A Full House But Empty

by Angus Munro

Filled with anecdotes, lessons learned, and an inspirational message for everyone, who believes that hard work breeds success, this moving autobiography shares the remarkable story of Angus Munro.Munro is just three when he suffers from appendicitis and spends several weeks in a Vancouver hospital as his family struggles to survive the Great Depression. After finally arriving home, Munro asks his sister, "Where is Mummy?" and is promptly told his mother doesn't live there anymore. It is this traumatic event that changes the course of Munro's life forever. His father is suddenly a single parent while simultaneously turning into Munro's mentor and hero. He teaches Munro the motto, "Always do the right thing," while raising his children in an environment that is at the very least hectic, and more often completely chaotic. Through a potpourri of chronological and heartfelt tales, Munro reveals how he learned to view incidents in life in terms of responsibility, recognition, personal conduct, and consideration for others. Despite dropping out of school at a young age, Munro perseveres, eventually attaining professional success.Munro's memoir is a wonderful tribute to his father's legacy and the greatest lesson of all-Whatever you do, follow through.

268 pages, Paperback

First published September 25, 2007

Reviews

[Emily-Jane Orford]

Angus Munro is a fascinating man. He has a soft heart, an analytical mind, a good sense of humor and the business acumen of a Harvard business graduate. This says a lot for a man who keeps claiming to be a grade school dropout. There is definitely a message in Munro’s memoir, one that could benefit business people and, more particularly, people in hospital administration. Indeed, Munro’s book would be an excellent reading requirement for anyone pursuing a degree in the health care field.

A Full House – But Empty is a vivid account of one man’s journey through a life that witnessed pain, sorrow and the basic struggles to achieve and maintain one’s sense of pride and purpose against all odds. Angus was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He claims his sense of self-worth was first shattered at the tender age of three, when his mother abandoned the family (or was thrown out by the father). Growing up in the Depression years, with a single parent (his father), Munro is riddled with emotions that range from disillusionment to anger as he confronts a daily battle with his insecurities and feelings of inadequacies. But, despite what he claims as a meager background, Angus rises above his unusual upbringing to become a well mannered, dedicated and very respected administrator in the field of health care. Even the Harvard graduates could not measure up to this mere grade school dropout.

Munro is a true storyteller and his anecdotes are presented with both humor and sincerity that clearly reflects the man behind the story. He is a well-educated man, despite what he continually claims. As in the business world, Munro presents himself well in the printed word. Munro is a retired hospital administrator who once claimed Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada as his home. He is a product of the environment of his childhood and the hard-working acumen and caring nature that his father both demonstrated and dictated to his family. Munro is a man of his times and, yet, in his simple, caring nature, he is somewhat beyond the times in that he displays a compassion for both work and life, a sentiment that has sadly gone astray in more recent times with the growing state of mass consumerism and self-aggrandizement.

A Full House – But Empty is a refreshing read, full of good tips for both business management personnel and sound advice for the general public. It is highly recommended by award winning author, Emily-Jane Hills Orford, Allbooks Reviews.

[Kim V]

A Full House --But Empty vividly portrays the author's Depression era childhood and its lifelong impact on him. While Munro's childhood was challenging, to say the least, this memoir does not read like a Canadian Angela's Ashes. Rather along with the difficult times the author also shares many lighter moments. For example, Munro describes a haircut that so displeased him that he screamed "bloody murder" and hid under the table until the offending barber left the premises.

Munro aptly expresses his childood assesment of his family's circumstances in the following exchange:

Cecil (childhood friend/housemate) to Munro: "Gus, we are a very poor family. This is a serious Depression. So many people are out of work, because there are no jobs. Everybody is broke and on relief."

Munro: "I still believe we have a great family and a happy life. We go to the movies every week. We have plenty of food on our table. We have gardens, apples, clothing, and shoes."

Munro's memoir does not end, however, with his childhood, but rather continues with his career adventures in the oil and healthcare fields. A seventh grade school dropout, nevertheless, Munro successfully scales the professional ladder due to his intellect and hardy work ethic.

Munro's keen insights into people and predictments make this memoir both thoughtful and entertaining.

[Dorothy Thompson]

Fantastic book...anyone who would love to read a great memoir of a kid growing up in the depression and going on to great things, this is highly recommended.