kelseywaters's review against another edition
5.0
This book was magic to me the first time I read it as a kid and I felt the magic again this time. It made me want to become an efficiency manager when I was younger. I still have some of the time-saving task lists from that time, inspired by Frank Gilbrith. I loved reading about how this family operated. Such a happy and nostalgic book.
saram84's review against another edition
3.0
The authors Frank and Ernestine are two of the older siblings in the dozen of kids in the Gilbreth family. This memoir tells many stories about what it was like to live a chaotic life with a huge family. The stories range from leaving a child at a restaurant, looks and comments they received from strangers, and how the household managed with so many kids. The book overall is mostly lighthearted and tells the adventures of the family as the kids go through school and grow up.
I was probably not the ideal reader for this book. I feel most readers who had a huge family will find similarities and identify with the characters. Another friendly note, the book is nothing like the films that were created. I somewhat prefer the movies. This will probably go into the free little library near my house for someone else to enjoy.
I was probably not the ideal reader for this book. I feel most readers who had a huge family will find similarities and identify with the characters. Another friendly note, the book is nothing like the films that were created. I somewhat prefer the movies. This will probably go into the free little library near my house for someone else to enjoy.
sarahglabb's review against another edition
3.0
This book should have been funny. I think that I wasn't in the right mood to read the book. I don't know. However, the book wasn't horrible or great but okay. And according to Goodreads that is a three star rating and that is what it is getting.
I think part of the problem is that I just didn't find some of the stuff funny because it was a different time period.
I think part of the problem is that I just didn't find some of the stuff funny because it was a different time period.
briarsreviews's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
2.0
I grew up loving the Cheaper by the Dozen movie. Steve Martin and Hilary Duff? It was a dream team for me in my youth. I found this book while out thrifting for books and figured that I needed to read the source content. Well, let me tell ya, this book is not based on some fun 1990s/2000s family - it was published in 1948 and based on the authors' childhood!
The story is amazing - twelve kids and how they all got along in the world - but boy... it wasn't the easiest read. It's an old biography and it was well written but it just... didn't work for me. I'm not sure what I was expecting, honestly. It just didn't work for me. The movie was definitely better in my eyes, but that's because it's a loose adaptation. The 1920s was a different time from now so it's very cringey.
Regardless, a very interesting read.
Two out of five stars.
The story is amazing - twelve kids and how they all got along in the world - but boy... it wasn't the easiest read. It's an old biography and it was well written but it just... didn't work for me. I'm not sure what I was expecting, honestly. It just didn't work for me. The movie was definitely better in my eyes, but that's because it's a loose adaptation. The 1920s was a different time from now so it's very cringey.
Regardless, a very interesting read.
Two out of five stars.
kricketa's review against another edition
4.0
Tiny Kricket was very into this book, and it was fun to re-read a few decades later. I would add a trigger warning for a horrifying minstrel "comedy" routine at the end of the book which went right over my head as a kid.
cajunliterarybelle's review against another edition
4.0
A heart-warming story full of laughs about a family bursting at the seams. I can hardly imagine growing up in a household like that. The chaos must've been crazy with never a dull moment. Likely things felt crowded at times, but always having someone who cares about you nearby could be nice. That two of the elder Gilbreths were open enough to share their family experience with the world is wonderful.
darbar's review against another edition
I just hated the dad and how full of himself the author was.
kerstiejo's review against another edition
5.0
A very delightful book! Too funny! One of my new favorites!
missamandamae's review against another edition
5.0
Another re-read --- One of my childhood favorites. Felt great to revisit it! Yeah, don't bother with the Steve Martin movie. This is the humorous account of a real family and their bigger-than-life daddy they dearly loved. My mom and her sisters grew up loving this book, and my siblings and I grew up loving this book. If you ever wanted to know how a large loving family functions with mostly sanity, this is the book for you. And the story isn't complete without following up with Belles on Their Toes!