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lingfish7's review against another edition
4.0
It was a slow read for a memoir, but perhaps it’s because life was slower paced back in the early 1900’s. There was plenty of wholesome humor to keep the book moving and it was fascinating to get an inside look into both a different era, as well as a household of 14. It was worth the read!
kindredzia's review against another edition
4.0
Informative and light read, helped supplement how time and motion studies could be applied within the household.
jobatkin's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty sure my mum read this to us as kids, but all I could remember of it was that it was funny. It stands the test of time quite well, since I still found the anecdotes funny and entertaining. The story is based on fact and follows the adventures of the Gilbreth family with their 12 children, charismatic father and patient and intelligent mother. Set in America, mostly in the 1910s and 1920s, it reflects a more innocent era, highlighted by the parents' genuine love for and enjoyment of their tribe of kids. The father Frank Sr is an efficiency expert who can never stand to see time wasted, and who passes on to his kids a love for learning and each other through many unique and unconventional methods. The story of the tonsils was one of my favourites. To better judge and improve the efficiency of a tonsilectomy, the father hires a cameraman to record this procedure on each of his children, only to find that after their recovery the cameraman had left the lens cap on and not got any successful footage. An easy read full of good stories and still one to share with your kids.
thaliaw's review against another edition
5.0
I fell in love with this book, growing up as a single child I was so curious about how a household of fourteen (twelve kids and the two parents) would be like, this book did not disappoint. I loved Mr. Gilbreths way of educating his kids, how many things he taught them and how he did it. Must say it must have been such a fun house to be in, would have loved to have seen it in action. (Going to look up all those videos they did on the internet). (SPOILER) At the same time it was a bittersweet reading about this childhood knowing that their father would die when the oldest was 18 and the youngest was two, but it was a wonderful way of honoring him. Would recommend to anyone!
ddemille29's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
mccleark's review against another edition
5.0
This is a delicious book that is delightfully different from the most recent movie of the same name. It's the real story of the Gilbreths, told in episodic stories. At times you'll want desperately to be a part of this ridiculous family, and at others you'll be glad to have more space than 11 siblings would afford you. A must-read that will transport you back in time and immerse you in this world.