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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
I didn't really know what this book was about, I pretty much saw "Nick Offerman" and thought, "Why not?" Then glanced at the chapter list and thought, "oh man, that's a lot of white dudes." Thankfully that was addressed early on.
It took me longer than I expected, nonfiction is often a slog for me, but Offerman is funny and I appreciate that. The Makers section was by far my favorite, as I fancy myself a Maker (just in a much smaller scale than boat building or furniture making).
It took me longer than I expected, nonfiction is often a slog for me, but Offerman is funny and I appreciate that. The Makers section was by far my favorite, as I fancy myself a Maker (just in a much smaller scale than boat building or furniture making).
Informative, funny, and surprisingly eye-opening...I might be a little bit in love with Mr. Offerman now.
An excellent book, I skipped a few chapters (esp. Conan O'Brien, God help us) but overall a patriotic Brief Lives mixed with autobiography which makes for pleasurable reading if you're an American by birth, immigration, or spirit.
funny
informative
reflective
slow-paced
I’ve struggled to review this book for some time. I love Offerman’s writing. If he weren’t a well-known actor, I’d still pick up his books. His writing is funny, smart, and well developed. That is still true for this book.
Where I struggle is in two parts: how he fleshes out his thesis through each chapter and the lack of representation of the individuals he chose to highlight.
Offerman references his thesis a few times throughout the book, namely when he cites the email he sends to the individuals he wants to interview. It’s a lofty thesis. He wants to highlight Americans with his perception of gumption through technology, religion, human rights, nature, etc. Obviously not all 21 individuals will meet all these areas. While sometimes this was clearly conveyed, other times it felt a little messy. I think it would’ve been better to focus on just a few areas and have the individuals be categorized in that fashion.
On the topic of representation, the book mainly focused on white men. Yes there are some women. Yes he highlights Fredrick Douglas. Yes he discusses the shortcomings of many of these white men. But I was disappointed to not see more representation. Eleanor Roosevelt’s chapter felt short and rushed. Yoko Ono’s chapter felt to center more on her in relation to John Lennon rather than her as the individual. I do have to remember that 1) Offerman himself is a white man, and therefore will look up to people that look like him and 2) this book was published in 2015, where representation in both media and literature wasn’t as focused in the collective conversation as it is today.
Where I struggle is in two parts: how he fleshes out his thesis through each chapter and the lack of representation of the individuals he chose to highlight.
Offerman references his thesis a few times throughout the book, namely when he cites the email he sends to the individuals he wants to interview. It’s a lofty thesis. He wants to highlight Americans with his perception of gumption through technology, religion, human rights, nature, etc. Obviously not all 21 individuals will meet all these areas. While sometimes this was clearly conveyed, other times it felt a little messy. I think it would’ve been better to focus on just a few areas and have the individuals be categorized in that fashion.
On the topic of representation, the book mainly focused on white men. Yes there are some women. Yes he highlights Fredrick Douglas. Yes he discusses the shortcomings of many of these white men. But I was disappointed to not see more representation. Eleanor Roosevelt’s chapter felt short and rushed. Yoko Ono’s chapter felt to center more on her in relation to John Lennon rather than her as the individual. I do have to remember that 1) Offerman himself is a white man, and therefore will look up to people that look like him and 2) this book was published in 2015, where representation in both media and literature wasn’t as focused in the collective conversation as it is today.
Enjoyable read for sure. To me, it felt like someone still working at being a writer - it didn't quite hit the mark but was a good effort that I mostly enjoyed, even if it was a bit rough around the edges. I hope he continues writing and honing that craft.
This was a fun listen, I learned a bit and enjoyed hearing the book in the author's voice.
funny
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
I was delighted to find this book compulsively consumable, as I borrowed it from the library knowing nothing about it and was curious to hear Offerman's list of "America's Gutsiest Troublemakers". Between his erudite, dry, but warm sense of humor and his enthusiastic geekery (enjoying and admiring his subjects enough to want to learn all about them), not to mention his excellent delivery and reading of his words, this is a fantastic audiobook and I'm sure readers of the paper format will love it too. I had such a great time listening and learning, and if I ever have the pleasure of meeting the author (or his wife, whom I also happen to think is a top-notch talent), I will leave my cameraphone in my pocket and be proud to shake his hand and tell him I think he's awesome as $#!t. Five stars.
I had randomly picked up this book from the library, and was pleasantly surprised. I listened to the audiobook read by the author and it was fantastic. It was incredibly well-written, well-researched and very eloquent. I learned a lot and enjoyed Offerman's observations and political and social commentary. As I would expect from the man who played Ron Swanson on Parks and Rec, it was incredibly funny and witty and hearing his voice just made my mornings.