Phil is a natural storyteller
593773
I met Phil when he was five years sober. The first thing I loved about him was how horrible his addiction was and how brilliant he was at sharing stories of his life. He touched, inspired, and helped many people in the time I was his wife. Many people including myself have suggested he write a book. I was thrilled to find out he finally did! I read the first draft and found I could not put it down!  Then I purchased the published book on my kindle and once again found myself reading late into the night completely spellbound!
I am a voracious reader and do not waste my time with any book that is poorly written, has no flow, or badly edited.
Phil's book is candid, funny, tragic, and honest. I think anyone who reads it will find themselves touched in some way. Addiction touches us all in one way or another.....Phil found his way out...read his story and maybe you will too.......
1571094
Were you ever fortunate enough to spend an evening in a pub listening to the old guy with a backlog of stories as bottomless as his appetite for Guinness?  Relive, or enjoy for the first time, that experience with Patrick E McLean's "Stories I Told Myself".  These are tales as rich, lovingly related and "true" as any ever told by candlelight, hearth or drink.

It is clear that Mr. McLean crafts stories with a care for the reader.  He may have something he wants to say, but it seems to me he really has something he wants you to hear.  He chooses words, sculpts phrases and molds characters for the enjoyment of the reader.  This is a book written by someone clearly in love with the English language and storytelling, if not actual spelling and punctuation.

You will find yourself looking for someone to have the same experience that you do. These are stories to enjoy, to share and to revisit.  I originally heard them in Mr. McLean's own voice on 'The Seanachai' with my wife and kids.  His stories are still a touchstone for us.  His cadence and smooth voice are still in my head as I re-read Candy, Bright-lights and Driver's Re-Education.

Slainte!
4222110
His writing is lucid and humorous which is entertaining when one is reading a philosophical history.  I liked getting an over-all understanding of the various chief philosophies for the first time.  I could see why certain philosophers are world famous.  I thought the live cases of his students shed a great light on the importance of philosophy in life.  It is a thoughtful, easy to read book.
826301
Phil Collins is not afraid of the truth, even if, as he states, it's HIS truth. This engaging read is his story in his words. He tells it honestly. I found the tale fascinating. It was sometimes difficult to follow the story line because he knew/knows everyone and he knew them before they became who they are today. So the story can bounce around a bit. But that doesn't make it any less readable. He is a true star and this book is worth the time spent reading it.
412979
It is a rare writer who can turn the mundane into the magnificent, but Pollan manages to do so. I picked the book up in the store and was caught by the story of the art (and it is) of whole pig barbecue in the "Fire" section so made the purchase. His divides the book into sections on Fire, Water, Air, and Earth and then proceeds to provide more detail in each than I would have thought possible. He has a unique ability to make some of the most trivial item into something of vital interest. Despite the fact that this arena is not high on my list of topics, it turned out to be a worthy read.
666504
Great story from an awesome person.  You can read many books and you may find one or two nuggets of wisdom.  This book contains so many that it's hard to put down.  You can hear Phil speaking because the book was written as he would speak to us.  Would highly recommend this book to people of all ages.
3116557
Take Five is a compilation of two stories from each of two books, Magical Thinking and Possible Side Effects, plus one new Burroughs story.  This low cost assortment is a good introduction to his writings and gives the reader an idea of why more of his books should be purchased.  Burroughs' ability to focus on his inner life experience juxtaposed with reflections on the external nets a vivid picture of some humorous and not-so-humorous events.  Readers can identify with similar experiences.  They can leave the reader thinking "And I thought I had it bad... !"  Burroughs acknowledges his own and his protagonist's humanity, adding a pathos to his stories that bring the reader's sympathies to play even as the incredible tale is told.  True or contrived, his imagination is delightful; each ending, a flair.  Be prepared to laugh aloud in the presence of strangers, if you read in public places.
1984806
Phil is so funny.  I have enjoyed his tweets for quite a while.  I was delighted to read his new book.  While I'm older than the bar scenes he describes, I think I grew up with everyone in his book.  For me, reading Phil, was a delightful dance down memory lane. It got me to dig up my old high school year books and make a hit list of
people that deserved an ear full of my wrath.  But then Phil got me laughing so hard I decided to forgive them all.  Maybe.  More, Phil, more...please.
2427112
A great story.  I listened to this story while I traveled, as I do with many e-books.  I believe it is a good sign of a great storyteller is if you can listen to a tale, enjoy it, and not get lost in the dialog.  Stanley writes with a medium tempo that is easy to read and listen to.  He has reached a good balance between sentences being too simple or short and sentences that are too long or complicated.  His lexicon is well rounded and doesn't spend extra effort to use fancy or uncommon words in an attempt to brag about his writing skills.
2733933
Ophira Eisenberg has long been considered a treasured jewel in the NYC comedy community.  (I run BestNewYorkComedy dot com, so speak from an informed place...)  Eisenberg is one of the finest storytellers in the country, and she's been gathering and honing the tales in this book for years.  Like the author, the stories are sharp, funny, humane, endearing, and fearlessly honest.

Few women as brilliant and articulate as Eisenberg write books about being "a slut."  That makes this a rare treat.

As does her describing a first French kiss as being "better than eating bacon on Hanukkah morning."

Right before posting this, I ran across a comment I quite liked by Marion Winik in Newsday: "There are few sentences in this book that aren't funny. Eisenberg remains unapologetic yet lovable all the way through."

This isn't for every taste; prudes will not approve.  But click the "Look Inside" feature above and see if it's for you.
377957
Speculative fiction (rather than Sci-Fi) is how Phil would want you to read that. And, I think he would want you to read this fresh biography, as well. It has been well received and respected by PKD's widow Tessa. Some might wonder why we need another look at PKD's like and so-called problems.

 As an author, Anthony Peake is uniquely qualified to analyze Philip K. Dicks life. Why? Tonys ongoing investigations into metaphysical matters, quantum theory, the pineal gland (aka our third eye), and The Infinite Mindfield (another new book of his) combined with his long-standing interest and investigation of PKD is perfect. it was a natural progression in Peake's writing. In fact, Tony had already devoted the closing chapter of his first book to Phil. That is The Daemon: A Guide to Your Extraordinary Secret Self. While writing his intervening books on life after death and out of body experiences, it became increasingly apparent to Tony that one man had embodied most, if not all, of these high strange experiences. That, of course, was PKD.

In this case you can judge a book by its cover. The layout and organization of this bio is just as appealing beginning with both biography and bibliography of Phils novels in the first section, followed by my favorite partThe Esoteric Explanation. That includes precognition, time theories, the Zero Point Field, Daimonic Duality, and even alien abduction. Part Three is A Neurological Explanation that covers much more than the old saw about insanity or multiple personalities. The book ends with an Epiologue on The Man Behind the Myth.  For the scholars, there are over four hundred endnotes, and a thorough index.

In other words, for anyone who would enjoy knowing more about PKD without reading the 1,000 page Exegesis, this is the fast track to all things Phildickian. Enjoy!!
1901060
Bob, does a great job telling stories. You will be amazed about his life stories in this book.
4196132
As other reviewers have complained, this book is lacking a plot and doesn't have much of a structure.  A reader looking for a a more clear and simplistic Burroughs should try out his pulpish but entertaining _Junkie_  and _Queer_.  These books use an autobiographical format to show the author  falling into a life of drugs and homosexual dependence, which the author  clearly viewed as entrapping and morally wrong, even as he fell into them  and maintained a objective viewpoint.
Naked Lunch takes these themes  and greatly improves them.  After starting with a scene of the protaganist  fleeing the law, it's broken into vaguely related scenes of several pages  each.  These scenes are often bizarre or disgusting, but are always  intriguing.  Taken together, they give an impressionistic look into the  life of an addict.  They are often extremely funny, and the writing is very  impressive.  I enjoy pulp fiction, and Burrough's take at pulp fiction at  the end, with Hauser & O'Brien, is perhaps the strongest piece of  hard-boiled detective writing I've ever read.
Drugs are central to  Burrough's vision, but this isn't really a drug book, either, and is more  about Burrough's compelling if slightly twisted philosophies.  Heroin is  used as a central metaphor for systems of control that Burroughs sees  elsewhere - in domineering characters, in 50's politics, in modern science,  in patriarchies.  If the reader can get past the initial shock of the book,  it's extremely readable and I'd recommend it highly
2143944
One of a kind Man of the Coast with great story telling skills. You will learn a few things too.
1479998
Paul Asay has an entertaining writing style and a unique way of looking at the way he thinks God may speak to man in modern times. I wanted to read his book because I've wondered too why He would only speak to man in ancient times and then seemingly expect us to only relate to old stories and prophecies. Asay surmises that the word of God exists in much of our modern pop culture, that creatures from Godzilla to Gandalf has a story to tell, perhaps more than just a moral of a story. Zombies and the book of Revelations? He thinks there is a connection. He looks at video games and choices, music's ability to sometimes find a way to our very soul. His book is often humorous and to me it was an entertaining read. I think even if a person disagrees with some or most of it, it still gives us something to think about from a philosophical viewpoint.
3122362
I have read Phil's book now two times and still can't wait to read it again. The way the press and some players (TW) have come down on this man. He is in a class with Palmer, Trevino, Watson, Payne Stewart and so on. He is well grounded and puts his friends and family first. Loves to play golf but realizes it is just a game and his wife and kids are more important.

The book makes you feel like you are there, and Phil's narrative makes you fell like your the one making the put.

You will enjoy every page, and like me wish there was more.
1382611
Childs is an amazing story teller, and has the childlike fascination with every little critter and creature that I think we all have.
He brings that child (ha) like enthusiasm for the natural world with a level of knowledge and insight of a wise old man.