Porching: A Humorous Look at America's Favorite Pastime

By John Buchino

Book Overview

This quirky cultural criticism extols the value of relaxing, retreating, and watching the world whiz by from a specific vantage point: the American porch. While taking life a little slower offers such... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0972399267
• ISBN13: 9780972399265
• Release Date: September 2003
• Publisher: Minerva Books, LLC
• Length: 80 Pages
• Weight: 0.74 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 7.2" x 7.4"

Customer Reviews

Delightful, entertaining extended essay

This is a delightful book about a family tradition observed in my home when I was growing up. The front porch always had a collection of chairs, and there were occasions when additional chairs had to be brought from inside because there were so many individuals participating in the porching!! I am well aware of the value of family and neighborhood visiting. It is a marvelous leisure activity and this book does a good job of presenting the delights and attractive aspects of this old fashioned hobby.

For Porchers Across the Country

I found this humourous look at "porching" to be very witty and informative. Who knew America's Favorite Pastime has been documented throughout history, back to the ancient Romans and Greeks? The photography is spectacular; a documentation of porching in its own right. Porching, according to the author, influences every aspect of life, from courting to relaxing to managing family relationships. I have never read a more enjoyable book on the subject. This is truly a book for everyone to relish, young and old, while doing what Americans enjoy most: porching.

great coffee table book

Anyone who has ever stepped out onto a porch to eat an icecream cone and with good company is going to enjoy this book.Dr. Buchino's musings on the leisurely activity are well orchestrated throughout "Porching." No, he's not advocating sloth. Rather, he's meerly encouraging you to rethink the best way to spend the limited number of heartbeats you have left. And in a light-hearted, witty way. Buchino lends his advice on why you should porch, porching and love, and the overall medical soundness of porching. Quotes like "I porch, therefore I am" should inspire you to go out on your porch and nap the afternoon away.The good doctor's brother, another Dr. Buchino, has provided more than 20 vivid photographs of porches, stoops, gazebos, etc. from around the country. Kathy Finnegan's illustrations are the perfect compliment to the humorous text. Overall, it's a wonderful comentary. For the $20 price tag (even better when discounted), it's a great book to leave on your coffee table (I've had several guests flip through it and smile since I got my copy in September). It also makes a great gift for Christmas, Chanukah, Fathers Day, or birthdays.