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Growing up in a small town always comes with interesting stories, but when you add growing up in a family of ten children to that, things go from interesting to hilarious in a hurry. The author shares a selection of tales in this pseudo-autobiography, ranging from reports of classic pranks that he and his siblings would pull on each other to local hijinx and high school humiliation in the town of Carmel, Indiana. The stories are spread out chronologically, beginning with childhood stories about household pets and the mystical allure of Christmas and ending with a long tale about a dream golfing trip in the United Kingdom that was equal parts fascinating and frustrating. The details may not always be entirely accurate, but this author knows when to ignore the facts in the name of good storytelling.
Combining both an autobiography with a humor book, the author delivers on both fronts. There are plenty of glimpses into what it was like growing up in a Midwestern small town in the 1950s and 60s, with many stories contained within the family that could just as easily happen in modern times. Written with entertainment first in mind, each story in this collection is packed with jokes, humorous observation, and clever turns of phrase. Audiences young and old can enjoy this friendly, disarming comedy without having to have lived it or been a part of the author's family. Combining Americana and self-deprecating humor is a winning recipe for entertainment, and this book accomplishes that feat better than many of its peers.