Take a photo of a barcode or cover
354 reviews for:
Gumption: Relighting the Torch of Freedom with America's Gutsiest Troublemakers
Nick Offerman
3.73 AVERAGE
354 reviews for:
Gumption: Relighting the Torch of Freedom with America's Gutsiest Troublemakers
Nick Offerman
3.73 AVERAGE
Nick Offerman drops a bit of wisdom on us in this one making me realize how shitty of a human being I am, but in a good way. There are some great American heroes in here that I never even knew about and am currently looking into further. Hands down would recommend this to everyone.
I liked and didn't like this book depending on the chapter. Nick Offerman is very funny and much more insightful than I thought he would be, but some of his ideas rubbed me the wrong way. He claims so much open-mindedness, but some of his commentary (particularly on religion) seemed blatantly one-sided. Granted, he was often mocking strict adherence to a particular viewpoint to the point proselytizing, something I did actively for 2 years as a missionary, so maybe I'm the closed-minded one. Still I was surprised by how well researched this book was, I figured I was in for a more humor-centric book. And while the book was funny, I found myself much more compelled by hearing stories of the men and women he spotlighted and less so by the funny bits.
Some hits and some misses for me on this list. The more personal connections he had didn't connect with me, but I did enjoy the side comments on culture and society.
Chris and I listened to this in the car, so I actually missed (because I dozed off) whomever was between George Washington and Fredrick Douglass. Ben Franklin and maybe one other dude? Not sure.
I liked the chapters about dead guys better; I felt that I learned more about the actual person. The later chapters were more like excuses to talk about stuff that Nick Offerman wanted to talk about. Like, I still have no idea about Barry Frank's life, aside from that fact that he's a gay senator who came out in whatever whatever. Which is great and all, but I'm sure there's a little more to Barry Frank than that. Offerman just wanted to talk about how it's cool to be gay, or whatever. Which is fine, just . . . not that interesting.
It has jokes, but I wouldn't really call it a humor book, but I guess people can do that if they want. I like humor in ALL my books, usually.
It also bothered me a bit that it took until chapter 16 until we got to a lady (Carol Burnett) who wasn't primarily famous because of her husband or dad. He acknowledges the lack of women, but acknowledging it doesn't make it not happening.
All in all, recommended, particularly in audiobook form. I've already lent it out and I'll probably end up listening to it again at some point.
Oh yeah -- and he uses big words in awkwardly correct order and says "an" before every word that starts with an "h," and I love that shit. I eat that shit up. So that's cool.
I liked the chapters about dead guys better; I felt that I learned more about the actual person. The later chapters were more like excuses to talk about stuff that Nick Offerman wanted to talk about. Like, I still have no idea about Barry Frank's life, aside from that fact that he's a gay senator who came out in whatever whatever. Which is great and all, but I'm sure there's a little more to Barry Frank than that. Offerman just wanted to talk about how it's cool to be gay, or whatever. Which is fine, just . . . not that interesting.
It has jokes, but I wouldn't really call it a humor book, but I guess people can do that if they want. I like humor in ALL my books, usually.
It also bothered me a bit that it took until chapter 16 until we got to a lady (Carol Burnett) who wasn't primarily famous because of her husband or dad. He acknowledges the lack of women, but acknowledging it doesn't make it not happening.
All in all, recommended, particularly in audiobook form. I've already lent it out and I'll probably end up listening to it again at some point.
Oh yeah -- and he uses big words in awkwardly correct order and says "an" before every word that starts with an "h," and I love that shit. I eat that shit up. So that's cool.
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
My husband and I got to see Nick Offerman perform a reading from this book and afterwards we had the opportunity to shake his hand and get an autograph. It was a hilarious night and we were so thrilled about meeting him and both started reading this book. Now I feel terrible because I ended up skimming over probably 100 pages or so here and there. I love Nick Offerman's humor, it's just that there weren't quite enough truly hilarious moments in this book. I also enjoy reading about important historical figures, yet I couldn't seem to get through more than 5 pages at a time. What is wrong with me? Probably nothing; I just wish I had enjoyed this book more than I did.
I'd be lying if I said I didn't skim some chapters, but I think the premise of this sophomore outing lends itself to that approach. I love Offerman's humor, but perhaps I should have gone with the audiobook on this one. Worth a look, but not as good as his first, more personal, offering, Paddle Your Own Canoe.
Didn't end up reading every word, but enjoyed the words I did. A good list of people, biographied (that's not a word!) by a very humorous man.
I struggled with this book for 3+ months, but really enjoyed the idea of it, and the individual essays. He's just a bit long-winded.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced