Customer Reviews

I Think Im Outta Here: A Memoir

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I'm a huge fan of that show, and believe O'Connor's long portrayal of Archie is the greatest and most groundbreaking acting performance in television history. So the fact that he offers almost no insight into that work in this memoir is a major letdown.
Still, he had a fascinating life and this is a very good read, even though he certainly doesn't always come off as a likeable or tolerant fellow. He has deep, strident beliefs, little affection for those who differ, and he bluntly tells us so.

The final chapter about his beloved son's descent into addiction, madness, and suicide, and a father's inability to stop it, is truly wrenching. That could have been a book by itself.

After reading some of the other reviews, I think some are personal attacks on Mr. O'Connor, which aren't necessary. One other reviewer, I believe from MN, said it best, the book is slow. I thought it was a bit rambling too. Carroll seemed to drift here and there and spoke about as much of his opinions of events he's witnessed as he did his life. No doubt, the one thing you'll get out of this book is that Carroll O'Connor and Archie Bunker are not one-and-the-same. The real Carroll more resembles "Meathead," than Archie; at least in his views. I think one of the problems with the book is that Carroll only wrote it to stop a biographer from writing one of him. That's not a good source of motivation for a book. I like biographies, but this one will not be one of my favorites. Personally, I think the would-be biographer would have done a better job.

For those looking for a page by page account of O'Connor's groudbreaking work as Archie, this book will not quench your thrist. However, if you are looking for an erudite and honest memior on Carroll O'Connor the man this is book is a must. Carroll writes in a scholastic yet tangible style that captures your interest in the things beyond Archie. I would dare say this book is a must have for any actor or actress as it details the world of the golden stage on or off camera through the eyes of the actor. Sometimes O'Connor was frusturated with the souless monguls at the network or the ticket pandering stage producer, yet he always stands for what matters most to the actor and audience, the final product. Any skilled or novice actor/actress will gain insight into the journey of the stage. When you finish this work you will quickly learn and hopefully absorb the passion O'Connor had for not only his work but for his desire to aid humanity as a often quiet and sometimes not so quiet reformer. We need more like him.

a wonderfully crafted book.so glad to have been able to read these memoirs in mr. o'connor's own words, rather than another of those 'formula' celebrity bios being cranked out by the 'pros.' and this is not just a review of o'connors formidable career but a witty and insightful look at human behavior and historical events. i was lucky to have first heard the audio version of this book as read by carroll o'connor with his skillful delivery and timing which helped me 'hear' his voice as i read the print version. best way to do it if you can, i think. now, if the second printing could have about four times as many photos, and mr. o'connor would favor us w/ an unabridged audio version i would be happy to purchase both.

I'm not going to say much here; Only that this book may be the least interesting autobiography I have ever read. You know Carrol from "All In The Family" moreso than any other role he has portayed, yet he avoids discussing his tenure on that ground-breaking show from the 70's, instead telling us many things about his early history.
It appears he may feel the show overshadowed everything else he did, so to answer that, left it out of his book.
I was disappointed reading it and would not recommend the book to anyone.

I love Archie Bunker and still consider him one of the best TV characters ever created. But I do not like Carroll O'Connor. I THINK I'M OUTTA HERE is a convoluted, self-centered work showing O'Connor to have been a man oblivious to the world around him. This book is dreadful. His belligerence likely sent his editor into hiding, for what else could explain why O'Connor was allowed his digressions into Irish history and his ridiculous footnotes about nothing? At one point, he tells of the "Divil" on his shoulder (with a footnote explaining how the "Divil" is another form of the "Devil") who speaks with an Irish accent, and how this Divil helped steer him through life.

I'm sure that O'Connor worked very hard to get where he did, to get the roles he did. But he makes it seem as if he deserved everything: he was born to his roles, and everyone in Hollywood thought so, too. I'd admire the man more if he told us how hard he did work to become a star. I'd enjoy hearing more about his friends in entertainment, and what he thought of working with Rob Reiner and Sally Struthers.

O'Connor follows the path of others who are known for doing one great thing and then write about it: he skirts around his most important accomplishment. He tells us how brilliant he was when he recreated Norman Lear's Archie Bunker, about how great Jean Stapleton was as Edith (no argument there), but then says something like "Those of you looking for a rehashing of what happened during the production of that show won't find it here," then jumps to his life post-cancellation of the show. Nothing new here.

The final chapter of this book is pitiful, but also made me pity Carroll O'Connor, which I'm sure would have angered the man greatly. His son, Hugh, succumbed to his drug habit, committing suicide after O'Connor attempted numerous interventions with his family at his side. It wasn't enough. Only in this final chapter do we see O'Connor as just another person -- vulnerable, powerless to control the lives of others -- a real man. It's sad that he could not have broken free of the reins of pretentiousness and told us his whole story with such emotion.

If you're a fan of All in the Family, steer clear. If you're a fan of Carroll O'Connor, rent some of his movies, watch episodes of All in the Family and In the Heat of the Night, then turn off your TV. This book does him no justice.

I expected big things from this book. I was disappointed, to say the least. While O'Connor's life is interesting, he has a tendency to ramble on about events that take him off the subject of his life. A lot of O'Connor's personal opinions, from the reason WWII started, to the state of Television today are stated in this book. O'Conner's is a very articulate writer, and his views would be interesting in another book. Was also disappointed that he did not speak of his son until the last 2 chapters. This must have been a difficult book for him to write.

Gives good insight into the life of Mr. O'Connor. Very well written. A bit tedious at times, but, again, it was very well written. Worth the time and money to read his story.

I have never been so enthralled in a biography. O'Connor's honest, poignant, and witty account of his life touched my heart. The book has such a strong voice-- well written and very personal. Shrugging off his foibles, proud of his strengths, and forthcoming with his regrets, O'Connor lets us in a little closer to who he is. I couldn't put this down!

Having grown up during the Archie Bunker years, I was expecting more than the book delivered. This is a book to go to sleep by.