Me, Myself, and Bob and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more

FREE Shipping on orders over $25.

Used - Acceptable | See details
Sold by giggil.
 
   
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
Start reading Me, Myself, and Bob on your Kindle in under a minute.

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.
Sorry, this item is not available in
Image not available for
Color:
Image not available

To view this video download Flash Player

 

Me, Myself, and Bob: A True Story About God, Dreams, and Talking Vegetables [Hardcover]

Phil Vischer
4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (47 customer reviews)


Available from these sellers.


Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
Kindle Edition $9.99  
Hardcover --  
Summer Reading
Summer Reading
Browse the best books of summer including blockbusters, beach reads, and editors' picks in our Summer Reading Store.

Book Description

January 9, 2007
Larry. Bob. Archibald. These Veggie Tales stars are the most famous vegetables you'll ever eat. Oops, meet. Their antics are known around the world. But so much of the Veggie Tale story hasn't been told. In Me, Myself, and Bob, Phil Vischer, founder of Big Idea and creator of Veggie Tales, gives a behind-the-scenes look at his not-so-funny journey with the loveable veggies. From famed creator to bankrupt dreamer, Vischer shares his story of trial and ultimate triumph as God inspired him with one big idea after another.


Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Have you ever been tempted to start your own business? First read this cautionary tale, especially if you think your ideas come from God. Vischer, a pioneer in computerized animation and creator of Veggie Tales, proves that a pathetically skinny, shy techno-geek can be hilarious even when describing his headlong plunge into bankruptcy. In 1989, "with an unflappable 'How hard could it be' attitude," the 22-year-old entrepreneur launched his dream of creating high-quality Christian entertainment by founding the company that would become Big Idea Productions. Thirteen stressful years later, he was featured in a People magazine cover story—"small town kid kicked out of Bible college and down to his last ten bucks creates talking vegetables and hits it big, selling 40 million videos!"—shortly before firing half his staff in an unsuccessful attempt to avert disaster. While Vischer accepts the blame for the collapse ("my strengths built Big Idea, and my weaknesses brought it down"), he also details various unnamed executives' incompetence. One question haunted him: if he was doing God's work, why didn't God rescue his company? Concluding his story of spiritual inspiration and heartbreak, Vischer draws lessons from his experience for anyone who has ever lost a dream. (Jan. 9)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

When computer-animator Phil Vischer sat down to create delightfully weird characters to teach Christian values to kids, Bob the tomato and a Larry the cucumber were born. VeggieTales revolutionized Christian filmmaking, sold more than 40 million videos and placed faith-filled stories in one of three American households with young children. Phil continues to pursue new ways to integrate faith and storytelling. Phil lives with his wife Lisa, their three kids, and one dog in Illinois.

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 224 pages
  • Publisher: Thomas Nelson (January 9, 2007)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0785222073
  • ISBN-13: 978-0785222071
  • Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (47 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #534,168 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Phil Vischer is the CEO and Chief Creative Officer of Big Idea Productions. As co-creator of the popular series, VeggieTales™, he has also served as writer, director and voice for more than a dozen characters, including Bob the Tomato. Since the release of the first VeggieTales™ episode in 1993, more than 30 million units have been sold in the series. Vischer and his wife, Lisa, live in the Chicago, IL with their 3 children.

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
(47)
4.9 out of 5 stars
3 star
0
2 star
0
1 star
0
I knew that Big Idea was sold to another company but didnt know the whole story until reading this book. James A. Nichols  |  13 reviewers made a similar statement
Thanks again Phil for writing such a great memoir. Martha J. Bradley  |  13 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
30 of 31 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Deeply moving and practically inspiring narrative January 4, 2007
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Can 40-year-old Phil Vischer, creator of the astounding VeggieTales videos tell a great story in a heartfelt, yet entertaining, manner? Of course he can! And, he does. "Me, Myself, and Bob..." traces Vischer's personal history and gives readers insight into how the lovable Larry the Cucumber and Bob the Tomatoe rose to continue to have such a startling impact on a generation of young people and their families.

Using very touching anecdotes in a style the often punctuates with laughter, Vischer describes his early life in Muscatine, Iowa, his move to Illinois, and his college years. He shares the creative spark that developed from his friendship with Mike Nawrocki.

He also narrates in poignant detail the exciting rise and the devastating fall of the company he had lovingly developed to produce the VeggieTales videos.

Every young person growing up in a family devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ needs to read this book. Vischer has a unique ability to share his life experiences in a challenging and life-affirming manner. This story will help all young believers develop a firmer hold on the practicality of their faith in a real world.

This book will also motivate and entertain anyone who has a dream that remains unfulfilled. And, this book will speak words of both reality and hope to those who face challenges in their daily work environment.

I cannot recommend this book more highly. Vischer not only shares moments of spiritual renewal, he also offers clear and concise explanations of the lessons he learned from his business experiences.

Perhaps one of the most succinct summaries of the mindset of Phil Vischer comes from his statement: "Life is tricky. God gave us all the freedom to choose, and with that gift comes the freedom to choose poorly...But as I think you'll see in my story, God has an uncanny ability to redeem our mistakes. To use them for good."

In Chapter 21, Vischer carefully and insightfully shares some deep spiritual truths that he learned from the experience of seeing his dream come to life and then die. In a poignant yet powerful manner, he shares how God revealed His truth in a life-transforming way. Everyone who reads this book and arrives at this chapter, already filled with heart-wrenching identification with what Vischer experienced, will come away with a significant dose of hopefulness. For it is in this chapter that Vischer provides the "You see, Timmy" moment that flows to the heart of the meaning behind the journey.

May God indeed use this most excellent, funny, deeply moving, and practically inspiring narrative for good; to touch the lives of every reader.
Was this review helpful to you?
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Pay Attention to the Man Behind the Veggies February 20, 2007
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Phil Vischer had a dream. As he describes in his autobiography, he felt called by God to create Christian alternatives to mass media. And he wanted to be good at it. From an early age, he had an interest in film. As an adult, he transitioned that to computer production and eventually started Big Idea and VeggieTales.

But all was not smooth sailing. The company mushroomed then crumbled, ending in bankruptcy. Just what went wrong? Well, that's what this book is all about.

And it's a highly entertaining read. Phil interjects his narration with the dry wit and funny stories you'd expect from the man behind VeggieTales. But by no means is it a woe-is-me story. Phil takes much of the blame for what happened and goes out of his way to not name many of the players in the story. The last two chapters detail what Phil learned from all this. He talks about business lessons and the Spiritual growth he experienced as a result of losing everything he thought he was to do.

I found the book almost impossible to put down and the last few chapters are very moving. This is a must read for any VeggieTales fan who wants the inside scope on what really happened to their favorite Veggies.
Was this review helpful to you?
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars When life gives you vegetables, make gazpacho February 1, 2007
Format:Hardcover
In ME, MYSELF, & BOB, Phil Vischer tells of his meteroic rise to success and fame as the creator of the best-selling, direct-to-video CG hit series VeggieTales and the equally swift collapse of his dream to become the next Walt Disney (or the Christian Walt Disney). And he does it with all the liveliness and wit of a VeggieTales Silly Song. His writing is very visual ("I'd sort of freeze up like a garden hose left outside in a Minnesota winter.") and salty ("Financial resources are like teeth--ignore them and they'll go away.") And, like a VeggieTales video, it's a bit of a morality play--one that makes no apology for being thoroughly Christocentric but, also like a VeggieTale, doesn't become explicitly Scriptural until the last chapter.

This book can be read on a number of levels--as one man's rise, fall, and rebirth; as a critique of (take your pick) American capitalism, corporate managerial fads, hero worship (Vischer's of Disney), the American dream, the shallowness and cynicism of Hollywood, and the Protestant work ethic; or as a theological lesson on the importance of putting God first, last, and in between. While it would be hard to call Vischer humble, he does a good job of examining his motives and mistakes, and he does so with the grace (or good sense) not to blame others (well, at least not to name them or give us enough information so we can easily identify them). The closing chapters in which he recounts what he has learned from his VeggieTales roller coaster ride are sincere and wise. He discusses the difference between dreams and visions on the one hand and "God's revelation" on the other. His description of the pain of losing something you are certain God had led you to pursue is nuanced and convincing. While he never compares himself to Job (the biblical character you would think he would most identify with), his is truly a story of of a man richly blessed by God, stripped naked by the Accuser, tormented, and ultimately restored to God and doubly blessed. A very inspiring story.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars excellent!
a MUST read to be encouraged how God can take a mess and turn it back good.. shows how much God loves us!
Published 1 month ago by Anita
5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read for Every Christian Entreprenuer
Part hilarious, part disappointing (the story, not the book itself), part revealing, but all of it is a must read for any Christian trying to build a business. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Philip
4.0 out of 5 stars Veggie Tales love!!!
Me and my husband absolutely love Veggie Tales, This book gave us insight on Phil Vischer and reminds us that our view on success is not God's view and that even when things don't... Read more
Published 4 months ago by jengerlock
5.0 out of 5 stars enjoyed
enjoyed the book very much. how sad some of the occurrences and glad he came through alright. Our grandkids enjoy our video tapes of the original shows. God bless him.
Published 7 months ago by mousemead
5.0 out of 5 stars Following God not our own dreams
About three months ago my friend Morgan Snyder sent me a copy of Phil Vischer's Me, Myself and Bob. It arrived in my mailbox at a time where I was facing many opportunities to... Read more
Published 12 months ago by John Bergquist
5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful book
this book is a interesting and fun read! I really enjoyed reading it. If you like veggie Tales as my family does or if you grew up in the computer age you will enjoy reading this... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Carolee Gage
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Any Christian in any kind of business needs to read this book. Phil Vischer shows incredible vulnerability in exposing his highs and lows, struggles, and total failures starting... Read more
Published 18 months ago by hismonkess
5.0 out of 5 stars Hard Won Wisdom
A true page turner that will resonate with anyone interested in starting a business, animation, film making, how God works in a Christian's life, and so many other levels. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Philip W. Tatler
5.0 out of 5 stars From board room to living room, lessons to be learned
As a parent of young children, I really appreciated the biblical values delivered in a fun way through so many VeggieTales videos. Read more
Published on April 11, 2011 by Craig T. Owens
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read / great takeaway!
Both my wife and I read this. My oldest son is 32 and we sent a copy to him. The message hit home. For anyone trying to do great things for God, this is a humbling-good-read.
Published on February 11, 2011 by OD
Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?


Forums

There are no discussions about this product yet.
Be the first to discuss this product with the community.
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 



So You'd Like to...


Create a guide


Look for Similar Items by Category