Babyhood

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Summary: Funny, indeed... but not as engaging as I expected
Review: I can't say that Paul Reiser's book on babies (making them and having them), "Babyhood", was bad or dull. On the contrary, it was quite funny and packed with thought-provoking comments that make you question some of your irrational behaviors as you're going through the stages of parenthood , both before and after birth. However, I expected a lot more humor from the star and producer of 'Mad About You', arguably one of the best comedy shows ever, along with 'Seinfeld'. On that level, I must recommend as an alternative (a non-stop laughter generator) the book "Being a Dad: The Stuff No One Told Me". I read it shortly before "Babyhood". Though not as deep as this one in some spots, I found it to be a lot funnier than Reiser's.

Rating:
Summary: one of the funniest books i've read in a while
Review: I have just finished reading Paul Reisers' book Babyhood. I think that he can hit the nail right on the head everytime. It truly shows how every "maybe baby?" parent does feel and how everyone goes through the ups and downs of it all. But he has definatly given the book his own brand of humor. Espically the lists of after you bring baby home what might happen. I did not stop laughing through the whole chapter. For anyone that is thinking of having a baby or has one I believe they would be able to relate and just enjoy the wacky humor of the whole book. Once again he has shown how he can relate to other people whether he is trying to or not. I give this book a 9 it is definatly one of the funniest I have read in a while.

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Summary: "This book is hilarious and a great sequel to Couplehood!"
Review: I was watching Rosie O'Donnell the night Paul Reiser was on, and I saw THE BOOK. A week later I bought the book and as I have never done before read the whole thing at once. This book gives a closer look at parenting from a whole new angle. It keeps your attention and time flys by. His words like "the Gendlemans" are hilarious. I would rate this book an infinite if I could!

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Summary: Babyhood helped me find the the little Dad inside me.
Review: My love affair with Paul Reiser's prose started with his debut, "Couplehood". I've recited his "What's for dinner, honey" bit from that gem at countless seminars. My colleagues love it! Well lucky for us Paul Reiser freaks, the laughs don't stop in the Large Print Edition of Babyhood. Once again, Paul Reiser delivers the comedic, heartfelt goods. Brutally honest, full of magical moments, and with a fine bold print that's not afraid to say "Look at me, I'm LARGE PRINT and proud of it." Paul, if you're reading this, thank you for once again dipping in to the beautiful well that is your mind and producing this wonderful, sweet book. And also for not forgetting us folks who enjoy LARGE PRINT.

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Summary: Everything you need to know...
Review: Paul Reiser encapsulates the experience of having your first child perfectly. My wife and I had a little boy 4 months ago and are going through, or have gone through, everything that Reiser describes in hilarious detail. I consider this to be one of the funniest books I have ever read. Reiser is particularily adept at pointing out the funny things that a new parent thinks about and is traumatized by. I laughed out loud until my stomach hurt when he described what the baby is thinking and would be saying if they could talk...mainly because I had the same ideas!! I think that is the essence of why this book is such a great read. It speaks to the everyday, normal person and their experiences. If you have, or about to have, or know someone who has, or is about to have their first child...you must read this book!!!!

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Summary: Even the Book Jacket is Funny
Review: Paul Reiser wrote his own blurb on the inside of the book jacket for Parenthood, comparing his book with other parenting books. Other parenting books may tell you how to have a happy and healthy pregnancy, how to care for a newborn, and may give you first aid information you could use in an emergency, he says. In his book, though, you get to read about how tired he is plus there are some entertaining anecdotes about baby waste.

The book itself is painfully funny, perfectly capturing the sleepless nights and bewilderment of new parenthood. In the chapter called "Things to Worry About" Reiser lists all the myriad worries that come along when you bring a new baby home, for example that you could make him wave to someone who doesn't wave back, thus traumatizing him for life. In the chapter "I've Never Been This Tired, Ever" Reiser states that he'd do twenty years of diaper changes if you could guarantee him a solid eight hours of sleep a night for those twenty years. Not only do these phenomena have an effect on you as a parent, but also as a member of a couple, and Reiser perfectly describes the decimation a baby can wreak on a heretofore healthy relationship.

I read this book when my first child was two months old and literally laughed until tears rolled down my cheeks. I re-read it recently now that my oldest is 2 and I have another infant, and I find it just as apt. If you're a parent, don't miss it.