Customer Reviews

How to Survive Being a Presbyterian!: A Merry Manual Celebrating the Funny Foibles of the Frozen Chosen

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This is an engaging, gentle, and hilarious picture of what it means to be a Presbyterian. While laughing at what Bob Reed writes, you learn what polity, presbyters, and potluck dinners have in common. At the same time, one is reminded of our roots and forefathers and how we came to be where we are.

Humorous books have never been high on my reading list, but this was one I could not put down. I shocked people in a doctor's office, laughing out loud at Mr. Reed's stories. Certainly not the behavior of one of the "frozen chosen."

This account of Presbyterianism will also interest those associated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) who are not Presbyterian. While poking gentle fun at all of us in this denomination, it gives a picture of Presbyterians doing things "decently and in order."

Bob Reed, a loyal Presbyterian, tells it as he sees it in "How to Survive Being a Presbyterian." New and seasoned Presbyterians and sympathizers will be surprised at what they learn, and they will laugh a lot. Gone from the church will be the cloak of excessive seriousness and pretentious piety.

The author manages to avoid the frivolity of the cynic and the levity of the smart aleck. His alter ego, Percy T. Presby (cleverly drawn by Deborah Zemke), keeps stepping out of history to instruct as the reader smiles.

Reed, who is at home in the world of entertainment, is entertained by the church, and loves it the more.

This is one funny book! The author takes on Presbyterians from an "inside the church" angle. It's a warm and gentle spoof of our denomination that imparts some real information about the founders and basic beliefs of our church.

I discovered it from an article in the Tampa paper that talked about its "insightful witticisms." It has that. This is not a serious tome but rather a good and humorous look at everything Presbyterian.

I have given it to my pastor and some church friends. It makes a good gift. I recommend it to all Presbyterians who want a good laugh.

Kay Gordon, Orlando

This is a funny book about a serious subject. I got a big kick out of it. It covers alot of history and things about the Presbyterians that I did'nt know about because I'm a Methodist although my sister is a Presbyterian. I laughted and learned a lot and I'm sending a copy to her. It jokes about what cars to buy and what not to bring to a potluck dinner and how to conduct a meeting. The little jokes by a cartoon character about the church are really funny.

A broadly satirical but earnest and warm-hearted look at the peculiarities of Presbyterianism, "How To Survive Being a Presbyterian!" is a delightful little book that will amuse and inform everyone who opens its cover. Author Bob Reed covers a wide range of topics, from the beginning of the Reformed tradition to modern worship practices, including deft (albeit exaggerated) illustrations of typical churchmembers' personalities down to what color car Presbyterians should drive. Reed's text is highlighted by clever observations of the fictional Percy T. Presby, a 300-year old parson with a keen eye and a sharp tongue who has something to say about creation, prayers, confession, women, and just about everything else. A clever and informative book that should please any Presbyterian, or anyone who ever wondered what the Reformed Church is all about. Definitely recommended.

If you want a lighthearted look at the joys and idiosyncrasies of being a Presbyterian, this book is for you. Bob Reed takes our "Presbyterian Culture" and talks about it in ways that will have most long time Presbyterians giggling and nodding our heads.

His subtitle of the book is "A Merry Manual Celebrating the Funny Foibles of the Frozen Chosen." If you "take exception" to that nickname, well, so do I; but moving beyond it you will read and reflect upon all sorts of things that make us Presbyterian that do not appear in, say, the Book of Order or the creeds and confessions of our denomination.

The cover has two sidebars that say "Secrets Revealed!" and "Now it can be told!"-All in good fun, Bob Reed tells us the distinctive and sometimes hilarious things that make Presbyterians Presbyterian. From Reed's take on the Presbyterian dress code to "A Presbyterian's Idea of Hell on Earth" there is much that will give you a chance to think about what matters to us, and wonder just why in the world it does!

Author Reed has a vivid imagination and he has invented a little imaginary Presbyterian friend, called Percy T. Presby. Dressed in clothing you might expect to see in Colonial Williamsburg, from the three-corner hat down to the buckles on his shoes, Percy takes us all on a journey of discovery of Presbyterianism. Percy is very much like a Presbyterian version of Ben Franklin's "Poor Richard" (as in Poor Richard's Almanac), with all kinds of short memorable, one-liners.

These pithy quotations would be great discussion starters round the table or in a meeting... Here is an example: "Percy T. Presby's Thoughts About Meetings: `When it is apparent that the vote on an issue will me unanimous, there will usually be one negative vote, because many Presbyterians think unanimity on anything is probably against God's will.'" (page 46).

Whether you are brand new to the wonderful world of the Presbyterian Church or have been a part of it from the cradle roll on, you will find much to ponder and enjoy. Also included is "the Presbyterian National Anthem"-no I will not have our choir sing it for you-but it is also worth a chuckle.

If you find this review helpful you might want to read some of my other reviews, including those on subjects ranging from biography to architecture, as well as religion and fiction

this was purchased as a gift. The book looked in good shape. I won't know if they like it until after Christmas. I took it to them but they are not to open until Christmas. I was tempted to read it before giving it.

I got this book expecting humerous explanations of Presbyterian philosophy. It has a lot of cute jokes, but has very little food for thought in terms of Christian or philisophical content. I reccomend this for the Presbyterian committee member with a sense of humor. It's also a mildly good joke gift for a church leader. I wouldn't particularly reccomend buying it for your Sunday school class, though.