Not That You Asked... [Hardcover]

Andy Rooney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 25, 1989

Andy Rooney's syndicated newspaper columns and cantankerous "60 Minutes" essays have made him one of the best known curmudgeons in America. Roone y writes about, well, almost everything, boasting in the introduction to Not That You Asked . . . : "There's something in this book that will irritate almost everyone."

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The whiny, white-haired leprechaun who dispenses cranky advice on CBS-TV's 60 Minutes as if his bromides about life's minor annoyances are raw pearls of wisdom will entertain his fans with this latest assemblage. Rooney, author of four previous books, has fun with easy targets such as the decline of romance, dull textbooks, the U.S. postal service, the dearth of good conversation, unwanted Christmas gifts and the Miss America contest. He skewers Americans' suspicious stance toward the Soviets ("I never met a Russian as mean and macho as Rambo") and pinpoints the use of sexist language ("No men ever get wed in the New York Times , just women"). Rooney has a knack of talking out of both sides of his mouth when discussing topics such as the arms race, student protest, global eco-catastrophe and the animal rights movement. Ambling from class reunions to credit cards, dogs, cats and the joys of spring in the city, these calculatedly curmudgeonly pieces touch on phenomena with which almost everybody can identify. BOMC featured alternate.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

This is the latest collection of essays by columnist and 60 Minutes correspondent Rooney. These one- and two-page essays, written in a light-hearted tone and offering sensible values--Rooney's hallmarks--are less formulaic than in his past books the most recent being Word for Word, LJ 2/1/87-- Ed. , but still seem similar and predictable when read collectively. The best piece is the preface, which lists 100 opinions that put Rooney's popular, often insightful sentiments in a nutshell. A small weakness is his criticism of incorrect word usage in one essay while misusing "disinterested" and "wherefore" in others. Missing here are any of the more serious pieces which have provided depth and balance to previous works. Rooney's work appeals to a broad audience, and like his past books, this one should be quite popular. Recommended.
- Annie Davis, Technology Training Assocs., Cambridge, Mass.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Random House; First Edition edition (March 25, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0394578376
• ISBN-13: 978-0394578378
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #739,794 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars words of wisdom and not so wise thoughts, October 8, 2006

By 

Newton Ooi (Phoenix, Arizona United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Not That You Asked... (Paperback)

Old men usually have a lot of important things to say; the problem is that either many of them do not know how to say it in an interesting and engaging manner, or do not care to share their wise thoughts as they've learned that silence is golden. Not so with Andy Rooney; this crankiest of old men has a lot of things to say, loves to say them, and is pretty good at making it interesting. An example is this book, one of multiple by the 60 minutes personae. Written as a compilation of items he has discussed on air at various times, each short section examines a certain issue from multiple points of view. Some topics are heavy; like the Cold War or women's rights. Other topics are more lighthearted; like food, sports, and annoying habits that we put up with in our close relations. This is an interesting book and worth the time to read it. The book appeals to more than just old people, and anyone with any sort of humor can appreciate it. I recommend it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The common-sensical voice of the Average Person, December 30, 2011

By 

Joseph Haschka (Glendale, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Not That You Asked... (Hardcover)

"With so many fools in the world, it's impossible to make the world foolproof. The people trying to make the world safe for everyone are fighting a losing battle and one that makes life difficult for the average person." - from NOT THAT YOU ASKED

After Andy Rooney died in November 2011, I was compelled to pick up a copy of NOT THAT YOU ASKED found on the book exchange shelf of the local Y since I'd always enjoyed his weekly commentary ending "60 Minutes."

In this volume, Rooney opines about Changes, Nuisances, Problems, Truths, Dilemmas, Habits and Occupations, People, Places, Animals and Pets, Houses, Holidays and Vacations, and Pleasures. First published in 1989, it is, of course, dated, but the underlying truths remain as topical as ever.

In NOT THAT YOU ASKED, Andy's views run the continuum from an insightful perspicacity to a curmudgeonly grumpiness, the latter seeming to predominate as the volume progressed. Perhaps a collection of written commentaries such as this is best absorbed at multiple, short sittings - much like a bathroom reader. Otherwise, it may become slightly tiresome like an overly long sermon.

For me, Rooney's value to the general public was that he took the time to lucidly and wittily skewer the absurdities that vex the daily lives of America's Average Persons. He will be missed by us Average Joes.

Just as Hal Holbrook has become famous for his live stage performances as Mark Twain, perhaps one day some clever actor will make a name for himself presenting "An Evening with Andy Rooney." I think it could work.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable period work, September 30, 2007

By 

Phil S. (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Not That You Asked... (Paperback)

Before the homespun/off-kilter "Observational" style seemed to reach a peek with Seinfeld, "The View", "The Savage Nation", Andy Rooney was poundin' that IBM Selectric, producing some tasty journalistic tidbits for us folks out there in the masses dreading another working week coming up in about 10 hours.
His writing style is original; his phraseology is timed with the precision of a great vaudeville monologist like a Jack Benny or George Burns. But that was before "Political" humour really took over. So, in a way, Rooney a kind of kinder-gentler, TV General Audience Lenny Bruce for the '80s. Or a later day kinescopic Will Rogers?
This book is crammed with the kind of quotable quotes which come from an American *original* and which sustain us on that miserable Monday at work (following a 40 minute late arrival at work, greeted by that glaring, knowing nod from the creature at the end of the hallway who decides folks' employability).
As a Period piece, Not That You Asked has its' share of dated bits and pieces: how come the bride gets the newspaper coverage, not the groom? (Not that there's anything wrong with it) but what guy wants his kisser out there?. I daresay Rooney would be the last - although apparently he agreed to have his visage on the cover of this book; he also asks the question, is the Creator of the Cosmos a member of the Republican Party? By now, after watching "Hannity & Colmes" at least once, a reader might say, that question is a tad tired. (Although, the Creator can do anything He/She wants).
Another slightly played-out theme is Where I would take Gorbachev if I had the chance to hang out with him for 24 hours? - I'd show him all the Culture and History that goes with Freedom. Well, of course, these writings came before the Wall came down, and the Internet went up.