In the Event of My Untimely Demise

by Brian Sack

When Brian Sack's mother passed away, he was left with a letter and a pink cardigan. The cardigan was promptly placed in a drawer, but the letter was pure gold. In just a few pages of fancy cursive, her posthumous dispatch offered the kind of guidance you would expect from a mother to her young son. And while he didn't necessarily follow all the advice, he never forgot how very important those words—and that letter—were to him. Decades later, on the verge of parenthood himself, Brian decided to write something for his own child, wanting a legacy, and not just a pink cardigan, to leave to his son. But far from the usual collection of advice, Brian has written a sharp, sage, warts-and-all survival guide to life.

With quick wit and self-deprecating honesty, Sack draws from his experiences, tapping them for the humor within. Holding nothing back,

Gives the skinny on relationships—don't let the woman you love wander alone in FranceCommiserates about the death of the meritocracy—wanting to sing doesn't mean you canRecounts his awkward entry into fatherhood—you'll overcome your aversion to pooOffers firsthand advice—avoid any bipolar lady with a drug-sniffing wonder-catAnd argues that the Empire State Building is not a phallic symbol—no matter what the professor saidEvery chapter takes on subjects ranging from the universal and mundane to the life changing and inevitable. With its funny and heartfelt musings from a father to a son, In the Event of My Untimely Demise is a delightful life primer for all of us.

Genres: Nonfiction

228 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 29, 2008

Reviews

[Carol Fuller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well said.

I enjoyed this book very much. Read great deal like a conversation with my own dad or son. Maybe I just got lucky and had a great dad. Maybe I'm delusional and mediocrity left me with low standards for air and wisdom. Who knows? Regardless, this is fine book for young and old people and those of us stuck in the middle. I plan to drop my copy at my son's place and let him pick it up in his own time. It's that kind of book. Pass it it on.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Written as a book of advice for the author's sons, the book has good advice for everyone. It is a pretty basic book that does contain some references which I wonder if his young sons will get when they're older. This is a quick and easy read; I'd recommend it as a beach read.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick read of 20 chapters of life lessons for the authors son. My only concern was the book was written for an adult audience. I didn't realize until the end that the author's sons were in college. ☺

[Donald Mcneil · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read!

[Alex Kenjeev · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very charming book. The author's mother died when he was young and he was always grateful that she wrote him a series of letters before she departed. Even though he himself is quite healthy, he decides to repay the favor by writing a series of letters to his baby sons. The letters are humorous, lighthearted and full of insightful truths about life.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun book to read. I'm not sure i would give it to my young son (as it is supposedly intended for) but he has some interesting insights told in a very humorous and irreverant way.