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  • Gumption

  • Relighting the Torch of Freedom with America's Gutsiest Troublemakers
  • By: Nick Offerman
  • Narrated by: Nick Offerman
  • Length: 11 hrs and 42 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (244 ratings)

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Gumption

By: Nick Offerman
Narrated by: Nick Offerman
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Summary

The star of Parks and Recreation and author of the New York Times best seller Paddle Your Own Canoe returns with a second book that humorously highlights 21 figures from our nation’s history, from her inception to present day - Nick’s personal pantheon of “great Americans".

To millions of people, Nick Offerman is America. Both Nick and his character, Ron Swanson, are known for their humor and patriotism in equal measure.

After the great success of his autobiography, Paddle Your Own Canoe, Offerman now focuses on the lives of those who inspired him. From George Washington to Willie Nelson, he describes 21 heroic figures and why they inspire in him such great meaning. He’ll combine both serious history with light-hearted humor - comparing, say, George Washington’s wooden teeth to his own experience as a woodworker. The subject matter will also allow Offerman to expound upon his favorite topics, which listeners love to hear - areas such as religion, politics, woodworking and handcrafting, agriculture, creativity, philosophy, fashion, and, of course, meat.

©2015 Nick Offerman (P)2015 Penguin Audio
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History
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What listeners say about Gumption

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  • Overall
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Humour with a bit of Gumption

A good listen and can't wait to read the book. Humour with a bit of history

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One for Offerman / Swanson fans.

If you have read 'Paddle Your Own Canoe' or watched 'American Ham' and enjoyed them, this is one for you.

Essentially, Nick takes us through a selection of his American heroes who have displayed Gumption in their achievements. This starts with some of the the usual suspects in a few historical greats which I found interesting as an Englishman with a limited knowledge of American history and then takes us on a journey of more contemporary or obscure individuals, many of whom you will feel the need to discover more about. I can absolutely say that as a result of this book, I have a hunger to learn more about Frederick Douglass - what a legend!

I especially enjoyed Nick's reasons for choosing his subjects, not so much for what they achieved as how they achieved what they did.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. I liked listening to something clearly aimed at Americans, but openly exploring some of the more shameful elements of American history and current affairs whilst openly celebrating those special things about the country and it's trailblazers. He has an honesty that I was not expecting and I found his writing quite refreshing.

I'd recommend this to anyone who liked Nick before, I suspect that you will like him (and probably the USA) even more when you have finished the book.

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the best of people

trying to figure out how to live one's life by the example of those we admire.

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A Better Being By The End Of The Book

Rather than the flag pole jerking of America's greatest hits, Nick Offerman has produced a mind altering audio so potent it has made a Scouser dig Yoko Ono.

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absolute wonderful.

There is just something very soothing and relaxing about mr. Offermans voice talking about hand tools and people he admires. it really shines through.

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a great listen

Nick Offermans book is brilliant, it's funny and informative, and he gives a great insight into the American hero's. I'd happily listen to nick read a phone book or maybe a menu

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Excellent

Loved every minute. Was an interesting listen and educational as well as being not only entertaining but in parts, down right funny.

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Excellent

I could listen to Nick Offerman all day and all night. So pleased he reads his own books, in the way only he can, with Gumption

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    5 out of 5 stars

A pleasure as always

Ensure you take the time to enjoy the audio book to really saviour the dulcet tones of Mr Nick Offerman, they go down like a smooth glass of lagavulin. The book is really eye opening into some of the more lesser known historical figures selected by Mr Offerman. It really has inspired me to show more gumption in my daily life, the tales are those of American figures with gumption and as a Brit I still enjoyed it.

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Funny as sh*t

All sorts of wonderful. Buy it. Plenty of laughs, a great range of people and a good deal of profundity. You’ll be glad you spent the time.

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