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: One of my favorites
Review: A book that I have read no less than 10 times. It's entertaining and insightful and really a timeless story (although part of its charm is the historical information it provides too). It deals with subjects like family closeness, female empowerment, importance of education, and the loss of a loved one, all with humorous anecdotes and touching stories. As a book that I read both as a child and an adult, I was suprised at things I had missed (or where over my head) in past reads and how much I still enjoyed it.

Rating:
Summary: Cheaper by the Dozen
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 outstanding ethics and a casual historic format (the book was based off of a true story). 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, trail 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 "whistle 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 families was through good and hard times. Emotions portrayed played a large role in the theme of the story and added much to the end product.

Experiences of the Gilbreth family were spectacular and gave the book a large amount of character and individuality. Though there were several events throughout the story that I could relate to the incidents which I couldn't relate to were fun to learn about. Throughout the plot I was constantly entertained by the idea of having 11 siblings, which I have obviously never experienced before. The aspect of unusual experiences added an unexpected flavor to the book and gave it a stand out quality. At one point in the book the family was taking a road trip and was mistaken for an orphanage because of their uniform behavior and the families reaction added comedy to the scene that made it unforgettable. Often in the story the authors would give many examples and details giving the reader an inclusive feel that you don't often find with books. The addition to the book of multiple experiences, some out of the ordinary and others everyday, put a positive influence on the book Cheaper by the Dozen.

Originality was the part of the text that made the book irresistible, the type of book that you can't put down. 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, contraire 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. This book comes highly recommended from me to anyone who has a desire to read something worthwhile and wholesome with a flare of comedy.

Rating:
Summary: One of my favorites
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: It's still really funny
Review: I was watching the attractions for the Steve Martin version of Cheaper By the Dozen and thinking that it looks like the only element they kept from the book was the title and having 12 kids. I really haven't read the book since..... 6th grade? It was my favorite book then. I decided to re read it and it's still really funny. I mean laugh out loud funny. The rest is a charming look at life in a different time.

It's just a wonderful story about Frank and Lillian Gilbreth (I believe he started motion study and invented touch typing, she was a psychologist) and their 12 children growing up around the turn of the century everything in the household is about learning and responsibilty to gently instill responsible behavior in the children as they grow to adulthood. That said I really loved the bit where the wife leaves him with the kids and when she returnes he says he only had problems with that one over there, but I spanked him and that worked it all out and she says he's not one of theirs.

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.