The Great Indoors: Favorites, 1987-1996 (Wisconsin) [Paperback]

Eric Broder (Author)

Book Description

Series: Wisconsin | Publication Date: October 1999

Certain classic elements make a humor column irresistible. Workplace humiliation, weird food, rotten vacations, cats getting rubdowns, sex machines, raging self-delusion, enraged babies, at-risk squirrels, and of course pitiful date fantasies with Madonna and Katarina WittÑpure catnip to the modern reader. At least, that is, if you judge by the regular readers of Eric BroderÕs "The Great Indoors" newspaper column.

Since 1987, Eric Broder has been captivating and even astonishing readers of ClevelandÕs alternative weeklies (the Free Times and the Edition) with just such intimate and rarely believable details from his own remarkable life.

And he has done it with remarkable style. In fact, BroderÕs writing style has been said to recall an unholy combination of Dave Barry, Barry White, Dr. Laura, Super Joe Charboneau, Walt Disney, and former Pittsburgh Steeler linebacker Jack Lambert.

This book, which collects the very best of BroderÕs columns from the period 1987Ð1996, is a treasure sure to be cherished throughout the first years of the next millennium. Or at least to be left in the bathroom until it gets too mildewed to pick up. Either way, it will change your life.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[The Great Indoors is] the most consistently funny column in Cleveland . . . maybe even America" -- TomÊKelly,ÊWEREÊAMÊRadio

About the Author

Eric Broder has entertained Clevelanders since 1987 with his weekly column, ÒThe Great Indoors,Ó which now runs in the Free Times, where he is also managing editor. He has written for local and national publications such as MenÕs Journal, Profiles, Cleveland Magazine, the Plain Dealer, Northern Ohio Live, and Ohio Writer. He lives in Cleveland with his wife, Barbara, and the cat Dizzy.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Gray & Co (October 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1886228345
• ISBN-13: 978-1886228344
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,547,143 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The funniest columnist in Cleveland, April 11, 2001

By 

Shannon Okey "aka knitgrrl" (Cleveland, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Great Indoors: Favorites, 1987-1996 (Wisconsin) (Paperback)

First of all, I am not related to nor do I personally know Eric Broder...but he is wicked funny and he causes me to run to the newspaper rack each week to read his column. Rants about small animals, his celebrity garden at the Home and Garden show, potato chips...plus some faux "60 Minutes" fantasies to boot? Pure comedic genius. By the way - I met someone who used to work with him at a bookstore many years ago - she reports he's ALWAYS been like this, it's not just a front.

2 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This is our Common Human Experience, February 23, 2000

By 

Peter M Roche "pmroche" (US) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Great Indoors: Favorites, 1987-1996 (Wisconsin) (Paperback)

A very amusing and easy read, Broder's "Great Indoors" is simply a must have of anyone who has followed the man's weekly column in the Cleveland Free Times (or the old Cleveland Edition). It's a veritable autobiography of an indoor intellectual in serial form, and myriad points of cosmic import are established. You'll read, and will doubtlessly recognize yourself somewhere in Broder's tales of tribulation and triumph set here in the wondrous urban armpit of our Great Nation, Cleveland. The best part is that these columns are presented chronologically, and in bite-size readings. So you can put it down whenever you like. Read a couple bits on the bus. Peruse a few more nuggets while making your evening toilet. You'll come to realize that you aren't the only one who does silly and stupid things when left alone in the confines of one's domicile. This stuff is funny, and the author is to be lauded profusely.

0 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars hi eric, June 5, 2000

By 

wendy w (usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Great Indoors: Favorites, 1987-1996 (Wisconsin) (Paperback)

I am reviewing this book because Eric Broder, rules, ok? He RULES! Is that sufficient enough for ya? (see how I pick up the Broder speech patterns? Read the hilarious book, you'll see what I mean). Ok ok, Broder influenced MANY of us fellow Cleveland writers, took us thru endless drab rainy lunch hours downtown as we read his weekly column, Eric Broder deserves his place up there with the masters, dangit! And I mean no paper plate award ceremony, either!Dont keep it such a secret, Eric! Spread your words to the masses! In my own lovely comedic writing, I often scorn the fact that Broder is not writing for Letterman or Conan.. if u like those two, you'll see broder as their 'brother'. And, dont worry if youre not a big reader, the essays in this book are just as easily skimmed than read. I carry GREAT INDOORS in my special CA packing suitcase place, the only book I'll take on the long plane ride.. ok, so I had nothing better to do today but review this (Eric, if youre reading this, kiss kiss hug hug.. although youre taken). WENDY W cleveburg, oh