The Most Educated Idiot I Know

by Dean Roughton

Where others often try to hide the moments of sheer stupidity in their lives, Dean Roughton is more apt to dress them up, parade them around, and poke them with a stick. A single father and Professor of English, Roughton recounts his idiotic childhood and educational years as well as his adult experiences with dating, parenting, weight loss, a trip to the ER, and, yes, even nearly burning down a halfway house.In "The Most Educated Idiot I Know", Dean Roughton demonstrates a proclivity to laugh when others would cry and shows us the value of our mistakes.

143 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 27, 2013

About the author

Dean Roughton is a single father and a Professor of English at College of The Albemarle in northeastern North Carolina. He holds a BA in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an MA in English with a concentration in creative writing from North Carolina State University.

He usually gets ready for work by dancing in the shower – with a skill level similar to that of the offspring of a Cuervoed up lemur and a Rhesus monkey drinking ecstasy/vodka tonics – while listening to hip hop on Pandora Radio. Because he can if he wants to.

Reviews

[Helen Avery · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is funny! I sat down in my reading room (aka bathroom) and skimmed through the introduction, and then I noticed a note telling me not to skim through the introduction… well crap, I was caught and the only honorable next step would be to play it off like I wasn’t skimming and actually read the introduction. The first few pages had me laughing so hard it was a good thing I was already on the reading room chair (aka the potty). I immediately cancelled all afternoon meetings and locked myself in the arboretum (aka the loft that serves as my actual library and work area – it had a plant once but it died). I read the entire book in one sitting (minus a few trips to the library for #1) and truly, honestly laughed out loud (remember when laughing out loud was rare and not something you abbreviated in text messages when you didn’t want to offend people with your snide remarks?).

I typically judge a book by its first line, the emotion it evokes and if it inspires me to write.

The first line (after skipping, er skimming, er reading the introduction) was one of his father’s quotes, “It ain’t a sin to be poor but it is damn inconvenient”; interesting enough to read further but its no Mitch Ablom, I’ll give it a “B” (but only because he borrowed it from his dad, had it been original I would offer an “A”). This book as a humor book should and did elicit joy and laughter, however, unexpectedly it also made me cry, so “A+” for the second criteria. Now, as for inspiration for writing, not only did I read this book being filled with ideas to write myself, it has a chapter on inspiration in writing! A+++++

So my overall average rating is purple and it’s not because I am a member of parentheses anonymous. (that’s an inside joke that you will have to read the book to understand)

Seriously though, I cannot recommend this book enough – this relatively unknown humorist has straddled the book business and will now go far!

[Missi Liverman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was funny, and just what you need on a sad and down day. I would have read this book in less than 2 hours if I didn't have to stop and dry my eyes from laughing so hard. It was a great take on handling life and learning lessons in life that we never forget. It was heartwarming and sincere without being mushy. I loved the familiarity of the subjects and the wholesomeness of the authors heart. Great read. Needs a sequel. 4.8 stars.

[Sarah Cartwright · Rating 5 out of 5]

This hilariously funny humor memoir goes beyond the ordinary life story and gives you more than a glimpse into the ever eventful life of Dean Roughton. This book will keep you laughing from start to finish with maybe a few other emotions mixed in. It keeps you wanting more through the entire book. Definitely go pick up a copy!

[Ashley Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely hilarious!!! guaranteed you will literally laugh out loud while reading.