A Grumpy Man's Guide to Suburbia on Marriage, Kids, Chores, and More [Paperback]

Herbert Foster (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 5, 2005

A Grumpy Man's Guide to Suburbia provides a hilarious perspective on life in the 'burbs. These short essays offer an entertaining look at everyday happenings, like tag sales ("Why would anyone work for fifty hours to make $43.25?") or what not to say when your wife comes home from the hairdresser ("You paid $25 for THAT?") or how to carve a turkey ("Score: Turkey 1, Herb 0"). The author provides humorous commentary on everything from houseguests to neighbors, from barbecuing to shopping for a spouse, and from marital communications to cleaning out the freezer. If you live in the suburbs or are married this book is a must. "Poor Herb. he suffers so that the rest of us can laugh." - R.J. Marx "Full of truth! I send copies [of his columns] to my friends." - P. Haskell "It's not really Herb we end up laughing at - it's ourselves. There's wisdom in his wit!" -¬ K. Combs "Way to rant! Love the light-hearted approach/view!" - New York Press Association "I don't care how funny he is, he still doesn't pick up after himself." - T. Foster

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Cosimo Books (December 5, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596057742
• ISBN-13: 978-1596057746
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,099,034 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Fathers Day Gift!, March 24, 2006

By 

Bill Jelen "MrExcel.com" (Akron, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Grumpy Man's Guide to Suburbia on Marriage, Kids, Chores, and More (Paperback)

A collection of 67 humorous columns on life in the suburbs. Herb's description of what a woman should expect when sending her husband to the grocery store had my wife and I both laughing at each other - Herb really captures life. Like Dave Barry, but more on the mark. This would make a great fathers day gift. Buy it for your dad.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A family friendly reading treat, December 19, 2005

By 

A reader from Washington DC (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Grumpy Man's Guide to Suburbia on Marriage, Kids, Chores, and More (Paperback)

Life in the suburbs really IS different, and Foster has captured the differences with wit and grace. This collection of reflections on wife, kids, dogs, home repairs, neighbors, and the mysteries of the human condition is consistently amusing and not infrequently side-splittingly uproarious. Foster created his "grumpy" literary persona with a light touch; as you read you both laugh and sympathize. It's not easy to write humorously about your wife and kids without getting locked out of the house, but Foster seems to have managed, probably because his barbs are gentle, and the biggest loser in these stories is almost always the author. A treat for suburban dwellers, and for those who are considering making the move.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Laugh Out Loud Funny, December 18, 2005

By 

E. Wagner - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Grumpy Man's Guide to Suburbia on Marriage, Kids, Chores, and More (Paperback)

This book really cracked me up. It's a collection of the author's humor columns. Sort of like Dave Barry, but Foster really focuses on the suburban angle, as well as marriage and kids.

Foster's a good writer who brings scenes to life. That's part of what makes him so funny. When he recounts the trouble he had carving a Thanksgiving turkey at the table, in front of guests, you SEE the beads of sweat streaming down his face. When he sticks his foot in his mouth by making a stupid remark at a party, just as the room has become quiet, you FEEL the discomfort in the room as the other party guests stare at him in silent disgust.

For laughs, this book scores. Some columns are stronger than others, of course, but I can't say I found any lemons here. If you're looking for a gift for your father or your brother, or any guy who can relate to the nutty side of suburban living, I recommend this one.