Lizz free or die - Lizz Winstead

Lizz Winstead, co-creator of The Daily Show and one of today's most hilarious comedians and insightful social critics, pens a brilliant account of how she discovered her comedic voice.

In this collection of autobiographical essays, Winstead vividly recounts how she fought to find her own voice, both as a comedian and as a woman, and how humor became her most powerful weapon in confronting life's challenges.

Growing up in the Midwest, the youngest child of conservative Catholic parents, Winstead learned early in her life that the straightforward questions she posed to various authority figures around her-her parents, her parish priest, even an anti-abortion counselor -prompted many startled looks and uncomfortable silences, but few answers. Her questions rattled people because they exposed the inconsistencies and hypocrisies in the people and institutions she confronted. Yet she didn't let that stop her from pursuing her dreams.

Funny and biting, honest and poignant, this no-holds-barred collection gives an in-depth look into the life of one of today's most influential comic voices. In writing about her childhood longing to be a priest, her role in developing The Daily Show, and of her often problematic habit of diving into everything head first, asking questions later (resulting in multiple rescue-dog adoptions and travel disasters), Lizz Winstead has tapped an outrageous and heartfelt vein of the all-too-human comedy.

Lizz Winstead is the co-creator and former head writer of The Daily Show and one of the founders of Air America Radio. She has been cited by Entertainment Weekly as one of the magazine's 100 Most Creative People and frequently appears on MSNBC, CNN, and Comedy Central. She lives in Brooklyn. Learn more at www.lizzwinstead.com or follow her on twitter @lizzwinstead.

"Sharply witty and iconoclastic."- Elle

"Searching and lively … and moving. … Ms. Winstead writes with a feel for the sound of words." - The New York Times

"Engaging…Winstead proves that she's got a writer's touch."- Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Charming… with insight and understated humor."- Mother Jones

"[An] indelible, hilarious, often poignant romp."- American Way

"Political satirist and stand-up comedian Winstead… [is] shrewdly observant, linguistically adept, bravely soul-baring, and caustically smart."- Booklist

"Funny, thoughtful… recommended."- Library Journal

"With this book, Lizz Winstead takes us on a hilarious, honest, moving and insightful journey. It is the journey of a funny, fearless woman as she finds her voice and shares it with the world."
-Arianna Huffington

"Reading Lizz Winstead's hilarious collection of very personal essays somehow leaves you changed. You laugh, and yet there are nutrients in her words."
-Sarah Silverman

"Lizz Winstead has written a fantastically readable collection. I really did laugh, and then, I really did cry. Most important, though, I found someone I can leave my dogs with, should I have to flee the country."
- Julie Klam

" Lizz Free or Die is brilliantly funnyandrazor sharp. Lizz Winstead observes our times with candor, hope and a gimlet eye. She is a national treasure."
--AdrianaTrigiani

"Reading Winstead is like hanging out with Winstead: invigorating, infuriating,and hilarious."
-- Patton Oswalt