From the critically acclaimed author of Daddy Needs a Drink-hailed by the "Los Angeles Times" as "consistently hilarious"--comes a seriesof irrever...
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reviews
Jul 24, 2009
Debbie (Readerbuzz)
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Don't read this book hoping to find cheery essays about teaching. This book was a misery to read. The essays consist of cruel jabs at the author's fellow teachers, his students, and administrators. Yes, I laughed here and there, but I always looked around to see who was watching me.
I actually put the book down and was going to give up on it, but then I went to see the author at the Texas Book Festival. He seems to be more compassionate in person than he seems in his es More...
I actually put the book down and was going to give up on it, but then I went to see the author at the Texas Book Festival. He seems to be more compassionate in person than he seems in his es More...
Dec 31, 2008
Michelle
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There are quite a few entertaining, snarky turns of phrase throughout Wilder's book, and as a new teacher and semi-career changer, I enjoyed much of his humor - and definitely some of the snark.
However, there wasn't much holding the book together, no linear progression, which in and of itself is not always an issue, but I felt he bounced from one topic to another with no real clear-cut path; there was no relationship between musings. I wouldn't even say that he wrote vignettes, more More...
However, there wasn't much holding the book together, no linear progression, which in and of itself is not always an issue, but I felt he bounced from one topic to another with no real clear-cut path; there was no relationship between musings. I wouldn't even say that he wrote vignettes, more More...
Aug 07, 2008
Heather
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I'm not exactly a teacher, so some of this stuff I just don't have to deal with on a daily basis like a teacher would, but it hit close enough to home to be hilarious
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Oct 28, 2011
Stella
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This was, overall, an enjoyable read but not quite the behind-the-scenes-tell-all that I had originally pegged it for. While Mr. Wilder's sardonic wit does shine there is nevertheless a sense that he's either holding back to protect the teaching job he still tolerates or he's scrambling to try and find a few notable incidents to discuss from a career that seems to be a forgettable, monotonous stretch of tedium. Nevertheless Mr. Wilder had me laughing out loud and wondering what sort of war stori
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Apr 22, 2008
Chris
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I enjoyed this book... and normally, I don't enjoy books about teaching. Being a teacher myself I always think that there are probably better reading pursuits than reading about the job I do everyday, especially since I don't think I've ever read one teacher memoir that didn't dip into "We're underpaid" or "You have to be creative in the classroom!" Uh duh.
So I liked Tales from the Teacher's Lounge. It's funny and I could really relate to many of the stories... an More...
So I liked Tales from the Teacher's Lounge. It's funny and I could really relate to many of the stories... an More...
Mar 29, 2008
Angel
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This was pretty much a waste of time. Some guy who changed careers and decided he wanted to become a teacher. Since he could not get his credential, he figured teaching in a private school would do fine. He starts out in some alternative hippie school in New Mexico where they are more worried about new age and feeling good than actually teaching and instilling some discipline. While there is some humor and some funny moments, for the most part, the book is convoluted, and often he just has no cl
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Mar 14, 2010
Christina
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Oh if only I scrolled down and read the reviews!! This was almost unreadable!! I found it in the teaching section of Border's (and thankfully took it out of the library instead of bought it) but it was nothing more than ramblings about his life and the occasional mention of something that happened at a school he might or might not have been working at at the time. I almost put it down but kept waiting for him to return to the stated purpose of the book. Never happened!
Jan 01, 2010
Ross
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I would normally not use the phrase "hate filled" in a review, especially one about teaching. But gosh, this book had it coming. I struggled through the first few essays, then finally just tore through the rest so I could say I finished it, hoping to find some sort of redemption in the later pages. The author has so much contempt for the teaching profession and for his fellow teachers that it was difficult to read past it. I HATED this book... Why did I finish it?
Jul 07, 2011
Kelley
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A book that I picked up from the library thinking that it was going to contain all sorts of story about the funny side of being a teacher. Yes there were several stories regarding that but there was also way too much backstory on the author’s life and many not-so-funny stories regarding bodily functions and other forms of juvenile grossness. I even skipped over quite a bit which meant it was pretty bad.
Apr 17, 2011
Claudia
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Funny, because I'm a teacher, and because I've been to lots of the settings he described...like Trader Jack's Flea Market north of Santa Fe. Wilder's a teacher in a private school in Santa Fe, and has hilarious stories about teachers and students and parents. No real epiphany, no lessons learned. Just fun.
His story about his brother, a born teacher, who's driven out of the profession is so sad. But Crazy Eddie lands on his feet as a Turtle at Disney World...teachers teach wherever th More...
His story about his brother, a born teacher, who's driven out of the profession is so sad. But Crazy Eddie lands on his feet as a Turtle at Disney World...teachers teach wherever th More...
Feb 03, 2010
Debs
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Stories from a high school English teacher. Not terribly well written. Wilder uses the same references over and over again, and occasionally he’ll opt for lowest-common-denominator humor where wit would be more appropriate. He thinks he's funny...but he's wrong.
Aug 05, 2011
He's a funny guy but when he talks about his own children the tone is hilarious because of his obvious affection. I am surprised he is still teaching, the funny tales about students are not very gentle and even more biting about the other teachers. I know he can do a kinder humor; I would have enjoyed more of that. Would be a good read after a bad day in the classroom.
Nov 15, 2008
Beth
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This book started so strongly - the beginning chapters seemed relevant, funny, just a little bit snarky, and like it would be a refreshing read for those of us who spend our time in the classroom and need a good laugh. However, it devolves into something bitter and uncomfortable to read. Mr. Wilder is often offensive to both his students and their parents (as well as fellow teachers) and makes jokes that are in extraordinarily poor taste. I'm all for a little ribbing and real humour, but atte
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Aug 24, 2011
Kelly
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Good book. Some parts were really laugh-out-loud funny, but others seemed trying to be funny but really weren't. Most stories are about his teaching experience, but others are about parenting, especially towards the end of the book.
Sep 01, 2011
Mary
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This could easily have been a collection of short stories. There were moments to freely laugh, and there were moments where you could easily identify yourself or those you have worked with. Makes me glad that I'm still working with the elementary set!
Mar 30, 2009
Heather
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Meh.
I wanted to like this. Really, I did. I wanted to feel validated as a teacher. But this book was just not.... that.....good. The author sounded like he was trying too hard to invent snarky comments and clever phrases. Get over yourself, man.
I wanted to like this. Really, I did. I wanted to feel validated as a teacher. But this book was just not.... that.....good. The author sounded like he was trying too hard to invent snarky comments and clever phrases. Get over yourself, man.
Jun 13, 2009
Karen
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Tales of a first year teacher -- sometimes funny, sometimes too painful in the memories it brings back...who would ever want to go there again?
May 02, 2010
Beth
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The first few stories were quite amusing (I told my colleagues about the poop in the hand), but after that, I felt the title of the book didn't fit the other stories.
Aug 30, 2009
Frank
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An interesting and funny look at school from an irreverent teacher and a private school.
Sep 23, 2011
Adrienne
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"The crazy part about trying to create a safe, calm environment where all students can learn is that once you have set the scene, the characters and plot constantly shift."
Nov 18, 2007
Michele
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This is the second of Robert's books that I've read. He's the older brother of my pal, Eddie, which is where I heard about Robert. This book made me laugh out loud. It is not only a bird's eye view from a teacher's perspective but some essay's on Robert's recollections of his own "school daze". Very funny, very irreverent (as the title states). I enjoyed it a lot. I've also been reading (via the worldwide web) Robert's monthly columns. His 1st book, DADDY NEEDS A DRINK is very irrevere
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Apr 18, 2008
Kory
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Ok, so I wanted to like this book a lot. However, he's just not funny. The book looks like it will be a collection of funny stories about working in a school. what's not to love right? Wrong. He is all over the place with these random stories, very few of which are funny at all. Throughout the book he makes attempts at humor that are so overdone, and some just creepy considering he makes a lot of sexual jokes and he is mostly talking about kids. I definitely didn't like it.
Jul 04, 2011
Liz
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A few good one liners every now and then but not enough for me to call it really funny.
Oct 24, 2009
Amir
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I don't normally write bad reviews, but I really disliked the author's style in this book. He used contemporary metaphors in ever single sentence. And on the off chance he didn't use one, he would find another way to inject his smug irreverent (read:asshole) attitude into the sentence. I was intrigued and bought this book on a whim in a store... I will always do research before I buy now.
Aug 03, 2008
Amy
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Wilder is a great writer, but as a former public middle school teacher, I find it difficult to sympathize with old Rob, with his technologically updated classroom, packed with 14 or so overprivileged students, all of whom came to him alreadly knowing how to read and write, and understanding the necessity of both. Quite funny, though.
Jun 28, 2010
Marilyn
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Based on the title of this book, I have to say that this book was a bit of a disappointment. One interesting part was the comparison of the rules for teachers between public and private schools. The whole book made me wonder once again why anyone would want to be a teacher for kids over the age of 10.
Jun 21, 2008
Larissa
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I thought this would provide some insight into teaching, as I have considered changing careers to become a teacher. Unfortunately not. I couldn't get through the entire book. It's just a lot of random stories with no theme to hold them together. It is also way too cynical and profane for my tastes.
