Publishers Weekly - Audio
09/29/2014
Longtime CBS Sunday Morning correspondent Bill Geist and his son, Willie, co-host of NBC’s Today and MSNBC’s Morning Joe, demonstrate down-to-earth charm in the audio edition of their book about the ups and downs of father-son relationships. While most of the material centers on lighthearted and irreverent anecdotes about parenting, the elder Geist gracefully transitions to the weighty topics of his experiences during the Vietnam War and his battle with Parkinson’s disease. Bill, whose voice quivers slightly, reveals emotion without descending into gushing sentimentality. The younger Geist projects the “aw shucks” frat boy manner that has made him such a hit with morning viewers in recent years; his natural conversational delivery is well suited to the audiobook medium. Willie brings a whimsical tone to the discussion of careers, admitting that following in his dad’s broadcasting footsteps was tied to a series of happy accidents. Fans of the Geists will relish the opportunity to hear their story in their own words and voices. A Grand Central hardcover. (June)
From the Publisher
"[D]elightful... it is lovely, loving and a must read."—Star-Ledger
"A witty memoir."—Parade
"I loved this book. It's no surprise the Geists have such broad appeal. I want them to be my dad and brother."—Jim Gaffigan, author of New York Times bestseller Dad Is Fat
"Bill and Willie are the wittiest duo I know. Their stories are hilarious. Reading this book made me feel like I grew up a Geist!"—Andy Cohen, host of Bravo's Watch What Happens: Live and author of New York Times bestseller Most Talkative
Andy Cohen
"Bill and Willie are the wittiest duo I know. Their stories are hilarious. Reading this book made me feel like I grew up a Geist!"
Jim Gaffigan
"I loved this book. It's no surprise the Geists have such broad appeal. I want them to be my dad and brother."
AUGUST 2014 - AudioFile
Reading alternate segments filled with understated humor, two engaging broadcast celebrities deliver well-written, wry accounts of their lives together as father and son. The younger Geist, Willie, the smooth and secure “Morning Joe” cohost, performs his part of the book flawlessly as he shares his youthful adventures, his lifelong appreciation of his father, and some fascinating stories about his current family life and television career. The elder Geist, Bill, an equally funny writer, gives a performance that is just as spontaneous and genuine in his sections of the book. His delivery will remind many of the late Andy Rooney. The audio is a satisfying, entertaining look at a great father-son connection, and a refreshing reminder that TV stars can be warm and generous human beings. T.W. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2014-04-22
Two veteran raconteurs face off to cover over four decades of family myths and legends.Co-host of NBC's Today 9 a.m. hour and MSNBC's Morning Joe, Willie Geist (American Freak Show: The Completely Fabricated Stories of Our New National Treasures, 2010, etc.) joins his father, columnist and TV journalist Bill Geist (Way Off the Road: Discovering the Peculiar Charms of Small Town America, 2007, etc.) in canonizing both great and not-so-great moments in parenting and coming-of-age. The authors banter back and forth in their discussions of everything from a nonexistent father-son sex talk to Willie's summer camp to coaching Little League. Then there are the tales of underage drinking, how to cook up a fake ID, the family's Elvis cult and an uncle's/brother's pharmacopeia perfectly timed for special events. As in most families, there is one car handed down through the generations, in this case, a Jeep CJ-7. The authors interleave the chapters with sidebars entitled "Geist Date in History" that highlight small events that bear marking—e.g., the day Willie met Donald Trump. Willie also includes a previously published story about taking his daughter to a Columbia University football game. The Geist family, the authors note, often perform rites of passage late, so this book is a chance "to cover our father-son bases retroactively." It's clear most of these stories have been told countless times; they're practiced and well-paced. However, new material about Bill's Vietnam tour and his battle with Parkinson's disease contain further revelations and have not been polished over the family dinner table. A strong father-son relationship shines through.Heavy on bad-boy behavior and sports, the book should come with a six-pack of cheap beer. A quick read that is not for everyone.
