Dear Ernest and Julio: The Ordinary Guy's Search for the Extraordinary Job [Paperback]

Fred Grimes (Author), David Freed (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1997

An ordinary guy sends out a series of job application letters in which he applies to be Barbara Eden's houseboy, a Power Ranger, a LA-Z-Boy tester, and a Sea World whale trainer, among others. Original. 50,000 first printing."

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Screenwriter and former Los Angeles Times reporter Freed, in the voice of "ordinary guy" Fred Grimes, has taken all the best job-hunting advice and misapplied it. The result is this hilarious collection of application letters and rejections. Freed has made up off-the-wall jobs to match his multifaceted but somewhat dubious "talents" and interests, sent out application letters, and shown off the answers from pompous executives and self-important bureaucrats. Even those instances when his letters were not answered have something to say about the person to whom they were addressed. On occasion, though, several good sports have, with a wink and a nod, gone along with the gag. Freed's effort is reminiscent of Michael Moore's Roger and Me, the now classic documentary of his own attempts to meet with General Motors CEO Roger Moore. David Rouse

Review

Fred Grimes--pseudonym for journalist David Freed--is a recently unemployed factory worker looking for a "great job," and preferably one he's entirely unqualified for. So the hapless, big- dreaming bloke offers his services as fashion model to Calvin Klein, errand boy to Barbara Eden, bodyguard to the Clinton's cat, and dozens more oddball positions--with all correspondence, including grave rejection letters, compiled here. An affable effort that deserves the praise bestowed by the director of the U.S. Mint: "Thank you for your entertaining letter." -- Entertainment Weekly, Megan Harlan

Product Details

• Paperback: 132 pages
• Publisher: St Martins Pr (June 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312155115
• ISBN-13: 978-0312155117
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,262,034 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars I thought it was very funny, October 1, 2002

By 

Robin Griggs (Las Vegas, Nevada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dear Ernest and Julio: The Ordinary Guy's Search for the Extraordinary Job (Paperback)

I don't know if Fred Grimes is real or not, but he makes the hilarious job searches I've gone through look paultry by comparison. You have to admire a guy who makes no bones about the fact that he has no skills other than good old can-do American spirit.

This book is a wonderful little read for anybody who ever wished he/she could get "the dream job" but realized they had absolutely no ability or experience. Fred has no such qualms.

You gotta love him for it!

5.0 out of 5 stars FUNNY, FUNNY, FUNNY, March 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Dear Ernest and Julio: The Ordinary Guy's Search for the Extraordinary Job (Paperback)

If you've ever thought about being a pro ball player but were too chicken to apply because you knew you would just be embarrasing yourself, then meet Fred Grimes. Fred has no problem writing to all kinds of people, trying to get work. You gotta love him!

5.0 out of 5 stars It had me going., October 28, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Dear Ernest and Julio: The Ordinary Guy's Search for the Extraordinary Job (Paperback)

Somebody gave me this book on the occasion of being laid off from my job of 15 years. I felt like crying after I got fired, but Fred Grimes made me laugh out loud. A very clever idea for a book--an ordinary guy trying to find an extraordinary job.