All Over But the Shoutin'

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Summary: Brilliantly written and moving
Review: One of my best friends in the world sent me this book as a present; I was so impressed with it that I have ordered it for two of my friends. It is a marvelous, often painful, often funny picture of the journey of an individual, and certainly is one of the better books I have read in a while.

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Summary: I read tons of books, but few as fine as this!
Review: As an author myself I read many books, and an eclectic mix. This was recommended to me and proved even better than the praise that spurred me to open up the first page. It's a real page-turner! Bragg writes with passion and power, with tenderness and clarity. His words rocket you to a territory of feelings and memories. You will never feel the same way about "white trash" again. This book was the highlight of my last vacation. As far as memoirs go, this is the best one I've ever read. Better than Angela's Ashes and others. Don't miss it! I hope Bragg goes to Key West next winter for the writer's conference on memoir writing. He could sure teach us a thing or two!

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Summary: I cried...i revisited my mother in my mind......my home
Review: I saw rick bragg on c-span book review...he interested me but only for comical reasons. I never, never expected to be so knocked on my ass by the story as i read it. I put it down only to cry. After weeping i picked it up again and again until I finished at 2:30 am this morning. I want everyone in the world to read this book. It could only bring goodness into a life. I have recommended it through e-mail, in person in my front yard, at church, and now through this review!!!!!!! For God's sake and your own read this book.

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Summary: I have fallen all over myself recommending this book.
Review: Lately, it seems as though all I do is recommend this book...to friends, family, co-workers, etc. It is one of the most beautifully written pieces I have read in a long time, and I believe that it will continue to be read many years from now. Some other readers who have commented here seem highly critical of what they perceive to be a certain self-agrandizing element to the book, but I don't really see that. Bragg just seems to be telling the story he has to tell in the best way it can be told. And if this includes what could be considered bragging, then so be it. Perhaps it's because I'm from North Alabama, and perhaps it's because I am only one generation removed from a similar sort of rural upbringing, but I found the book to be honest, considerate, and amazingly written. Thanks...ya'll take care.

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Summary: I'm still shoutin' about it.
Review: I read All over in one day, I could not put it down . Yet, when I came to the last but one page I read it three times because I did not want it to end. My life could not be further than Mr Bragg's yet through his words I saw the Red Wings fly, smelt the liquor, and walked the miles in his mothers shoes. There is a line in the the book where he questions his entry into the gates of ST. Peter, you need not worry Mr. Bragg, as we say in England, you've done good my son, you've done good. A truly wonderful book.

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Summary: THE BEST MEMOIR I'VE EVER READ
Review: It is funny and heartbreaking and beautifully written. I loved Bragg's self-deprecation mixed in with his pride. For those who seldom read non-fiction, this is one to be treasured.

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Summary: Southern Writing at its Finest
Review: This memoir is one of the finest books of its kind. Bragg is a smooth, fluent voice of the South. His style is reminiscent of Pat Conroy's at times, especially in his tendency to criticize and respect himself at the same time. His love for his family is fierce. His stories of his childhood are heartbreaking and, at times, hilarious. This is a wonderful book that no one who is a fan of the southern United States should miss.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent, one of the best books I have read in a long time.
Review: I want more just like this one! Good for all ages. Inspirational

Rating:
Summary: Excellent and relevant book. Very well written!
Review: Bragg's memoir is moving and fascinating. His unabashed depiction of life as a poor white boy in the south leaves the reader a better understanding of what it is to be an American. Bragg fearlessly embraces the stereotypes that so typically brand the southern states and forces the reader to see, to feel, even to taste the true humanity, the depth of vitality that is often overlooked in a life of poverty. Bragg lifts the human soul far above the taudry talk-show tell-all mentality so prevalent in this country. He tells the whole truth in a beautiful, sensitive, and deeply vulnerable way, and gives the American people back their dignitiy. A wonderful and realistic story of the search for dreams that is the American way for us all.

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Summary: Only Love Can Break Your Heart
Review: "All Over But The Shoutin" is nothing short of a masterpiece and offers further proof that we are in the midst of a golden age of belles lettres in America. While most reviews have been spot on, a few have insisted that Bragg is egotistical or narcissistic. People, it's a memoir! What the hell do you want? The reason non-fiction has usurped the novel as our source of great literature in the last 10 years is that the wall of privacy which kept all the truth in has broken down. If there's more truth in the memoir than the novel and the style takes your breath away, then who needs thinly disguised roman a clefs? Bragg has the audacity to tell us of his Pulitzer prize? That's like criticizing John Glenn for mentioning that astronaut deal. Give me a break. Must all books about a painful childhood be compared with Angela's Ashes? It seems as though a few readers just couldn't deal with the fact that this undereducated cracker writes all of us under the table. God bless Rick, and give your momma a kiss for me.