Book Description
The gripping international bestseller about motherhood gone awry
Eva never really wanted to be a mother—and certainly not the mother of the unlovable boy who murdered seven of his fellow high school students, a cafeteria worker, and a much-adored teacher who tried to befriend him, all two days before his sixteenth birthday. Now, two years later, it is time for her to come to terms with marriage, career, family, parenthood, and Kevin's horrific rampage in a series of startlingly direct correspondences with her estranged husband, Franklyn. Uneasy with the sacrifices and social demotion of motherhood from the start, Eva fears that her alarming dislike for her own son may be responsible for driving him so nihilistically off the rails.
Customer Reviews:
Disturbingly Good Book.......2007-09-18
Although I found this book to be written about very disturbing subject matter, I also found it to be very well written and compellingly readable. The mother of Kevin chronicles the ongoing crisis situation of an upwardly mobile New York couple and their decision to start a family. Dire consequences follow when their first child is nearly 16. The "narrator," in a series of letters to her huband reveals what happened with tantalizing glimpses of her life at present and the life of her family in the past.
Shriver also makes sly yet poignant commentary on American culture throughout the book, and it really works in this context, not ever coming across as condemning or preachy. She writes what is real, and gives life to her characters in the suburban, upper-class environment they live in.
I don't want to give too much of this book away, but Shriver does an excellent job with this storyline. This is sophisticated writing with incredible character development and a great story that actually has meaning, something that seems to be lacking in so much popular literature of the day.
A Chilling, Riveting, Brilliant Page Turner.......2007-09-16
This is one of the best books I've read in a while and I read everything! It is riveting, creepy, intelligent, and profound. I just devoured it. It's one of those stories that stays with you long after you finish the last page. This was my first book of Lionel Shriver's and I can't wait to read more of her stuff. Great book!
Excellent, Disturbing Read.......2007-09-14
A Novel, a story - that's what I had to keep telling myself. One that stays with you. The Negative to "My Sister's Keeper" - just as haunting.
Brilliant and compelling.......2007-09-04
This book held my interest all the way through even though parts of it could have been a bit more condensed. Kevin sent chills up my spine.
I found it very difficult to sympathize with his mother, but I also found it difficult not to examine my own style of parenting as compared to her style and her husband's.
I think the book was far superior to Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult.
Mesmerizing, hauntingly so...........2007-08-27
The novel is based upon a series of letters that the protagonist, Eva, writes to her husband, wanting to understand what went wrong with Kevin, what made Kevin do what he did. The letters are truly mesmerizing in a horrible/haunting sort of way. I was reminded of Lovely Bones, where the horror of the act that Kevin committed is not as terrible as you think it might be, that you can stomach it if only because you want to understand how it came about.
Eva is by her own admission, not the best of mothers. Still her letters are so well written, at times the word choice so exquisite, the stories she tells so commanding, that you pull back and think 'this is an intelligent woman' and you admire her and wish you could know her. Other times you despise her and want to shake her and say 'how could you pit yourself against him all the time, be reasonable' . In the end I felt only pity for her, she obviously didn't realize what she had when she had it and she failed to recognize the warning signs. So she confines herself to her own little hell, and in the end comes to understand more about her son and herself - perhaps more than she ever really planned too.
Shriver is a dark writer - by her own admission (at the end of the book we get a conversation with Shriver about Kevin, about books she recommends...). She is very convincing at portraying Eva as a successful woman who occasionally suffers from insistent whining...ah, but such is the dilemma of first person novels... and Eva is perhaps sometimes too much the villain, but then hind sight is always better than foresight...Still this is brilliantly written and well worth reading, a letter at a time. I could even forgive Shriver's use of "mobile" instead of cell phone (apparently, Shriver has been residing in London for a very long time). Shriver's character, Eva, most likely would have used the word 'mobile' rather than 'cell', if just to distance herself from the general rabble so I let it slide, figuring it to be more in keeping with Eva's character, although at first I felt it a grating mistake for one who is so bent on being right and supposedly American.
A haunting tale that captures your attention and holds it through 400 pages wanting to know how it ends...
Book Description
There's not a cloud in Constable Hamish Macbeth's sky....
Just plenty of warm sunshine and not quite enough of beautiful Priscilla Halburton-Smythe.
But as eight hopeful members of the Checkmate Singles Club converge on Tommel Castle Hotel for a week of serious matchmaking, the clouds roll in. The four couples, carefully matched by dating director Maria Worth, immediately dislike each other. The arrival of Maria's gross, greedy partner, Peta, kills the last vestige of romance.
And as love goes out the window, murder comes in the door. Peta soon slurps up her last meal, and Hamish is left with a baffling puzzle: who shared the fateful outing that left Peta dead with a big red apple in her mouth? Surely not one of those singles....
Customer Reviews:
More Fun If You Find the Suspects Humorous.......2007-02-01
Death of a Glutton is the eighth Hamish Macbeth mystery. It's the beautiful days of summer in Lochdubh, days that are soon to be replaced with cold and rain. Hamish is looking forward to enjoying these tranquil days while they last. But that hope is soon frustrated.
The Tommel Castle Hotel (formerly the home of Colonel and Mrs. Hallburton-Smythe and their daughter Priscilla before the Colonel lost his capital) is booming. But when a fishing party cancels at the last minute, the Colonel finds he may have to lower his social standards to fill the hotel. This fear is turned into a reality when Maria Worth books the hotel for Checkmate Singles Club, which matches up matrimonial prospects from among the well-to-do. Maria has invited eight people who want to marry well and thinks she has just the prospect for each one. Immediately, each one takes a dislike to the person Maria has in mind for them, but things seem to be proceeding anyway when they strike up conversations with other singles in the group.
Those plans are put seriously awry, however, when her not-so-silent partner, Peta Gore, shows up uninvited with her voluptuous, but self-centered, young niece, Crystal. The men flock to Crystal until they find she's dull. That enrages the women. Peta turns out to be a world-class overeater with the worst possible manners. Colonel Hallburton-Smythe takes his wife and heads out, leaving this troublesome party to Priscilla and Mr. Johnson to tend.
The story builds around Peta's eating. There's a memorable picnic involving a wee trip in the ocean that has humorous consequences. The chef becomes so enraged by Peta's behavior that he takes a bet he can feed her a most unappetizing source of protein and she'll be delighted.
Hamish thinks that all he has to do is to save the hotel's reputation. Things take a different turn when Peta first turns up missing, leaving behind a curious note, and is later found dead . . . with an apple crammed down her throat.
Who did it? And why? Hamish makes a bigger hash out of the investigation than usual . . . but does eventually put his finger on the guilty party.
Hoping for central heating in his wee police station, he ends with up two unexpected surprises instead.
The main appeal of this story comes in the outrageous burlesque of Peta's eating methods. That part is nicely developed. The other characters, by comparison, are pretty uninteresting and not especially attractive either. But their cardboard outlines do help fill out the story line. The mystery isn't very mysterious. The clues are everywhere.
My impression is that M.C. Beaton intended each of these characters to be pretty funny to the readers. I think she missed in that attempt. Instead, I found them all-too-pathetically familiar. The humor needed to be exaggerated more to work.
One of the other good aspects of the book comes in the humorous ways that Hamish and Priscilla mangle their relationship whenever it starts to warm up a bit. Priscilla finds herself becoming more than a little jealous of one of Hamish's admirers which helps set up the fun.
The villagers and Towser take back seat in this book which makes the story seem less authentic somehow.
Watch what you eat!
Slow Moving, quick thinking Hamish at his best........2003-10-31
I really enjoyed this book. Grant it we didn't get too much of the eccentric villagers in this one, but we still had Hamish. And he is his usual self here. Murder occurs at his beloved Priscilla's hotel when a party of people from a dating agency are in residence. The woman who is murdered is particulary odious. She's a huge, fat woman with terrible table manners, and it's almost a relief to everyone when she is found dead. Hamish needs to solve the murder in spite of Blair's incompetence, and he manages to put everything together to do that. Again, the book is totally carried by Hamish. What a character he is!
This story is like a gun, you hit , you aim, you run..........2003-05-26
Quirky, funny and fast moving, with a bit of revolting sense of humor on part of Petra's eatting habits, this is a good fast read, that will satisfy those who love mysteries, and those who enjoy a bit of a good humor now and then.
The only draw back is the amount of characters introduced. I had a bit of a hard time remembering who's who, but once I got into the story it all made sense.
I appreciated the fact that by the time the book ended and the guilty was revealed I wasn't saying "who's that?"
Great read, M.C Beaton fans must dive into this one.
A Dating service invades Tormel Castle Hotel.......2002-08-31
When a hunting party cancels their reservations to Tormel Castle Hotel, Priscilla takes a reservation from the Checkmate Marital Brokerage, much to her father's dismay. Maria Worth, who runs the agency, carefully made her plans to exclude her partner, Petra, a narcissistic glutton who alienates the paying clientele, using the agency as her own private dating service. Maria has carefully screened a few couples and hopes that the beautiful and remote highland setting will promote romance. Unfortunately, Petra finds them and brings along her beautiful and empty headed niece. Maria is afraid that all her plans will be upset. Petra grosses out all in the hotel including the chef, who bets the locals that he can make her eat anything including a dead cat(she does). Fortunately, the couples unite against Petra and her niece and pair off, not in the intended groups, but they are happy enough. One day Petra disappears and is found dead by the gravel quarry with an apple in her mouth. It is up to Hamish to solve the crime, and Priscilla's business.
This is a very funny mystery. The characters are slightly bizarre, but believable and their romantic twists and turns are pretty amusing. Hamish is at his lazy best, trying to keep his village safe, and himself from being promoted again.
Death of a Glutton.......2002-06-12
"Death of a Glutton" is the eighth Hamish Macbeth mystery by M.C. Beaton set in the Scottish Highlands town of Lochdubh. An exclusive dating service, Checkmate, is having some of their members meet at the Tommel Castle Hotel which is owned by Colonel Halburton-Smythe, father of Priscilla, of whom Hamish is very fond. The dating service is owned by two women, Maria Worth and Peta Gore. Peta is a terrible glutton, eating everything in sight, and making people so mad that they think of ways to get rid of her. When she is found dead with an apple stuck in her mouth, it is up to Hamish to find the murderer. As usual, he upstages Inspector Blair from Strathbane. I am reading these novels in order, and I think that this is the best one to date. It is highly recommended.
Book Description
Bringing Diablo II to the tabletop.
The legendary Diablo and Diablo II computer games come to life with the release of the tabletop Diablo II: To Hell & Back roleplaying adventure. All a player needs is the Dungeons & Dragons(r) Player's Handbook (0786915501-8/00) to accompany the Diablo II game. Every level and all 4 acts of the computer game are represented in the tabletop mega-adventure, which will also include 64 pages of monsters, information for levels 1-30, and over 60 maps!
Customer Reviews:
DO NOT BUY.......2002-03-04
This book was poorly made, not worth your money. i don't know [who] wrote this but he really needs to go back to english classes. The book was not put in order. They just took the diablo II computer game and put it in a book without worrying about the rules of 3rd D&D.
Do yourself a favor...Don't buy this book!
Disappointing and frustrating.......2001-03-13
As an avid Diablo 2 fan I have anxiously awaited this new release in the Diablo storyline modules. The description of the product as covering the entire Diablo 2 game from Act One to Act Four merely wetted my appetite for more. Imagine my dissappointment to find a product containing poor guidelines for encounter levels, recycled artwork, pages of filler (repeated monster descriptions from Diablo 2: Diablerie,) and typos so obvious you would think that this was rushed into production and not seen by a proofreader. Any adventure whose pricetag is 50% higher than the price of the core books should be stunning in content and form, presented without errors, and be clear in the descriptions of game mechanics. I have only the highest praise for all the changes made to the new edition of the rules. The sliding exp scale, rewritten character classes, and the smoother combat all add to the enjoyment I and my players experience in our weekly sessions. The first Diablo adventure had us playing 8 hour marathon sessions each night for almost 2 weeks. Perhaps my expectations were too high for this product, but it is disappointing in falling short of the standards I have seen in other books recently. I am sure that any inconsistancies in the rules contained in the product will be brought up in a forum either on the web site or in Dragon Magazine, however nothing can take away from the flow of a session as greatly as a player stating "... but I read online that ..."
Book Description
Emotional resilience is something we all want and need in order to face life unencumbered by unrealistic fears and to communicate freely with the people we love most.
This book by expert David Viscott is a handbook for living the life you want and deserve. Reading Emotional Resilience is like having your own wise and supportive therapist at your elbow, helping you through hard times, difficult days, and unhappy relationships. All of the knowledge and insight of Dr. Viscott's distinguished career is distilled into this book and its ten basic truths that can change your life.
1. Tell the truth.
2. Face life openly. (what you avoid imprisons you.)
3. Say what you mean, feel, believe.
4. Accept yourself as you are.
5. Accept others as they are.
6. Know and accept your weaknesses.
7. Stop trying to prove yourself.
8. Let go of the past.
9. Give up false expectations.
10. Take responsibility for your life and how it turned out.
What you are willing to take responsibility for frees you.
Dr. Viscott has spent three decades engineering therapeutic breakthroughs for his patients; in nearly all of these cases, it was the acceptance of some previously concealed truth that opened the way for healing to begin. The book's cardinal rule--resolve pain at the moment it arises--is remarkably simple, and it works! Read Emotional Resilience and resolve what's getting in the way of your sense of freedom and happiness now. Telling the truth and making positive choices can become a way of life.
Customer Reviews:
Will feel almost as if you're having an indvidual session with author!.......2007-10-09
Heard EMOTIONAL RESILIENCE, written and read by
Dr. David Viscott.
The book suggests a way of life, in which we can communicate
more freely with the people we love without baggage from our
past . . . Viscott discusses the forces that block feelings,
and he presents useful techniques for overcoming the obstacles
that can create unhappiness and unnecessary tensions in
our lives.
In some respects, listening was probably better than reading
EMOTIONAL RESILIENCE because it felt almost as if the
author was speaking to me in a one-on-one therapy session.
Among the many insights that I gained were the following:
* Express your pain the minute it occurs.
* Guilt has no purpose.
* People will love you because you're human, not because you're
perfect.
* What you avoid imprisons you.
And these do's and don't at the conclusion:
* Stop trying to prove yourself.
* Be kind to yourself every day.
* Find something to be grateful for.
* Don't try, just be.
* Don't try to change or fix others.
* Don't expect the person who hurt you to apologize.
* Don't expect people to be nicer to you than they
are to themselves.
* Don't expect others to understand you.
Let me tell you...........2007-08-09
David Viscott was a blessing to the mental health field...just a great mind...PERIOD. With brilliant deductions and perception, Viscott delivers again with more discernment and clarity than any other author on the subject. I have yet to read one book or listen to one tape by David, that i didn't grow from. He was a great man and will be sadly missed. This book is a great addition to your emotional health library. A must for every person who wants to understand a little more about human nature and the motives behind action.
A book with intense and deep truth.......2007-05-07
This is the first book I have read which zoned into the actual method to have complete emotional freedom from past hurt. The truth in this book is so divinely guided that people may not want to become that clear, as you will feel resistance when you read the first few pages as your illusions come crashing down. Keep going and experience freedom - finally! To live your life the way you want to and not be dragged through live through unconscious sabotaging thoughts, which you will become more aware of through this book. May all be blessed.
Recommended to others.......2007-01-11
Have read and re-read and re-read again over the years. Such a good book I've rcmded to others and even bought it for someone. Though a lot of material/content (not pages) it is told in such a manner that makes it easy to read and very revealing, helpful. He is a great author and conveys points easily. Would consider reading his other books.
Heal and Change Your Life Now!!.......2005-10-06
+++++
Do you know what these are?
(1) Lie.
(2) Try to change or fix others.
(3) Expect the person who hurt you to apologize.
(4) Expect others to recognize your goodness or accomplishments.
(5) Wait for permission to do what is best for you.
These are 5 truths of things NOT to do to change and heal your life. They are found in the brief last chapter of this book by the late Dr. David Viscott, a well-known psychiatrist. There are 8 more of these don'ts. As well, there are 14 truths that you should do to heal and change your life. (This makes for a total of 27 "Dos and Don'ts.")
This book is a kind of handbook to successfully get through the emotional bumps of life that everybody encounters. Viscott explains more eloquently:
"This book is designed to help you achieve and preserve your emotional resilience, so you can face the difficult threats of the present and manage them effectively without being drained, feeling bad about yourself, or second-guessing your actions."
This book centers around three main concepts:
(1) Natural Therapy: refers to the spontaneous process (that this book advocates) that enables healing and change to occur.
(2) Emotional Debt: the condition of withholding feelings. This works on the principle that when feelings are not expressed, a condition of tension is created. Thus, emotional stress is the pressure of unexpressed feelings. What you want to strive for is to limit emotional debt.
(3) Toxic Nostalgia: the intrusion of past feelings into the present that bring up fear, anger, or hurt. These past feelings are stored in emotional debt.
Finally, this is a surprisingly easy book to read. There is no tedious psychobabble to contend with and you will begin learning right away.
In conclusion, read this book and resolve what's bothering you and getting in the way of your sense of freedom and happiness right now!!
(first published 1996; acknowledgments; introduction; 14 chapters; main narrative 355 pages; index)
+++++
Customer Reviews:
A culinary wealth of wonderful contributions.......2002-09-08
Compiled by accomplished chef and cookbook author Jerome Rubin, The Cape Cod Cookbook showcases 210 traditional New England recipes drawn from the culinary history and tradition of Cap Cod, Massachusetts. Organized into sections devoted to: Appetizers and Dips (Sweet Orange-Glazed Chicken Wings); Sauces, Salsas, and Jellies (Blueberry Chutney); Salads (Citrus Poppy Seed Vinaigrette Salad); Soups and Stews (Buzzards Bay Bouillabaisse); Fish (Nantucket Flounder Rollups); Shellfish (Provincetown Crab Cakes); Poultry (Maple-Glazed Chicken); Meats and Pasta (Bellflowers Pasta with White Clam Sauce); Side Dishes (Honeyed Squash and Apples); Breads and Muffins (New England Spoonbread); Cookies (Cranberry Orange Cookies); Desserts (Whiskey Cake); and Beverages (Raspberry Kiss), The Cape Cod Cookbook is thoroughly "kitchen friendly" and offers a culinary wealth of wonderful contributions for family dining menus.
Delicious!.......2002-07-17
I loved this cookbook. I live in Somerville have driven to the Cape many times, and grew up with New England food. The Frozen Cranberry Margarita is my favorite so far!
Book Description
The romance of the Old West remains strong, even more than a century after the heyday of cowboys and gunfighters. This all-new title explores the romance of that bygone era, focusing on the guns that the legends of the West—good guys and bad guys, real and fictional characters—carried with them.
Profiles of more than 50 gunslingers, half from the Old West and half from Hollywood, include a brief biography of each gunfighter, along with the guns they carried. Fascinating stories about the TV and movie celebrities of the 1950s and 1960s detail their guns and the skill—or lack thereof—they displayed.
Stunning color photos depict each firearm in glorious detail. These guns range from custom-crafted high-end arms to non-functioning gimmicky props.
• Firearms carried by more than 50 real and fictional characters of the Old West
• Emphasis on the TV and movie stars of the 1950s and 1960s
• Modern and historic photos show each of the firearms
Customer Reviews:
Very light & very poor.......2007-04-20
Many people and guns missing,Jeff Cooper,George A. Custer, Gen. George Patton, Charlton Heston, Robert Stack, Lee Marvin, Clint Eastwood and many others.
I lost my money
Gunfighters.......2007-01-16
This book is about 1/3 on old gunfighters of the old west and 2/3 on the "B" Western cowboys. It is interesting to read but you should realize it is mostly movies.
Very Disappointing Book.......2004-04-20
This is the most disappointing book I have read in a long time. There is very little about the actual guns of the gunfighters and the few facts presented are very general and broad brush. The author obviously is a fan of old Hollywood westerns as half of his "gunfighters" are in fact only Hollywood actors! He also includes several modern gun magazine writers. Worse yet, many of the noteable real western gunfighters are ignored. The editing is also poor. Several photos of the same gun appear in more than one place in the book. Spend your money elsewhere.
A wealth of hidden gun lore.......2003-08-08
The Guns Of The Gunfighters: Lawmen, Outlaws & Hollywood Cowboys by firearms historian and expert Doc O'Meara, is a meticulous and detailed survey of the weaponry carried by some of the most famous (and infamous) gunmen of the Wild West and the silver screen, including Wyatt Earp, Annie Oakley, Roy Rogers, and many, many more. Black-and-white photographs, extensive attention to detail, and a wealth of hidden gun lore make The Guns Of The Gunfighters a superb giftbook for gun buffs, Western American history enthusiasts, and those having a special interest in Hollywood portrayals of the Old West.
Cotton Candy for the soul!.......2003-04-29
This volume by noted gun writer Doc O'Meara is a fun and informative work for fans of the Westeren, Gun Buffs and anybody who enjoyed Saturday shoot em ups. The writing is bright and jaunty, like the subject matter. Well documented, and a treasure trove of beautiful photographs of the Gunfighters and their tools of the trade. A good reference volume sure to attract attention, the books suceeds on all levels.
Average customer rating:
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Better Homes and Gardens Four Seasons Cross-Stitch
"Better Homes and Gardens"
Manufacturer: Better Homes & Gardens Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 Cross-Stitch
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| Home & Garden
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General
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Needlework
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ASIN: 0696018756 |
Average customer rating:
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201 Plans To Build Or Remodel
Rh Value Publishing
Manufacturer: Gramercy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
| Architecture
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
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Residential
| Building Types & Styles
| Architecture
| Professional & Technical
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ASIN: 0517217341
Release Date: 1988-12-12 |
Book Description
Thirty-six design firms and individual graphic designers, representing an extraordinary and comprehensive cross section of New York's top design talent, display their portfolios in Graphic Design: New York 2. In response to this technological revolution, many of the design firms create websites for both clients and themselves. Almost all designers have embraced the computer age (after some hesitation) and use state of the art electronics in their offices. And through it all, design has retained its humanity; rafting through this age of high technology, design has simply become more accessible, as you'll see from browsing through this book.
Customer Reviews:
An Essential Collection of design.......2007-01-04
I've had this only a few months and have used it as my "goto" book for design ideas a number of times. It's content balances the formal and uptight designs well with freeform and expressive designs. Definately something in it for all designers. Contains landmark pieces as well. Well worth the less than $10 I paid total for it (used) and still contains highly relevant design styles for today's market.
Average customer rating:
- Big Bertha Missed the Point
- A lewd, crude, obnoxious novel about the F-Bomb and louie anderson's 16 chins.
- A great study of pain, told through humor
- Not His Best Book, But Still a Treat
- One Great Book!
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The F Word: How to Survive Your Family
Louis Anderson ,
Carl Kurlander , and
Louie Anderson
Manufacturer: Warner Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Entertainment
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General
| Biographies & Memoirs
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Memoirs
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Adult Children of Alcoholics
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Similar Items:
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Dear Dad: Letters from an Adult Child
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Goodbye Jumbo...Hello Cruel World
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Louie Anderson: Mom! Louie's Looking at Me Again! - Live at the Guthrie
ASIN: 0446530174 |
Book Description
Popular comedian Louie Anderson, whose book about his alcoholic father, Dear Dad, was a New York Times bestseller, fixes his sights on his dysfunctional family and especially his l0 siblings-to show how families succeed despite their best efforts at self-sabotage. 'Most of us are crazy people, raised by crazy people who were themselves raised by crazy people,' says Louie Anderson.In this alternately hilarious and poignant program, Anderson talks about his unique family, in which all seem to have competed in a race to see who could be the most, well, 'off.'The competition was stiff, with five sisters who married hard-drinking types and a brother who was wanted by the FBI. Louie explains how his family background, as well as some truly bizarre exchanges during his host stint on syndicated TV's popular 'Family Feud,' have given him insights into how to 'survive' your family.
Customer Reviews:
Big Bertha Missed the Point.......2007-03-23
For anyone who comes from a dysfunctional family (who doesn't out there... I'd love to meet you) this book will inspire you to rise above your childhood circumstances and be a better person. Whether you were the victim of child abuse, an alcoholic or mentally deranged parent, or suffered through the pain of obesity, (all of the above in my case) this book is for you. It's not therapy, but it's almost as good. Thanks Louie!
A lewd, crude, obnoxious novel about the F-Bomb and louie anderson's 16 chins........2005-10-19
Even before I picked up this book, I knew I was going to hate it. I mean look at the cover, a fat man with a depressing no-food frown. I then read the book but to no surprise it was a recipes to louie anderson's favorite meal. It wasn't even a recipe it was just "jar of lard." Then I started the book and i almost threw up. The first chapter is "how I swallowed my cat." I didn't read it for a few days then I dove back in for seconds. There wasn't even a second chapter it was just ripped and torn papers like louie was so bored of his own book he started to eat it. I guess you're wondering if this whole book is about louie's eating and misadventours while eating and the answer is yes. Louie once tried to swallow a bald guy's head because he thought it was a watermelon. How do you reddeem yourself after writing a book about that? How did this incolherent mess wind up published? Who Knows? Towards the end it talks about Louie on the "Family Feud." From his drug addictions to his submarine sandwitch cravings this chapter tells all. Sound like a book you want to read?
PS: At the beginning it says "This book is deticated to my ham, my succulent, slow roasted..." I couldn't read the rests it was too wet from the drool stains.
A great study of pain, told through humor.......2005-01-24
I really applaud and admire the work that Anderson has given us within this book
The material that Anderson shares with us includes so much of his personal guilt, regret, and sadness
However, he manages to share it in a way that is constructive, humorous, and easy to digest ---- he makes it easy to see the screw-ups we've made in our own lives, and helps to suggest ways of alievation, through his own narration
Reading this book is almost an exercise in forgivness yourself ---- forgiving those around you and forgiving YOURSELF
And best of all - it is all told in Anderson's classic humor - making this all very easy to digest
Although the book is good, I truly recommend the audio version --- Anderson's narration is a perfect complement to a well done book
thank you for reading!
Not His Best Book, But Still a Treat .......2004-12-27
I've been a long time Louie Anderson fan and regard his first two books, "Dear Dad: Letters From an Adult child" and "Goodbye Jumbo...Hello Cruel World," two of the best books I've ever read. So I was naturally excited to hear he was writing a third book. In "The F Word," Louie tackles his relationship with his dysfunctional family, which has been strained by his fame and wealth (they resent him and/or expect him to help support them). He uses examples from his own family interactions to offer tips to others on how to deal with their dysfunctional family relationships. His advice is often too personal or oversimplified to be of good therapeutic use. However, Louie has an amazing ability to draw the reader into his life. Reading his books, I no longer feel like a fan. I feel like a friend. He does an amazing job of describing the unique personality traits of each of his 10 siblings and the problems they battle. Collectively, they have all been impacted in some way by their (deceased) alcoholic, abusive father. This book does offer some good down to earth advice and proves that everybody has problems that they struggle with and demons they battle, even celebrities. Overall, I found it to be a rewarding book, just somewhat less so than his previous books.
One Great Book!.......2004-12-01
I found this book to be a very good positive approach to handling family problems. Louie emphasizes being tolerant of family members and not being mean. I've used this technique quite often and found it to be more successful than being rude and mean. I've always had the ability to see humor in the worst situation, infact I laugh quite a bit at my family dilemma, even though it's really not that funny. I remember times when others have said, "you think everything is funny," I responded, "no not really, but it's better than the negative alternative, which is right out anger and hostility. Anything is better than taking the mean hostile route, the road to disaster. I'd rather laugh it out or simply leave before my coping ability expires. Louie suggests using this technique also, if you only have an hours worth of coping ability, don't try to stay the whole three hours of an affair and end up fighting. I appreciated the humor in Louie's book as well as his advice. Everyone should read this book whether they have family problems or not.
Books:
- When the Lion Feeds
- You Remind Me of Me: A Novel
- A Noble Radiance
- A Redbird Christmas: A Novel
- A Sundog Moment
- A Thousand Tomorrows
- Alexander Calder and His Magical Mobiles
- An Imperfect Lens: A Novel
- Basic Principles of Classical Ballet
- Bedroom Essentials
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Dancing in the Streets: A History of Collective Joy
- A Gentleman By Any Other Name
- Transducing the Genome: Information, Anarchy, and Revolution in The Biomedical Sciences
- The Yaws' Handbook of Physical Properties for Hydrocarbons And Chemicals
- Urban Planning Conservation and Preservation
- American Country Building Design: Rediscovered Plans for 19th-Century Farmhouses, Cottages, Landscap
- Witching Moon
- Professional Practice 101: A Compendium of Business and Management Strategies in Architecture
- The Wings of the Crane, 50 Years of Lufthansa Design
- Two by Carrere: Class Trip/the Mustache
The Post-Birthday World
Suite Francaise
Nineteen Minutes: A Novel
Water for Elephants: A Novel
The Glass Castle: A Memoir
