Rating:  Summary: Tom and Ray for President Review: As a long time fan of the show, I was a little bit hesitant to pick up the book. I read the introduction in the store and knew it would be about more than cars, and car repair. I bought it, and I have to admit, this book was the best purchase I've made in a while. I enjoyed their interesting philosophical perspectives and convincing logic. Though, their rants and raves are often presented tongue-in-cheek, they are true. Their solutions to problems, though often inpractical and perhaps a bit gestapo - logically seem to work. I've always been of the mindset, if something is true, the logic behind it must be true. These guys do a magnificent job of connecting the dots, and bringing clarity to their thoughts -- all the while injecting humor into the book. I'd definitely love to sit down with them and have a cup of coffee.
Rating:  Summary: Tom and Ray for President Review: As a long time fan of the show, I was a little bit hesitant to pick up the book. I read the introduction in the store and knew it would be about more than cars, and car repair. I bought it, and I have to admit, this book was the best purchase I've made in a while. I enjoyed their interesting philosophical perspectives and convincing logic. Though, their rants and raves are often presented tongue-in-cheek, they are true. Their solutions to problems, though often inpractical and perhaps a bit gestapo - logically seem to work. I've always been of the mindset, if something is true, the logic behind it must be true. These guys do a magnificent job of connecting the dots, and bringing clarity to their thoughts -- all the while injecting humor into the book. I'd definitely love to sit down with them and have a cup of coffee.
Rating:  Summary: Not What You Hear On NPR Review: Be warned that this book does *not* contain the type of fun that you will hear on their NPR show. Good or bad, this is a collection of their personal pets and peeves and has nothing to do with car repair, their radio show, or humor. This book is a collection of vents and rants against everything from people who drive too fast, people who drive too slow, the educational system and other topical subjects. As a longtime fan I was disappointed because I expected something along the lines of "Women Are From Ford, Men are from GM"-type humor. Want rants and raves? Check out Ed Anger's "Let's Pave The Stupid Rainforests & Give School Teachers Stun Guns."
Rating:  Summary: A Delight Review: I'm a big fan of Car Talk and love Ray and Tom's sense of humor. I wanted to love this book. The opening chapters of their biographies and opinions on things like driver's licenses were well done, interesting and funny in parts. In the true rant section, things got a bit unfocused, unfunny and "out there." If you want a coherent "rant" book, try The O'Reilly factor which is much better done and much funnier and pointed. I'm not trying to be uncharitable -- there are funny parts, but next to geniuses like David Barry or Dennis Miller, this book pales. The most interesting part was about their lives, not their rants. A mediocre book from the still funny guys on Car Talk. I'm still a fan of their show, but not a huge fan of the book. At least it took less than an hour to read!
Rating:  Summary: the truth lies somewhere in the middle Review: I'm a big fan of Car Talk and love Ray and Tom's sense of humor. I wanted to love this book. The opening chapters of their biographies and opinions on things like driver's licenses were well done, interesting and funny in parts. In the true rant section, things got a bit unfocused, unfunny and "out there." If you want a coherent "rant" book, try The O'Reilly factor which is much better done and much funnier and pointed. I'm not trying to be uncharitable -- there are funny parts, but next to geniuses like David Barry or Dennis Miller, this book pales. The most interesting part was about their lives, not their rants. A mediocre book from the still funny guys on Car Talk. I'm still a fan of their show, but not a huge fan of the book. At least it took less than an hour to read!
Rating:  Summary: Great book!!! The pristine car-talk quality! Review: If you like Car Talk and understand Tom & Ray's humor, you will LOVE this book. The reason I bought it... I like their humor and hey... more than anything else, it's a memoir for these two great entertainers! Advice: Strong Buy!
Rating:  Summary: Rants Without Anything to Back It Up Review: On their radio show, Click and Clack frequently rant about car-related subjects....and usually are right on. Their stance against cell phone use in cars is downright admirable. They also have spoken out against overpowered vehicles and the new wave of headlights on luxury cars. However, I guess I should have expected that they weren't very conscientious given that they never say much against the onslaught of huge SUV's. Their stance on global warning in this book is inexcusable. I expect some logic behind rants....they had none. If I want this line of thinking, I'll listen to Rush.
Rating:  Summary: Save a Tree Review: Save a tree and forget this book. I'm a sometimes listener to their radio show and enjoy their sense of humor. I guess this is what happens when you let celebrities write their own books. It does live up to the subtitle of Rant and Rave. It sounds like two guys who have thought out their ideas under the close scrutiny of patrons at the local barber shop. There's even an admission in it that one of them deliberately drives in the left lane at the posted speed just to slow down those folks who go over the speed limit. That's to show them a lesson. I've heard folks say that people like this exisit, but I was never sure. To me their sense of humor just wasn't evident in this book. Wow, guys! Forget your writing and philosophy career and stick with the radio.
Rating:  Summary: In MY humble opinion-this book ROCKS Review: The title tells it! It's Tom's and Ray's opinions, and Rants and Raves, if you don't like that sort of writing DON'T READ and complain! Tom and Ray (especially Tom) rants on their Car Talk show once in awhile, so one should sort of know what to expect within these pages. I picked it up because I appreciate their insight into some of the same things that frustrate me, bad drivers, our awful elected officials, and public education. Their banter is enjoyable as ever. The details of their wives, childrens' and growing up lives/years are refreshing and fun to hear about. Even as a woman, I found Ray's gleanings with regards to wives, cooking, love of cookbooks and splendid kitchens to be, um, right on! (Read it to understand.) There is a respect for young people, children, in their writing ~ these guys are true humanitarians. Yes, Tom comes across as a bit of a vigilante wanna-be, but so am I when faced with idiots on the road, raising children and mucking up the school system. This book will stand the test of time, they write about the current world and the frustrations of just being one person, yet one who can make small differences.....it all adds up. It's also refreshing to hear and see *celebrities* who are so down-to-earth and who really care about others. I appreciate Mr. and Mr. Magliozzi taking the time out of their coffee drinking time to write this !
Rating:  Summary: In MY humble opinion-this book ROCKS Review: The title tells it! It's Tom's and Ray's opinions, and Rants and Raves, if you don't like that sort of writing DON'T READ and complain! Tom and Ray (especially Tom) rants on their Car Talk show once in awhile, so one should sort of know what to expect within these pages. I picked it up because I appreciate their insight into some of the same things that frustrate me, bad drivers, our awful elected officials, and public education. Their banter is enjoyable as ever. The details of their wives, childrens' and growing up lives/years are refreshing and fun to hear about. Even as a woman, I found Ray's gleanings with regards to wives, cooking, love of cookbooks and splendid kitchens to be, um, right on! (Read it to understand.) There is a respect for young people, children, in their writing ~ these guys are true humanitarians. Yes, Tom comes across as a bit of a vigilante wanna-be, but so am I when faced with idiots on the road, raising children and mucking up the school system. This book will stand the test of time, they write about the current world and the frustrations of just being one person, yet one who can make small differences.....it all adds up. It's also refreshing to hear and see *celebrities* who are so down-to-earth and who really care about others. I appreciate Mr. and Mr. Magliozzi taking the time out of their coffee drinking time to write this !
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