with big dreams. Anh's story will move and amuse all who read it.

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B005X3W8TA
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Allen & Unwin (November 1, 2011)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 1, 2011
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 6878 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 323 pages
Reviewer: Phan N. Nguyen
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great book!! UGLY book cover!!
Review: As the old saying goes, you can't judge a book by it book cover. I have read many books about Vietnamese immigrants and this ones has to be one the ones I enjoyed the most, being Vietnamese or not. His life was quite amazing and Anh wrote it in a manner that isn't depressing but more uplifting. There are a few complex emotional struggles and it give you a different view of life. He uses humor at the right time so that book stays engaging. It has a lot of life lessons that Anh wanted to share with us and I have personally incorporated a few of them into my life. Funny thing is that I purchased 2 books like going on vacation to New York, "The Happiest Refugee" and "Hunger Games: Part 1". I read Anh's book on my way from California to NY and couldn't put the book down, even when I arrived in NY I stayed up the first night and finished the book. On my way back to California, I found myself taking breaks while reading Hunger Games and didn't finish it until a few days later (it was a good book too though). So that gives you some idea of how engrossing this book was.

Reviewer: c fimmano
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: True Love and strength!
Review: I loved every page of Anh Do life story to this day. It is well written and inspiring with the turning of every page. I was totally absorbed. Being a Migrant myself I had many similar experiences. The love and care shown by the dedication of both his parents, the committed efforts to give the best education to Anh and his brother. The humility and strength to work honestly and hard to make this happen under very harsh conditions is indeed something to be admired and to be used as an example that in contributing anything is possible and can be achieved. There was no time for the Do family to be idle. They achieved their goal through hard work and by also showing compassion to other. These qualities served the two boys well who contributed to the family needs from a very young age. The success of this family can be an example to many who chose to work, contribute and be compassionate to others in the wonderful country will came to and call home. Australia!

Reviewer: B. Michel
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Well written and enlightening.
Review: It's a good story. Knowing that Anh came in as a boat refugee brings the reality of refugees closer to a reader. His love of his family, his love of his wife, his love and appreciation of his life ~ breathes animation into his story. It was recommended to me by a friend as we studied legal and ethical side to refugees/asylum seekers and it turned into a good read besides the reality of learning how to settle into a new country. We need more stories like this to encourage acceptance of people who come together to form a community. I enjoyed it and would recommend it without hesitation.

Reviewer: Manish
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: There are two times in life: Now or too late
Review: Imagine a man walking into a Vietcong prison camp and getting 4 prisoners released without any paperwork or a single bullet being fired. All he needed was a bit of bravery and the uniform of a high ranking Vietcong leader. Imagine days in a leaky full of people with little water, little food, young kids and a sea full of pirates. Thats only the start!This is an amazing book which has made me appreciate Anh Do and other refugees like him. In particular, his dad is an absolute gem of a person. It is easy to read and has all the things needed for an Australian film.Aside from the tragedy, love and struggle, this is a very funny book. There are parts where one has to control the laughter. e.g. His parents borrow blankets and jumpers in the refugee camp in Malaysia because they think Australia is a really cold country next to Switzerland.

Reviewer: Gary M. Coe
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: This is a great book.
Review: This book is awesome. Why? It is told by Ahn Do in the first person and it is filled with moving and extremely funny stories. It is typical Ahn Do in that it is down to earth and unpretentious. My kids have been reading it to their Cypriot grandparents and they all have a good laugh and are also moved. The chapters and stories are all of a bite sized length and so it is certainly not a boring read, even for teenagers who may not like reading. I note that this book is on some school reading lists and I think that this is fantastic as one can learn much about why many people choose to come to Australia and why we should be welcoming. After all we are a nation of immigrants excepting of course the aboriginal peoples who have been here for tens of thousands of years.

Reviewer: Tightassdude
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Fun, Interesting and Easy Book to Read
Review: "The Happiest Refugee" was one of the best books I have read in a long time. The way in which Anh moved from his experiences in Vietnam to present day made this book a great read. I kind of was disappointed that he didn't talk more about this time on TV (although there was plenty of it), as I just found it to be very inspirational. This book shows that anyone in Australia is given an opportunity to do whatever that want.The book was...- Easy to read- Funny- Informative (Aussies would understand some of the jokes more than others outside of Australia)- InspirationalGreat book, highly recommended...

Reviewer: Lynette
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Love Anh Do's view on life
Review: This book was such a great read, not only is Anh really funny but he is such a great guy, (not that I know him but I feel like I do). I was so encouraged by the attitude of his family as refugees in Australia. I would really love people who think all refugees are bludgers to take time to look into the Do's life and see how incredibly grateful and hard working they are. Seriously if Anh's brother can become young Australian of the year we should be opening our doors to more and more of these wonderful, grateful, intelligent, funny people who can teach us an awful lot about life.Bless you Anh!

Reviewer: Dinkidi
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: An entertaining read
Review: I wanted to read Anh Do's book because I have enjoyed watching him on tv - he is a very funny person. His book was written in a light, easy to read and entertaining style, despite the sometimes horrendous subject matter, like when he is escaping Vietnam with his family on a boat. He keeps everything simple and funny, so the book is very easy to read. He tells his life story in a charming and compelling way.I took one star off because the book is a little disjointed - more of a series of anecdotes than his life journey, and also because it is not as funny as he is in person.Thoroughly recommended.

Reviewer: H. W. W. Kirby
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Anh Do tells the story of his parents meeting in Vietnam, the families escape by boat, the struggles in adapting to life in Australia, getting an education, becoming a stand up, encountering racism and falling in love.Thoughout, he see the positives, laughs at the misunderstandings, cries at the genuine tragedies and tells of all the people who helped.He's optimistic throughout and if he has a message, it's don't be afraid to ask for help.

Reviewer: David
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I had never heard of Anh Do until a couple of years ago and saw him in madcap travel programmes acting up like a Vietnamese Norman Wisdom. His personality and never say die attitude is infectious, and this comes out in his autobiography of the first stage of an eventful life. Anh comes across as a genuine guy you'd love to meet and pass time with, he'd have you laughing and crying in equal measures, and his story is an inspiration to aspiring immigrants everywhere. If you believe, you can do! Looking forward to more from him

Reviewer: Anna Bowman
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Love this book. Very uplifting and a good laugh

Reviewer: D.C
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: A great book about the life of ahn do. The man is a hard worker and is finally reaping the rewards. Some really funny stories too. Enjoyed so much, purchased a hard copy for our workplace library

Reviewer: RethaBrink
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: It felt like I spend some time in the life of And Doh.Love his energy, love of life and honest sense of humour.