On Sale: May 6, 2025
Page Count: 240 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
ISBN-13: 9781538768488

$14.99

$19.99 CAD

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AN INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
A #1 TORONTO STAR BESTSELLER
AN INSTANT USA TODAY AND INDIE BESTSELLER
A GLOBE AND MAIL BESTSELLER

From one of the hottest stand-up comedians, Nate Bargatze brings his everyman comedy to the page in this hilarious collection of personal stories, opinions, and confessions.

Nate Bargatze used to be a genius. That is, until the summer after seventh grade when he slipped, fell off a cliff, hit his head on a rock, and “my skull got, like, dented or something.” Before this accident, he dreamed of being “an electric engineer, or a doctor that does brain stuff, or a math teacher who teaches the hardest math on earth.” Afterwards, all he could do was stand-up comedy.* But the “brain stuff” industry’s loss is everyone else’s gain because Nate went on to become one of today’s top-grossing comedians, breaking both attendance and streaming records.

In his highly anticipated first book, Nate talks about life as a non-genius. From stories about his first car (named Old Blue, a clunky Mazda with a tennis ball stick shift) and his travels as a Southerner (Northerners like to ask if he believes in dinosaurs), to tales of his first apartment where he was almost devoured by rats and his many debates with his wife over his chores, his diet, and even his definition of “shopping.” He also reflects on such heady topics as his irrational passion for Vandy football and the mysterious origins of sushi (how can a California roll come from old-time Japan?).

BIG DUMB EYES is full of heart. It will make readers laugh out loud and nod in recognition, but it probably won’t make them think too much.

*Nate’s family disputes this entire story.

Genre:

"A hilarious love letter to [Nate's] family and hometown."
The Tennessean
PRAISE FOR NATE BARGATZE

“One of the hottest acts in comedy.”
The Atlantic
“One of the top up-and-coming comics.”
Jim Gaffigan to Esquire
“Bargatze has been a comic for 20 years, and created a style uniquely his own by recognizing the humor in small things. But it also nails just about everyone else, too.”
Variety
“[I]n an era where most comedians and late-night talk show hosts serve up incisive, polarizing takes on the issues of the day, Bargatze stands out for sticking to what he does know: chain restaurants, parenting, marriage, weird animal encounters, the South, and the absurdity of human interaction. What’s more, he works clean, and without a trace of mean-spiritedness in his material.”
Vanity Fair
The Southern comic delivers a good-natured memoir of his years in the trenches... Bargatze never takes himself too seriously, but there's plenty of grown-up self-awareness here along with the yucks.
Kirkus Reviews
Bargatze's comedic genius shines through as he mines humor from his 'simpler mind'... Bargatze's writing style is refreshingly conversational, capturing the essence of his stand-up persona: straightforward yet rich with humor.
Rimshas Corner
For fans of Bargatze's stand-up, this book will feel like catching up with an old friend. For newcomers, it serves as a great introduction to his brand of comedy... It's a book that doesn't overstay its welcome, doesn't demand too much, and leaves you smiling, maybe even chuckling to yourself in public.
Following Films
Bargatze's book cover might advertise 'a Simpler Mind,' but he certainly isn't stupid. There's a genius required for what he does
USA Today
offers a comfortable seat next to Nate's easy charm
GoBookMart.

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January 14 2025

A Sample of BIG DUMB EYES

Introduction The Most Words I was on a call with the publisher, and they asked me what I wanted to call my book. So I’m like, “Okay. I got the perfect title. Big Dumb Eyes.” And there was this silence on the other end. Finally they go, “Uh, that is really not the kind of…

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Nate Bargatze

About the Author

Nate Bargatze is a Grammy-nominated comedian, podcaster, actor, director, and producer from Old Hickory, Tennessee. Hailed as “The Nicest Man in Stand-Up” by The Atlantic; Nate is well known for his specials including The Tennessee Kid, The Greatest Average American, and Hello World. Nate is one of the top selling touring acts, breaking venue attendance records with more than 1.2 million tickets sold on his The Be Funny Tour. Nate also runs Nateland Entertainment, a family-friendly content company where he produces standup comedy specials, showcases, sketches, and scripted episodic content for film, television, podcasts, music and more. He lives in Nashville with his wife and daughter.

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