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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Great overview of Fred Rogers'... well, life and work. I learned some things about him, and gained valuable perspective on his life, work, and character. I did find the book might have benefited from more careful editing, at times-- some awkwardness that seemed a result of portions having been initially written in a different order, and not having been ironed out in the final version-- but definitely not that would prevent it from being a worthwhile read.
slow-paced
This book was tedious and felt repetitive. There was a lot of information, but watch the documentary instead.
I am biased. I love and adore Mr Rogers, so any book about him I will probably enjoy. It was well researched with many interviews and tried to show who he was in all parts of his life.
The amount of context could be exhaustive at times, but his intentions and message are moving.
I cried while reading this book. Near the beginning I decided I would mark the page every time a sentence or quote made me emotional. I ended up with 33 bookmarks.
I still remember the way Mr. Rogers started his program. He would put on his sneakers and cardigan, look directly at the camera and say: “Won’t you please, won’t you please, please won’t you be my neighbor.” I firmly believe that his teachings are more important now than ever before, and with everything that’s going on right now this biography helped remind me to slow down and look for the silver linings.
This review has exactly 143 words, which was Fred’s favorite number because it represented the phrase I Love You. I think that number summed his life up perfectly, for he loved everyone he ever met- just the way they are.
I still remember the way Mr. Rogers started his program. He would put on his sneakers and cardigan, look directly at the camera and say: “Won’t you please, won’t you please, please won’t you be my neighbor.” I firmly believe that his teachings are more important now than ever before, and with everything that’s going on right now this biography helped remind me to slow down and look for the silver linings.
This review has exactly 143 words, which was Fred’s favorite number because it represented the phrase I Love You. I think that number summed his life up perfectly, for he loved everyone he ever met- just the way they are.
Very thorough biography (almost to the point of being repetitive). Fred Rogers was a really cool dude who used his privilege in a good way. I don’t think Mr. Rogers and I would have been friends but I respect the hell out of his work.
update: went down to 2 stars because i watched Wont You Be My Neighbor and wept like a stinky baby. i HOPE that Mr. Rogers and I would be friends. this book gave a thorough overview, but tonally did not express how kind of a man Mr. Rogers was. i should have closed the book in awe, but it did not do this for me, unfortunately.
update: went down to 2 stars because i watched Wont You Be My Neighbor and wept like a stinky baby. i HOPE that Mr. Rogers and I would be friends. this book gave a thorough overview, but tonally did not express how kind of a man Mr. Rogers was. i should have closed the book in awe, but it did not do this for me, unfortunately.
I actually already this book before and I realized it was just too soon to reread it, because it's still pretty fresh in my mind from the last time I read it, even though it's been a year or so. I do enjoy this book, especially the audiobook, but just not something I can get into right now!
First things first, I listened to the audiobook- which is narrated by LaVar Burton (of Reading Rainbow fame) so that was immediately exciting.
Second my biggest complaint has less to do with Roger’s story and more to do with the author of this story. The book is needlessly repetitive, almost as if the author wanted the book to be longer than it needed to be. Several times as the listener I am told the SAME THING. I found this disappointing because it took away from the narrative of Fred Rogers life. The drawn out descriptions made it hard to enjoy the rich life of a man who played such an important part in the lives of so many people.
After listening for ten hours, I can’t imagine how I would have felt reading the same thing over again.
That aside, this book was full of information I hadn’t known before. Rogers journey into the homes and hearts of so many children is one that was full of drive and originality. The man created a bond between many generations in all different kinds of families. His need for inclusive education of children is one that is commendable.
I firmly believe that if more people were life Fred Rogers we would live in a very different world.
Second my biggest complaint has less to do with Roger’s story and more to do with the author of this story. The book is needlessly repetitive, almost as if the author wanted the book to be longer than it needed to be. Several times as the listener I am told the SAME THING. I found this disappointing because it took away from the narrative of Fred Rogers life. The drawn out descriptions made it hard to enjoy the rich life of a man who played such an important part in the lives of so many people.
After listening for ten hours, I can’t imagine how I would have felt reading the same thing over again.
That aside, this book was full of information I hadn’t known before. Rogers journey into the homes and hearts of so many children is one that was full of drive and originality. The man created a bond between many generations in all different kinds of families. His need for inclusive education of children is one that is commendable.
I firmly believe that if more people were life Fred Rogers we would live in a very different world.
As someone who grew up in the Pittsburgh suburbs as a regular viewer of Mister Rogers Neighborhood, Fred Rogers has simply been a part of who I am. This biography at once transported me back to my childhood living room with the television tuned to PBS and revealed to me layers of a man so many people feel they knew well. And, because of his natural tendency to pure authenticity, we did. At the same time, there are layers to that Fred Rogers that only his family and close associates truly understood: his exacting nature, his lasting childlike spirit, his self-doubt. Based on King's close examination of Rogers's childhood, career, home life, and personal quirks, it becomes clear that he was the rarest of rarities: a man so committed to love and yet so uninterested in the approval of others. He was the very definition of meekness and, though not perfect, lived in such a way we could all aspire to. If we succeeded, the world would undoubtedly be a better place, full of care and laughter. King does a superb job of capturing the person and legacy of Fred Rogers.