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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
- This book is just more evidence that you can publish random crap that will sell if you’re famous. Started this book months ago bc Nick Offerman narrated it himself, and who doesn’t want a bunch of hours listening to Ron Swanson? Me, apparently. I actually dnf’d this book bc the lazy drivel was annoying me but I tried it again bc I needed something easy and light to listen to but … yeah still annoying but sunk cost fallacy made me finish it. Anyways, one good takeaway: if you feel like you need to change yourself to succeed in your situation, then change your situation rather than yourself. (His context was re: plastic surgery and show biz but seems applicable to many situations)
- Do not recommend. Unless you like lazy writing.
- Do not recommend. Unless you like lazy writing.
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
A fun journey through Nick Offer man's life. He seems like a fun guy. The book I think could have been trimmed a smidge but I liked it. I think it would be harder as a book. The audiobook was great.
If you are anything like me, you first heard about this book because you've watched more "Parks and Rec" than is strictly reasonable, and Ron Swanson has made you laugh and cringe. While I don't always agree with the cantankerous character, he is nevertheless my favorite and I love Offerman's deadpan delivery. I was very curious to know what a guy who can pull off such a fantastic mustache would have to say about delicious living...
Now if you plan on reading this, my advice is: don't. Get the audiobook, read by Offerman. His voice, gravitas and occasional giggles make this memoir/manifesto/collection of hilarious and excellent advice an incredibly entertaining experience. I also think that his writing style might feel a bit ponderous on the page, as where read out loud, it is quite charming and fun. Also, easily offended ears beware: there's a lot of cussing, many discussions on the topic of oral sex and some very strong opinions about religion (A lot of reviewers seem to have gotten their panties in a twist about that aspect of the book: I didn't, but mostly because I actually agree with his thoughts on organized religion in general, and the weird fucked up version of Christianity too often encountered in certain regions of the US of A specifically. He was preaching to the choir with me - pun intended - but I can see how anyone attached to their fixed ideas on faith and the Church would get upset by his thoughts.).
I already liked Offerman, and listening to 10 odd hours of his thoughts made me like and respect him even more: the man is hilarious, smart, hard working, kind-hearted and a hopeless romantic. I loved hearing his stories about growing up in rural Illinois, learning his craft in college, and eventually in Chicago and LA, meeting his wife Megan Mullally - and of course, growing epic facial hair. He also takes care to make sure his listeners know that despite a common love of pork products and fine scotches, he is most definitely not Ron Swanson: he eats salads, for one thing, and does not punch socialists.
Offerman is quite opinionated, but also humble, more than willing to admit that a lot of luck was necessary for his life to unfold the way it did, and spends a lot of time expressing his gratitude to everyone who helped, supported and encouraged him. His love for art, his family, the various crafts he is passionate about and his darling wife really shines through (his "Rainbow Song"! My heart!). While his advice can occasionally feel a tad preachy, it comes form a reasonable and well-meaning place; it's just loaded with smart-assery and sarcasm, which I appreciate tremendously.
I had a lot of fun listening to this! 4 and a half stars.
Now if you plan on reading this, my advice is: don't. Get the audiobook, read by Offerman. His voice, gravitas and occasional giggles make this memoir/manifesto/collection of hilarious and excellent advice an incredibly entertaining experience. I also think that his writing style might feel a bit ponderous on the page, as where read out loud, it is quite charming and fun. Also, easily offended ears beware: there's a lot of cussing, many discussions on the topic of oral sex and some very strong opinions about religion (A lot of reviewers seem to have gotten their panties in a twist about that aspect of the book: I didn't, but mostly because I actually agree with his thoughts on organized religion in general, and the weird fucked up version of Christianity too often encountered in certain regions of the US of A specifically. He was preaching to the choir with me - pun intended - but I can see how anyone attached to their fixed ideas on faith and the Church would get upset by his thoughts.).
I already liked Offerman, and listening to 10 odd hours of his thoughts made me like and respect him even more: the man is hilarious, smart, hard working, kind-hearted and a hopeless romantic. I loved hearing his stories about growing up in rural Illinois, learning his craft in college, and eventually in Chicago and LA, meeting his wife Megan Mullally - and of course, growing epic facial hair. He also takes care to make sure his listeners know that despite a common love of pork products and fine scotches, he is most definitely not Ron Swanson: he eats salads, for one thing, and does not punch socialists.
Offerman is quite opinionated, but also humble, more than willing to admit that a lot of luck was necessary for his life to unfold the way it did, and spends a lot of time expressing his gratitude to everyone who helped, supported and encouraged him. His love for art, his family, the various crafts he is passionate about and his darling wife really shines through (his "Rainbow Song"! My heart!). While his advice can occasionally feel a tad preachy, it comes form a reasonable and well-meaning place; it's just loaded with smart-assery and sarcasm, which I appreciate tremendously.
I had a lot of fun listening to this! 4 and a half stars.
This was a lighthearted reflection of an autobiography from Mr. Offerman. I think it's easy to confuse Ron Swanson's comedy genius with the actor himself. There are parts of both in each.
A very good book for fans of Offerman's "Parks and Recreation" character Ron Swanson, although really this is an autobiographical account of the life of an actor with talents and abilities that exceed the narrow confines of that potentially career-defining role. Offerman writes conversationally, and his anecdotes are by turns ribald, dissipative, and tender. I would not recommend the book to pre-teens "out of the blue" due to the frank discussions of sex and marijuana - if your kid wants to read it, at least read it with them and be prepared for questions and discussion! Offerman includes in each chapter an editorial section on some aspect of how to conduct one's life that he has derived from his experiences. For those readers who might confuse Offerman with Swanson, the book holds some surprises. On balance, a very entertaining read by an actor who is at the top of his game right now, and who has tapped into a longing in the cultural zeitgeist for principled and "delicious" living.
Solid advice and ribald humor. I enjoyed listening to this so much that I've already pre ordered the next one. Highly recommend.
Such a genuinely good and funny read. As with most celebrity written books, Nick Offerman read this one on the audible book. Highly recommend for anyone who appreciates Ron Swanson humor.
Unfortunately, this book just didn't do it for me. I read about half way through (to page 159) in the continual hope it would turn from being preachy to being funny, and it just didn't pan out that way. In defense of Offerman's writing, he did open by clarifying that he is not the same person as Ron Swanson (obvious) and that his opinions and beliefs should not be confused with those of the character he portrays on Parks and Rec. I'll admit, I did pick this book up—after waiting more than a year on the library's wait list—assuming it would be written in the deadpan voice of the fictional Parks Department director. Really it just felt more dead, than it did deadpan.
Offerman is obviously well versed, his vocabulary is fairly impressive, but the words just sit on the page with no real character or charm. Almost like a high school english paper that made liberal use of the thesaurus.
Ultimately, I just couldn't stomach any more of the incredibly dry anecdotes the author had to offer. I just didn't find myself caring about the supposed funny things Offerman had done in his youth—I guess you had to be there Nick, sorry.
I'll save you some time. The funniest thing I found in the book, and this reveals my juvenile sense of humor, was a line about his uncle's car: Uncle Don had the most throbbing boner of a vehicle you could have in 1978—the Pontiac Firebird...
Offerman is obviously well versed, his vocabulary is fairly impressive, but the words just sit on the page with no real character or charm. Almost like a high school english paper that made liberal use of the thesaurus.
Ultimately, I just couldn't stomach any more of the incredibly dry anecdotes the author had to offer. I just didn't find myself caring about the supposed funny things Offerman had done in his youth—I guess you had to be there Nick, sorry.
I'll save you some time. The funniest thing I found in the book, and this reveals my juvenile sense of humor, was a line about his uncle's car: Uncle Don had the most throbbing boner of a vehicle you could have in 1978—the Pontiac Firebird...
Ultimately I liked this book, although it was dicey at the beginning. Offerman spends the first few chapters being preachy about his beliefs on religion, church and state, gay marriage, etc. I don't even necessarily disagree with him, but that's not why I bought the book. He is an entertainer and I wished to be entertained. Thankfully it got better as it went on. I really enjoy his perspective on show business and liked hearing about his experiences. And I loved hearing about his relationship with his wife, the tone of that was so lovely.