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Rating: 
Summary: Magnuson shows that books, like, kick-bum!!!
Review: I just got done reading the paperback version of this book and it's a hoot. Highly recommended. In short, it's a hilarious (and often melancholy) autobiography about the author who's a classic underachiever, drifting through life by drinking, (trying) to get laid and playing the drums. When that doesn't work out, he goes back to college and gets an english lit. degree. In the end, Magnuson finally finds his place in the world through self-acceptance and love. It's also a very pointed critique of those (your basic "politically correct" types) who engage in the very same stereotyping (this time - of the male lummox) that the lummox is so often accused of doing. Like Jim Goad's "Redneck Manifesto," the moral of the story may well be that stereotyping is inaccurate, and therefore dangerous, whether it comes from the left or the right.And if that doesn't pique your interest in reading this book, then read it because, to use Magnuson's words, it "kicks bum!"
Rating: 
Summary: A highly entertaining view into the typical (?) male mind
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and didn't want to put it down until it was finished. The book consists of a series of memorable episodes from the author's young adult life in Wisconsin. The author describes with considerable humor and painful honesty the life of an "average" man... although his exceptional intelligence gives away the fact that his is not your typical 80's-era slacker. I certainly knew some midwestern guys who were similar in their younger days to the title character, and the author has definitely nailed his descriptions and characterizations of the time and places. Personally, I would have liked to see a little bit more evidence of the main character's heart, but then again, this is a book about a "Lummox". I would recommend this book to anyone, male or female, who is looking for an easy-going, laugh-out-loud book.
Rating:
Summary: A highly entertaining view into the typical (?) male mind
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and didn't want to put it down until it was finished. The book consists of a series of memorable episodes from the author's young adult life in Wisconsin. The author describes with considerable humor and painful honesty the life of an "average" man... although his exceptional intelligence gives away the fact that his is not your typical 80's-era slacker. I certainly knew some midwestern guys who were similar in their younger days to the title character, and the author has definitely nailed his descriptions and characterizations of the time and places. Personally, I would have liked to see a little bit more evidence of the main character's heart, but then again, this is a book about a "Lummox". I would recommend this book to anyone, male or female, who is looking for an easy-going, laugh-out-loud book.
Rating:
Summary: A modern classic - a thoughtful, manly book...
Review: Mike Magnuson's autobiography is an insightful read, not because Magnuson is some extraordinary figure, but because he is just like the rest of us; simply an ordinary guy trying to stumble his way through life, women and beer. Lummox recounts Magnuson's various life lessons with an honest and forthcoming tone. Certainly funny, the book is also peppered with solemn moments as Magnuson takes his knocks and rolls with them. It's defiantly a guy's book - in the same way that Chuck Palahniuk's books are... written with an unapologetic, realistic and sometimes sexist tone. I highly recommend this book to any guys out there who are looking for realistic and intelligent male-centric literature.
Rating:
Summary: A most articulate and hilarious read
Review: Mix the warm folksy regionalism of Garrison Keillor with the blue collar sensibility of Jeff Foxworthy and the gleefull yet satirical crudeness of George Carlin along with the linguistic dexterity of Bill Bryson, add a touch of sheer juvenile head banger mentality and ex-jock machismo and chase it all down with several pitchers of cheap beer and you have Mike Magnuson's uniquely voiced memoir.
Depicting Mag's slow evolution from long-haired college drop-out ne'er do well to college graduate back to factory worker (Mr. Magnuson is currently a college professor), LUMMOX fills itself with painfully honest self-deprication, nimble attacks on pseudo-intellectualism and brilliant character studies. This is not a book for the politically correct or over-sensitive as it pulls no punches. Inviting equal parts laughter, tears and painfull introspection (there is far too much reader identification here), Magnuson captures a specific region (in this case the often frozen tundra of Wisconsin) and its inhabitants in a personal and captivating way.
A great find and well worth the time.
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