A View from the Cheap Seats: Advice and Opinions on Life's Little Issues...from a Kid [Paperback]

Ryan Latimer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 26, 2006

A View from the Cheap Seats is an unlikely book from an unlikely author. By the unwritten laws of life, it shouldn't exist. Kids don't give advice on anything, and few care about their opinions. Kids don't know anything, especially when it involves the hard lessons of life, political matters, religion, the culture war or the nation's current struggles with mental and physical health.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Aventine Press (September 26, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593304307
• ISBN-13: 978-1593304300
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,612,562 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Message is loud and clear..., April 21, 2007

By 

Reader Views "Reviews, by readers, for readers" (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A View from the Cheap Seats: Advice and Opinions on Life's Little Issues...from a Kid (Paperback)

Reviewed by Regan Windsor for Reader Views (3/07)


Ryan Latimer has been through a lot in his life: serious childhood depression, eating disorders, surgical procedures, and his search for religion -- all in his short 23-year life. "A View from the Cheap Seats" is not about Ryan Latimer's life however. It is about his views on life - everything from weight loss to religion to politics. What can a 23-year old really know about all of that "grown up" stuff - you'll be surprised, if not amazed, at what this book has to offer.

Written in a conversational manner, Latimer provides a very educated and well-researched view of the many issues facing North Americans today. While the subjects are often controversial, his views do not come across preachy or closed-minded. He offers some facts amongst his viewpoints, thereby providing the reader an opportunity to assess their own views against the facts provided.

His largest chapter deals with Sex, Drugs and...Sex, The Fall of American "Entertainment," in which he reviews and discusses how far the world of movies, music, and video games has fallen. Or is it society that demands more and more shock value in order to be entertained? Either way this chapter exposes the harsh and often sad reality of where our "entertainment" continues to take us.

While the book contains some grammatical errors they are not enough to detract you from the wealth of knowledge this short book provides. It is refreshing to read such clarity from such a young voice. We can only hope Ryan Latimer continues to express his views and share his wealth of knowledge.

"A View from the Cheap Seats" leaves the reader with a very important message - things aren't always what they seem -- so we need to wake up and start paying attention to what's happening, not only with us but also in the world around us. His no excuses message comes across loud and clear. "Do NOT make excuses."

Received book free of charge