Product Description
In a dual biography and humorous information guide, the star of Home Improvement discusses his prison term and successful television show while offering hints on how to deal with the opposite sex and recognize the parallels between golf courses and strip joints. Reprint. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (51)

On the surface, a book for men, but women could learn a lot from it, too
Tim Allen is a very bright, articulate, funny guy, and it comes through in this book. Also, to his credit, he has a genuine honesty to him, and it seems this honesty, at times, makes him vulnerable. In "Don't Stand...," he lays it all out there, for all to see. A lot of this material was incorporated into his early stand-up comedy, and ultimately his TV show, but in this book, the reader gets the pure, uncensored Tim; raunchy at times, sensitive at times, prim and proper at times, and often very funny.

The book is divided into chapters, as a matter of course, and these chapters are further broken down into little sections, separated by little pictures of tools, safety goggles, and the like. These sections can be read individually, out of context, and they still come off as complete bits. The whole thing as a unit flows like a very long stand-up comedy act, with all the diversions and twists, turns, and tangents one would hear when watching stand-up comedy. But unfortunately, these sometimes don't translate into a book like they should, and this can make the reading a little difficult. To clarify, it is all plainly written, very high-quality text, despite the occaisional baudy humor and coarse language, but it sometimes goes all over the map, like a conversation with a hyperactive person. Many times, it strays off-course, seeming like he is trying too hard to keep you on the floor laughing. But to his credit, even this stuff, at its worst, is comical. At best, it's clever, and downright funny. This is only my opinion, one other readers may disagree with. But still, the whole thing is very entertaining reading, well worth your time, if you want to devote however long it takes to sit through it.

I enjoyed this book
This is a book about his life. I am not a avid readder but I did enjoy this book there was maybe a few dull spots but over all I liked it.

The funniest book I think I've ever read (and that's saying something)
I first read this years ago when it came out, and just thinking about some of the stuff in the book even today still makes me chuckle.I read voraciously, and this is one book that always cheers me up.And I'm a woman, but there's just so much funny things in the book that you can't help but laugh.

Few of the pages are funny + I totally agree when he said "a real man knows there's no substitute for good help, support.."
Only a few of the pages are funny although most of them are below-the-belt jokes. For examples from page 5 to 19, he described humorous situations that happened because his last name was Dick.

What I like the most about this book is one of Tim's philosophies. In Acknowledgments section, he said "All men like to think they can do it alone, but a real man knows there's no substitute for good help, support, encouragement, or a pit crew". I totally agree.

Besides the two advantages listed above, the rest of the book is bland.

Mel Brooks Had It Right, Stand Up Philosopher...
I bought this book while I was going through a very rough divorce, and it probably kept me from killing myself.

Nothing was funny then, and not even this book could make me laugh, but there was a lot of good information and deep thoughts that were expressed well and helped me understand what it was to be a man, and why even if it sux to be a man, it's not all bad. ... Read more

Product Description
This is the second edition of the immensely successful international text Poverty and Development in the 1990s. Each chapter introduces the student to a key topic, and is written by a specialist. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Essential for Development Studies
This book was (still is?) the core textbook for the Open University's Master-level course on Development Management (TU971). Whether you are new to development practice or a veteran with many years experience, this brings the most oft used development theories and terminology into one place, explaining their origins and their key concepts. After I started reading this book, I started realizing that the terminology was all around me in my work own work in development. Six years after reading the book the first time, I still refer to it frequently for my work. I'm not giving it five stars because it really does need to be updated for the post 911 world. ... Read more

Product Description
The popular actor and comedian shares his observations on why things are the way they are while sharing his offbeat opinions about the meaning of life and his personal role in it. Reprint."Amazon.com Review
Tim Allen, star of the hit sitcom Home Improvement, takes on quantumphilosophy, intergender relationships, and the male midlife crisis in ajoke-filled (but ultimately serious) "weekend in the life" narrative. It'san odd combination, shifting from enthusiastic gushing over restored sportscars to earnest elaborations upon Deepak Chopra and Fritjof Capra, butAllen manages to pull it off. If you're expecting a standard unchallengingcelebrity-penned "book," or a fluff-filled "memoir," you're going to bequite surprised. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (55)

He really isn't here
When I read the other reviews, I got the impression that this would be an in depth biography of his transfomation.Instead it is a pseudo-clever book that says nothing of how Tim turned his life around.I am positive there is a great story waiting to be told that would fascinate any reader.Tim, write a real book, your fans are interested in the real Tim Allen.

quantum mysticist nonsense disguised as humor but lacking in reality
Having enjoyed Tim Allen's first book (Don't Stand Too Close to a Naked Man), I got this book, expecting more comedy.Instead, I got a big dose of Deepak Chopra "reality is a myth" pseudo-philosophy, combined with an attempt at understanding quantum mechanics, with a side of humor.Unfortunately, it gives a barely passable attempt at the humor, while making a mess of the philosophy - so much so that I couldn't bring myself to add a tag of "non-fiction" to this book.

This book is closely related to the fictional book "Why Do You Think You Think" in the excellent Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, which states things like:

"Thought is a primitive superstition. Reason is an irrational idea... What you think you think is an illusion created by your glands, your emotions,... A scientist knows that a stone is not a stone at all - it is, in fact, identical with a feather pillow. Both are only a cloud formation of the same invisible, whirling particles... Are we going to be stopped by a syllogism? ... Are you going to endanger the harmony of your community - your fellowship with your neighbors, your standing, reputation, good name, and financial security - for the sake of an illusion?" (Part II, Chapter 1)


Rand demonstrated the inherent evil in this fallacy, but Allen sees it as a source of comedic material, all while presenting it as a great, new wisdom he has stumbled upon because he read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.

The strength of true philosophy (like that of Thomas Aquinas) is, in the words of G.K. Chesterton, that reality is, in fact, real. It is the strength of Thomism, and it is the fatal flaw of this book.

If you're looking for good philosophy, try Chesterton's Saint Thomas Aquinas: The Dumb Ox.If you're simply looking for humor, there's much better mental chewing gum out there than this book.

Can Tim Allen (The ToolMan) define the Meaning of Life?
Like others have said, you get a peak into the thoughts of a comedian spending a weekend without the wife (who is now his ex in real life) and the kid. Story line is held together by his search for an object that he needs to find before Monday comes around. Tim's underlying question is now that he is over 40, what does life really mean and are we really here. To answer his question he refers to text written by scientists and philosophers throwing in some of his previous / current life moments along with some humor. At the end we go over a long letter written by a buddy and to be honest I ended up wishing for the letter section to finish as it was like listening to a conversation on life by 2 people that could not come to a decision. On reflection, if this book had not been written by Tim Allen would people be buying it. For me the answer would be no as I can go to the local bar and here similar conversations. So if you are in the process of writing a biography on Tim Allen or a devoted fan, I would recommend this book otherwise save your pennies and move on to something else.

I'm Not Really Hereby Tim Allen
I Love the book.It arrived in good condition. Thanks

WOAH...
If you are counting on a funny guy like we all know tim allen from home improvement, um... read another book. it's amazing... on home improvement, jill, his wife, seems to know alot of psycology and tim tries to learn it, but in the book, it's amazing what words he uses... you'll be amazed. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

controversial slugger tells his side
dick allen was my favorite PHILLIEgrowing up. this is his side of the story. nothing dramatic or ground breaking but a good read......

Readable, Interesting, Introspective
Dick Allen tells his side in this revealing 1989 biography.A rebellious star that often didn't see eye-to-eye with managers, writers, and fans, Allen endured racist abuse while integrating the minors in Little Rock in 1963.Arriving with a bang in Philadelphia in 1964, this rookie-of-the-year's 29 homers and .318 average nearly grabbed the Pennant.Then all began to unravel. Allen describes how things started after a fight with a teammate, escalating to fines, suspensions, boo's, racial abuse, and trade requests.Finally sent to St. Louis after 1969 for Curt Flood (who then sued baseball), Allen was again traded to LA and then the White Sox.Allen admits being well-treated in Chicago, responding with a superb 1972-MVP season that probably saved the franchise.Hedescribes quitting baseball before the 1974 season ended, returning to play for Philadelphia (and it's now nicer fans) and Oakland, then quitting for good in mid-season 1977.Allen provides an intelligent, introspective view, demonstrating his love for his mother, the Lord, baseball, raising horses, and his native western Pennsylvania.

This is an interesting look by a troubled star who preferred solitude to the spotlight. We Sox fans loved him for his superb play, plus his tossing foul balls to the crowd - accepting the $50 fine and helping end that idiotic rule.Still, Allen's many antics (missed practices, pre-game beers, vanishing acts) added up, and readers expecting fewer justifications and a slightly more responsible approach may be dissapointed.

An Easy Ride down Memory lane
Baseball, pre-steroid era was a far less complicated time.The authentic sluggers in the 1970's did not put up the numbers we see today.Bill Melton led the American League in Home Runs in 1971 with 33.

The White sox were a struggling franchise in the late 1960's.Gone were the Go-Go Sox of Minnie Minoso, Nellie Fox and Louie Aparicio.The great pitching of Tommy John, Joel Horlen, Gary Peters and Hoyt Wilhelm had mostly been traded away.I remember one ballgame when the announced attendance was 613.The Northside Cubs had a better, more charismatic and more talented product.

The White Sox hired Chuck Tanner as manager, and everything took on a new complexion.Tanner was the eternal optimist, and Rollie Hemond was a classy and shrewd General Manager.

Richie Allen was a gifted, but enigmatic ballplayer.He was a sensitive soul, and had been in some clubhouse scuffles with a redneck teammate in Philadelphia involving racial namecalling.He had acquired the tag "difficult", and was traded to the White Sox.

His meteoric stay with the Sox was electrifying.There was a doubleheader when he hit walk-off home runs in both games.The second as a pinch hitter.There was another game when he hit two inside the park home runs.He was strong, could steal a base, and was very articulate.He would step up to plate and wave his 37 ounce piece of lumber.Briefly, he flirted with adulation and superstardom.

However, he was moody and mercurial.Chuck Tanner claimed he could manage anyone, and he certainly brought the best out in Allen.But Allen told the media he wanted to be called "Dick", and the Chicago media complied.He told the White Sox that he wanted his far less talented brother Hank on the team, and the White Sox complied.Hank spent the 1972 and 1973 seasons on the team.He hit .143, and .103 respectively in a combined 37 games. It was a roster spot the White sox could ill afford to give away.

In economic theory, there is a concept called "marginal utility".It measures the gap between a resource, and it's benefit.

The marginal utility of Dick Allen rapidly began to diminish.

The book revisits Dick Allen in the late 1980's, far after his career ended.The author spends time with a candid Dick Allen and talks about what it was like to be a talented African-American phenom in the 1960's.

It is not a balanced treatment of the ball-player, the author freely calls out his love for the person (platonic, of course).But it does bring some understanding to the player and the person.Allen, for all his promise, was a disappointment from this fan's perspective.He did not have the stolid persitence of Hank Aaron, or the fiery intensity of Frank Robinson.Had he made his talent endure, and he could have, he would be an all-time great. The author brings this point out, and Allen seems to undeerstand it, as well.

But for a couple of season's he lit up the South Side, and made baseball fun again at Comiskey Park.

It is a quick read, and if you grew up in that era, you should enjoy it.

A NICE EASY READ
THIS IS THE STORY OF DICK ALLEN, FORMER BASEBALL GREAT. DICK ALLEN DOES A NICE JOB COVERING HIS LIFE IN THIS EASY TO READ STORY. DICK DOES A NICE SHORT AND SWEET BOOK. THE HIGHLIGHTS WERE THE RELATIONSHIPS WITH CHUCK TANNER, GENE MAUCH AND MIKE SCHMIDT. I REMEMBER DICK BEING A VERY HUGE AND WELL BUILT PLAYER WHICH WAS A RARITY IN THE 60'S AND 70'S. I REALLY LIKED THIS BOOK AND RECOMMEND IT FOR ALL BASEBALL FANS WHO SAW DICK PLAY.

Getting to the Facts
I'm not much of a reader for books. Yet, I'm compelled to read the book "Crash" over and over again. Everytime I read this book, I gain a new perspective. I just can't put it down. Whether I'm bored, angry, or tired, I always read this book. I'm 30 years old and I first bought this book in 1991. Since then I have lost this book many of times only for me to buy it many more times. The biggest lesson I have learned from this book isdon't let anyone tell you what the facts are until you know for yourself.

Davan S. Mani ... Read more

Product Description
Discusses Tim Allen's carefree youth, actions as a drug dealer that led to his twenty-eight-month prison term, his devotion to his family, early achievements as a stand-up comedian, and his success with Home Improvement. ... Read more

Product Description
Presents a biography of the star of the television show "Home Improvement," focusing on how he turned his life around after serving a prison sentence for selling illegal drugs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Tim Allen (highs and lows)
Tim Allen is one of the very few and funny comedians today.This book called "Tim Allen" is very good to read and has a lot of interesting facts about Tim Allen.It is a short book to read, and it is written by John Wukovits.
For people who would like to know everything from head to toe about Tim Allen, this book is a pretty good one to check out.I enjoyed it very much because Tim has always been one of my favorite comedians. It tells quite a few things in detail about his life, what he has done in the past, and how he is living today. I would recommend this book to people who like comedy and stories that include flashbacks.
This is a very interesting, and I enjoyed it very much.I think others will, too. ... Read more

Product Description
A biography of the star of the television show "Home Improvement," discussing his early life, time in prison, career as a comedian, and success in both television and the movies. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

Thoughtful look into an often overlooked situation...
Trial Justice turned out to be a stimulating and informative read.Allen gives a thorough background on the situation in Northern Uganda and how this crisis has unfolded into its current state; not one part of the story is left untouched.A great book for anyone wishing to explore what international justice means to the world or to learn more about the LRA.Insightful and thought-provoking, I highly recommend Trial Justice as a means of reaching a better understanding of this important, historical event. ... Read more

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Culture and Global Change presents a comprehensive introduction to the cultural aspects of third world development. It contains 25 chapters from leading writers in the field who each explore a particular aspect of 'culture' and the significance and meaning of cultural issues for different people in throughout the contemporary world. With chapters dealing with the importance of 'Third World' cultures but also with changes in Russia, Japan, the USA and the UK, this book considers the relationship between culture and development within a truly global context. ... Read more

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Knox College, Galesburg, IL. Provides an in-depth analysis of consumerism drawn from a wide range of theoretical, clinical, and methodological approaches. Demonstrates the effects of such influences as advertising, consumption, and materialism on personal, social, and ecological well-being on many levels. Exhibits ways to counteract these negative effects. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A very important book
For those interested in psychology, sociology, and our culture, this is a very important book that deals with issues that we as a society somehow overlook, much to our detriment. ... Read more

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How unexpected - to try to find out about modern poetry by getting the poets, 20 of them, to talk about what they do. Special attention has been given to groups of poets sharing creative ideas with each other, and to regional scenes - much information will be found about poetic activity in Plymouth, Manchester, and Glasgow. Two generations of poets have their say, running down poetic matters from the Cuban Missile Crisis to the razing of Baghdad, from "The English Intelligencer" to "Cul de Qui". ... Read more

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This book critiques the concepts of cultural functionalism andbiologised ethnicity. The chapters examine ethnicities in conflictacross Europe, and have been selected on the grounds that they notonly provide a rich ethnographic account of overt ethnic conflict orracial violence, but also relate these local situations to widerprocesses. The contributors do not put forward a single homogeneouspoint of view, but they all assume perspectives that are opposed tothe prevalent simplistic primordialism of most media coverage andpolitical analysis. Most of the contributors are anthropologists andhave presented drafts of their chapters at a series of meetingsorganised by a network called the Forum Against Violence. Many of thearticles have appeared previously in the International Journalon Minority and Group Rights (Volume 4). This book should beof interest to academics and practitioners in the fields of humanrights, anthropology and related topics. ... Read more

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Recent excavations at Taplow Court have revealed a long sequence of activity stretching from the Mesolithic to the Anglo-Saxon period. Mesolithic struck flints and charred hazelnuts, and early Neolithic flints, were found in a small number of tree-throw holes. A group of inter-cutting hollows or shallow pits of Early Bronze Age date included sherds of Collared Urn and worked flint, rare evidence of domestic activity of this period. There were also finds of the middle Bronze Age, although no features of that phase were confirmed. In the late Bronze Age, a defensible hilltop enclosure about 1.2 ha was constructed on the site. The enclosure, probably first established in the 11th century cal BC, had a complex sequence of defences including a pair of post-rows possibly indicating a timber palisade backed by a raised walkway, a trench-built palisade, a ditch and rampart and further posthole-lines outside the ditch. Only a limited area of the interior was examined, but includes a series of parallel fence lines, one probable roundhouse and up to five possible four-post structures, with occupation extending into the 9th century cal BC. Following a probable hiatus in activity represented by a standstill deposit in the upper part of the ditch, a larger U-profiled hillfort ditch was constructed in the Early Iron Age, probably in the 5th century cal BC, the spoil being dumped over the previous ditch to form a timber-laced rampart, which was soon after destroyed in places by fire. The remains of the charred timbers within the rampart have revealed some details of its construction. The ditch however remained open into the Saxon period, and another internal roundhouse may be Middle Iron Age. A third and even larger V-profiled ditch was found outside the second ditch. Although the date of construction of this outer ditch is uncertain, it too remained open into the Saxon period, suggesting that the hillfort had many ditches its later stages. ... Read more

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For many people, flight across an international border occurs repeatedly and is not a uniquely traumatic event. For many more, displacement has occurred within their own countries. The contributors suggest that in situations of such long-term upheaval, notions of flight into refuge and repatriation to a homeland cease to have much meaning. These populations have received minimal assistance from international organizations and have lacked protection from oppressive governments and marauding guerillas. Their plight has largely been ignored.North America: Africa World Press ... Read more

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No More Masterpieces contains 111 short prose pieces produced by new writers in beginning-level college and university writing classes.

This collection provides models of simple, direct prose and encourages new writers to do what more experienced writers do-to make meanings that arise out of their experiences and observations and to use styles appropriate to the meanings they express. ... Read more