First published 2025
Nate Bargatze once had big plans. He wanted to become an electrical engineer, a brain surgeon, or a math teacher tackling the world's toughest equations. Then came that fateful summer after seventh grade. He slipped, tumbled off a cliff, and smacked his head on a rock. His skull got dented. His genius days ended. Comedy became his only option. Now one of the country's highest-earning comedians, Nate looks back on his post-accident existence with trademark humor. He recalls Old Blue, his beat-up Mazda with the tennis ball gear shift. He remembers fielding questions from curious Northerners about his belief in dinosaurs. His first apartment nearly became his tomb when rats launched their assault. Marriage brought new challenges as he and his wife clash over household duties, eating habits, and the true meaning of shopping. He ponders his inexplicable devotion to Vanderbilt football and questions how California rolls could originate in ancient Japan. This collection of stories captures the heart of living as a recovering genius in a world that doesn't always make sense.
Genres: humor, autobiography, contemporary, comedy
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
240 pages · Hardcover · Grand Central Publishing