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The Official Chuck Norris Fact Book Reviews
October 15, 2009
Honest Book Reviews "Suzi Weston" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
I received a prerelease copy of The Official Chuck Norris Fact Book for professional review. I wasn't sure what to expect, but after just a few minutes I was absolutely captivated, laughing hysterically, thoroughly entertained, genuinely inspired, and even educated by reading through various entries in the 101 Norris selected. It is the most reasonably priced 320-page book that I've seen in a long time (under $10 through Amazon).
According to Norris, he was asked repeatedly over the past few years by various publishers to write about his favorite Chuck Norris Facts, those hyperbolic and mythical sayings about the nature of Chuck Norris that have made him an Internet and superhero sensation. (I'm certain picking 101 favorites was not easy for him, being that there are literally tens of thousands.)
Under each of Chuck's 101 favorite Facts in the book is a related short story (titled "Let's Be Honest"), a related quote from contemporaries to classic figures (titled "They Said It"), and a final section summarizing a life principle that is based upon what he just wrote (titled "Chuck's Code").
The 101 Chuck Norris Facts include some I've heard and many, many I have not. They all are bellyaching funny! Examples of a few are: “If you work in an office with Chuck Norris, don't ask him for his three-hole punch”; “Chuck Norris was born in a cabin that he built with his bare hands”; “Sweating bullets is literally what happens when Chuck Norris gets too hot”; and “Chuck Norris can gargle peanut butter and blow bubbles with beef jerky.”
A phenomenal artistic touch to this book is the inclusion of Chuck Norris caricature sketches accompanying each of his 101 favorite Facts. They include Chuck wrestling with a grizzly bear (four times his size), Chuck roundhouse kicking a stick of dynamite, Chuck hanging from a ladder dropping from a helicopter, etc.
As hilarious as the Chuck Norris Facts are, I found the most engaging part of the book is the diversity of stories in the 101 entries, from Norris's martial arts, movie, and television careers to his encounters with notables all around the world. They include intimate details of his personal life, including family, love, marriage, faith, and even his daily workout plan and diet. He discusses how he was able to overcome the effects of a violent alcoholic father, abject poverty, and the many hurdles on his way to world karate champion and award-winning actor. Particularly moving are his tributes to his mother and brother Wieland, who died in 1970 in the Vietnam War. But he also gives insights into his relationships with friends like Bruce Lee, Elvis Presley, and many other movie stars, sports figures, and cultural icons. Lastly, many entries are inspirational and educational on a host of issues, from our Constitution to acting to being an overachiever. In almost every entry, Chuck encourages his readers to strive to be their best—physically, mentally, and spiritually. And he uses his five core values (fight, family, faith, fitness, and freedom) to motivate them.
If you like quotes, you'll love Norris's collection of quotes ("They Said It"). It is a rich group of sayings from scientists, revolutionaries, and cultural heroes of the past couple of centuries. Quoted are classics like Isaac Newton, Thomas Jefferson, C. S. Lewis, and Mother Teresa, and contemporaries like Steve Carell, Steve Colbert, Jeff Foxworthy, Rachael Ray, Jon Stewart, Suze Orman, Yoda, Conan O'Brien, Casting Crowns, Ted Nugent, Bono, Denzel Washington, and many, many others.
Despite the fact that Norris is active in real life in the cultural wars and political scene, absent is any reference to partisan politics. I appreciate that. When he speaks about America, he references the founders and encourages all Americans to fight for our country. When he addresses anything touchy, like religion, he does so with taste, respect, and optimism. This volume will be thoroughly enjoyed by Norris fans all around the globe.
About the only negative I can say about The Official Chuck Norris Fact Book is Why wasn't it published a few years ago?
If you love to read, buy this book.
If you don't like to read, buy this book.
If you are discouraged and need a laugh, buy this book.
If you just like to laugh, buy this book.
If you need some inspiration, buy this book.
If you believe in freedom, buy this book.
If you are bored, buy this book.
If you are sick and tired of bad news, buy this book.
If you are weary from economic hardships, buy this book.
If you are in debt, buy this book. (Even entries on that!)
If you are on a limited book budget, buy this book.
If you want to build up your family, buy this book
If you want to improve your health, buy this book.
If you want to be more spiritual, buy this book.
If you love this country, buy this book.
If you want to inspire your kids or grandkids, buy them this book!
And if you want any of the preceding for anyone else you know, buy this book for them too!
The Official Chuck Norris Fact Book would make a fantastic Christmas gift for just about anyone and is small enough even to be a stocking stuffer. I can see how the book would be great for the young and college-aged, but there is nothing that restricts its reading enjoyment among any age group, gender, or blue-collar or white-collar worker. This book would be particularly encouraging to military personnel, as Norris shares repeated stories about his own military experience and his two visits to our troops overseas (beside the fact that the Chuck Norris Facts are VERY popular among the military). He is very uplifting to our service men and women and their families. I can see this book sitting on coffee tables, in bathrooms, in break rooms, in barracks or just on one's nightstand for lighter, slowdown, evening reading. This is a definite five-star G- and PG-rated comical and inspirational book that is good for the whole family, easily down to junior-high ages.
This book is Norris's second grand slam (or should I say solid roundhouse connection?) in two years, following his #14 New York Times best seller, Black Belt Patriotism—a cultural manifesto (available, I understand, in Jan. 2010 in a 50-page expanded paperback version—Black Belt Patriotism: How to Reawaken America). Well done, Norris! Well done!
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