Dad, Dames, Demons, and a Dwarf CD: My Trip Down Freedom Road (Illinois) [Abridged][Audiobook] (Audio CD)

~ (Author, Reader)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Muller's first book is part memoir and part three-ring circus, a mirror of his Chicago-based syndicated radio show, "Mancow's Morning Madhouse." With its rapid-fire, hyperventilating prose, it resembles a transcript of the motor mouth that made him famous rather than a coherent narrative, as Muller regales his readers with stories of prostitutes, stunts that go bad, pigeons blowing up and, incongruously, touching memories of his beloved late father. A lot of time gets spent on puerile, even offensive stuff-Muller brags of sleeping around ("If I put notches on my rifle for every woman I've been with I wouldn't have a gun anymore") charging people money to look at his bowel movements, the benefits of fame ("success draws women like car grilles attract deer") and his apparently rare ability to "pee in two streams." In a section on traveling in Germany, he writes, "As we eat our Big Mac breakfasts, I watch Berliners dipping fries in mayonnaise. Huh? Anyone who likes that swallows." But despite Muller's crudeness, his stories can sometimes be affecting, showing some of the compassion that helped him become popular. During one of his shows, a paramedic calls in about to commit suicide, and Muller recounts how he tried to comfort him while a colleague called the police. When police find him "hanging from his belt in the paramedic van," Muller wonders, "Did I let this man die? God forgive me. Anonymous voices on the radio, the last place he could reach for help." Fans of the radio show will enjoy this peek into Muller's travels, his sexcapades, his shows and his radio life, and will be as startled as if they were listening to him live; other readers beware. B&w photos.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Description

Mancow Muller is the creator, writer, and ringmaster of what has been called the "funniest, fastest-moving, and most diverse radio show in history," Mancow's Morning Madhouse, syndicated nationally from Chicago. And now, in his first audio book, he rushes headlong into an adventure cross-dressed as a memoir.

When Mancow loses his dad to cancer, he has a meltdown, spiraling down Freedom Road on a nonstop death ride: racing the autobahn at breakneck speeds, narrowly escaping a visit to Castro's Cuba, suffering a near-fatal nervous breakdown, and cavorting under dog piles of women. All of these adventures send him on a mind trip through his past, questioning everything. "Do we already live in a police state?"

Finding his soul again, he discovers a strange new freedom that only members of The Dead Dad's Club can understand. In this, his first humble masterpiece, Mancow makes you laugh, makes you think, makes you feel and takes you on a journey that kindles your independent spirit and knocks you to the floor with laughter.

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Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: HarperAudio; Abridged edition (July 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060556846
• ISBN-13: 978-0060556846
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,009,578 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good for You, Mancow., July 1, 2003

By	bigplans12 "bigplans12" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dad, Dames, Demons, and a Dwarf: My Trip Down Freedom Road (Illinois) (Hardcover)

Sad, funny, angry, joyous, and [aroused] -this book runs the gambit of human emotion!

This is Mancow's shining moment of triumph! In this book, Mr. Erich Muller explains how he overcame ridicule as a child by creating the "Mancow" character. Then he talks about his unique relationship with his father.

In Amsterdam, Mancow struggles to deal with the loss of his mentor and biggest fan, John Muller.

His adventures in Amsterdam give insight to his dark side. A short, self-destructive pattern of drug, alcohol, and sexual indulgence ensues. On the outside, it seems as though he is having fun, but inside he is really trying to cope with the pain.

The book brings you full circle when Mancow finally comes to terms with his own homosexuality. This book is truly a celebration of a fancy-free gay lifestyle that blooms full force as he dashes towards the rainbow.

Even if you're not gay you should still get this book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Cow....Love you, Love your Book!, June 4, 2003

By	"tau_daddy" (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dad, Dames, Demons, and a Dwarf: My Trip Down Freedom Road (Illinois) (Hardcover)

Mancow's trip down freedom road is a very entertaining read. I don't find many books that I like, but I can hardly put this book down. From his sexcapades, to his accounts of his father, Mancow makes you laugh and think. The true fans of Mancow will continue to love him, and will convert the non-believers. Thanks Cow, hopefully this won't be your last.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good but not what I expected, August 19, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Dad, Dames, Demons, and a Dwarf: My Trip Down Freedom Road (Illinois) (Hardcover)

Anyone who lives in Chicago or who has tuned in to Mancow on the radio nationwide, knows that he is not your average radio personality. Someone who hates to be called a "disc jockey," Mancow definitely marches to his own drum. That's what I found so appealing about his show...he's not afraid to speak his mind, stand up for what's right, and speak the truth when so many just stick to the status quo.

So when I found out that his book was finally being published I was excited. Having listened to his show since it first aired, I was excited to finally learn more about this one-of-a-kind man.

But that's not really what I got. Let me say I was touched to read about Mancow's father and childhood memories, as I am very close to my family and know what it's like to feel that special bond. Despite being a little rough on the radio sometimes, it was nice to see Cow's softer side when he wrote about his beloved father. He also made me laugh when describing escapades about his brothers.

Unfortunately, however, there was a little "too much Cow" in the book. I already knew he was sex-crazed, and found very little interest in his sexcapades abroad. I didn't realize that he would use up so much space writing about all the nameless, faceless women that he slept with. And I knew he dabbled in light drug use but still, I didn't think it was necessary to write so much about it. I'm also not clear why he chose to write so little about his radio show. True, it's not all there is in Mancow's life. He's got friends, a wife, family, etc. Mancow's Morning Madhouse is just one aspect. Yet for most listeners, it's a point of interest for us. What about his co-hosts and everyone else we hear on the air? Wouldn't the reader be somewhat curious about the people we hear on the air everyday? He did write about a few special shows he did here in Chicago, but I found nothing interesting about them, to be honest. Where was the politics and the opinions? Where were all the thought-provoking questions and discussions that so many of his listeners love? I realize he didn't want to make this a direct extension of his show. But enough with the sex and drugs already!

All in all, I'm glad I read the book but honestly I was expecting something different. Cow, I'm sure you read all your reviews here so let me say this: I still love you, still love your show, and will always be grateful for you standing up for what's right and using your voice for good. Looking forward to the next chapeter in your book career.