Cheaper by the Dozen

Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: "Cheaper by the Dozen" is a book full of warmth, love, admiration, and grief. A warning: this is nothing like the 2003 movie "Cheaper by the Dozen." The only common theme is the 12 children. This story will remind you of your childhood days, if you grew up in a large family, or will remind you of one of your parents (or just make you yearn for a large family). Told in a random autobiographical format, you'll be taken through certain highlights of this family's life. What makes it a bigger treasure is that it is told by two of the Gilbreth children. If you're a fan of "Life with Father," then you'll love this story. It's a snappy read, and one that should be read together by families. The last chapter is sad, and a depressing note to end on. Nonetheless, the entire time you're reading this book, you'll have a smile on your face, and a few laughs. I recommend.

Rating:
Summary: Cheaper by the Dozen-- Honors English fifth period!
Review: Cheaper by the Dozen, written by Frank Gilbreth Jr. and Ernstine Gilbreth Carey, was published in 1963. I found this charming story to be captivating, motivational, heartwarming, and humorous. It was written with a casual historic format. It was based on a true story and reflected outstanding personal ethics. The story was coiled around the father of twelve children, Frank Gilbreth Sr., who was in the business of "motion study" which he was very good at. Motion study was said to be finding the way to make-work quicker and more efficient. The day that Frank had proudly taken his wife's hand in marriage he had told her that he wanted to have 12 children, 6 boys and 6 girls. The tale was a telling of how the young couple got to that point and what happened from there. Three of this books main aspects which added to its splendor were the emotions portrayed, the experiences shared with the reader, and the originality of the whole anecdote. I would easily recommend this story of family love, hardships and success to any person.

This book was an emotional story of a large family and its path. I found there to be many emotions that were experienced while reading the book. Many emotions were such that made you react and think. Frank had a very evident pride of his family which was touching to the reader and showed much character. This was shown more than once when he had a business partner over and "whistled assembly" to show how fast his children could present themselves. The ending was a sad and unexpected one that didn't give an immediate positive impression on the book. The ending, which I will not give away, was shocking to me but it caused a realization of how strong and together the family was through good and bad times. The emotions portrayed by the characters played a large role in the theme of the story and added much to the end product.

Individuality and character were expressed by the Gilbreth families' experiences. The occasions that I couldn't relate that I read about to were fun to learn about. For example, I was constantly entertained by the idea of having 11 siblings, which I have never experienced. The aspect of unusual experiences added an unexpected flavor to the book and gave it a stand out quality. Often in the story the authors would write many examples and details giving the reader an inclusive feel, like you're actually experiencing the event, that you don't often find with books. The addition to the book of multiple incidents, some out of the ordinary and others everyday, put a positive influence on the book Cheaper by the Dozen.

What made the book irresistible for me was its originality. It made it into the type of book that you have to keep reading. You can't put it down until you're finished. Several times I found myself being amazed at the setting of the story. It was so different in every way that it was for me contrary to everyday life. Another aspect of the story was that the authors were so open and detailed in their writing that the reader felt compelled to learn more about the family and what they are like now. The quality of originality found in this book has caused the book to stand out in my mind, and alter my actions for the better in areas such as time management. If the book had been blasé it would not have been the success that it truly was.

Cheaper by the Dozen was a humorous story that was a joy to read and share with others. The book, contrary to others that I have read, was entertaining. I walked away feeling as if I had received advice from a close relative who had an interesting tale to tell. The last several lines of the book, where a reporter asked Frank Gilbreth Sr. why he wanted to save time and what he used his spare time for, really caused me to react emotionally because they put a finishing coat on the book that couldn't have been done better. This book comes highly recommended from me to anyone who has a desire to read something worthwhile and wholesome with a flare of comedy.

This is what Frank Gilbreth Sr. said in reply to the reporter's question:
"For work, if you love that best...For education, for beauty, for art, for pleasure...For mumblety-peg, if that's where your heart lies."

Rating:
Summary: What a great book!
Review: CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN

Format: Paperback,1st ed., 180 pages ISBN: 0553272500 Publisher: Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Younger Readers Pub. Date: February 1981 Other Formats: Hardback Recommended Age:Third grade and up

Wonderful...Once you start to read the first page you wont be able to put the book down. This perfect way to spend a rainy day. You will be very amused when you read about the hilarious events of the Gilbreth family. The family of twelve children have many adventures you will enjoy reading. The father is almost crazy and a very successful business man. He is very strict and overprotective. He won't let his daughters wear make up or dress the way they like to. They slowly change his mind and begin to dress their way. He thinks his children can do anything and is also believed he could do anything. He loved jokes and laughing and you will love the practical jokes they play on each other. The rich family loves to go to movies then out for ice cream. They also spend their summers at the beach, where their Dad forces them to learn to swim. He wants them to learn as much as possible about everything so he always finds a way to teach them new things. As an efficiency expert he made sure that everything was done in a time efficient way. It was a sin to waste time in the Gilbreth house and he was constantly coming up with new ways to save time. The Dad in the story liked to parade around and show off his kids. Although this was embarassing to some of the kids as they got older Dad found it hilarious. The mother also was sometimes embarrassed or insulted by the attention they got or the comments other people made. This book will keep you laughing right up to the last chapter when Dad dies. The book is a mixture of humor and then sadness at the ending. This is an excellent book that everybody should read. I recommend this book for anyone that knows how to read no matter how old or young!

Dina Bastianini, Pine-Richland High School

Rating:
Summary: I loved this book!
Review: I just finished reading it ten minutes ago! I loved it! It has changed my life. I hope I can have such awesome experiences with my own five children! What an amazing family! Truly uplifting and inspiring! I will definitely read it again and again.

Rating:
Summary: Cheaper by the Dozen
Review: What do you get when you put together 12 children and a mother and father? You get a heart warming tale about a family of fourteen living in the late nineteen twenties, who deals with the struggles that all families go through. The father is in motion study, which means he makes ways to do everyday stuff faster. The mother is a psychiatrist. It's great and funny story for all ages to read and enjoy, and anyone with a big or little family can find something to relate to the things that happen in the book. I would recommend that everybody read this book. I would give this book a four and a half star rating.