In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash by Jean Shepherd
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Book Reviews of In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash
Book Review: Two American Classics -A Book and an Author
Summary: 5 Stars
In 1967, I was a regular listener of Mr. Shephard's radio show on WOR in New York. My English teacher at the time was also a Shepherd fan. One day he told me that a Jean Shepherd book called "In God We Trust" had been published, and wondered out loud if I would enjoy reading it.Up until this time, I was not a big reader. However, this seemed like a Big Deal to me. After all, this was a book written by the same guy who talked right to me, every night, from the old Philco 5 tube radio next to my bed. A book by Jean Shepherd? I had never known someone who had written a book. (That's the way it was with Shep...if you listened to his show, you felt like you knew him. And he knew you.) So, with all of the resolve a 7th grade kid can muster, I located and read the book, cover to cover. Twice.My sainted english teacher was no dummy. So, when it came time for us to pick a short story to read aloud in class, he let me read Shep. Despite a few questionable worlds (this WAS 1967 after all), I was a hit. Well, Mr. Shepherd was a hit.Here I am, some 30 years later (gulp) buying the same book as a Chirstmas present for a friend.I doubt that kids today would find this book all that funny or interesting, but if you remember when the Peacock was on NBC the first time, I'll bet this book will make you laugh. If you are on the fence about this one, go ahead and find out just what you have been missing.Book Review: A Classic for Kids and Adults
Summary: 5 Stars
I have always been a fan of the movie "A Christmas Story," and I can't even remember where or when I heard that it was based on Jean Shepherd's "In God We Trust All Others Pay Cash," but I do remember that rushed to the bookstore I work at (on my day off) and ordered in 10 copies. I read the book the night it came in and sold the remaining 9 copies the next day. I repeat this ritual every year adding more copies to my order each and every time. This book simply fantastic and I have never heard anyone say they didn't like it. The irony of Sheperd's narrative combined with the memories of childhood make a perfect post-Christmas read. No one can re-tell events as well as Shepherd except for maybe David Sedaris (Naked, Barrel Fever).I usually cringe when books are made into movies, yet this story is so great that nothing could do it injustice.
I can't praise this book enough. Set in midwest during the depression, Shepherd shows that although times were tough, families were still families. This book is sometimes painfully, yet comically real, and I can't say that any other book has made me want to be as kid again - nor make me want to have a family - as much as Shepherd's.
Book Review: Last trace of the master
Summary: 5 Stars
I see from the posted reviews that most people know Jean Shepherd from his books and movies -- all of which are great -- but that was not his primary medium, the medium in which he excelled far beyond anyone either living or dead: radio. Mr. Shepherd had a half hour radio show just about every night in New York City in the 1960's, and possibly back into the 1950's. It was a hypnotic show, and he had a vast following. I used to scrunch down under the covers in bed with my transistor radio to catch his virtuosos performance every chance I got. He was a wild guy. I think he was thrown off the air at least once for disparaging the quality of his own advertisers! One time he almost started a riot at Coney Island. He was totally irreverent. And the uncontested king of radio patter. I was always amazed at how fresh and funny he was, night after night. It's a shame we don't have any of those shows as recordings. All we've got is the books and movies. Oh well. Time marches on. Just wanted you to know this man's real genius. I can still hear his theme music . . . it sounded like horses lining up at a race track and charging forward madly. The man definitely had a message.Book Review: illogical paradox of life........
Summary: 5 Stars
If you read this book with no expectations or preconceptions it is a "cool splash in the face" look at the illogical paradox that is life. A young man is assigned to write an article on life in his hometown, a small steel town. With his nouveau "New Yorker" attitude he sits at a hometown bar run by an old friend and tell tales from their childhood/adolescence. Each event remembered reveals more about what life was really like, how the people lived and hoped and dreamed. It is an illogical paradox of life that some see the edge of town forming a safety net and for others this same line is something to escape from. Jean Shepherd creates a literary "theater of the absurd" with his tales of chemically challenged fishing, tough parenting, emerging adolescence, juvenile attempts at adult humor and the variety of other experiences that gave him his unique sense of style and humor.
The Christmas Story movie is derived from this book, although there is much more to experience in the book. An enjoyable and introspective look at all the things that go into creating each of us.........our own illogical paradox of events called our lives.
Book Review: Life was real.
Summary: 5 Stars
In the book we meet an adult Ralph who comes from New York City to do a story on his hometown in Hohman, Indiana. He comes to a local bar and meets up with his old friend Flick and through beer they recollect memories of their youths.
True the book does not revolve around Christmas like it does in the inspired movie. However, you still get a great amount of stories. Some favorites include: Ralphs blind date, the fireworks and the 4th of July, and The Joke Teller. There are some stories that you might find familiar like the BB Gun, the "Major Award," and Santa Claus to name a few. There are also some eerie stories of The Great Depression that seem similar in today's society.
This book reminds me of the stories my grandpa would tell me. I think almost all people can pretty much relate to Ralph and Flicks stories even if you grew up in a different time. I would indeed recommend this book for almost all ages! You'll laugh out loud; especially, at Ralphs great discriptions. You also might just find yourself reminiscing back to your own childhood.