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The Way I Heard It
by
Emmy-award winning gadfly Mike Rowe presents a ridiculously entertaining, seriously fascinating collection of his favorite episodes from America’s #1 short-form podcast, The Way I Heard It, along with a host of memories, ruminations, illustrations, and insights. It’s a delightful collection of mysteries. A mosaic. A memoir. A charming, surprising must-read.
Mike Rowe’s The ...more
Mike Rowe’s The ...more
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Kindle Edition, 271 pages
Published
October 15th 2019
by Gallery Books
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4+ I first saw Mike Rowe on Dirty jobs, and enjoyed his humor, his willingness to try anything. Reading this I learned he is or was, a big Paul Harvey fan, as was my husband. Everyday my husband would stop and listen avidly until the end and the words, the rest of the story. This is what Rowe does here, tell stories, some of people well known, well maybe depending on the age of the reader, others not as familiar. They are surprising, little known, at least to me, events I their lives. I bet most
...more

High 4*
The blurb says "The Way I Heard It collects thirty-five fascinating stories for the curious mind with a short attention span.” This perfectly describes me, so this book worked a treat.
Like many others, I discovered Mike Rowe some years ago, via the Dirty Jobs show, which was excellent. His humour, wit and ability to not take himself seriously were quite endearing. Oh, and that voice! My goodness, that voice...
His voice prompted me to ask my library to pretty please purchase the audiobook ...more
The blurb says "The Way I Heard It collects thirty-five fascinating stories for the curious mind with a short attention span.” This perfectly describes me, so this book worked a treat.
Like many others, I discovered Mike Rowe some years ago, via the Dirty Jobs show, which was excellent. His humour, wit and ability to not take himself seriously were quite endearing. Oh, and that voice! My goodness, that voice...
His voice prompted me to ask my library to pretty please purchase the audiobook ...more

There are still some of us who remember hearing the esteemed Paul Harvey's "The Rest of the Story," on the AM radio, often after Larry King's talk show. Harvey would take a famous person or event and offer a background story, only telling the audience who the subject of the story was at the end. Mike Rowe, the former QVC salesman and host of the hit show "Dirty Jobs," continues Harvey's work, acknowledging the debt owed to Harvey at the beginning and the end. These stories, all about celebrities
...more

Jan 10, 2021
Cathrine ☯️
rated it
really liked it
Recommended to Cathrine ☯️ by:
Karen
Shelves:
nonfiction,
audible-or-audiobook
4+💥💥💥💥
Big thanks to my sister in books and arms K for pointing the way to this one. I never watched his show Dirty Jobs and must investigate streaming those ASAP.
Entertaining and flawlessly read by the author (I wouldn't even consider a hard copy if I were you) it ushered in the new year with handfuls of sparklers — OMG the ending sewer story 😱. ...more
Big thanks to my sister in books and arms K for pointing the way to this one. I never watched his show Dirty Jobs and must investigate streaming those ASAP.
Entertaining and flawlessly read by the author (I wouldn't even consider a hard copy if I were you) it ushered in the new year with handfuls of sparklers — OMG the ending sewer story 😱. ...more

Jan 09, 2021
Amy Bruestle
rated it
it was ok
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
books-i-own,
giveaways
I won this book through a giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
I sadly didn’t care for this book. I was excited because I like him on Dirty Jobs and as the narrator on The Deadliest Catch, so I assumed I’d enjoy his book, too. I assumed wrong. The writing is not bad by any means, the style and choppiness just wasn’t my thing.
I sadly didn’t care for this book. I was excited because I like him on Dirty Jobs and as the narrator on The Deadliest Catch, so I assumed I’d enjoy his book, too. I assumed wrong. The writing is not bad by any means, the style and choppiness just wasn’t my thing.

I love Mike Rowe's voice. So, when this came out as an Audio book on Overdrive I put my hold in without a thought.
This book is really unique. Yes, he tells anecdotes about his life, but they are broken up by true anecdotes/facts about other famous people. What makes this different is you don't know who he is talking about until the last few sentences when he reveals their names. It was fun guessing who he might be talking about. Some are other actors, some are musicians or historical figures, a ...more
This book is really unique. Yes, he tells anecdotes about his life, but they are broken up by true anecdotes/facts about other famous people. What makes this different is you don't know who he is talking about until the last few sentences when he reveals their names. It was fun guessing who he might be talking about. Some are other actors, some are musicians or historical figures, a ...more

4 stars
Having meet Mike Rowe through my job at the college, I tried to get this book as an ARC every place I could. Of course, I was never able...sigh! So grabbed it from the library as soon as I could.
Mike Rowe is very involved in trade schools or colleges that promote the trades. He feels that not everyone is suited to regular college classes and hands on trades are desperately needed. He donated some scholarships to our college once he had toured and met everyone. If you have ever watched h ...more
Having meet Mike Rowe through my job at the college, I tried to get this book as an ARC every place I could. Of course, I was never able...sigh! So grabbed it from the library as soon as I could.
Mike Rowe is very involved in trade schools or colleges that promote the trades. He feels that not everyone is suited to regular college classes and hands on trades are desperately needed. He donated some scholarships to our college once he had toured and met everyone. If you have ever watched h ...more

"There's nothing magical about what I do, Mike. I'm just using the tools I was given. You can be a tradesman, too, if that's what you want to be. Heck, we're all tradesman. The trick is to get the right toolbox." (200)
The appeal in listening to Mike Rowe, much like this book, is his unfiltered authenticity that he charmingly brings to whoever his audience happens to be. In The Way I Heard It, Rowe takes the reader from some of the most brilliant short stories of his podcast that contain insightf ...more
The appeal in listening to Mike Rowe, much like this book, is his unfiltered authenticity that he charmingly brings to whoever his audience happens to be. In The Way I Heard It, Rowe takes the reader from some of the most brilliant short stories of his podcast that contain insightf ...more

4.4 for the book, 5 for the audio
Thanks to Sandi for bringing this book to my attention with her review. I don't do much reality-based tv or podcasts, so was only vaguely familiar with Mike Rowe. I borrowed the Audiobook on Overdrive, and it was definitely a good decision. Mike Rowe has an amazing baritone voice, as he would be the first to tell you. I was mesmerized by his velvety-smooth delivery and am sure he could sell me a bridge given the chance. He is witty and charismatic while sincere a ...more
Thanks to Sandi for bringing this book to my attention with her review. I don't do much reality-based tv or podcasts, so was only vaguely familiar with Mike Rowe. I borrowed the Audiobook on Overdrive, and it was definitely a good decision. Mike Rowe has an amazing baritone voice, as he would be the first to tell you. I was mesmerized by his velvety-smooth delivery and am sure he could sell me a bridge given the chance. He is witty and charismatic while sincere a ...more

Mike Rowe is a natural storyteller. His wisdom, humor, common sense and compassion are evident throughout these compelling stories of humanity. I especially love the mystery of the personality at the start of each chapter. Mike’s rolling out of little known tidbits leading up to the reveal is brilliant. Mike also peppers in his personal history and TV-land experiences. He has lived a colorful life and worked many interesting jobs. I enjoyed reading the stories of his work experiences and was unf
...more

A very nice break from all the holiday chaos.
I have laughed for years a Dirty Jobs. I'll still take a break for the re-runs. I've enjoyed Paul Harvey for many of those years as well (here I go, dating myself again). This easy read was a wonderful combination of the two. ...more
I have laughed for years a Dirty Jobs. I'll still take a break for the re-runs. I've enjoyed Paul Harvey for many of those years as well (here I go, dating myself again). This easy read was a wonderful combination of the two. ...more

I enjoyed Mike Rowe in the TV show, Dirty Jobs, mainly for his self-deprecating humor. As he says in the beginning of the book, this one is along the lines of "The Rest of the Story" by Paul Harvey with Rowe adding his brand of humor and wise cracking. It works for me.
He tells short stories about various famous or infamous people from the past, not naming them - saving the 'aha' moment for the end of each one. It was fun trying to guess the subject of the story before the big reveal. He also sy ...more
He tells short stories about various famous or infamous people from the past, not naming them - saving the 'aha' moment for the end of each one. It was fun trying to guess the subject of the story before the big reveal. He also sy ...more

6/5 stars. This will be my gift-giving Christmas 2019 book. It is so universal in its appeal. I couldn't put it down! I would savor a chapter then pick the book back up to see what the next story was about.
Well researched chapters highlighting various people are tied into Mike's life experiences in such a natural way it was like listening to a friend tell you about his day.
My favorite story was that of Alan Hale. Now i will have to be re-watching some old movies to spot him..
I am left with a smi ...more
Well researched chapters highlighting various people are tied into Mike's life experiences in such a natural way it was like listening to a friend tell you about his day.
My favorite story was that of Alan Hale. Now i will have to be re-watching some old movies to spot him..
I am left with a smi ...more

From the man who gave dignity to people who work the necessary “Dirty Jobs” that Keep the world running and who introduced us to people who make the world a better place. A couple of years back Mike Rowe started a Podcast and attempted to fill the late Paul Harvey shoes by telling little known stories about people and places we thought we knew. The Podcast is called, “The Way I Heard It” and this book is part a collection of those stories and part bio. It’s just fun to read.

via my blog: https://bookstalkerblog.wordpress.com/
'I had a pedestal once. I put a pig on it. You can google it. Go ahead, do it- I’ll wait.'
In The Way I Heard It, Mike Rowe shares stories about famous people interspersed with tales of his own fascinating journey, from his youth cutting trees with is Dad, his days at QVC selling all sorts of odd products (I recommend his Katsak clip on YouTube), the famous Dirty Jobs (which many of us sorely miss) to his current podcast, The Way I heard it, you ...more
'I had a pedestal once. I put a pig on it. You can google it. Go ahead, do it- I’ll wait.'
In The Way I Heard It, Mike Rowe shares stories about famous people interspersed with tales of his own fascinating journey, from his youth cutting trees with is Dad, his days at QVC selling all sorts of odd products (I recommend his Katsak clip on YouTube), the famous Dirty Jobs (which many of us sorely miss) to his current podcast, The Way I heard it, you ...more

Mike Rowe, the master storyteller. The Way I Heard It is witty and highly entertaining! I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of short stories and trying to guess the celebrities. Full disclosure, I was able to guess very few, haha!! I loved the fact there was a history lesson with each short story and the tie in to Mike's own life adventures. Oh what a life he has lived! I highly recommend picking this up!
A huge thank you to Simon & Schuster for my review copy! ...more
A huge thank you to Simon & Schuster for my review copy! ...more

The Way I Heard It turned out to be SO much better than I even imagined. Having watched Dirty Jobs with my family over the years, I had concluded that Mike Rowe (if true to his character on the show) is a very likable person. This book only confirmed that impression. But more than that, he showed to be quite the talented author.
Written along the lines of one of Mike's favorite radio personalities, Paul Harvey, The Way I Heard It could easily have been told by Harvey, ending with his famous line ...more
Written along the lines of one of Mike's favorite radio personalities, Paul Harvey, The Way I Heard It could easily have been told by Harvey, ending with his famous line ...more

I read the first 4 stories and disliked them all.

Mike Rowe is a fantastic story teller. His book is a collection of super interesting stories about well known people or inventions, but each one starts with obscure details and bizarre circumstances that leave you in the dark about the main character/event until the very end. There were only a few that I could guess correctly before getting to the end. Then each anecdote is followed by some of the author's reflections/personal history which is just as interesting (if not more so) which makes the
...more

A treasure! That's what Mike Rowe is. . . .his way to tell a tale, to spin the story, holds you at fire's edge, marshmallow plunging off the stick black burnt from neglect. . .
Each of his Paul Harvey-esque subjects are woven through with his own story, in a very particular order that speaks to his purpose and aims in life. A true delight, a fun read. I listened and can't imagine reading it because his voice is so luscious.
4 stars! I hope he does more . . . . ...more
Each of his Paul Harvey-esque subjects are woven through with his own story, in a very particular order that speaks to his purpose and aims in life. A true delight, a fun read. I listened and can't imagine reading it because his voice is so luscious.
4 stars! I hope he does more . . . . ...more

Nov 11, 2019
Amber Martin
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
memoir,
non-fiction
I save my 5 star reviews for the books that will stick with me. Mike Rowe realized this and kicked in my door like the Koolaid Man waiting for that review. I've always liked Mike (sounds like a campaign ad) and figured I'd give his book a go. He managed to keep something that is bio-esque super interesting. Every chapter starts with the story of someone famous but luckily for the whole reading world we're not talking about anyone with the last name Kardashian, etc. Instead we get people like Mel
...more

Simply because Mike Rowe wrote the book, I expected it to have a side of humour, and it did. What I did not expect was the historical side. Stories of well known historical figures told as a mystery story, that lets you discover only at the end who’s story it is. Not all of the over 30 chapters are written that way but those were my favorites, it provided a surprising, smooth and unexpected educational aspect to the book. Rowe is a great story teller, he blends beautifully historical characters
...more

This is a great collection of short stories that range from A to Z. I enjoy Mike Rowe's TV series and this is a continuation of those, People who do good. He writes with humor and insight into human nature. He's not afraid to make fun of himself and point out misconceptions by the public. If you've every read his Mother's book (Peggy Rowe, About my Mother) you would see where he gets his style.
Each chapter is stand alone and is the perfect book for a busy season. Great for teens to older readers ...more
Each chapter is stand alone and is the perfect book for a busy season. Great for teens to older readers ...more

Jan 26, 2020
Madeline Worrell
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
non-fiction,
humor
Mike Rowe is an irresistibly charming and kind man.
But, his interests are not mine.
But, his interests are not mine.

I had heard of Mike Rowe, saw snippets of Dirty Jobs, saw his mother on commercials, but I never appreciated the fantastic story teller who lurked underneath the grime and sludge...this is by far one of the best (and informative) books I have read in a long time....the 35 stories are short enough to satisfy my short attention issues....each story leads to a person in the end that you would not expect it to be....I have a new found appreciation of the career and skills of Mike Rowe and would reco
...more
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