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A review by xeni
Presto! How I Made Over 100 Pounds Disappear and Other Magical Tales by Penn Jillette
5.0
Wow, what a fun book to read. I didn't know much about Penn Jillette before I started this, and I can firmly say I know far too much now. And yet, it was a wild and whacky journey that I really enjoyed reading about.
I am really happy that he still had this great learning moment so late in his life. It gives me a deeper feeling of how life is still worth living, no matter what age is on the clock. Not to mention, his book so eloquently shows how turning over a new health leaf is never too late, even if you're almost 60 and have a prognosis of only a few years left to live.
In a way I wish that Penn wasn't quite so forthcoming with his opinions on politics and other more sensitive topics, as I would love to recommend this book to certain family members and friends, but I know they would throw out the baby with the bathwater after being confronted with certain ideas. Well, perhaps one day they would also be more open. I will keep my own mind open, and keep talking to them regardless. We can all be healthier and happier, but it doesn't mean there's one route for everyone.
That all said, I do recommend this book to everyone. It's a fun read, and I certainly felt myself drawn into his crazy life. Not to mention, I think there's something you can find on common ground with Penn, even if other ideas throw you off. For example, we both really dislike pears. Fuck pears. As Penn puts it: "I went to the fruit tray and grabbed a pear. It was sweet and juicy with a pleasing texture. This is how they fuck you: with this pear in my mind, I’m supposed to say, “I love pears, I’m going to eat them all the time,” and then with pleasant anticipation grab my next pear—and it’s sour or dry or mealy or rotten, and all the pears laugh at me. Fuckers." I have to totally agree.
I am really happy that he still had this great learning moment so late in his life. It gives me a deeper feeling of how life is still worth living, no matter what age is on the clock. Not to mention, his book so eloquently shows how turning over a new health leaf is never too late, even if you're almost 60 and have a prognosis of only a few years left to live.
In a way I wish that Penn wasn't quite so forthcoming with his opinions on politics and other more sensitive topics, as I would love to recommend this book to certain family members and friends, but I know they would throw out the baby with the bathwater after being confronted with certain ideas. Well, perhaps one day they would also be more open. I will keep my own mind open, and keep talking to them regardless. We can all be healthier and happier, but it doesn't mean there's one route for everyone.
That all said, I do recommend this book to everyone. It's a fun read, and I certainly felt myself drawn into his crazy life. Not to mention, I think there's something you can find on common ground with Penn, even if other ideas throw you off. For example, we both really dislike pears. Fuck pears. As Penn puts it: "I went to the fruit tray and grabbed a pear. It was sweet and juicy with a pleasing texture. This is how they fuck you: with this pear in my mind, I’m supposed to say, “I love pears, I’m going to eat them all the time,” and then with pleasant anticipation grab my next pear—and it’s sour or dry or mealy or rotten, and all the pears laugh at me. Fuckers." I have to totally agree.