All Over But the Shoutin'

Rating:
Summary: I love this book
Review: While reading "Shoutin" I wanted to get in my car and drive to Alabama/Georgia. My parents were from Kentucky, though I never lived there. They dragged me all over the place, then settled in Louisiana (well, Mama settled in Louisiana, Daddy never settled). The first time I heard bluegrass on the radio I had a Steve Marin like experience in the "The Jerk" when he could tap his foot to "white" music. Then I realized I knew many of the songs by heart because my father had sung them a million times. I was connected to that music by blood or bone or simply spirt. I had that same experience reading this book, but I felt more than connected, I felt related. I cannot wait to read "Ava's Man" because Rick Bragg's writing is honest and beautiful, heart wrenching and hilarious.

Rating:
Summary: Made me feel good about coming home
Review: An inspiring guy. He tells the story of his rise from poverty. From a childhood in rural Alabama during which his uneducated mother washed and ironed clothes so that she could afford to provide her sons with things her welfare check couldn't... Through his first writing job with a small town newspaper... To begging his mama to fly to the big city to watch him accept his Pulitzer Prize.

Being a Southerner who has lived away from home myslef, reading this book made me feel better about coming back to the comforts of home and the South.

Rating:
Summary: disappointing
Review: After all the hype, I really expected to enjoy this. It was same ole same ole throughout the book: boy can't forgive father, noble mother, etc. But, this was a welfare mom who could have worked and didn't.

Rating:
Summary: Felt right at home with this book
Review: Although being from Texas, I am the same approximate age as the author. This story could have been about any rural family where I grew up. The same pride, the same poverty, the same aspirations were all there. I felt the same feelings and attitudes that were so well depicted in this story. Great stuff from where I come from

Rating:
Summary: All Over But The Shoutin'
Review: What is not to love about this book?!! Rick Bragg is by far my favorite Author and I hope to see more from him soon! All Over But The Shoutin' encompasses Southern life for the good and the not so good with honesty, clarity and a charm that only someone from the South or having lived there (as I was fortunate enough to do, in Birmingham, for 4 years) can truly understand. Rick's depiction of his Mother reminded me of so many of the Southern women I met during my years there...a nurturing, strong soul who will love you to death with Southern cooking, yet God help you if you mess with one of her "babies"! And also men who have little to say, but break their backs to support their families as Rick described his eldest brother. As a Northerner, I felt ashamed at the truth in Rick's words when discussing the scoffing by "Yankees" at Southerners building a porch onto their mobile homes.
To miss this book is to miss out on a culture that is unique and solidly its own. Rick's style of writing will make you fall in love with the South over and over again.

Rating:
Summary: Well worth reading and recommending!
Review: Being from the South, I related so well to this book. Rick Bragg has mastered the written word. I laughed out loud on one page and then choked back tears on another. Beautiful and poignant; a true pleasure to read. I am so glad that Mr. Bragg cleansed himself by writing his story down. I look forward to reading Ava's Man.

Rating:
Summary: Simply Stupendous
Review: Truly one of the finest books I've read in years. Bragg's style is a treat, transporting you right to his hometown without a ticket. I enjoyed his use of language almost more than the story itself. While other reviewers have balked at his boasting about his Pulitzer Prize win, it is clearly well deserved and he's earned the right to pat himself on the back. Be patient through that section -- the payoff of his mother's reaction and participation is a delight. Enjoy this book for what it is -- a fun read that won't change your life, but might make you call your mother and say thanks.

Rating:
Summary: All Over But the Praisin'
Review: What a great book. If you or someone close grew up in the poor South, this book is for you. Bragg recounts his life growing up in Alabama with his brothers, mother, and absentee father. He tells us about his path in writing that led him to the New York Times, where he won the Pulitzer Prize. It is a touching story because of his obvious love for his mother and the struggle she had to endure her whole life. The story has a melancholy undertone, due to the expectation that something bad is just over the hill in his professional life or with his loved family members. We also get some anecdotes about his grandparents, but those are relatively sparse and told better in his next book, Ava's Man, which is also a buy. I couldn't help but think of my own mother, her siblings, and her parents while I read this. The struggles were similar and the characters were recognizable. He really knows the South and the people who made it what is was.

Rating:
Summary: Southern Literature
Review: All Over but the Shoutin is a memoir of Rick Bragg's life. The purpose of this memoir is for Rick Bragg to find himself and who he really is as a person. He also writes about his mother's struggles as a single mother in the south.

This book was very well written. Rick Bragg used this book to discover himself. The use of the five senses was magical.It was almost as if you experienced the same things Bragg experienced. Bragg made me think of my life as I grew up in the South.

This book deserves a thumbs up! I would consider this as a good read. Many people can relate to the stories that Bragg tells because they have lived them also.

Rating:
Summary: Too much "Bragg"ing
Review: All Over But the Shoutin' is an autobiography in which Bragg tells the story of growing up in a poor home with no memories of a father, but a mother who sacrificed everything for her children. His story proves that he made something of himself despite his past. The book is written to honor his mother for all her hard work and sacrifices.
Bragg has an interesting writing style. He uses alliteration throughout the book. When describing certain situations, Bragg uses all five senses to describe the setting and atmosphere. Unbeknownst to the reader, Bragg continually uses the same few words to open several consecutive paragraphs. He goes into great detail in his writing; his writing style is the best part of the book.
Bragg is very arrogant in his writing. With all the things he has been through and overcome, he has the right boast about his accomplishments. He just takes his boasting over the top. I respect the fact that Bragg worked his way up from a hometown newspaper to the New York Times. He overcame many obstacles, including being told he would never become a good writer. He just brags a little too much for my taste.
I would recommend this book for ages eighteen and over. I give this book one thumb up and one thumb down. I give the writing style and the first part of the book the thumbs up. The book is good up to the point when Bragg gets a job at the New York Times. The thumbs down is due to all of the arrogance coming from Bragg. His intentions for the book are good; however, the arrogance turned me away.