Customer Reviews

Up to No Good: The Rascally Things Boys Do

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

My dad is now raising a son, after two daughters and he says whenever his hammer or saw are gone he looks for his son! With us, he says, "You just sat around and played with your Barbie dolls." Boys ARE mischief! This book reflects that perfectly, especially the photographs. Father's Day is around the corner, and I know exactly what I'm getting my dad-this book!

In this day and age of political correctness and the accompanying deadly seriousness with which we too often take ourselves, it just plain wonderful to laugh out loud at the pranks and mischievous things boys do, as chronicled in "Up to No Good." Cheers to Harmon for compiling them and to Gilson for her terrific photos! I applaud mischievous imagination over video games which simulate a frightening violence.

I had to respond to an earlier review taking exception to Up to No Good, which criticized the book for its contribution to violence in boys. Com' on! This book was a delightful, insightful look at the realities of growing up male. If anything, it seemed to tame some of the realities of boyhood life. I found it interesting that it took a couple of women (editor/photographer) to bring out the foibles, characterisitics, energies, and stupidity that describe boyhood (and manhood!). Hats off to Harmon, Gilson, and Jeszeck (designer) for their excellent recapturing of childhood as only boys could experience it. Can you imagine such a book about girls? Not even possible.

I've got a hefty handful of grown "boys" on my own personal gift list who will be getting this book for Father's Day. It's a sweet, terrible, funny look at boyhood. I couldn't put it down. It's also a beautifully designed book.

As a daughter of a wonderful father, I would like to think that I have a better glimpse into what he must have been like as a boy! We shared laughter while reading the book together and enjoyed blessed moment of closeness through the help of this sweet little book!

I think this is a beautifully done book. Very entertaining text and fabulous, striking photographs! It takes me back to childhood-I think we can all relate to aspects of this book. It is also a good commentary on the influence our culture has on our upbringing. And of course everyone knows just how sweet little boys can be, too! Also, I would like to see a follow up book on how rascally little girls can be. I hope to see more from this author and photographer-keep up the good work!

Okay, so I know the editor. That said, I found this to be a delightful read. Quick vignettes guaranteed to make you spew milk through your nose with raucous laughter. My latest fave is the kid who plugged up the shower drain, shut the glass doors, then calmly sat back to watch it fill up until the glass shattered and flooded the entire upstairs.

It is a great little coffee table book, although you won't want to leave it around for kids to look through. No, it's not inappropriate material, it'll just give them ideas that will leave your garage in ashes or your car in the gully down the street.

This is hilarious! I grew up with two brothers and these stories are "spot on". I only gave the book 4 stars because there are so many missing stories... I've given this book to several people and also just shared it with many friends. Every grown man that reads the book is immediately prompted to share his own stories. There should be a sequel...

This is a fun book to make you laugh and to remind you that boys do have a mischievous streak (as if you needed reminding)! The author has collected accounts of the childhood pranks of men who are now (she claims) perfectly respectable adults. There is nothing deep or thought-provoking here, but I laughed out loud many times reading this. By the way, there is no way I would give this to my boys until they have outgrown their mischievous stage! The squeamish among us may wish that the author had left out some of her collection of stories, but overall it is reading that will tickle your funny bone. I wish it had been longer.

I guarantee anyone, who was once a boy, will relate to, and thoroughly enjoy, this book. Coming from a family of three boys, "Up To No Good" is dead on. It's funny, cruel, and sometimes gross, but filled with recollections and truisms that give an accurate portrait of what growing up as a boy is really like. Whether its memories of peeing on electric fences or burying frogs, this book pulls no punches. It's not politically correct, or tolerant in any way, but then what doll-burning, toilet paper-throwing, fart-lighting American boy is?