Tim Allen (1) (1953–)

Was an interesting read. It seems that Tim Allen has taken his Tim the Tool Man persona and expanded it into book format. That being said some of it translates very well into this format while other parts fall flat or seem stilted. Again was a fun read over all. He's broken it down into chapters where he discusses themes. From his point of view on men and tools, imagine that, to women and men relationships. The final chapter is his take on fatherhood where he seems to put the comedian aside show more for a bit and explains how his being a father is changing his life and thinking. show less

I approached Don't Stand Too Close to a Naked Man feeling like I was too far removed from the time when it would be most impactful. Home Improvement has been off the air for over ten years now, and though it was a personal favorite while growing up, I admit I haven't really followed Tim Allen's career since. And so I came nostalgically, wistfully, to this book, and while it will blow minds or change outlooks, it is still an amusing and entertaining read.

Allen's book can best be described as show more a series of memoirs combined with a stand-up comedy routine. Broken down into small sections within the already-short chapters, Allen goes through what he deems the most important elements of his conception of manhood. Over the course of the stories, he interjects jokes, punchlines, and nuggets of wisdom and makes his purpose--and his setups--perfectly clear.

Allen is as his best when he is self-deprecating, as evidenced by a spectacular opening chapter in which he bemoans his real last name--which also happens to be a slang term for male genitalia. Throughout this chapter, and the entire book, Allen takes on the persona of the reluctant expert, the guy who is expected to hold court but, really, is just like you and me. It's an endearing approach, and one that makes you interested to know what such an everyman has to say.

At times, the book just doesn't work because it's trying a bit too hard. Certain sections, and even entire chapters, feel like they're simply rehashed versions of his comedic routines, or at least proving grounds for new material. And though his work possesses the currently en vogue raunchiness with a heart of gold, sometimes that heart comes off feeling a little more forced than he would like. Perhaps it's because, 15 years removed from its original publication, he and the wife he speaks of have gotten divorced, but it does feel a bit strained when the goal, it would seem, is to be relaxed and steady.

In a book where flow and amusement are far more significant goals than profundity, it feels a bit silly to be critiquing it so seriously. I mean, look at the title: it's called Don't Stand Too Close to a Naked Man, for crying out loud. It is, as is most of Tim Allen's work, intended to make you laugh, and for the most part it does that job well. Shockingly, after a decade and a half, much of the material still feels fresh, lively, and amusing. It seems hard to expect--or ask for--much more than that. show less

There's no doubt that this book is of its time and has not aged well. The vast majority of the book is about the differences between men and women, and while not overtly misogynistic (beyond the blanket stereotyping), it does become somewhat tiresome. Its 200 pages of the same joke, and I wished it had either been more of a memoir or at least had more varied topics for its humor.

The ultimate Guy's Bible! I believe it to be only chapter one because Tim did not get to all of the topics that concern men. He hits pretty close to home with how men feel and think with this book. He also delivers it with his usuall He-man humor. Can you grunt like a guy?

He gives a wonderful perspective of what men think about Women, and not necessarily about women themselves. He gives good pointers to have guys avoid the pitfalls of life. And most importantly, he gives pretty adequet show more feelings about men's emotions during all of the challenges men go through with themselves, peers and of course the opposite sex.

Many of his observations are pretty keen. The one area where he got it wrong however, is that he generalizes all women. He obviously has not met my wife. I say this because I believe that I married the coolest chick on earth. She is not into sports but she will sit there and keep me company with a beer in her hands. Very unlike the women Tim describes. show less