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The Escape Artists: True Stories of People Who Turned Their Obsessions Into Professions
What do a stand-up comedian, an extreme skier, a Navy SEAL, a minor league pitcher, a wilderness doctor, and a circus clown have in common? They are Escape Artists! For nine years, New York Times bestselling author Joshua Piven has been tracking down and interviewing alligator wrestlers, race car drivers, giant octopus hunters, animal trackers, and treasure hunters. What drives these escape artists to make job choices that are extraordinary, dangerous, or just plain wacky? They don't “drop out”; they embrace self-fulfillment and personal freedom as they craft a life on the road less traveled-and show all of us how to pursue our own dreams…if we dare. By following their journeys, you'll learn how you might be able to become an escape artist yourself-and leave the cubicle behind. You'll see how these intrepid adventurers avoided the trap of a job they hated; navigated the issues of money, security, and safety nets; and knew when to make the crucial leap to a better and more enjoyable career.
- GenresNonfiction
253 pages, Paperback
First published March 13, 2007
36 people want to read
About the author
Joshua Piven
90 books24 followersJosh Piven is a television writer and producer, speechwriter, playwright, and the author or co-author of more than twenty non-fiction and humor books, including the worldwide best-selling The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook series.
He wrote the teleplay and serves as producer of Don The Beekeeper, a half-hour children’s TV show about honeybees and urban beekeeping. His most recent stage play, a holiday farce called No Reservations, had its world premiere in November-December, 2013, to great success and critical acclaim. More information. His next play is Muddled.
Josh likes to refer to himself in the third person.
Piven is perhaps best known for his famously tongue-in-cheek worst-case books, books that offer readers real-world (though often hilarious) advice on surviving worst-case situations that they might—but hopefully won’t—encounter: everything from “how to fend off a shark” and “how to wrestle an alligator” to “how to avoid the Freshman 15” and “how to determine if your date is an axe murderer.”
Piven is an honors graduate of the University of Pennsylvania—and living proof that English majors aren't necessarily failures.
He wrote the teleplay and serves as producer of Don The Beekeeper, a half-hour children’s TV show about honeybees and urban beekeeping. His most recent stage play, a holiday farce called No Reservations, had its world premiere in November-December, 2013, to great success and critical acclaim. More information. His next play is Muddled.
Josh likes to refer to himself in the third person.
Piven is perhaps best known for his famously tongue-in-cheek worst-case books, books that offer readers real-world (though often hilarious) advice on surviving worst-case situations that they might—but hopefully won’t—encounter: everything from “how to fend off a shark” and “how to wrestle an alligator” to “how to avoid the Freshman 15” and “how to determine if your date is an axe murderer.”
Piven is an honors graduate of the University of Pennsylvania—and living proof that English majors aren't necessarily failures.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 22, 2015
Joshua Piven's The Escape Artists: True Stories of People Who Turned Their Obsessions into Professions came out in 2007 and is a New York Times best seller. The book went into great description about people with a unique interest and who decided to follow their dreams. As I was reading, it felt as if I was interviewing these people about their given profession. I found these people's stories fascinating in many ways.
One of the things I like most was the story of a comedian who lived in Alabama and was of Asian decent, Henry Cho. Many of his jokes were about how he didn't exactly fit in with the people and culture of Knoxville, Tennessee. For example, Cho says, " When I was born in 1961, the Asian population in Knoxville consisted of five people: My parents, my two older sisters, and me."(Piven 169). This made me realize that Cho's perspective must have been very different from the other people in Knoxville. This ultimately shaped his experiences in a distinct way and made him who he is. He couldn't have been a successful comedian without this unique perspective. He also defines himself as a comedian and his identity is shaped by his job.
I recommend this book to anyone who has a unique passion but doesn't believe that it can be a legitimate career. I think the book can relate to many people of all ages. This book has the potential to alter your perspective and give you the courage to follow your dreams.
One of the things I like most was the story of a comedian who lived in Alabama and was of Asian decent, Henry Cho. Many of his jokes were about how he didn't exactly fit in with the people and culture of Knoxville, Tennessee. For example, Cho says, " When I was born in 1961, the Asian population in Knoxville consisted of five people: My parents, my two older sisters, and me."(Piven 169). This made me realize that Cho's perspective must have been very different from the other people in Knoxville. This ultimately shaped his experiences in a distinct way and made him who he is. He couldn't have been a successful comedian without this unique perspective. He also defines himself as a comedian and his identity is shaped by his job.
I recommend this book to anyone who has a unique passion but doesn't believe that it can be a legitimate career. I think the book can relate to many people of all ages. This book has the potential to alter your perspective and give you the courage to follow your dreams.
August 5, 2008
This is my "read at lunch" book at work; I can dream, can't I? Some of the essays are more interesting than others, but I am always envious of people who manage to escape the drudgery of every day life.
September 18, 2020
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This New York Times bestseller is a fascinating look at a range of people who have defied the odds and made a career out of their passion. Broken up into essays, this is an easy book to dip in-and-out of, whenever you feel like an interesting read.
Elisa - The Book Grocer
This New York Times bestseller is a fascinating look at a range of people who have defied the odds and made a career out of their passion. Broken up into essays, this is an easy book to dip in-and-out of, whenever you feel like an interesting read.
Elisa - The Book Grocer
April 28, 2021
Interesting profiles of people who went way off the beaten track. It’s interesting to read but don’t treat it as an inspirational tome because it’s not meant to. Especially when reading the parts about money 😆 Still it’s a good reminder of how life can be different in all kinds of ways
September 12, 2015
The Escape Artist by Joshua Piven was not your ordinary book on the book shelves. Escape artist is a very entertaining book that takes you through the lives of these so called "escape artist." When Joshua Piven wrote this book it was to inspire young people and old to find a job or passion in life that you truly love. When Joshua refers to escape artist he is talking about everyday people that changed their life by escaping there old boring jobs to find something they truly enjoy. This book is full of people's biographies that interested me and will most likely interest you.This book will get attention from the start wether it's taking you through a baseball players life or a science freak. In the book the first person he talks about was someone into sci if I can't recall who I read the book weeks ago but the guy said something along the lines of sci fi was what I loved since s kid so once I realized that's what I loved I dropped what I was doing to pursue my interest. This is a perfect example of what every American should be thinking go for what you love and what you are interested in.
Being an American plays a big role allowing these young power hungry men and woman to turn there obsessions into a life long job. Americans are in a unique situation where they can choose there jobs and hobbies in other countries your chooses are minimized. Plus why wouldn't you want to be an American? We have the most unhealthy food in the entire world! These escape artists used there freedom to best of there ability making there lives successful. I would recommend this book to almost anyone but more to people who are young and not sure what they wanna do when your older. You don't have to be a doctor like your father nor do you have to be a cook like your mother. Turn what you like into your life long job and don't sit behind a desk unless you love it!
Being an American plays a big role allowing these young power hungry men and woman to turn there obsessions into a life long job. Americans are in a unique situation where they can choose there jobs and hobbies in other countries your chooses are minimized. Plus why wouldn't you want to be an American? We have the most unhealthy food in the entire world! These escape artists used there freedom to best of there ability making there lives successful. I would recommend this book to almost anyone but more to people who are young and not sure what they wanna do when your older. You don't have to be a doctor like your father nor do you have to be a cook like your mother. Turn what you like into your life long job and don't sit behind a desk unless you love it!
August 18, 2012
This is a book about people who took their passion and made a career of it. The book was just okay at first, but then I got into it. There was a story about a high school pitcher who aspired to play in the Major Leagues, but it didn't really work out. I liked how it told true stories about real people and they all didn't turn out with happy endings. Some ended in divorce or failure, but I thought it was a worthwhile quick read.
April 14, 2009
This book tells the stories of a bunch of different people who are working in non-traditional jobs, or doing traditional occupations in a non-traditional way (none of them work in cubicles) Most of them pursued their chosen occupations because they enjoyed it, not because of money. In fact, none of them seem to have gotten rich. I guess the theme of the book is "do what you enjoy doing".
January 10, 2010
This seems like an attempt to milk previous work. It's not very useful, and some of the stories don't even relate successes (the minor league baseball player who never makes it to the majors? C'mon.) After 80 pages, I don't plan on finishing it. And I don't plan on picking up another book by Josh Piven either.
September 7, 2011
I wasn't particularly drawn in by this book, though it was written in a pretty light, entertaining fashion. I guess because these people did what they liked, but barely made a living. It's not a surprise to me that you can do what you love and not pay the bills, or barely pay the bills. It would surprise me if you could do what you love and make tons of money for it.
May 28, 2013
No, this book does not offer any clear-cut answers about how to become an, "escape artist", but it never intends to do that. "But if you picked up this book, my guess is you're looking less for easy answers and more for ideas and examples," (p. 239) and that it does in a varied and interesting manner. The focus is on these people and their stories.
May 7, 2008
mildly interesting. gig was much better.
April 28, 2008
I just couldn't get into this book - very dry, in my opinion.
October 6, 2008
So far, looks good! Who wouldn't want to escape the 9 to 5?!
October 21, 2021
An interesting read - some essays were more interesting than others, and it was nice to see a mix of physical and non-physical labor, along with omen in non-traditional occupations/ callings.
March 29, 2013
A should-read book on how to have passion in work.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews