Customer Reviews

Out of My Mind

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4 star:		(2)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have read most all of Andy Rooney's books and was looking forward to this, his latest. I must be honest, there was a bit of doubt in my mind. I am such a fan of this man via his "60-Minutes" input on CBS, his syndicated columns, and the various books --- all leading to the question, "Does Andy have the fuel for another outstanding collection to share with us on the printed pages?" No, I wasn't questioning his ability because of his age. Mr. Rooney is ageless! He simply gets better with the added years. Since most writers seem to reach a peak and begin to lose some steam after brainstorming for so long, there was some uncalled-for doubt that he could continue on the same level as in the past. Of course, it was idiotic of me to create such needless drab in my mind. After diving into OUT OF MY MIND, I quickly realized Andy Rooney has never been better. When referring to current issues pertaining to world affairs, he presents them with honesty, as if he's simply discussing some serious "happenings" while chatting with you in the living room ... or over cups of coffee in the kitchen. When projecting some of his personal thoughts, he makes you ask, "Why didn't I think of that?" Andy Rooney is needed as never before. He speaks our language! OUT OF MY MIND, like his other works, simply makes the day a lot better.

I have been a faithful viewer of CBS' "60 Minutes" since it's inception. It is a basic part of my Sunday evening. For many years now - no, not from the beginning - the final piece has been Andy Rooney talking about - well, whatever Andy Rooney feels like talking about. Generally taking between 1 1/2 and 3 minutes (tops, I think), in a casually curmudgeonly way, comments on just about everything from politics, to economics - history to science - magic to silverware - marriage to dogs (no suggestion of direct correlation intended.) I haven't thought that every one of his pieces was wonderful or even worth listening to - but I have been consistently amazed at his ability to earn a VERY good living literally chattering about anything he likes for a couple of minutes a week. Astounding!

His success and notoriety on TV is paralleled by his many books of collections of these 'commentaries.' I believe that there are, as of now, at least ten of them. This review is of the most recent, "Out Of My Mind." The title is not about his concerns that he is crazy - it is rather a literal statement about where the material in the book came from!

The book is organized into ten parts, each of which contains a plethora of examples of Andy's verbal meanderings about matters large and small - about things of consequence and about what might generously be dubbed as trivia. Andy does both pretty well. Every once in a while, his wry humor is punctuated with comments that jolt the reader back to recalling that Rooney began his career in journalism as a reporter for the Stars and Stripes - the newspaper written for our servicemen while they were fighting their way through World War II. Even when he is being silly, we can feel the force of real life experience, pain and humanity under it all.

The Parts of this book are:
1. Daily Life
2. Feeling Philosophical
3. On Food and Drink
4. At Work and in The Newsroom
5. The Nation At War
6. On Politics
7. My Life
8. On Money
9. The English Language, and finally,
10.The Sports Fan.

A good deal of this collection of brief pieces, reflect his general concerns about the gradual 'dumbing down' of our society and institutions and about the deceptions created by our fellow human and then foisted onto the rest of us - at times all too easily. Whatever he speaks about has an earnest quality to it. If he's putting you on, you know it.

I think the essence of this book, which can be picked up and opened to just about any page randomly to read something brief and possible entertaining (it is a GREAT bathroom reader) is best characterized by Rooney himself when he says, in the Preface,

" One thing I know is, you can make an essay out of anything. There are times when I've written about subjects about which I know very little. A writer can do that. He has the advantage of being able to look things up, to ask questions of people more knowledgeable than he. He can sit back and think before writing anything down on paper. This puts the
writer one up on readers and often make him sound smarter than he is. I try to do that. It doesn't seem dishonest. I comb my hair and try to wear decent clothes so I'll look better than I would naked, so why shouldn't I write in a style that makes me sound smarter and more interesting than I really am?"

Like him or not, agree with him or disagree - his honesty is genuinely refreshing. He doesn't take himself too seriously - but there are some subjects - like war - that he definitely does. You can easily tell which is which.

For those of you who are Andy Rooney fans, this book will not surprise nor disappoint you. For those of you who have never seen his work in print before, it is a good volume to give him a try.

There are 176 essays in this book. I would like to teach a high school class for a year called "Andy". We would read one essay each day, discuss it and have the students write an essay. Imagine a class that taught critical thinking! It would never sell.

If you like Andy Rooney you must read this book. It has something for everyone and along with his humor you will get some good advice on various subjects.

Really liked this book....of course, I like all of Andy Rooney's work.

Easy to read...essays that you can read, put down and pick up another time. Andy has a way of getting you to think about everyday common things we all are familiar with.

I recommend the book.

Another interesting and humorous book of tales by Andy Rooney. He never lets you down. I can't wait to order another.

Andy Rooney is the premier writer of short essays! I've enjoyed a delightful time reading this book published in 2006. 60 Minutes would not be the same without Andy's three minute opinion piece at the end. Reading his essays are all the more brilliant. Sure he can be contrary but who isn't? Most of his opinions we can all agree with and laugh about, or ponder.

There are 353 pages and you will want more! Topics include daily life, at work and in the newsroom, the nation at war, politics, food and drink, Andy's personal life, money, the English language and sports. Every short essay is clear and to the point - no wasted words.

Andy Rooney is, in my opinion, an honorable man who is still forming opinions and sharing them in his ninth decade with ease, courage, competence, and most importantly, wisdom. Thanks for your insights, Andy. I wish all writers could form sentences like you do.

I noticed this book in the bargain section at a local bookstore, so I bought it mostly because I like Andy's comments on "60 Minutes". Now that I've read over the half of the book, I think I would've paid full price. I like it mostly because when I read Andy's opinions and observations, I have a feeling that he speaks my mind. I'm glad I have a lot in common with someone I respect.

I'm not one to watch shows like 60 Minutes, but the one thing I will always watch is Andy Rooney's musings on various and sundry topics at the end of the show. For a good look at the more mundane everyday things that we so often take for granted or wonder if others are thinking this too, here is the fun of it. He thinks on many a topic and always finds the funny side of it. An excellent read! Also makes a great gift.

I just love Andy Rooney's thought process and breaking down the simple things. He talks about subjects just long enough to get the message and then moves on. Highly recommend for this book for amusing reading that makes you smile.