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jonmhansen's review against another edition
4.0
A gossipy, short but somehow sprawling book by Tim Gunn, guru of Project Runway. Reads like he talks, so if you're a fan of the show, you'll hear him speaking in your head. Talks about his life, the show, dirt on various fashion industry folks, and his recommendations on getting on with things. I liked it quite a bit, but your mileage may vary.
littlebitofe's review against another edition
5.0
I completely and thoroughly enjoyed this book. I agree with Tim about manners and "making it work." I loved his honesty and openness about some very personal stuff. I greatly respect him, his philosophies and the way he lives his life.
manadabomb's review against another edition
5.0
This is an instance where my Kindle is the best thing ever. I pre-ordered Gunn's book and boom! there is was on the day it came out. Love that.
This book is subtitled Life's Little Lessons for Making It Work. Naturally. As an avid fan of Project Runway, I often wish I had a Tim Gunn in my life. With this book, I kind of do. Gunn is a huge advocate of manners and I'm a somewhat less huge advocate of manners. We both agree that technology is getting in the way of people interacting with each other. People now live in their own little bubble that they forget there are humans around them and whoops, that was a human they just ran into without so much as an "Excuse me". Gunn realizes that he probably sounds like a schoolmarm and I do too. It's not that hard to just pay attention to the people around you, although it obviously IS that hard now.
Gunn shares many many behind the scenes stories, not just of PR, but of the fashion world. God bless the dishy man. He talks about his family, about how Make It Work came to life, and how to navigate the world ... nicely. While most of me agrees with him, I recognize that I suffer no fools and have no filter on my mouth. I have gotten much better at taking the high road in life, but I'm still apt to take the low road on occasion. A lot of Tim's advice I knew to be true. Yes, things would function so much better if people did have manners. Things would function better if I had better manners (although in today's society, I'm probably a schoolmarm too).
Tim is very frank about his past relationships and current single status. As one perpetually and happily single person, I want to give him a hug. Like he said, it's perfectly fine and normal to be happy and single. I've been preaching that for years!
I love fashion but often look like a clown dressed me, so I admire it from afar. Gunn is my mentor into the fashion world. May he keep writing books and being on my television to make this middle of Indiana girl feel like she can be fashionable and polite.
This book is subtitled Life's Little Lessons for Making It Work. Naturally. As an avid fan of Project Runway, I often wish I had a Tim Gunn in my life. With this book, I kind of do. Gunn is a huge advocate of manners and I'm a somewhat less huge advocate of manners. We both agree that technology is getting in the way of people interacting with each other. People now live in their own little bubble that they forget there are humans around them and whoops, that was a human they just ran into without so much as an "Excuse me". Gunn realizes that he probably sounds like a schoolmarm and I do too. It's not that hard to just pay attention to the people around you, although it obviously IS that hard now.
Gunn shares many many behind the scenes stories, not just of PR, but of the fashion world. God bless the dishy man. He talks about his family, about how Make It Work came to life, and how to navigate the world ... nicely. While most of me agrees with him, I recognize that I suffer no fools and have no filter on my mouth. I have gotten much better at taking the high road in life, but I'm still apt to take the low road on occasion. A lot of Tim's advice I knew to be true. Yes, things would function so much better if people did have manners. Things would function better if I had better manners (although in today's society, I'm probably a schoolmarm too).
Tim is very frank about his past relationships and current single status. As one perpetually and happily single person, I want to give him a hug. Like he said, it's perfectly fine and normal to be happy and single. I've been preaching that for years!
I love fashion but often look like a clown dressed me, so I admire it from afar. Gunn is my mentor into the fashion world. May he keep writing books and being on my television to make this middle of Indiana girl feel like she can be fashionable and polite.
jacq03's review against another edition
4.0
Love Tim Gunn, his honesty, sincerity and life rules worth following!
htbaumtree's review against another edition
slow-paced
1.0
Oh Tim, I wanted better than this. His charisma and practical, down-to-earth gentility from Project Runway gave me enough goodwill that I didn't DNF, but someone needed to get this man an editor.
liralen's review against another edition
3.0
Gunn's Golden Rules is a collection of non-entirely-related anecdotes that can be summed up by Tim Gunn himself: "I'm not sure what the moral is here...I really just wanted to tell that story" (p. 36). It's a bit scattered and not terribly well organised - it sort of gives the impression that the person editing had ADD - but it's a delightful read nonetheless. Anyone who's ever watched Project Runway will hear Gunn's voice echoing through the pages.
kickpleat's review against another edition
3.0
Three stars because even though I might be tempted to give it only 2. I love Tim Gunn and even though this is badly ghost written, I could still feel his voice whispering over my shoulder to, you know, make it work. While he congratulates himself on how nice and well-mannered and honest he is (ad naueseum), he also is a bit petty and he doesn't like unions. But as they say on reality shows, "it is what it is".
superdilettante's review against another edition
3.0
While I agree with nearly every one of Gunn's major points and assertions, and have no doubt he'd be a delightful colleague or dinner guest, this book seemed like it was sutured together. Some of the content is carefully written advice, beautifully worded and well thought-out. The rest is casually worded gossip and harangues that seems more like something told to a reporter over coffee (or a few drinks).
If you're a fan of the man, this won't disappoint (I've never seen the show). And if you love industry gossip, you'll enjoy it (I wouldn't know Michael Kors from Tommy Hilfiger if he sat next to me on the train). But if you're looking for practical advice on propriety, you'll probably find yourself skimming.
Dear publishing industry, I'm beginning to see why you're having problems. Where have all the decent editors gone?
If you're a fan of the man, this won't disappoint (I've never seen the show). And if you love industry gossip, you'll enjoy it (I wouldn't know Michael Kors from Tommy Hilfiger if he sat next to me on the train). But if you're looking for practical advice on propriety, you'll probably find yourself skimming.
Dear publishing industry, I'm beginning to see why you're having problems. Where have all the decent editors gone?
sarahfett's review against another edition
4.0
The publisher classified this book as self-help, but it's more of a memoir/etiquette guide with a bit of both self-help and fashion guide. I like Tim Gunn's positive outlook. He starts by saying that "this book is a call to arms, a manifesto for kindness, generosity, and integrity." I only wish that he wouldn't have used the names of celebrities in some of his how not to behave stories. Knowing names made it feel gossipy to me.
ashleynestlermsw's review against another edition
5.0
A great book that gives you advice and kicks you in the butt when you need it. It helped my self esteem, sense of humor, and perfectionism quite a bit.