Download Manhood for Amateurs: The Pleasures and Regrets of a Husband, Father, and Son Audiobook

" Brilliant writing, wonderful insights, funny. "

" I would like to go back to the time before I knew Michael Chabon had a rudimentary third nipple. Twice, he mentioned this. Twice! "

" Chabon is an incredibly talented writer, and I was so struck by his turn of phrase at various points; however, the book did not grab me. I was thoroughly looking forward to hear him reflect on fatherhood which he does quite poignantly at moments, but other parts were just not my cup of tea. I know he has his comic book obsession, and that is not my speed so I skipped those sections, but I still didn't connect with the book as I had hoped. I realize it is specifically about "manhood" and therefore, perhaps I was not the audience. The very first essay was brilliant and had me laughing out loud and really thinking, but it didn't sustain that pace for me. "

" Thoughtful and full of sentences that were so beautifully constructed that I had to re-read them again. This book of essays was pure Michael Chabon. "

" Books of essays are, perhaps by their nature, incredibly variable things. Chabon's best work in this book deals with interesting subjects or ideas that still occupy his thoughts today (The Clock of the Long Now, for instance, or his wife's bi-polar disorder). The worst deal with his sexual exploits, the various experiences that he claims have gone into "making him a man" which makes the title more than a bit misleading. The best known of the essays from this book is, perhaps, the most middle of the road: Chabon's discussion of his "murse" and what odd, socially constructed strictures of gender govern where a man keeps his keys, phone and wallet. It's this sort of essay - one where Chabon uses his personal experience to thoughtfully wind his mental way through the world we find ourselves in - that engages the reader's imagination while also being what all essays hope to be: enlightening. "

" You know, this certainly wasn't Chabon's BEST book but it was incredibly charming and I am pretty sure that every young dad should read it. Chabon candidly admits to many shortcomings and limitations that I think most straight men (fathers or not) share and would find comfort in relating to; as a woman, not only do I find these admissions to be endearing, but it was refreshing to confirm that all the idiotic things that I have always suspected men of thinking are indeed being thought. Politically incorrect as it may be to say, as a species we often do conform to certain gender stereotypes and sometimes it can be a relief to look at our patterns in relationships (in this case specifically parenthood and marraige) in the simplest terms possible: men think this way, women think that way. And as always, the inevitable truth is that while women are being insightful and observant, and taking care of problems before they can even arise, men are thinking about... comic books. (And perhaps how to best protect their own egos.) "

" This book would be more fitting for fathers than it was for me, but Chabon is such a good writer, I enjoyed it anyway. "

" A collection of short non-fiction essays. I really enjoyed Chabon's essays on parenting, no doubt due to my recent interest in the subject. "

" Correct title for the topic. A collection of essays well organized and well written though from a variety of sources exploring the different calsl to manhood. I found the collection relevant, familiar, and engaging for the perspective offered. "

" Good. Absolutely worth reading if you're a father, generally worth reading anyway. Some very insightful thoughts about being a father and being a guy. Some very good thoughts on motherhood as well, and the challenges with being a good mother. "

" Loved it, especially as a companion to Bad Mother by his wife. "

" Wow -- it's like reading what I've been thinking as a dad and man, but in much more coherent and intelligent form. "

" Funny, sad, fantastic! "

" This was my introduction to Chabon's writing. I'm looking forward to reading some of his fiction. "

" LOVED this book. A couple chapters drifted into "meh" but overall, Chabon writes what I think as a father. "

" I enjoyed this. It's really a rambling collection of memories and musings, lossely related to how Chabon sees himself and has experienced being a son, father, brother, husband. Like chatting with a smart friend. "

" Surprisingly touching collection of essays. A little repetitive, Chabon wears his influences on his sleeve anyway and the thematic connections encourages similarity at times but still insightful, funny and bittersweet. "

" There are a couple of weak bits here, but not many. By the end, I could not get the notion of comparisons with E. B. White (the master himself) out of my head. Some of these essays will be considered classics for a long time. Read it. Read it all. Soon. "

" Nails Fatherhood on the head ,and stirs up memories of not so long ago. "

" So far, very good read "

" It hits in so many topics that concern modern day parenting, with the reflections and insights of our collective past - I recommend this book to anyone who has given any thought to how different their childhood looks to that of the children they're raising now. "

" I would expect nothing less from Mr. Chabon describing his life in terms of being a father, son, brother and husband. This is the kind of book that you want to give to others, over and over again. "

" Don't know what it says about me, but this book just didn't hold my attention. I did finish it, which means it's two stars instead of one, but I was disappointed in it given the hype. "

" Great historical fiction - held my interest all the way thru.
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" My edition is the more recent NYRB edition. Beach read, anyone? "

" love this book,made me smile the whole way through,this was the book in my pocket ehile my wife gave birth to our daughter,and those first days of three hour feeds.dipping in and out of orms world was a joy,a great romp across the viking world "

" This was such an entertaining read. I haven't enjoyed an adventure book this much since the Three Musketeers, some well over a decade ago, which is saying quite a bit! "

" This book was a series of short tales without a plot about ancient norsemen (and a few women). The author had clever ways of stating things, some of the stories were ok, others were better. It dragged a bit too long. BUt, I recommend it to anyone whose heritage is Danish, Swedish or Norwegian! "

" Picaresque. The story is told as told stories. Could have been shorter. Has an Edgar Rice Burroughs quality, but some humor. From the NYRB out-of-print series. "

" I think this book is really interesting and it shows how much research the authour put into this novel.Amazing! So much detail, as if he really lived there! "

" Absolutely loved this book. I am a huge fan of historical fiction- whether it be loosely based on a specific time period or very accurate- I find it fascinating to read about how people lived in past centuries and how they viewed God- will definitely read this book again. "

" Apparently everyone loves this book. The introduction by Michael Chabon is worth the purchase price. If you want to get transported completely to another time and place, pick this one up. "