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Debby | 2/17/2014
" A Young boy's story of wanting to grow up to be "just like his uncle and friends" and what happens to him when he accomplishes that dream. Well written and very real understanding of community in a bar. "
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Marney | 2/16/2014
" Well written, certainly, with memorable characters (and amusing if you like stories of drunken antics), but I found it self indulgent. Gifted kid...dysfunctional family...overcoming the odds...unlucky in love...and all, of course, soaked in alcohol. How come every talented writer wounded by alcoholism, or even second-hand alcoholim, feels compelled to write a memoir? "
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Jyoung927 | 2/15/2014
" not bad. came as a recommendation "
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Judith L | 2/2/2014
" My first impression from the TENDER BAR's book cover lead me to think that the story was being told about a pub in Ireland. I was pleasantly surprised to find out it is set in Manhasset, Long Island, an actual town in New York. J.R. Moehringer's story of his growing-up relationship with the men of the local bar, Publicans is a portrait of an alcholic in development. I kept asking myself as I read the book this question - What mother condones sending her son to a bar? It is only in the last chapters that the author realizes that drinking can not solve his problems. Well-written story! I am eager to read more from this author. "
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Maureen | 1/21/2014
" I'm not much of a memoir reader, but this one shouldn't be passed up. J.R. Moehringer takes us from boyhood to adulthood, with one single constant in his life--a neighborhood bar. He grows up with this bar, with its colorful characters, antidotes, and varying degrees of alcoholism. The bar feeds him the nutrients of "being a man." But, as we all know, a bar isn't the best place to practice character building. Bars do the opposite of promoting self growth. They hold you back. They can break down character. They can cripple. This is the lesson of The Tender Bar. "
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Maria | 1/7/2014
" I'm going to recommend to book club!!! "
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Tracy | 12/21/2013
" This book is essentially about a guy and his love of a bar. But I found his writing so engaging that I kept thinking about when I could find time to read some more. He made the mundane extraordinary, and for that I give 5 stars. "
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Jim Noyes | 12/15/2013
" Pleasant enough read, well written, which is the best part, not taken by the "message" but enjoyed the character portrayals. "
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Martha Wallace | 12/15/2013
" definitely a man-book, but oddly compelling view into his chaotic drinking life. "
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Ana | 9/20/2013
" Meh. I was kind of ticked off that the author wasted so many opportunities but somehow managed to have more presented to him. If it wasn't a true story I think I would have enjoyed it more. "
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John Keyser | 9/15/2013
" One of the best memoirs I've read in some time. Honest, forthright, and compelling. It makes you want to pony up to the nearest dive bar you've always threatened to walk into and ask the patron next to you their life story. "
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Mimi | 9/12/2013
" A really poignant memoir about a boy's mission to learn to become a good man without a father to guide him and the men in the local bar who guide him. Wonderful characters throughout and of course, a vivid portrait of a wonderful single mother. "
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Nikki | 9/3/2013
" It was a peek at the inner thoughts of an alcoholic and I love how well the author showed this perspective. It felt a little whiny at times but the humor outweighed this fault. "
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Regina Sheerin | 8/16/2013
" I askedmy father (Queens born and bred) if he had read this book. He thought about it for a few seconds and said, "Yeah, isn't it about a bunch of drunks in Manhasset?". I couldn't have put it better myself. I only finished it because I had purchased it on my Kindle. Blech. "
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Andrea Stoeckel | 6/29/2013
" A great bok about growing up in Manhassett NY. It's also a great book about saying goodbye in a lot of situations. From death, to death of dreams and ambitions, and watching what replaces them "
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Adrianna | 5/27/2013
" This is my favorite book of all time!!!! I have visited the bar twice on Plandome Road in Manhasset, NY. "
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Ronald Rich | 11/17/2012
" Great story - well written "
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mmk4 Koenen | 9/29/2012
" This is one of my favorite (if not #1) books. The characterization is unbelieveable..the setting real...as are the individuals in the book. You feel like pulling up a stool and having a drink! "
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The Reading Cove Book Club â§ | 4/23/2012
" Bonus Book - February 2006 "
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Alyssa | 3/3/2012
" Fabulous memoir, on par with The Glass Castle. Couldn't put it down. "
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Shelby | 2/25/2012
" An excellent, funny, sad, endearing read. Highly recommended. "
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Dani | 12/29/2011
" I really enjoyed this book. The introductory paragraphs were so well written I read it out loud to my husband and the writing and the great story continued throughout. I loved this book! "
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Lisa | 12/20/2011
" Loved it!! Very personal and well written story. Moehringer makes all his characters come alive on the page. "
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Liz Dean | 7/28/2011
" I was not into this and it did not pass the 50 page rule. There's nothing wrong with it, I am just not interested in this boy or this town. "
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Julie | 7/5/2011
" Only so-so, I thought. Not all that interesting or relevatory. Decent enough story... "
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Alexandra | 5/1/2011
" Stopped reading, maybe the themes that other people like, aren't my interest:masculinity, camaraderie and drinking.
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Myonly | 4/13/2011
" I'm not exaggerating when I say that I had tears in my eyes when I realized that I had hit the last page. I was truly sad to see this book end. What a talented writer. This one is probably the best book I've ever read.
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Shelly | 4/10/2011
" I read this book because the author also wrote Andre Agassi's book, Open. It was a bit of a "guy's" book with a lot of time spent in the bar, but a good read.
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Tina | 4/8/2011
" I absolutely loved this book and didn't want it to end. The writing is beautiful and metaphorical and while it's a memoir it reads like fiction. Am amazing life story that shows you can overcome anything.
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Jeff | 4/6/2011
" Solid writing, but twice as long as it should be; too many themes, too many predictable (albeit solid) ends to chapters/paragraphs, etc. A good book, could have been better with a more astute editor.
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Jennifer | 3/30/2011
" Very slow start and difficult for me to remain focused but there were some fascinating accounts within the story.
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Kasurls | 3/29/2011
" Again, I would give this book a 3.5 if I had this option. I listened to this book on audio. It is one of the books that having the author read it is a good thing.
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Jim | 3/27/2011
" Pleasant enough read, well written, which is the best part, not taken by the "message" but enjoyed the character portrayals.
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MIchael | 3/23/2011
" A great coming of age (for the alcoholic crowd) story. Set in Manhasset, NY, I was very familiar with the landmarks and locations cited within the book. JR, not Jr. describes growing up in a bar and how it molded his life. Its a tough story to read at times, but triumph prevails.
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