Jon Winokur

James Garner has always been one of my absolute most-favorite television actors. Though I was born a little too late to have enjoyed him in Maverick, I consider The Rockford Files to be, perhaps, one of the most perfectly-constructed television series ever made. And James Garner deserves the lion's share of the credit for that. He puts out the impression of gruffness or, as he mentions in his biography, "crochetyness", but underneath it, he's got a warm personality. His autobiography is show more definitely written in his voice -- he shares anecdotes, both positive and negative, from throughout his career. He's blunt but honest about the people whom he has issues with, but cordial and sentimental about the creative types whom he respects. He spends about equal time on his TV and movie careers, but also a large amount of the book covers his personal life outside of the show-biz trappings -- his hard-scrabble youth, his love of both golf and racing cars, and the issues of growing older. I very much enjoyed this book, and recommend it highly to anyone who's a fan of Garner's extensive body of work on screen.

Originally reviewed for my local library's website: http://www.lincolnlibraries.org/depts/bookguide/srec/staffrec12-01.htm show less

I bought this book from the Quality Paperback Book Club in 1983 or soon thereafter. Ever since, its highlights have been an important part of my brain, such as Winston Churchill's comment to Lady Astor regarding his tea or Gore Vidal's thoughts on success. This book contains some of the absolutely most profound and funniest statements ever made by men or women, and its focus means it gives more pleasure per page than a larger book of quotations.

On the other hand, it hasn't always aged well. show more The editor has a particular hatred for punk rock, which he brings out for some unknown reason during at least two of the interviews with curmudgeons that break up the quotes by alphabetical subject. The book also directs a lot more vile against women than men, although a few of the observations about men may make up for several of the ones about women. Still, most of the curmudgeons, past and present, are men, so it isn't that surprising. All the usual suspects are here--W.C. Fields, Oscar Wilde, George S. Kaufman, Groucho Marx, and on and on and on. This is still a book everyone should have. Be prepared to be insulted, disgusted, and made to laugh out loud. show less

James Garner in his own words. Korean War decorated veteran, reluctant actor, and scrappy fighter bucking the Hollywood establishment, Garner has enjoyed a remarkable career spanning over six decades to become the acting equivalent of a national monument.

Garner had a rough start in childhood. He stood up to an abusive stepmother at 14 and then went out on his own after his father left. He got into acting accidentally and learned mostly “on the job”. He had a full life with many show more interesting stories about himself and people he worked with, his experience with car racing and his time on the golf course. I was surprised to learn he had an angry side. He would occasionally punch a guy if he thought he’d done something wrong. He also got extremely angry at his own mistakes on the golf course. Otherwise, he was loyal, honest, respectful and ready to step in and help the little guy who was getting stepped on. It was an enjoyable memoir. show less

A truly delightful book that takes a look at many of the more bizarre notions of modern society, in the field of self-help, pop psychology and the therapeutic society, and treats them more or less exactly as they deserve - that is to say, ably dissecting them with their due quota of cynicism, sarcasm, and humor, and illustrated additionally with many fascinating quotations.

Very, very highly recommended for everyone in the habit of looking around them, or listening to people, and wondering if show more the world's gone entirely mad - or if they have, for that matter - and need a little light relief.

I leave you with the following random entry:

political correctness

The apotheosis of mediocrity; the unholy union of conformity and hypocrisy; the substitution of one form of bigotry with another; a national epidemic of euphemism transmitted by media, public institutions, and pressure groups that outlaws any language or behavior that might possibly be construed as offensive to anyone, anywhere, at any time.

(Comments may be left at http://weblog.siliconcerebrate.com/cerebrate/2007/10/encyclopedia-neurotica.html ) show less