Gumption
Relighting the Torch of Freedom with America's Gutsiest Troublemakers
1 of 1 copy available
To millions of people, Nick Offerman is America. Both Nick and his character, Ron Swanson, are known for their humor and patriotism in equal measure.
After the great success of his autobiography, Paddle Your Own Canoe, Offerman now focuses on the lives of those who inspired him. From George Washington to Willie Nelson, he describes twenty-one heroic figures and why they inspire in him such great meaning. He’ll combine both serious history with light-hearted humor—comparing, say, George Washington’s wooden teeth to his own experience as a woodworker. The subject matter will also allow Offerman to expound upon his favorite topics, which readers love to hear—areas such as religion, politics, woodworking and handcrafting, agriculture, creativity, philosophy, fashion, and, of course, meat.
From the Hardcover edition.
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Creators
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Publisher
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Awards
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Release date
July 7, 2015 -
Formats
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OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9781101914908
- File size: 337166 KB
- Duration: 11:42:25
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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This funny audiobook combines the author's "Parks and Recreation" persona with his real-life self to bring us character sketches of 21 Americans who inspire him. He tries to portray them as people who've walked off the beaten path, with limited success, but he has a storyteller's soul and a friendly wit. As narrator, Offerman has the requisite vocal training to pronounce every word clearly and to keep the book moving. What he needs, though, is some, well, gumption. Offerman's pacing is somewhat slow, and he drops many words at the ends of sentences. He's trying to be snarky, but he needs to add some snap. This is a fun audiobook that should be so much better. R.I.G. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine -
July 27, 2015
Offerman explores some of his favorite historical and present-day people, all under the theme of gumption: an ability to charge ahead, be one’s own person, and find not just the right way but one’s own unique way in the world. His list begins with figures of American history such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Theodore Roosevelt, but evolves to include some unexpected and fascinating characters such as landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, furniture maker George Nakashima, and comedian Conan O’Brien. Offerman has a deep and projective voice that is lovably languid. He’s in no rush to relay his thoughts and clearly relishes the telling. His enthusiasm for his subjects is always evident but never over-the-top. Several mistakes in the production of the second half of the audiobook (such as background noise and repeated lines) distract from an otherwise entertaining performance by Offerman. A Dutton hardcover.
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