Things I Learned About My Dad
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Amazon.com:
2.9 out of 5 stars
37 reviews
40 of 40 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
Wanted to Love It... But Didn't
12 May 2008
By K. Miller
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
I was very excited for this compilation -- most of my year is spent buying grad school text books and things I don't necessarily deem "fun." On top of that, I really wanted all of these authors to succeed. Several of the authors' blogs are on my most-read list, and a couple of them are individuals whose words have really touched me in times when I needed it most (Heather Armstrong is one of those authors).
Unfortunately, in many cases that did not translate to the printed page. I was disappointed that much of Armstrong's contribution was published on her blog (for free, as someone previously noted), and Alice Bradley's essay in WonderTime, to which I subscribe. That eliminated quite a bit of the best writing in this book. I enjoyed a few of the other essays, but several just seemed to hint that perhaps the editor was hesitant to edit these online celebrities... or the essays were beyond saving, regardless of editing.
The fact that I was able to support these folks in what they aspire to do, however, still makes me happy. To those who comment on Dooce's "self-promotion," she's a business woman whose commodity happens to be herself and her words. She's entitled to promote herself. While I don't consider myself a diligent Dooce devotee, her words have pulled me through difficult times as a mother and I respect the ambition she and Jon Armstrong have in tailoring their family according to THEIR rules. These reviews are not intended to rate your feelings about Heather Armstrong (if they were, I'd tack on another star). They should rate the work.
Unfortunately, in many cases that did not translate to the printed page. I was disappointed that much of Armstrong's contribution was published on her blog (for free, as someone previously noted), and Alice Bradley's essay in WonderTime, to which I subscribe. That eliminated quite a bit of the best writing in this book. I enjoyed a few of the other essays, but several just seemed to hint that perhaps the editor was hesitant to edit these online celebrities... or the essays were beyond saving, regardless of editing.
The fact that I was able to support these folks in what they aspire to do, however, still makes me happy. To those who comment on Dooce's "self-promotion," she's a business woman whose commodity happens to be herself and her words. She's entitled to promote herself. While I don't consider myself a diligent Dooce devotee, her words have pulled me through difficult times as a mother and I respect the ambition she and Jon Armstrong have in tailoring their family according to THEIR rules. These reviews are not intended to rate your feelings about Heather Armstrong (if they were, I'd tack on another star). They should rate the work.
43 of 47 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
some essays are better than others
2 May 2008
By A Customer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
I'll admit to be intrigued by the concept of this book: a collection of essays by different bloggers on the topic of fathers (not necessarily fatherhood, per se) that was then edited by Heather Armstrong.
After having read it, I'll also admit that I found it uneven, probably because the writers all have such unique voices and I am not a fan of each and every person included in the book. My favorite essay is by Doug French of Laid Off Dad fame and for that essay alone I would encourage others to purchase (or at the very least, read) this book. The letter to his sons on the eve of his divorce is incredibly moving.
There were several other essays that were quite well written as well and others that just did not resonate with me. Essentially, if you enjoy reading certain blogs, then you will enjoy reading the longer essays by the authors of those blogs.
After having read it, I'll also admit that I found it uneven, probably because the writers all have such unique voices and I am not a fan of each and every person included in the book. My favorite essay is by Doug French of Laid Off Dad fame and for that essay alone I would encourage others to purchase (or at the very least, read) this book. The letter to his sons on the eve of his divorce is incredibly moving.
There were several other essays that were quite well written as well and others that just did not resonate with me. Essentially, if you enjoy reading certain blogs, then you will enjoy reading the longer essays by the authors of those blogs.
32 of 38 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
Pretty enjoyable read.
3 May 2008
By particle_bored
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
I think, overall, this was an enjoyable book. It wasn't meant to change the world, and it didn't, but I was able to bring out at least one chuckle or smile from myself with every essay. I'm familiar with the editor's website and by association, the small little circle of bloggers that seem to make up the authorship of this book. As on the web, I enjoy some more than others, and so a reader looking to buy this book may wish to peruse some of the blogs first before committing to the book to get a feel for what it will be like. On the negative side, this group of essays seems to be written in a way that suggests the reader should be silently impressed by the hip, modern turn of the phrases and the intelligentsia-ironica-sarcastica tone so prevalent in their writing. And yet, to their credit, sometimes the authors nail a thought or a sentence just so and the otherwise heavy-handed affectation can be forgiven. The essays read and feel like lengthy blog entries, which is to be expected since the authors all dabble in that genre. This isn't a criticism, though - more an observation that it is difficult for me to raise the authors above the title of blogger. Perhaps because some pieces have that unfinished, unpolished feel of a blog post. But as I said above, all in all, this is an enjoyable read and a fine effort.
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2.9 out of 5 stars
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