Customer Reviews

Don't Stand Too Close to a Naked Man

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I picked this book out knowing it was going to be great. I have seen one of his stand up acts on video and I knew what to expect. The first couple chapters are pretty much about how much he thought about sex when he was younger. That can really turn a reader off, unless you really wanted to know about that. This sticks out in my mind because it's full of some of his sexual experiences. The book is set up as like a stand up act, little short stories of life's lessons and things that just stick out in his mind. I got over the sexual humor and was able to enjoy this book thouroghly.

If you buy this book because you think you like Tim Allen on Home Improvement, you may think twice. This is a totally different kind of humor. Home Improvement is a family show with jokes that can apply to all ages. But books are uncensored, and this one you could say, took advantage of that. But don't let this scare you, it is full of some great jokes.

Here's another book that clearly is an attempt to take advantage of the success of a television show. I enjoy Tim Allen's humor and thought his show was pretty good, and was expecting more of the same in this book. There is a lot of very funny material in this book, and I frequently laughed out loud. I especially enjoyed the chapter entitled "The Secrets Men Never Tell Women" (no, I'm not going to tell--you'll have to read the book!). Surprisingly, though, Tim Allen also reveals a philosophical side here as well. Parts of this book are quite thoughtful and reflective, and show a surprising depth. I definitely can relate to much of the material in the chapter on fatherhood. This is a fun book that also provides a little food for thought.

I first saw Tim Allen on Home Improvement and thought he was great. Then I saw every movie he was in and they were great. I, unfortunately, have not had the chance to see his stand up acts (although i hope to shortly). I bought this book with a little hesitation because of the title. But once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. This book is very frank on his early sexual experiences. (I personally liked the part of the poster). I would not recommend it to the child fan of his tv show because the jokes are either too vulgar for little kids or they may not get them the way they were intended. Anyone else that enjoys uncut humor should buy this book. I guarantee you that you will not regret the decision.

This is an entertaining book, but obviously from a first-time writer. Tim runs thru his usual stand-up gambit of humor from childhood to adulthood, which, by-the-way I hope he never reaches. Light, easy reading, with some insight into Tim's childhood and the loss of his father. It also contains some references to childhood behavior that are a refreshing touch of the past if you are in this age bracket.

Finally a book that wasn't about the O.J. Simpson case. It's great to get away from it all and relax as you read about Tim Allen's Life. This book has everything; wit, humor, charm, and even a little romance (read the book and you'll know what I mean.) I totally recomend this book for anyone who is a fan, or anyone who is curious about what led to Tim's arrest, and what it was like in the "Big House". As a correctional officer I can honestly say he's pretty dead on. So Don't delay and buy it from amazon.com right now!

Tim Allen is a very bright, articulate, funny guy, and it comes through in this book. Also, to his credit, he has a genuine honesty to him, and it seems this honesty, at times, makes him vulnerable. In "Don't Stand...," he lays it all out there, for all to see. A lot of this material was incorporated into his early stand-up comedy, and ultimately his TV show, but in this book, the reader gets the pure, uncensored Tim; raunchy at times, sensitive at times, prim and proper at times, and often very funny.

The book is divided into chapters, as a matter of course, and these chapters are further broken down into little sections, separated by little pictures of tools, safety goggles, and the like. These sections can be read individually, out of context, and they still come off as complete bits. The whole thing as a unit flows like a very long stand-up comedy act, with all the diversions and twists, turns, and tangents one would hear when watching stand-up comedy. But unfortunately, these sometimes don't translate into a book like they should, and this can make the reading a little difficult. To clarify, it is all plainly written, very high-quality text, despite the occaisional baudy humor and coarse language, but it sometimes goes all over the map, like a conversation with a hyperactive person. Many times, it strays off-course, seeming like he is trying too hard to keep you on the floor laughing. But to his credit, even this stuff, at its worst, is comical. At best, it's clever, and downright funny. This is only my opinion, one other readers may disagree with. But still, the whole thing is very entertaining reading, well worth your time, if you want to devote however long it takes to sit through it.

Rating a comedic book is like trying to explain your favorite color; it is just plain complicated to express your reasoning. Tim Allen has some very funny anecdotes that will inevitably have you laughing, but in its entirety this book only moderately touched my funny bone. For those who have seen Tim's stand up and found it enjoyable this book will be what you are looking for. When viewed among the full range of comedic books, I would put this one in the middle; some amusing tales, but as a whole not one of my favorites.

Tim Allen gives some insight into his own life while treating the reader like just another guy working on the car and telling stories. It's not a serious work, and Tim Allen isn't promoting the degradation of women. He's simply telling jokes that many men in our society can relate to, and I had a lot of fun reading this.

I'm a woman and it was pretty funny...it's a bit offensive at some times but anyone with a good sense of humor will absolutely love it! I always liked Tim Allen and it's a good book from a "man's man" point of view!

Besides the humour, the thing that stood out in this book is Tim's unpretentious and honest style of writing. Tims candidly reveals his flaws, without bothering to window dress them with flimsy excuses. The first chapter on page 5 sets the tone for the entire book: Tim acknowledges he is hitherto not known for his writing. He is grateful to his readers for trusting him enough to take a chance by buying his book. He therefore trusts them in return and reveals the kind of stuff that one would only share with one's best friend. And then maybe not. There are enough chuckles to keep the book light and interesting.