Goodreads Mobile | see what your friends are reading

Jan 07, 2012

Alyce rated it:

Erma Bombeck, the beloved newspaper columnist who wrote about the foibles of motherhood, expanded upon her familiar territory in "Motherhood: The Second Oldest Profession." The result is a work that, though familiar-sounding, delves deeper and sometimes darker than her newspaper columns did.

For example, Bombeck reruns one of her most popular columns, a paean to the mothers of disabled children, answering it with a new companion piece where the mother of a disabled child criti More...

0 comments like

Nov 22, 2011

Lisa rated it:

Bombeck has collected a series of essays and character profiles that made this mother feel like she was having coffee with some good friends. Written by someone who has undoubtedly been there, this work is funny with an undeniable grain of truth. A collection that shows the humor, hard work, insanity, love and joy that is involved in being the main caregiver for another person.

It should be noted that this was originally published in the early 1980's and is therefore a little dated in s More...

0 comments like

Jun 22, 2009

Mike rated it:

This book was a quick read. Very funny, as Bombeck always was to me. She also tells some sad and insightful things in this book. Of course there is special significance to me trying to get into the mind of a mother, and mothers everywhere, but this book felt a little dated. There are many more books from the more recent generation that tell these stories, but this one captures a moment in time, and what the interpretation was then. It was while I was growing up and my sisters were being More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Jan 20, 2012

Ami rated it:

I love Erma's books! While other kids were sneakily reading the latest issue of Batman or Archie & Veronica comic books between the pages of their schoolbooks during class I was trying not to get caught laughing too loudly at the pages of the latest book by humorist author Erma Bombeck. Its safe to say that I grew up with her books and her name, and stories, just like V.C. Andrews', another author I grew up reading, brings back a lot of good reading memories. Erma, and her writing, will be dearl More...

0 comments like

Oct 30, 2009

Breanne rated it:

This book was written from an era where more mothers stayed home, used starch and wrote hand written notes. Also, more stigma's about soap opera's must have circulated. With that said, though I didn't know some of the celebrities referenced, I can relate very much to the sarcasm and satire Erma Bombeck creates. Some comments truly made me laugh and surprisingly, I did have cause for reflection on others. For mothers who invest interest through the day to day trudging through kids, laundry and More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Mar 31, 2010

Amanda rated it:

I have fond memories of seeing this book on my mother's night stand and decided to revisit it. Not having kids of my own did not in any way detract from the classic humor and endearing quality of Ms. Bombeck's stories. As a matter of fact I think that should I ever be blessed/cursed with motherhood I might actually feel a little better prepared having read a little Erma. At the very least it helps me understand what my (and every other) mother goes through in a deeply personal and absolutely hil More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Oct 22, 2007

Sarah rated it:

I remember my parents watching Erma Bombeck on Good Morning America back in the 1980s. I remember think she was out of touch with how our family worked but lots of people my parents age thought she was funny.

Through BookCrossing I came across her sixth book: Just Wait Until You Have Children of Your Own which was illustrated by Bil Keane (of Family Circus). Having enjoyed that book, I got this book at last year's local BookCrossing meeting.

Motherhood, the Second Oldest Pr More...

0 comments like

Jul 11, 2011

Michelle rated it:

When Erma Bombeck's columns were being published regularly I was a faithful reader and always enjoyed them. I've read other books of hers and enjoyed them a good bit as well. This installment didn't quite do it for me. There were a few chapters that gave me the familiar laughs but the rest, not so much Some of it just seemed very dated. Other parts just seemed bland.

0 comments like

Jun 28, 2011

Shelly rated it:

Book #29 for 2011 - I remember my mom (and my grandma) reading this book (which was published in 1983.) When I came across it at Half Price Books on Sunday I had to get a copy of my own. It does not let you down. Erma Bombeck covers all areas of mothering in a humorous, compassionate and sometimes sentimental way. If you are a mom, you should read this book!

1 comment like

Jan 25, 2009

Stephanie rated it:

Funny book describing motherhood. Had the the most realistic description I've ever read of becoming a parent, " People who have children change, and it's scary. They lose a part of themselves... It's like someone flipping a switch. All of a sudden you're not a person anymore. You're attached to another human being. Separate them and they both die."

0 comments like

Mar 05, 2011

Kathy rated it:

With my daughter expecting her first child I decided to give her the book to read. After I found her laughing at the book I decided to reread the book. Erma Bombeck and her insights, she is what I consider to be part of the American scene, Mom, Apple Pie and Baseball.

This book, which I read in one day. It made me laugh, roll my eyes about how Erma got situations just right and cry. The one chapter that made me cry the hardest is the letter from a mom whose son is a criminal. I love t More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Jan 24, 2009

Karen rated it:

Oh, every mom needs to read Erma Bombeck from time to time... This one was great. I think Bombeck's whole purpose was to make moms feel better about themselves! She makes you see that there are definitely worse moms out there than you, and gives you something to lift yourself up to as well. I'm a big fan :o)

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Jun 10, 2010

Caroline rated it:

I LOVE Erma Bombeck. I read this and all her others many, many years ago. Laughed then even when I wasn't even old enough to have kids and laughed even harder now that I do and can relate. Anyone else that writes about motherhood can't hold a candle to Erma, who is an original. Funny, funny stuff.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Dec 29, 2010

Kristi rated it:

A quick, fun read that made my day! It is always nice to know you aren't alone - Mothering problems are timeless!
I grew up reading my Moms Erma Bombeck books, so when I saw this at a library book sale for 10 cents I snatched it up! Worth every penny! I will be keeping my eyes open for more!

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Sep 09, 2009

Jaclyn rated it:

I read this book about 12 years ago - way before I had a kid of my own - and even then I found it hilarious. It was my mom's book and I loved it so much that I haven't ever given it back to her and have bought more. I would love to read it again some day, now that I'm a mom too.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Sep 18, 2009

Linda rated it:

was surprised a bit. Thought it would be mostly a good laugh. And, there was quite a lot of that. The surprise was the underlying seriousness that populated the book - not necessarily overriding the chuckles as rather - replacing them and making gentle points. sweet book.

0 comments like

Apr 21, 2011

Joann rated it:

It's funny because it's true. Erma Bombeck is great. Some of her stories made me laugh, some made me cry, some made me feel guilty, others removed all guilt whatsoever, all made me happy to be a mom and proud of the profession I have chosen.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Jul 22, 2009

Amy rated it:

Another one that I read when I was much younger that I should read again as an adult/wife/mother. I bet I didn't even get half the jokes when I was 12! But I know I thought it was hilarious then, so it'll probably be twice as funny to me now.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Dec 07, 2011

Yedei rated it:

Loved this book! It's absolutely hilarious and it take the edge off the business of mothering a bit, just for an afternoon. Put's this work as a mom in a funny perspective. People thought I was crazy tearing up with laughter on the train.

0 comments like

Jan 13, 2010

Gail rated it:

Years ago I really liked Erma Bombeck's books. Don't know if my taste has changed or this book just isn't as good as the ones I remember. Guess I have to try another one to find out for sure! They don't take long to read.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Aug 11, 2011

Rowena added it

I'm saying 'Already Read' but I gave up half way through. How can this be an International Bestseller?! I could write something more amusing myself! Might be because it's from the 70's of course...!

0 comments like

Jul 18, 2011

Paula rated it:

I remember reading columns by Erma Bombeck when I was younger and her sense of humor never gets old! A fun read and a humorous (and true) look at motherhood.

0 comments like

Mar 16, 2009

Michele rated it:

Another book-sale treasure - she truly has a gift for humorous writing. Very touching tribute to her own mother at the end.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Nov 06, 2009

Charity rated it:

Some funny and some too close to home, all the stories in here remind us to enjoy, as time soon passes.

0 comments like

Feb 20, 2010

Kathy rated it:

The title is reason enough to read and enjoy this offering from funny lady, Erma Bombeck.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Jun 06, 2010

Les rated it:

I've always loved Ms. Bombeck. She's so funny, and such a storyteller.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

May 31, 2011

Monica rated it:

Well this book was entertaining. I got a few good laughs out of it. Plus I could see myself in some of the mothers depicted in this book. My son asked me what is the first oldest profession. I honestly don't know, I told him.

This is the first book I have read by Erma Bombeck. I have heard of her before. I heard some of the things my mother has said to me while growing up. I also realize that I have become a little like my mother. Now I just have to decide if I let my sister borrow the More...

0 comments like

Mar 30, 2010

Jen rated it:

Hilarious - even if you are like me and don't have children.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Nov 19, 2011

AJ rated it:

Borrowed from my mom's bookshelf. Dated but cute.

0 comments like

Jul 06, 2011

Chaizani rated it:

One of the best and funniest books I've ever read!

0 comments like

reviews