In the Event of My Untimely Demise: Twenty Things My Son Needs to Know

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, he: Gives the skinny on relationships--don't let the woman you love wander alone in France Commiserates about the death of the meritocracy--wanting to sing doesn't mean you can Recounts his awkward entry into fatherhood--you'll overcome your aversion to poo Offers firsthand advice--avoid any bipolar lady with a drug-sniffing wonder-cat And argues that the Empire State Building is not a phallic symbol--no matter what the professor said Every 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.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 006137430X
• ISBN13: 9780061374302
• Release Date: April 2008
• Publisher: HarperOne
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.3" x 0.8" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

My Husband (Who Hates to Read) Loved It!

We have a 14-month-old son, and I bought this for my husband to read on vacation. He generally isn't a reader, but I thought I would give it a shot. He loved it! I think this may be the first book he has read cover-to-cover in 10 years. I myself have not yet read it, but plan to.

This book makes me giggle in bed.

For the past few nights, I've annoyed my husband by busting out laughing while reading this book. Brian is a funny writer with a clever book that's more memoir than advice book, though I will save mine for my boys for when they're old enough to read about Irish pubs and French stalkers.

You know it's good when you laugh ...

... so hard on the subway that people are looking at you. 'Tis true. The even better part of this book, is that it is very very touching. It's so good that I've been reading it aloud to friend who have already bought it. Bravo!

Hilarity ensues the moment you open the cover...

"In the Event of My Untimely Demise: Twenty Things My Son Needs to Know" is a laugh a minute (or second, depending on whether or not you're speed-reading). For anyone who's ever read Mr. Sack's blog, banterist dot com, or seen any of his commentaries on The Glenn Beck Program, you won't be disappointed by his first book. It seems that whatever Brian Sack touches is comedy gold (he even co-produced, of all things, a comedy-documentary, "Johnny Berlin"). I highly recommend this book. It may yet become my third favorite piece of comedic writing behind Steve Martin's shamefully out-of-print "Cruel Shoes, and Woody Allen's "Without Feathers."

Brian Sack is a FUNNY, FUNNY MAN (smart too !)

I've got to say that since I don't have children I wondered if a book like this could be interesting to me. Brian's writing style made it enjoyable, educational and funny all at the same time. This book isn't just for his son, it should be read by every oxygen breathing human...this is a book more on common sense than raising a son. Young, old, man or woman, everyone should read this book and tell their friends !! I can't wait for the next book !!