Gumption : relighting the torch of freedom with America's gutsiest troublemakers

In Gumption Nick Offerman exposes that it was the writers on Parks & Rec. that made him funny. For a comedic actor he had very few jokes, I will tell them now so you don't have to read this book: 1.) I'm not saying he's not a free mason 2.) Oh look it is a black guy. 3.) Oh look it is a lady.

And some of those he says more than once.

In addition for a guy who goes on about how we need to see the best in both sides, that all of the politicians are all the same, for some reason he thinks Obama is different, he then goes on to spout Democrat talking points for the rest of the book: the second amendment is for hunting (much life your right to keep and bare a fishing pole); unless tax payers foot the bill for killing babies we are inhuman monsters; America is the greatest country in the world; and perhaps the most out of touch parents should buy their kids a house when they graduate high school.

Not worth reading.

I picked this up because I love American history and thought Nick Offerman might have a unique take. Unfortunately, the book spent more time expounding on Nick Offerman's opinions than it did on history or even the opinions of the people he was supposedly lauding.

My biggest problem is that he sees things in black and white. If people use modern technology more often than he chooses to, those people are wrong to be so dependent on gadgets. He doesn't seem willing to acknowledge that people can have different preferences and priorities without causing harm to society as we know it.

He also took a very one-sided view of his subjects. He completely ignored very serious flaws so he could present them as model Americans and that didn't sit well with me. It would have been more honest to acknowledge their faults but explain why he admired them anyway.

This wasn't the book for me and Nick Offerman isn't a writer I enjoy reading.

To quote Conan, who made this assessment about Nick Offerman's inimitable wife Megan Mullally, "I would listen to her read from the Yellow Pages and all for an encore." While absolutely true about Mullally, I'd like to add that this statement - pronouns appropriately changed - is equally true about her estimable husband, at least in my book. Nick Offerman's sweet, syrupy voice could make the most monotonous of subjects enjoyable.

This book is especially delightful however. I'll admit that I listened to this one on audiobook but I don't regret that decision one bit. Listening to Offerman wax poetic on his favorite Americans was a truly pleasurable and mind-expanding experience. I learned me things about people I too admitted greatly, but more surprising was how easily Offerman could convince me to think differently about people for whom I had once held nothing but disdain. (I'm looking at you, Yoko...)

I plan on buying this beautiful tome to add to my library, but before you do the same I encourage you first to listen to Nick Offerman read it to you himself. Especially if you have as deep a respect for Amy Poehler, "Parks and Rec" and Ron Swanson as I do. Your life will never be the same.