Why Not Lessons on Comedy Courage & Chutzpah

In this hilarious and heartfelt collection of essays, veteran comedian Mark Schiff shares the lessons he's learned from decades in the comedy scene.

Coming up as a comedian before it was a popular career goal, Mark Schiff has done it all: stand-up comic, actor, writer, father, mensch. Over the last fifty years, Mark Schiff has seen--and played a hand in--the shape the comedy industry has taken. As a longtime friend of and frequent collaborator with Jerry Seinfeld, Mark has gained a unique perspective on life as well as the state of comedy, and is, as Seinfeld writes in his introduction, "the greatest comedy pal a guy could ever wish for."

Mark recounts growing up Jewish in the 60s, raising family of his own, and entering the burgeoning comedy scene alongside the likes of Larry David, Paul Reiser, and Andy Kaufman. Encompassing such universal topics such as friendship, spirituality, kindness, marriage, aging, and parenting, every side-splitting story carries an undercurrent of affection and truth that springs from a career of highs and lows. Whether you're Jewish or not, you'll love Mark's subtle wit and wisdom as you cry tears of joy, emotion, and laughter.

From master comedian Mark Schiff, a long-time touring partner of Jerry Seinfeld, comes a hilarious account of decades of foolery with comedy and acting legends and how he honed his mensch skills in all of life's arenas.Pursuing a career in comedy before it was trendy took a lot of chutzpah. Today Mark Schiff looks back at his fifty-year career as a stand-up comic, actor, and writer and knows he's laughed with the best of them. His comedy and character have been widely praised by everyone from Jerry Seinfeld to Bill Maher and Colin Quinn--as Seinfeld writes in his introduction, Mark is "the greatest comedy pal a guy could ever wish for"--but it hasn't always been easy. In this brilliantly honest collection of essays inducing both heart tugs and deep belly laughs, Mark recounts growing up Jewish in the outer boroughs of New York City and shares how he survived a harrowing childhood and managed health crises, aging, marriage, parenting, and career highs and lows. With wit and wisdom, Mark reminds us that no matter the troubles at-hand, the show must always go on. The result is an unforgettable and highly relatable account from one of the best humor writers of our time that will leave readers of all faiths energized and feeling like they've schmoozed with the best of them.