Oh, the Things I Know!: A Guide to Success, or, Failing That, Happiness

By Al Franken

Book Overview

The classic New York Times bestseller by Senator Al Franken, author of Giant of the Senate

Senator Al Franken, or Dr. Al Franken, as he prefers to be called, has written the first truly indispensable book of the new millennium. Filled with wisdom, observations, and practical tips you can put to work right away, Oh, the Things I Know is a cradle-to-grave guide to living, an easy-to-follow user's manual for human existence.

What does a megasuccess like Al Franken--bestselling author, Emmy-award winning television star, sitting U.S. Senator, and honorary Ph.D.--have to say to ordinary people like you? Well, as Dr. Al himself says, "There's no point in getting advice from hopeless failures."

Join Mr. Franken--sorry, Dr. Franken--on a journey that will take you from your first job ("Oh, Are You Going to Hate Your First Job "), through the perils and pitfalls of your twenties and thirties ("Oh, the Person of Your Dreams vs. the Person You Can Actually Attract "), into the joys of marriage and parenthood ("Oh, Just Looking at Your Spouse Will Make Your Skin Crawl "), all the way to the golden years of senior citizenship ("Oh, the Nursing Home You'll Wind Up In "). Don't travel life's lonesome highway by yourself. Take Al Franken along, if not as an infallible guide, then at least as a friend who will make you laugh.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0452284503
• ISBN13: 9780452284500
• Release Date: March 2003
• Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.2" x 7.4"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Oh, the review I've written!

"Oh, the Things I Know!", by Al Franken, bears the subtitle: "A Guide to Success, Or, Failing That, Happiness." This book is a hilarious parody of the genre of book that offers the reader advice for good living. In the course of the text Franken particularly singles out two contributors to the genre--Anna Quindlen and Maria Shriver--for mockery.Franken covers a wide range of life experiences: sex, drugs, religion, marriage, parenthood, finances, volunteerism, etc. Along the way he pokes fun at many targets: commencement addresses, Oprah's Book Club, the Enron scandal, etc. Both brainy and playfully vulgar, he's not afraid to hit below the belt--or go for the jugular. His prose style is mischievous and engaging, yet drips with sarcasm.The chapters have such amusing titles as "Oh, the Weight You Will Gain!" and "Oh, the People You'll Sue!" This book made me laugh out loud several times. In fact, at one point I laughed so hard I nearly fell down and injured myself. And that's probably the best praise one can give to a book like this.

Hilarious!

This book made me laugh at least five and a half times every page and a quarter, which is a remarkable achievement. It's a great read from front to back or in any other pattern of your own personal design. Truly a funny book!

Belly Laughs In Every Paragraph!

This book is one of the funniest books I have ever read. Al Franken is hysterical...Every page had me laughing out loud! It is the best spoof on an advice book...as he calls it "A cradle to grave guide for the human existance". I just finished it this second, and want everyone I know to read it, because I want them to have that wonderful feeling of laughing their way through an entire book. Fabulous!!!!!

Funny and satirical

Al Farnken writes another great book, this time a take-off of self-help books. Though some may be disappointed that the book is not as political as his others, it still a strong laugh. You should read this if you want a good time.