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How to Build a Fire: And Other Handy Things Your Grandfather Knew
by
Erin Bried
A HANDY GUIDE FULL OF HOW-TO TIPS AND SAGE ADVICE FROM GRANDFATHERS
As members of the Greatest Generation, our grandfathers were not only defined by the Depression but also by their heroic service to the country in World War II. Courageous, responsible, and involved, they understand sacrifice, hard work, and how to do whatever is necessary to take care of their loved ones...more
As members of the Greatest Generation, our grandfathers were not only defined by the Depression but also by their heroic service to the country in World War II. Courageous, responsible, and involved, they understand sacrifice, hard work, and how to do whatever is necessary to take care of their loved ones...more
Paperback, 304 pages
Published
December 14th 2010
by Ballantine Books
(first published November 24th 2010)
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Since I read it at the gym, I can confidently state it took less than 4 hours to read: two on a recumbent bike, less than two on a treadmill.
It's cute. The task-based how-tos are quite brief, obviously, since it's possible to write an entire book about any one of them, but the more esoteric how-tos were the ones I really enjoyed: how to be a friend, apologize, be brave, etc.
I'm interested in reading the other one, How to Sew a Button, and I suspect both would be suitable gifts for teens. Ha! Now...more
It's cute. The task-based how-tos are quite brief, obviously, since it's possible to write an entire book about any one of them, but the more esoteric how-tos were the ones I really enjoyed: how to be a friend, apologize, be brave, etc.
I'm interested in reading the other one, How to Sew a Button, and I suspect both would be suitable gifts for teens. Ha! Now...more
Handy, indeed, and fun to read; I never intended to actually finish it, it was brought home from the library by somebody else and found its way into my hands. The actual grandfatherly advice takes the form of a short quote at the start of each instruction whether it be for consoling a loved one or shopping for a car. I'll be looking for the grandmother version and intend to read that as well. This would make a decent gift for just about anyone.
A fun little book, but it didn't really contain much that I didn't already know how to do (or didn't apply to me). If there was really something that I wanted to learn how to do (paint a room, refinish a dresser, write a love letter), I'd be better off doing a Google search as you won't find any in depth instructions here. A good graduation gift idea.
This has information on just about EVERYTHING!! While it does seem to be slanted towards males, the skills inside the book are definitely ones everyone should know (changing a tire, buying meat, starting a fire, etc.). This is a book I come back to again and again to learn/remember new skills. Plus, its humorous and sarcastic in many places (as well as simplistic)!
Jul 10, 2012
Brianne
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
teenagers, young men, men, sons of single mothers
Shelves:
how-to
I really think that every teenage male (or, heck, female) should be given this book upon hitting puberty. This stuff should be taught in a high school class. Some of the advice is a tad bit clichéd, kind of "Well, duh" instead of any real insider advice or anything in-depth, but it's a great starter skill set for the well-rounded young man.
It's a pretty interesting book. It contains many different instruction for many basic skills in life ranging from household stuff to survival skills. While some of the skills mentioned in the books are not always used in life but overall, it really helps knowing the things said in the book. Strongly recommended for young boys.
Not to bad. It rare that theres a book that actually gets things right. Especially when dealing with doing stuff for yourself. I'd rate it correct about 95% of the book. But the fishing and wood splitting is written from some romantic point of view that I personally know could use some better insights.
This book was very similar to "Man Up!: 367 Classic Skills for the Modern Guy" and honestly if you are over 25 there is no reason for you to not know 80% of the things in this book before reading it.
I did enjoy that the advice was dispensed by grandfathers which gave it a more personal feel.
I did enjoy that the advice was dispensed by grandfathers which gave it a more personal feel.
This was a little gift from my Aunt-in-law that I read on the can. Not much of real value advice-wise here and Bried is more interested in making tons of little jokes than giving useful info, but it made me feel smart to say "no duh" to most of the stuff in the book.
This was a fun collection of all the handy old-fashioned how-tos you need to live a happy and productive life. Well, maybe not all. *grin* But it was a really nice read, the stories were interesting, and I did actually learn some stuff.
A fun book full of hints and tips from old dudes. Most of these you probably already know, but the author does a good job of presenting the material and it's wicked easy reading. It's basically Hints From Him-oeae.
This is a great book. I knew much of the things, my dad had taught them to me. I am sure my sons know much of this book also from their grandfathers. I think the book is very practical advice
Very handy stuff! This book is full of crazy useful information and the author is pretty funny to boot. I discovered this after reading her other book, How To Sew A Button.
May 23, 2011
Margie
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommended to Margie by:
Bas Bleu
Shelves:
nonfiction-other
Covers a lot of subjects, though it could have gone more in-depth with any of them. Good enough that I'm considering buying a copy for a certain nephew about to start college.
A quick read with a writing style that often detracts from the theme of the book. I could have lived without reading it, but I will keep my copy around for occasional reference.
I was hoping that this would be a good book on learning useful skills, but turned out that I already knew how to do most of the things there, and many others would be easy to figure out.
Now, if you're 29 like me and you don't know how to do most of these things already, then I have to be blunt here, you're pretty useless. In that case, this book should be mandatory for you.
I did enjoy a lot the grandfather's life stories, it made the book shine and was very interesting to know a bit from people...more
Now, if you're 29 like me and you don't know how to do most of these things already, then I have to be blunt here, you're pretty useless. In that case, this book should be mandatory for you.
I did enjoy a lot the grandfather's life stories, it made the book shine and was very interesting to know a bit from people...more
Great idea, mediocre execution. None of the advice was very original or special. I suspect though, that the author had a great time researching for this book.
If ever there was a book that was the manual of how to be a man, this is it. If I ever have boys, this is a book I will definitely purchase for them.
Lots of good tips and written in an easily accessible style. Chances are you already know how to do at least a few of the things listed in the book.
A light and fun read full of practical tips and hints to navigating life.
Interesting topics, but I wanted more information on each of them!
Nice companion to the grandmother book but didn't like that she repeated some chapters.
If Tom Brokaw's The Greatest Generation and the Boy Scout Handbook had a baby, it would be this book. Nice grandfathers, simple advice from their lives and some humor that just tried too hard. Cute book to read while waiting at appointments or while killing time at an airport but nothing you would buy with intentions to use as an advice book.
A panel of grandfathers have assembled good advice and instruction for topics ranging from how to be brave to how to mow the lawn. I preferred the concrete informative sections (how to play bocce ball, how to identify animal tracks) over the big existential issues, but I think that is partly a product of the book's format. Anyone up for bocce?
This book I originally bought for my nephews. I think the perspective of the female author in this case tainted her research. I think some of the grandfathers would've been more forthright with a male and the lack comes through. That being said the information, although pedantic and at times trite, is presented thoroughly and that's at least refreshing.
Great concept, but it was hard to believe that some of the "advice" was coming from the grandfathers. For instance, I find it hard to believe that these grandfathers know enough about Lady Gaga to make a joke about her.
This a book that every young man should get once they are out on their own. Much of it is common sense, however, that tends to be somewhat rare these days.
I enjoyed the Bios of the Grandfather.
May 03, 2013
Anna Molnar
added it
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Feb 13, 2012 05:03pm