Customer Reviews

All the Ways I Found to Hurt Myself

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(2)

 

 

I paid full cover price, having bought the book directly from the author, and do not feel at all cheated. I have only half finished, but find it hilarious... written in a style reminiscient of Dave Berry or Mark Twain. Although we'd only just met, he shamelessly begged me to write a review. I agreed, and was subsequently relieved to find I had no reason to lie. Honestly, I'm skeptical of the extreme negative reviews... in my opinion, if the detractors have some legitimate beef with the author, they should man up and be honest about it (or just divorce him), rather than slander his writing.

This book was hilarious. I'd read it again now if I hadn't given it away as a gift, twice. I'm hoping to run across another copy of vol. 1 and then maybe vol. 2 will be out. He writes about experiences he had growing up (with a guardian angel?) and there were so many places I'm familiar with: Mill Creek, Tumwater, Nisqually Valley, Olympia... And it is really fun to learn some of the history and a few secrets about these locations. Really, I recommend this book!

I have had a chance to finish both Vol. 1 & 2 and as I read these books I had an overwhelming feeling that our feline friends are plotting against Alan. For millions of years cats have had the monopoly on having the most chances of surviving sheer death as it stared in their faces for up to 9 times. When one reads these books they will realize that our furry friends have been beaten out of that title by an uncountable amount. These books are not just amazing to think how Alan survived all of his perils they are hilarious as well. Every chapter in each book takes the reader on journeys that most stunt men cower at. Looking at Alan one could never imagine he went through the horrors he did as he hides his scars well.

If you want to read something that is funny and laugh at Alan's expense you will do well to buy these books. Your friends will look at you oddly as you laugh out loud with tears running down your face. For some of us we will see ourselves from time to time (but not all the time, thank God) and you will be laughing at yourself as well as Alan.

Thanks Alan for sharing your life's dilemmas and encounters---I am truly looking forward to Vol. 3

After almost three years with out contact with Alan I called just to talk about old times, he suggested that I buy the book as I would laugh my ass off.
I did and he was right, of course knowing him personnally help and I want to say honestly that on three seperate occassions I laughed and couldn't catch my breath until after I passed out. After the second time I wasn't going to read anymore but of course I did and passed out once more and then guess I became hardened and finished the book with just laughing a lot and sharing the laughs with my wife.
Was disappointed that my name didn't come up but he didn't make it to that stage of his liofe but am sure it will in volume 2 or 3.
If I were to make any adjustments to it I think while Alan is correcting anything his name should have three syables Alan Gor-such-ski or Alan Gor-such-stein allowed in our age not meaning any harm to anyone if it did please forgive me if you knew me as a person you would know I meant no harm and if some one would say the same thing meaning harm they would never do it again in my presence.

Phillip Dunkel phildunkel@ruraltel.net

We all had our strange adventures when we were kids. Alan had more.

I bought the book because I love Alan's antique shop and thought I would enjoy a story or two. However, I was glued to it beginning to end and I'm looking forward to Volume II.

He grew up a few years before I did and a couple thousand miles away, but I still get aching nostalgia as he sets up his stories. By the climax I'm so glad I've had a mediocre life. The most amazing thing about his book is that he's around to write it.

You will enjoy this book.

Self-published and unedited (it shows) ad hominem recollections of the author's childhood. He seems mostly intent on proving that he didn't need the education he refused to get as a child. He's wrong.

Then again, I suppose he only started hurting others when he reached adulthood, and this book is about his youth. Regardless, it is poorly written and uninteresting. A quick search of the author's name will turn up plenty of information about his scams, the resultant lawsuits, and more! That's far more interesting reading than this book, and it's free. In fact, it's just been reported today that he has been raided by police to recover Indian artifacts that he was preparing to auction. Thumbs down all around.