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Beautifully Unique Sparkleponies: On Myths, Morons, Free Speech, Football, and Assorted Absurdities
Hi. In your hands, right now, you hold the culmination of thousands of years of human intelligence, ingenuity, and brilliance. Now put your goddamn phone down and pay attention to my book.
What is in my book, you ask? (I'm really glad you asked, by the way, because now I get to tell you.)
Time travel. Gay marriage. Sportsballing. Futuristic goggles that DO NOTHING.
Tiny brags from my publisher, stuff like: "This is an uproarious, uncensored take on empathy, personal responsibility, and what it means to be human."
Excessive brags about myself: "An extraordinarily clever, punishingly funny, sharp-tongued blogosphere star, NFL player, husband and father, one-time violin prodigy, voracious lifetime reader, obsessive gamer, and fearless champion of personal freedom."
Oh, and also an essay on the Pope's Twitter account. Honestly, if that doesn't draw you in, there's no hope left for humanity. I also give my own funeral eulogy, in case you were hoping I'd go away and die now!
So please, join me in the glorious art of windmill tilting by reading this "collection of rousing, uncensored personal essays, letters, and stories" (I have no idea why that's in quotes).
Join the herd of Beautifully Unique Sparkleponies.
(You know you want to.)
What is in my book, you ask? (I'm really glad you asked, by the way, because now I get to tell you.)
Time travel. Gay marriage. Sportsballing. Futuristic goggles that DO NOTHING.
Tiny brags from my publisher, stuff like: "This is an uproarious, uncensored take on empathy, personal responsibility, and what it means to be human."
Excessive brags about myself: "An extraordinarily clever, punishingly funny, sharp-tongued blogosphere star, NFL player, husband and father, one-time violin prodigy, voracious lifetime reader, obsessive gamer, and fearless champion of personal freedom."
Oh, and also an essay on the Pope's Twitter account. Honestly, if that doesn't draw you in, there's no hope left for humanity. I also give my own funeral eulogy, in case you were hoping I'd go away and die now!
So please, join me in the glorious art of windmill tilting by reading this "collection of rousing, uncensored personal essays, letters, and stories" (I have no idea why that's in quotes).
Join the herd of Beautifully Unique Sparkleponies.
(You know you want to.)
252 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
70 people are currently reading
1468 people want to read
About the author
Chris Kluwe
44 books56 followersChristopher James "Chris" Kluwe (/ˈkluːi/; born December 24, 1981) is an American football punter for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2005 before playing the next eight seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. He is currently with the Oakland Raiders. He played college football at UCLA.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 269 reviews
September 5, 2013
I should probably give this book a 2 star rating. I skimmed a lot of the essays and was pretty glad to be done with it, but it's hard to do so because I get the feeling I would really like talking to Kluwe at a gathering. He seems thoughtful, well educated, funny, compassionate and we have similar values both politically and religiously. I really appreciate his commitment to marriage equality and his general goal of being a voice for the under represented.
And I wouldn't know any of this if it weren't for his book. I don't watch sports, and I had never read his open letter to Emmett C. Burns, so I really had no idea who Kluwe was until I read the Big Idea post about this book on John Scalzi's blog. This also meant I really didn't know what to expect when I bought the book.
This is a collection of original and reprinted essays and poems, on a range of topics. Because there are quite a few reprints, the book has a tendency to feel repetitive. I'm am a strong supporter of marriage equality but there are only so many times I want to read another explanation of why Kluwe is also a supporter. It's an important and worthwhile topic but I'm already sold on it. Reading another essay, written by the same person, hasn't done anything to expand my understanding of the topic.
The book also tends towards the self congratulatory. I think Kluwe is aware of this. He admits, repeatedly, that he's competitive and intends to be the best at what he does, and in one essay he explains that he doesn't have heroes, not because of some philosophical aversion to placing people on pedestals, but because he wants to be the hero. I don't think he walks around talking about himself in such glowing terms all the time, I just think that left to talk about anything, without any real directions, he's chosen to talk about what a great person he is and I maxed out on my threshold for that, pretty early on in the book.
There were also a few points in the book when I felt Kluwe said some things he'll probably look back on as ill advised. I would gladly have a lively debate with him about his portrayal of what atheism, (he's agnostic). He offers up a tired, well refuted argument, but it mostly made me chuckle. What did bother me was his essay that painted individuals in abusive relationships or those in dead-end jobs as responsible for their own unhappiness. If they weren't "lying to themselves" they'd be in a better place, he argues. As a wealthy, white, able bodied man raised in a loving home, who got a great education, and is doing something he loves for loads of money and surrounded by supported loving people, it may seem impossible for him to imagine that other people might be in a situation they cannot easily leave, but his reality is not everyone's reality.
When he argues that people who get mortgages are financially irresponsible, akin to chronic gamblers, one has to wonder if he's ever struggled to even pay bills, to say nothing of saving up enough money to pay for a home with cash while also paying rent. Sure, in a perfect world, we'd pay for everything with cash and yes, people make bad financial choices sometimes, but I'm not sure someone making his salary right out of college, is in a position to explain what it's like to make ends meet on a modest salary. Rich people have the luxury of being able to make better financial choices than those who live paycheck to paycheck.
None of this feels malicious but it does feel sophomoric and I imagine that in a decade, he'll look back on the things he once proclaimed with certainty, and realize he might not have understood as much of the world as he thought he did.
And I wouldn't know any of this if it weren't for his book. I don't watch sports, and I had never read his open letter to Emmett C. Burns, so I really had no idea who Kluwe was until I read the Big Idea post about this book on John Scalzi's blog. This also meant I really didn't know what to expect when I bought the book.
This is a collection of original and reprinted essays and poems, on a range of topics. Because there are quite a few reprints, the book has a tendency to feel repetitive. I'm am a strong supporter of marriage equality but there are only so many times I want to read another explanation of why Kluwe is also a supporter. It's an important and worthwhile topic but I'm already sold on it. Reading another essay, written by the same person, hasn't done anything to expand my understanding of the topic.
The book also tends towards the self congratulatory. I think Kluwe is aware of this. He admits, repeatedly, that he's competitive and intends to be the best at what he does, and in one essay he explains that he doesn't have heroes, not because of some philosophical aversion to placing people on pedestals, but because he wants to be the hero. I don't think he walks around talking about himself in such glowing terms all the time, I just think that left to talk about anything, without any real directions, he's chosen to talk about what a great person he is and I maxed out on my threshold for that, pretty early on in the book.
There were also a few points in the book when I felt Kluwe said some things he'll probably look back on as ill advised. I would gladly have a lively debate with him about his portrayal of what atheism, (he's agnostic). He offers up a tired, well refuted argument, but it mostly made me chuckle. What did bother me was his essay that painted individuals in abusive relationships or those in dead-end jobs as responsible for their own unhappiness. If they weren't "lying to themselves" they'd be in a better place, he argues. As a wealthy, white, able bodied man raised in a loving home, who got a great education, and is doing something he loves for loads of money and surrounded by supported loving people, it may seem impossible for him to imagine that other people might be in a situation they cannot easily leave, but his reality is not everyone's reality.
When he argues that people who get mortgages are financially irresponsible, akin to chronic gamblers, one has to wonder if he's ever struggled to even pay bills, to say nothing of saving up enough money to pay for a home with cash while also paying rent. Sure, in a perfect world, we'd pay for everything with cash and yes, people make bad financial choices sometimes, but I'm not sure someone making his salary right out of college, is in a position to explain what it's like to make ends meet on a modest salary. Rich people have the luxury of being able to make better financial choices than those who live paycheck to paycheck.
None of this feels malicious but it does feel sophomoric and I imagine that in a decade, he'll look back on the things he once proclaimed with certainty, and realize he might not have understood as much of the world as he thought he did.
August 10, 2013
Warning: This review contains a profanity below. Why? Because my reaction to this book calls for its use.
I read this book in an afternoon. Based on what I knew about Chris Kluwe, I expected to like his book; I didn't expect to be as completely blown away as I was. He writes with a satisfying blend of courage and imagination.
For the past several months I had basically stopped discussing politics, turned off talk radio altogether, and taken myself out of most online political discussion groups (with the exception of the marriage equality issue). Now Mr. Kluwe pulls absolutely no punches about where he stands. And I found myself in agreement with him about virtually everything (he's a fiery left-libertarian); it was like the lid on my sociopolitical id just blew off for a time there. And that was cool.
Holy crap, the man is fucking brilliant. Now he may not have a job as a punter for the Vikings anymore, but I hope he sells a lot of these books. I may have to give a few as gifts.
If you liked This Is How by Augusten Burroughs, I think you'll enjoy this as well.
I read this book in an afternoon. Based on what I knew about Chris Kluwe, I expected to like his book; I didn't expect to be as completely blown away as I was. He writes with a satisfying blend of courage and imagination.
For the past several months I had basically stopped discussing politics, turned off talk radio altogether, and taken myself out of most online political discussion groups (with the exception of the marriage equality issue). Now Mr. Kluwe pulls absolutely no punches about where he stands. And I found myself in agreement with him about virtually everything (he's a fiery left-libertarian); it was like the lid on my sociopolitical id just blew off for a time there. And that was cool.
Holy crap, the man is fucking brilliant. Now he may not have a job as a punter for the Vikings anymore, but I hope he sells a lot of these books. I may have to give a few as gifts.
If you liked This Is How by Augusten Burroughs, I think you'll enjoy this as well.
August 26, 2013
How can you NOT read a book with this cover and this title? (And how can you not read a book by the author of the amazing rebuttal letter to Maryland state delegate Emmett C. Burns Jr. when he decided PEOPLE SHOULD NOT COME OUT IN APPROVAL OF ZOMG GAY MARRIAGE OF THE GAYSSSSS END OF THE WORLD?)
The rating for this book is a weird one. What I liked in this book, I liked a lot. What I didn't like - well, that's the weird part.
What I liked:
Kluwe is INTELLIGENT, you guys. Like, you know how you think "football player. Must be a meathead!" Nope. Rethink. Like, immediately. He's a reader; he's a thinker; he's a very good writer. When he's not doing sportsy things, he's playing video games, he's reading (not men's magazines, either - he's a REAL reader, the kind we all like), he's raising his kids, he's involved in causes that matter. In other words? Kluwe is really kind of amazing. And I admire the hell out of him. I think it'd be pretty easy to be all "I'm a famous person, I don't have to do ANYTHING" and let that just be the laurels you rest on. Nope. Not this guy.
This is a book of brief essays, and the important thing you get from this - he's a thinker (which I love) and he hates stupidity (which I ADORE) and he hates false logic (YES) and he hates injustice (THANK YOU.) I really, really like Kluwe after reading this. A lot. I'd back him. He's won me over. (And ironically, given the name of my blog, as I HATE football.)
The only reason I rated it so low (relatively) is that it's twice as long as it needs to be. It's about half excellent essays and half filler, which could have been cut, and it would have been a strong, intelligent, funny, snarky book of essays. It needed a stronger editor. There was a lot of weeding through the chaff to get to the good stuff. But the good stuff was VERY GOOD. So you wanted to keep weeding through.
Do I recommend it? Yes. Without question. It has weak spots, but this guy's voice is strong. You'll like him. (Well, if you're liberal, and think for yourself, and snarky, and don't mind cussing, I suppose.) Also, I hope Kluwe writes another book at some point; I think the world needs a voice like this in it - young, strong, no-nonsense, intelligent, pissed, but optimistic. He's a beautifully unique sparklepony I can stand behind.
The rating for this book is a weird one. What I liked in this book, I liked a lot. What I didn't like - well, that's the weird part.
What I liked:
Kluwe is INTELLIGENT, you guys. Like, you know how you think "football player. Must be a meathead!" Nope. Rethink. Like, immediately. He's a reader; he's a thinker; he's a very good writer. When he's not doing sportsy things, he's playing video games, he's reading (not men's magazines, either - he's a REAL reader, the kind we all like), he's raising his kids, he's involved in causes that matter. In other words? Kluwe is really kind of amazing. And I admire the hell out of him. I think it'd be pretty easy to be all "I'm a famous person, I don't have to do ANYTHING" and let that just be the laurels you rest on. Nope. Not this guy.
This is a book of brief essays, and the important thing you get from this - he's a thinker (which I love) and he hates stupidity (which I ADORE) and he hates false logic (YES) and he hates injustice (THANK YOU.) I really, really like Kluwe after reading this. A lot. I'd back him. He's won me over. (And ironically, given the name of my blog, as I HATE football.)
The only reason I rated it so low (relatively) is that it's twice as long as it needs to be. It's about half excellent essays and half filler, which could have been cut, and it would have been a strong, intelligent, funny, snarky book of essays. It needed a stronger editor. There was a lot of weeding through the chaff to get to the good stuff. But the good stuff was VERY GOOD. So you wanted to keep weeding through.
Do I recommend it? Yes. Without question. It has weak spots, but this guy's voice is strong. You'll like him. (Well, if you're liberal, and think for yourself, and snarky, and don't mind cussing, I suppose.) Also, I hope Kluwe writes another book at some point; I think the world needs a voice like this in it - young, strong, no-nonsense, intelligent, pissed, but optimistic. He's a beautifully unique sparklepony I can stand behind.
April 4, 2014
Book Info: Genre: Nonfiction/Essays
Reading Level: Adult (language)
Recommended for: Thinkers
Trigger Warnings: mention of school shootings
My Thoughts: I don't necessarily agree with all of Chris Kluwe's opinions (but then again the world would be mighty boring if everyone thought the same of everything), however I found this peek into his brain to be fascinating. This is a guy I would love to sit down and shoot the breeze with about all sorts of things. This book ranges from poetry to stream-of-consciousness, to political satire, to letters written to various people and in response to various people regarding marriage equality. Chris Kluwe is funny, sharp-witted, and highly intelligent. If you enjoy having your thoughts provoked, then check out this book of fun essays. It will make you think.
Disclosure: This book was purchased for me by a friend as a gift. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: Hi. In your hands, right now, you hold the culmination of thousands of years of human intelligence, ingenuity, and brilliance. Now put your goddamn phone down and pay attention to my book.
What is in my book, you ask? (I'm really glad you asked, by the way, because now I get to tell you.)
Time travel. Gay marriage. Sportsballing. Futuristic goggles that DO NOTHING.
Tiny brags from my publisher, stuff like: "This is an uproarious, uncensored take on empathy, personal responsibility, and what it means to be human."
Excessive brags about myself: "An extraordinarily clever, punishingly funny, sharp-tongued blogosphere star, NFL player, husband and father, one-time violin prodigy, voracious lifetime reader, obsessive gamer, and fearless champion of personal freedom."
Oh, and also an essay on the Pope's Twitter account. Honestly, if that doesn't draw you in, there's no hope left for humanity. I also give my own funeral eulogy, in case you were hoping I'd go away and die now!
So please, join me in the glorious art of windmill tilting by reading this "collection of rousing, uncensored personal essays, letters, and stories" (I have no idea why that's in quotes).
Join the herd of Beautifully Unique Sparkleponies.
(You know you want to.)
Reading Level: Adult (language)
Recommended for: Thinkers
Trigger Warnings: mention of school shootings
My Thoughts: I don't necessarily agree with all of Chris Kluwe's opinions (but then again the world would be mighty boring if everyone thought the same of everything), however I found this peek into his brain to be fascinating. This is a guy I would love to sit down and shoot the breeze with about all sorts of things. This book ranges from poetry to stream-of-consciousness, to political satire, to letters written to various people and in response to various people regarding marriage equality. Chris Kluwe is funny, sharp-witted, and highly intelligent. If you enjoy having your thoughts provoked, then check out this book of fun essays. It will make you think.
Disclosure: This book was purchased for me by a friend as a gift. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: Hi. In your hands, right now, you hold the culmination of thousands of years of human intelligence, ingenuity, and brilliance. Now put your goddamn phone down and pay attention to my book.
What is in my book, you ask? (I'm really glad you asked, by the way, because now I get to tell you.)
Time travel. Gay marriage. Sportsballing. Futuristic goggles that DO NOTHING.
Tiny brags from my publisher, stuff like: "This is an uproarious, uncensored take on empathy, personal responsibility, and what it means to be human."
Excessive brags about myself: "An extraordinarily clever, punishingly funny, sharp-tongued blogosphere star, NFL player, husband and father, one-time violin prodigy, voracious lifetime reader, obsessive gamer, and fearless champion of personal freedom."
Oh, and also an essay on the Pope's Twitter account. Honestly, if that doesn't draw you in, there's no hope left for humanity. I also give my own funeral eulogy, in case you were hoping I'd go away and die now!
So please, join me in the glorious art of windmill tilting by reading this "collection of rousing, uncensored personal essays, letters, and stories" (I have no idea why that's in quotes).
Join the herd of Beautifully Unique Sparkleponies.
(You know you want to.)
January 12, 2015
I can't even remember how this book got on my radar--I know from my own shelving tag that I heard about it on CBC radio, but I can't recall the details at all. Which is kind of disappointing, as those details might have given me more enthusiasm for the work. Not to say that its a bad book, just that I am not its intended audience.
Kluwe actually writes quite clearly and intelligently, not necessarily something that you expect from someone who plays pro football. He is outspoken in his support of gay marriage and any other topic which catch his attention. That said, there are at least 4 essays on the gay marriage issue, which becomes a bit repetitive. I'm surprised his editor didn't ban at least a couple of them, as Kluwe obviously enjoys writing and could probably have produced some opinions on other topics.
I have to say it is also a tremendously American book--there is absolutely no thought given to looking outside the US for examples (e.g. Canada legalized gay marriage some time ago and the marriage apocalypse has not taken place here).
My rating does not reflect the book or its contents, just that I am the wrong audience for it. It was a quick read (took me one evening) and I found that I agreed with a number of his opinions, or at least didn't disagree too hard. On football, I have absolutely no opinions--I am a football agnostic. There may also be a generational thing happening here, as I am 20 years Kluwe's senior. It will probably appeal to a younger demographic who, like Kluwe, grew up with the internet.
Why did I read the whole book? Because I have been on a waiting list at my library for months and there's someone else who has been just as patient who wants the book when I'm done. They will get their turn promptly.
Kluwe actually writes quite clearly and intelligently, not necessarily something that you expect from someone who plays pro football. He is outspoken in his support of gay marriage and any other topic which catch his attention. That said, there are at least 4 essays on the gay marriage issue, which becomes a bit repetitive. I'm surprised his editor didn't ban at least a couple of them, as Kluwe obviously enjoys writing and could probably have produced some opinions on other topics.
I have to say it is also a tremendously American book--there is absolutely no thought given to looking outside the US for examples (e.g. Canada legalized gay marriage some time ago and the marriage apocalypse has not taken place here).
My rating does not reflect the book or its contents, just that I am the wrong audience for it. It was a quick read (took me one evening) and I found that I agreed with a number of his opinions, or at least didn't disagree too hard. On football, I have absolutely no opinions--I am a football agnostic. There may also be a generational thing happening here, as I am 20 years Kluwe's senior. It will probably appeal to a younger demographic who, like Kluwe, grew up with the internet.
Why did I read the whole book? Because I have been on a waiting list at my library for months and there's someone else who has been just as patient who wants the book when I'm done. They will get their turn promptly.
July 10, 2013
This may be one of my favorite books of the year, which is interesting (to me) for several reasons. Mainly, up until a year and a half ago, I had no idea who he was. I'm an easily distracted football watcher, a fan of the Broncos and the Ravens (which made this last year interesting...) who can only reliably name maybe 5 people who play in the NFL who aren't on either of those two teams. Sorry to disappoint, but between my job, working on my master's, and everything else, I don't really care that much about stats, who is who, who is traded where (except, thank you Broncos for getting rid of Tebow. We needed a QB who could throw...), or what.
So, the point of all that was, I had no idea who Chris Kluwe was. And then Brendon Ayanbadejo and the Ravens got called out because Ayanbadejo had the "audacity" to give his opinion on something. It doesn't matter what that something was, he had his right to say it, to think it. So to did the Emmett Burns (and does) have his right to his own opinion, up to the point where he called on the Ravens to infringe on those pesky First Amendment rights that some people seem to think only apply to them and them alone. From reading about that, I found myself directed to the author's rather brilliantly written response, which was not all that far off from my own internal lambasting of the MD delegate.
And that was my introduction to Chris Kluwe.
I am a fan of writing that gives the reader insight into someone else's perspective. I can get that from novels, from poems, from journal articles, or what he has done here with his own stream of consciousness (and yet very deliberate) writing. I didn't know about the book until I saw it in the recommended reading section of my local bookstore, but I am definitely glad that I bought it.
So, the point of all that was, I had no idea who Chris Kluwe was. And then Brendon Ayanbadejo and the Ravens got called out because Ayanbadejo had the "audacity" to give his opinion on something. It doesn't matter what that something was, he had his right to say it, to think it. So to did the Emmett Burns (and does) have his right to his own opinion, up to the point where he called on the Ravens to infringe on those pesky First Amendment rights that some people seem to think only apply to them and them alone. From reading about that, I found myself directed to the author's rather brilliantly written response, which was not all that far off from my own internal lambasting of the MD delegate.
And that was my introduction to Chris Kluwe.
I am a fan of writing that gives the reader insight into someone else's perspective. I can get that from novels, from poems, from journal articles, or what he has done here with his own stream of consciousness (and yet very deliberate) writing. I didn't know about the book until I saw it in the recommended reading section of my local bookstore, but I am definitely glad that I bought it.
November 2, 2013
Chris Kluwe is a punter with the NFL. Formerly with the Minnesota Vikings, he now kicks for the Oakland Raiders. He is also a staunch supporter of marriage equality, has a penchant for writing letters to and about people who piss him off, and swears a lot. (Indeed--I've never seen such creative, laugh-out-loud profanities as he puts together.)
The genesis of this book is a letter Kluwe wrote to a Maryland state delegate who wanted to restrict another NFL player's right to free speech (said player is also a supporter of marriage equality). The letter, one of the first pieces in the book, is hilarious. (Quote: "I can assure you that gay people getting married will have zero effect on your life. They won't come into your house and steal your children. They won't magically turn you into a lustful cockmonster.") Even funnier is the follow-up essay, exactly the same except for the naughty words turned into phrases such as BEAUTIFULLY UNIQUE SPARKLEPONY (hence the book's title) and UNFORTUNATELY PHALLIC HEDGE SCULPTURE. Which beautifully illustrates the ridiculousness of the brouhaha over the original letter's swearing.
The rest of the pieces--some are too short to really call them essays--are rather uneven in quality. Especially towards the end, where it is clear that Kluwe is running out of gas. Still, there are some gems here. My favorites are "The Darkness and the Light," "Bang Bang," "Who is John Galt?", and "Some Other People Have Even More Trouble With Logic."
I got this book from the library, which would probably be the best way to go with it. It's a quick, light read, and I enjoyed it, but I don't think it'd be worth buying in hardback. I would, however, love for Chris Kluwe to write a memoir about Real Life in the NFL.
The genesis of this book is a letter Kluwe wrote to a Maryland state delegate who wanted to restrict another NFL player's right to free speech (said player is also a supporter of marriage equality). The letter, one of the first pieces in the book, is hilarious. (Quote: "I can assure you that gay people getting married will have zero effect on your life. They won't come into your house and steal your children. They won't magically turn you into a lustful cockmonster.") Even funnier is the follow-up essay, exactly the same except for the naughty words turned into phrases such as BEAUTIFULLY UNIQUE SPARKLEPONY (hence the book's title) and UNFORTUNATELY PHALLIC HEDGE SCULPTURE. Which beautifully illustrates the ridiculousness of the brouhaha over the original letter's swearing.
The rest of the pieces--some are too short to really call them essays--are rather uneven in quality. Especially towards the end, where it is clear that Kluwe is running out of gas. Still, there are some gems here. My favorites are "The Darkness and the Light," "Bang Bang," "Who is John Galt?", and "Some Other People Have Even More Trouble With Logic."
I got this book from the library, which would probably be the best way to go with it. It's a quick, light read, and I enjoyed it, but I don't think it'd be worth buying in hardback. I would, however, love for Chris Kluwe to write a memoir about Real Life in the NFL.
February 15, 2014
If the point of this book was to make us all get over our appreciation for Kluwe's outspoken support of gay marriage, then I suppose it's a success. I was looking forward to reading this one based on ridiculous title and description, but I was severely disappointed. The first few essays were fun, "yeah, that's right!" kind of political rants, but pretty quickly the whole thing devolves into the self-righteous, insufferable ramblings of an ego-maniac who wants us to think he doesn't take himself too seriously while simultaneously presenting himself as a paragon of truth, justice and what should be the American way. It seems we're meant to be grateful to him for humbly imparting his wisdom and enlightening us, but his logic has significant flaws on numerous occasions. For instance, he supports his claim of a love for lifelong learning at an early age by saying that he was always the first one to raise his hand to answer a question. That's not lifelong learning, that's lifelong preening. He berates those with whom he disagrees on issues such as LGBTQ rights, with slurs about anal sex and feminine products. ...um? In fact, he compares some instance of violation of rights or corporate greed to anal penetration so many times that it becomes distracting, and the way it's phrased is often in such a way as to to make a mockery of anal rape, which I find more than a little disturbing, particularly from someone who purports "empathy" as one of his core values. Chris Kluwe, I may agree with your politics and share some of your nerdy interests, but you come off like a tool in this. What a shame.
October 24, 2014
This book fascinated me. It was interesting to see a writer who was so aware of his own privelege, yet occasionally throw out opinions that were so clearly shaped by his position in society. From his analysis of mortgages (yes, you're right - I'm paying twice what my house is worth, but I have to because I don't make the $770,000+ per year that you've made in the past!) to his take on people complaining about video games being released on only one platform (uh, I don't have a PS3 or a Wii, or an iPhone. Can't I complain that it's not on xBox if I can't afford the others?). He spends time saying how people are people and deserve respect and citizenship without question, but most of his positive examples are gendered masculinely. It's fascinating.
It doesn't take away from the wisdom from a lot of what he had to share, nor does it negate the snarky humor in which he shares it. I found it to be a very pleasant, very quotable read. But there were times were I wanted to pat him on the head and say "congratulations on your vocabulary, sir." It was just... a little too for my preference, at times.
I still found myself with agreeing and smiling more than disagreeing or shaking my head - which is usually how I like my nonfiction/essays/etc.
It doesn't take away from the wisdom from a lot of what he had to share, nor does it negate the snarky humor in which he shares it. I found it to be a very pleasant, very quotable read. But there were times were I wanted to pat him on the head and say "congratulations on your vocabulary, sir." It was just... a little too for my preference, at times.
I still found myself with agreeing and smiling more than disagreeing or shaking my head - which is usually how I like my nonfiction/essays/etc.
September 4, 2013
I *really* wanted to love this book. So much so that I bought it in hardcover (only after vetting my library's physical and e-book catalogs, of course). And to be fair, there were sections that I did love. However, the book as a whole felt (in part because Kluwe tells the reader so) like he grabbed a file filled with individual rants, rambles, and bits, slapped a title on it, and called it a book. For some pieces, this makes sense (like his response to Delegate Burns, from which the creative title is drawn). For the remainder, I wish someone had said, "yo, Chris, you have like, 8 chapters that deal specifically with marriage equality. Why not rework those into one bigger, cohesive piece?" (Particularly because virtually none of his chapters consist of more than 750-1000 words.) *Sigh*
Overall, I enjoyed (most) of Kluwe's pieces. But before his next book, I wish for Kluwe a great editor...
Overall, I enjoyed (most) of Kluwe's pieces. But before his next book, I wish for Kluwe a great editor...
July 5, 2025
This book is a collection of writings by NFL kicker Chris Kluwe. Kluwe developed a social media following after being an outspoken supporter of gay marriage at a time when the topic was more divisive (10 years ago). In this book, he talks about that topic and politics but also shares thoughts on a mix of different subjects, some serious, some humorous and absurd. I listened to the audiobook read by the author.
I liked this book, though I liked the more serious parts more than the lighter parts. It actually felt like reading his personal blog if he kept one, as if these were excerpts from his LiveJournal. He and I are the same age, and based on this book, it seemed like he spent as much time on the internet as I have. He also has a particular talent for coining insulting names for people.
I liked this book, though I liked the more serious parts more than the lighter parts. It actually felt like reading his personal blog if he kept one, as if these were excerpts from his LiveJournal. He and I are the same age, and based on this book, it seemed like he spent as much time on the internet as I have. He also has a particular talent for coining insulting names for people.
September 11, 2016
$3 at Chapters discount bin on holiday...needed hotel reading.
Worth every penny, not a ton more.
He's interesting, but a whole book is just "the world is shitty people, we need to be better" not exactly helpful. Also he's kinda up his own ass quite a bit. I feel like he bought into his own hype after being Twitter sensation as an NFLer with a brain. Seems to be he got blackballed for having an opinion on gay marriage (pro) which I'm fine with but apparently the manly footballers didn't care for.
Hope this made him some money, but in the end it's an utterly forgettable collection of short essays/verbal diarrhea from someone being catered to.
Toilet reading of the highest order. He gets pretty annoying in places even though I agree with his outlook about stupidity in humanity and complacency. Not even sure what he does now.
Worth every penny, not a ton more.
He's interesting, but a whole book is just "the world is shitty people, we need to be better" not exactly helpful. Also he's kinda up his own ass quite a bit. I feel like he bought into his own hype after being Twitter sensation as an NFLer with a brain. Seems to be he got blackballed for having an opinion on gay marriage (pro) which I'm fine with but apparently the manly footballers didn't care for.
Hope this made him some money, but in the end it's an utterly forgettable collection of short essays/verbal diarrhea from someone being catered to.
Toilet reading of the highest order. He gets pretty annoying in places even though I agree with his outlook about stupidity in humanity and complacency. Not even sure what he does now.
June 15, 2013
I picked this up out of admiration: I admire any guy who has the balls to truly speak his mind. In this book, Chris throws what must be 50-75 short vignettes at his readers on topics meandering from his eulogy for himself to what he's learned from his kids to how ridiculous our celebrity-obsessed culture is. While I enjoyed many of these stories, after time they became tired and repetitive, he would make the same point, the same way, in three different chapters. At it's best, the good stories were enjoyable to have read, but not something I would reach to my shelf to ever pick up again.
If you're looking for some light reading for a weekend away, pick this up, but it won't take you more than a day to really get through.
If you're looking for some light reading for a weekend away, pick this up, but it won't take you more than a day to really get through.
January 25, 2014
This assortment of essays and rants on technology, society, family, and self by smart and opinionated former Minnesota Vikings punter Kluwe is a mishmash of equal parts brilliance and ridiculousness. Unless you're a Vikings fan (and possibly even if you are), you know Kluwe from his famous 2012 letter to then-Maryland state delegate Emmett C. Burns. This book is like fifty such letters, but on various topics and organized in a disorganized fashion. Still and all, Sparkleponies should probably be required reading for anyone who doesn't like football and/or gay marriage. It'll show you.
March 4, 2025
Read his book because I was so impressed with his anti MAGA protest / Huntington Beach library plaque speech. He is firm in his beliefs and has colorful essays to illustrate his points - I’m an even bigger fan of him, now.
October 28, 2019
don't waste your time....
July 1, 2013
Although I'm a big fan of pop culture and sports, I don't tend to revere celebrities. While there are certainly people whose work or abilities I enjoy or appreciate more than others, the people I admire most or even view as personal heroes are often those making a difference in our world or impacting people's lives.
Former Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe (now an Oakland Raider) is one of those people. While as a football fan I knew of Kluwe's prowess on the field, I didn't become aware of his activism off the field until the middle of last year, when he wrote a public letter to a Maryland state delegate who had called on the Baltimore Ravens to curb the public pro-marriage equality stance of (now former) linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo. (I wrote about this last fall.) From that point on Kluwe became a vocal opponent of those who sought to ban marriage equality, in Minnesota and elsewhere, and he even filed an amicus curiae (friend of the court) brief in the marriage equality cases argued before the Supreme Court earlier this year. And he did all of this not because he is gay, not because he has gay family members, or because he's getting paid. He did (and does) this because he believes all people should be treated equally.
Beyond his support for marriage equality, Kluwe is a tremendously intelligent, well-read, and articulate person on a variety of subjects. He's a big fan of colorful—even obscene—language (not that there's anything wrong with that), and even if you don't necessarily agree with his arguments, most rational people would have to admire his passion and his ability to communicate his points of view. All of these are on fine display in the entertaining, well-written, and passionate (although slightly schizophrenic) collection of essays, letters, stories, and recollections, Beautifully Unique Sparkleponies: On Myths, Morons, Free Speech, Football, and Assorted Absurdities.
While many of the (often somewhat brief) chapters in this book focus on marriage equality, gun control, and other issues on which Kluwe is unabashedly liberal (again, not that there's anything wrong with that), still others are riffs on football, Atlas Shrugged, religion (including the Pope's taking to social media), the future, video games, injuries, his ego, and his lifelong love of reading. Some are more emotional, as Kluwe gives advice to his children about the future, and talks about the importance of treating each others the way you want to be treated. And still others border on the phantasmagorical, trippy rants directly from Kluwe's wild mind.
I really enjoyed this book because Kluwe was authentic, unswerving, and passionate. While I found some chapters resonated more with me than others, there's no denying his writing ability, his amazing and creative mind, and his strong beliefs in doing what is write, while making people laugh in the progress. The book is a bit disjointed in that the chapters come, much like football hits, one after the other, on one topic and then a totally different one. Is it a literary master work? No. But I admire not only what Kluwe had to say, but how he said it.
"The truth will help you win only if people are willing to educate themselves as to why truth is important, and, make no mistake, truth is very important." Beautifully Unique Sparkleponies: On Myths, Morons, Free Speech, Football, and Assorted Absurdities is a great reflection on the truth and the world according to Chris Kluwe, and in my mind, we need more people like him to tell the truth and share their passion.
Former Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe (now an Oakland Raider) is one of those people. While as a football fan I knew of Kluwe's prowess on the field, I didn't become aware of his activism off the field until the middle of last year, when he wrote a public letter to a Maryland state delegate who had called on the Baltimore Ravens to curb the public pro-marriage equality stance of (now former) linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo. (I wrote about this last fall.) From that point on Kluwe became a vocal opponent of those who sought to ban marriage equality, in Minnesota and elsewhere, and he even filed an amicus curiae (friend of the court) brief in the marriage equality cases argued before the Supreme Court earlier this year. And he did all of this not because he is gay, not because he has gay family members, or because he's getting paid. He did (and does) this because he believes all people should be treated equally.
Beyond his support for marriage equality, Kluwe is a tremendously intelligent, well-read, and articulate person on a variety of subjects. He's a big fan of colorful—even obscene—language (not that there's anything wrong with that), and even if you don't necessarily agree with his arguments, most rational people would have to admire his passion and his ability to communicate his points of view. All of these are on fine display in the entertaining, well-written, and passionate (although slightly schizophrenic) collection of essays, letters, stories, and recollections, Beautifully Unique Sparkleponies: On Myths, Morons, Free Speech, Football, and Assorted Absurdities.
While many of the (often somewhat brief) chapters in this book focus on marriage equality, gun control, and other issues on which Kluwe is unabashedly liberal (again, not that there's anything wrong with that), still others are riffs on football, Atlas Shrugged, religion (including the Pope's taking to social media), the future, video games, injuries, his ego, and his lifelong love of reading. Some are more emotional, as Kluwe gives advice to his children about the future, and talks about the importance of treating each others the way you want to be treated. And still others border on the phantasmagorical, trippy rants directly from Kluwe's wild mind.
I really enjoyed this book because Kluwe was authentic, unswerving, and passionate. While I found some chapters resonated more with me than others, there's no denying his writing ability, his amazing and creative mind, and his strong beliefs in doing what is write, while making people laugh in the progress. The book is a bit disjointed in that the chapters come, much like football hits, one after the other, on one topic and then a totally different one. Is it a literary master work? No. But I admire not only what Kluwe had to say, but how he said it.
"The truth will help you win only if people are willing to educate themselves as to why truth is important, and, make no mistake, truth is very important." Beautifully Unique Sparkleponies: On Myths, Morons, Free Speech, Football, and Assorted Absurdities is a great reflection on the truth and the world according to Chris Kluwe, and in my mind, we need more people like him to tell the truth and share their passion.
January 26, 2015
Every time I've gotten a Goodreads update via email the past year and a half, it's told me I'm currently reading Beautifully Unique Sparkleponies. Somehow it occurred to me only about three weeks ago that maybe it's been telling all of my friends that in all their Goodreads updates for the past year and a half as well. I really hope it hasn't been telling you've I've been reading this for the past year and a half. It's been on my nightstand that long, but I certainly didn't mean to keep you all apprised of that point. If I was inadvertently spamming all of you with Chris Kluwe's face for the past 18 months, I do apologize. I mean, it's a nice face, but... sorry.
ANYWAY. I did finally finish it. It certainly didn't take a year and a half because it's a tough read, but it's kind of a long and ranty and rambly read, and plowing through it in more than small doses got a little boring. The fact that this book was ever optioned and published is fascinating, really. Chris Kluwe was riding a sudden and unusual wave of fame and popularity. "He's a pro football player! Who's passionate about social issues! And speaks up amusingly and articulately on them! And my word, he's damn PRETTY, too! Let's all pay attention to him and listen to anything and everything on his mind!"
So he was everywhere for a while (and I'll admit I got sucked in, too), and it was the perfect window for someone in publishing to say, "You should write a book! We'll pay you to write one!" And I imagine Kluwe said, "Cool, but what should I write it about?" and they replied, "Anything! Everything! Just fill it up with whatever thoughts you feel like rattling off!" Which is how this book ended up being about football and politics and video games and religion and a hundred other random topics that would never find their way side by side into any other book that will ever exist. It's how there ended up being a whole essay describing and ranking the painfulness of every injury he's incurred, and how we got a chapter that starts, "You know what really pisses me off? Those stupid super-thin toilet paper sheets that make you feel like you're wiping your butt with a cardboard rag." He had a book deal. He had pages to fill. He took an "Anything goes" stance, and this is the book we got as a result.
It's not bad, but it is bizarre. This particular book deal wouldn't have been offered to anyone else, and it could only have been offered even to Kluwe in this one tiny sliver of time. Given that his football career has tanked, I do hope he made boatloads off of it, but whatever boatloads he's made are in the past. I can't see anyone purchasing it NOW, 18 months after its release. It was on my nightstand for 18 months because it's pretty forgettable.
The summer this book came out, I remember Kluwe retweeting a brief review someone posted on Twitter that went something like this: "Dear Chris Kluwe. Didn't care much for your book, but I do like your face. A+ on the face." That about sums it up.
ANYWAY. I did finally finish it. It certainly didn't take a year and a half because it's a tough read, but it's kind of a long and ranty and rambly read, and plowing through it in more than small doses got a little boring. The fact that this book was ever optioned and published is fascinating, really. Chris Kluwe was riding a sudden and unusual wave of fame and popularity. "He's a pro football player! Who's passionate about social issues! And speaks up amusingly and articulately on them! And my word, he's damn PRETTY, too! Let's all pay attention to him and listen to anything and everything on his mind!"
So he was everywhere for a while (and I'll admit I got sucked in, too), and it was the perfect window for someone in publishing to say, "You should write a book! We'll pay you to write one!" And I imagine Kluwe said, "Cool, but what should I write it about?" and they replied, "Anything! Everything! Just fill it up with whatever thoughts you feel like rattling off!" Which is how this book ended up being about football and politics and video games and religion and a hundred other random topics that would never find their way side by side into any other book that will ever exist. It's how there ended up being a whole essay describing and ranking the painfulness of every injury he's incurred, and how we got a chapter that starts, "You know what really pisses me off? Those stupid super-thin toilet paper sheets that make you feel like you're wiping your butt with a cardboard rag." He had a book deal. He had pages to fill. He took an "Anything goes" stance, and this is the book we got as a result.
It's not bad, but it is bizarre. This particular book deal wouldn't have been offered to anyone else, and it could only have been offered even to Kluwe in this one tiny sliver of time. Given that his football career has tanked, I do hope he made boatloads off of it, but whatever boatloads he's made are in the past. I can't see anyone purchasing it NOW, 18 months after its release. It was on my nightstand for 18 months because it's pretty forgettable.
The summer this book came out, I remember Kluwe retweeting a brief review someone posted on Twitter that went something like this: "Dear Chris Kluwe. Didn't care much for your book, but I do like your face. A+ on the face." That about sums it up.
January 12, 2014
Now, I'm not a big sports fan. Okay, that's not totally true, I like baseball and hockey quite a bit, but football is not my thing unless I'm at a Gopher game cheering for my alma mater. Living in Minnesota, the team that I would root for if I were a football fan would probably be the Vikings. Wlel, would have been the Vikings, were Chris Kluwe still on board. See, Chris Kluwe first came to my attention not as a punter for my local team, but through a letter he wrote to a Maryland politician who had stated that he thought that same sex marriage was an affront and that football players supporting it (namely Ravens player Ryan Ayanbadejo) should essentially shut up and play. Kluwe essentially told Burns (the politician) that he was wrong and a bigot, only in a much more colorful and humorous way. That was how I first heard of Chris Kluwe, and that was when I started actually rooting for the Vikings. Alas, Kluwe no longer plays for the Vikings, as he was let go at the end of last season (he charges that it was because he was such a vocal and unapologetic supporter of gay marriage/rights and the special teams coach is a bigot), but I'm not too worried about Kluwe, because he has a knack outside of being a good punter; he is eloquent and intelligent, and has a real knack for writing on many topics outside of football. Hell, even outside of politics.
BEAUTIFULLY UNIQUE SPARKLEPONIES (adorably and aptly named) is a collection of various things that Kluwe has written. It includes the infamous letter he wrote to Burns, a revised letter that takes out all of the vulgar language and replaces it with hilarious nonsensical phrases, his resignation to the Pioneer Press blog (after the paper said they weren't taking a stance on the marriage amendment in Minnesota in spite of the fact their editorial was incredibly biased in favor of the amendment), and also just random musings, forays into short stories that are rife wtih metaphor, and a little bit of football thrown in for good measure. While it does at times feel disjointed, it is also very, very funny. I nearly dropped the book in the bathtub while reading his 'revised' letter, if only because the thought of replacing swears like 'lustful cockmonster' with the likes of 'Minnesota State Fair Hotdog' was just hilarious and I couldn't stop laughing. There wasn't an overarching narrative with these essays, but I don't think that Kluwe ever intended them to be. It was also very evident that Kluwe is very, very passionate about marriage equality, and very much against those who want to limit the freedoms of one group of people because of a preconceived notion of morality that is picked and chosen. Kluwe is very angry with some of these oppressive institutions, and there is no question about it when you read some of these scathing take downs.
A pretty fun read, I like seeing a football player let his freak and/or geek flag fly.
BEAUTIFULLY UNIQUE SPARKLEPONIES (adorably and aptly named) is a collection of various things that Kluwe has written. It includes the infamous letter he wrote to Burns, a revised letter that takes out all of the vulgar language and replaces it with hilarious nonsensical phrases, his resignation to the Pioneer Press blog (after the paper said they weren't taking a stance on the marriage amendment in Minnesota in spite of the fact their editorial was incredibly biased in favor of the amendment), and also just random musings, forays into short stories that are rife wtih metaphor, and a little bit of football thrown in for good measure. While it does at times feel disjointed, it is also very, very funny. I nearly dropped the book in the bathtub while reading his 'revised' letter, if only because the thought of replacing swears like 'lustful cockmonster' with the likes of 'Minnesota State Fair Hotdog' was just hilarious and I couldn't stop laughing. There wasn't an overarching narrative with these essays, but I don't think that Kluwe ever intended them to be. It was also very evident that Kluwe is very, very passionate about marriage equality, and very much against those who want to limit the freedoms of one group of people because of a preconceived notion of morality that is picked and chosen. Kluwe is very angry with some of these oppressive institutions, and there is no question about it when you read some of these scathing take downs.
A pretty fun read, I like seeing a football player let his freak and/or geek flag fly.
October 29, 2015
http://www.themaineedge.com/buzz/a-pu...
“Beautifully Unique Sparkleponies” starts off in perhaps the only way it could: a reprint of Kluwe’s Deadspin evisceration of Emmet Burns. In fact, the title of the collection springs from that letter after a fashion.
See, while the majority of Kluwe’s critics used “He’s only a punter” as the foundation for their dismissal of him, others viewed his liberal use of profanity and other perceived vulgarities as a way to negate the validity of his views.
So Kluwe did a rewrite, replacing any and all profane turns of phrase with terminology that, while often absurd, could never be confused with vulgarity. Thus, one of the most-quoted phrases – a phrase that simply cannot be printed here, as much as we might like to; a phrase informing Mr. Burns what gay marriage would not, in fact, turn him into – became “beautifully unique sparkleponies.”
Happily, the message still came through loud and clear.
But before you start to think that Kluwe is just a one-trick sparklepony, just know that these two versions of that infamous letter simply serve as a jumping-off point into the deep end of the pool that is Chris Kluwe’s mindset. While he has become one of the pro sports faces in the fight for marriage equality – and there is no doubt the issue is hugely important to him – there’s more to the book than that.
The essays range from humorous looks at the attitudes of people on the internet to serious explorations of the realities of human rights. He talks about books that he has read and songs that he has written (his piece about finally reading “Atlas Shrugged” might be my favorite of the entire bunch). He even talks about football – things like the Super Bowl and the NFL draft.
But the one thing that all these pieces have in common – all 60-plus of them – is that they all sound off in their author’s unique voice. Kluwe’s combination of passion and intelligent self-deprecation has resulted in some must-read stuff. Are they all winners? No; Kluwe occasionally overreaches on a subject, trying a touch too hard in an effort to make his point. But the majority of writings in this collection strike the right balance, combining intelligence and humor and anger into engaging expression.
Perhaps the highest compliment I can pay to “Beautifully Unique Sparkleponies” is this: I would have greatly enjoyed the book even if I had never heard of Chris Kluwe, NFL punter. And I suppose that’s the point; this is not an entitled athlete cashing in on his fame with a book deal. Chris Kluwe is a talented writer with plenty to say. He just happens to kick footballs for a living.
Although if this book is any indication, he certainly has other options.
For an interview with Chris Kluwe: : http://www.themaineedge.com/news/cove...
“Beautifully Unique Sparkleponies” starts off in perhaps the only way it could: a reprint of Kluwe’s Deadspin evisceration of Emmet Burns. In fact, the title of the collection springs from that letter after a fashion.
See, while the majority of Kluwe’s critics used “He’s only a punter” as the foundation for their dismissal of him, others viewed his liberal use of profanity and other perceived vulgarities as a way to negate the validity of his views.
So Kluwe did a rewrite, replacing any and all profane turns of phrase with terminology that, while often absurd, could never be confused with vulgarity. Thus, one of the most-quoted phrases – a phrase that simply cannot be printed here, as much as we might like to; a phrase informing Mr. Burns what gay marriage would not, in fact, turn him into – became “beautifully unique sparkleponies.”
Happily, the message still came through loud and clear.
But before you start to think that Kluwe is just a one-trick sparklepony, just know that these two versions of that infamous letter simply serve as a jumping-off point into the deep end of the pool that is Chris Kluwe’s mindset. While he has become one of the pro sports faces in the fight for marriage equality – and there is no doubt the issue is hugely important to him – there’s more to the book than that.
The essays range from humorous looks at the attitudes of people on the internet to serious explorations of the realities of human rights. He talks about books that he has read and songs that he has written (his piece about finally reading “Atlas Shrugged” might be my favorite of the entire bunch). He even talks about football – things like the Super Bowl and the NFL draft.
But the one thing that all these pieces have in common – all 60-plus of them – is that they all sound off in their author’s unique voice. Kluwe’s combination of passion and intelligent self-deprecation has resulted in some must-read stuff. Are they all winners? No; Kluwe occasionally overreaches on a subject, trying a touch too hard in an effort to make his point. But the majority of writings in this collection strike the right balance, combining intelligence and humor and anger into engaging expression.
Perhaps the highest compliment I can pay to “Beautifully Unique Sparkleponies” is this: I would have greatly enjoyed the book even if I had never heard of Chris Kluwe, NFL punter. And I suppose that’s the point; this is not an entitled athlete cashing in on his fame with a book deal. Chris Kluwe is a talented writer with plenty to say. He just happens to kick footballs for a living.
Although if this book is any indication, he certainly has other options.
For an interview with Chris Kluwe: : http://www.themaineedge.com/news/cove...
December 16, 2013
This book is pretty much my worst nightmare. Kluwe is smart, funny, often clever, and [IMO] right on the issues. But the book is grating and disjointed and self-righteous and, above all, unnecessary. No one needed him to write this book, and nothing has been gained by my reading it. Except that I lost some respect for him because of his idiotic defense of his salary (in a chapter entirely about how horrible it is that sports and entertainment figures are paid more than public servants), and for his bizarre infatuation with his brain. So many vignettes where he explains how these AMAZING thoughts even occur to him. Maybe he has such an inflated idea of himself because he worked for so long in a field where intellect was not the number one emphasis, but so many reminders that he reads books and then on and on about how his mind is the only open mind. It's kind of embarrassing to read.
Ugh. I had such hopes!
Ugh. I had such hopes!
September 20, 2013
Contrary to what my 2-star rating indicates, there are parts of this book I genuinely liked. I generally agree with Kluwe's viewpoints and find him to be an intelligent and insightful writer. I just found there to be too much filler: chapters that didn't need to be there because they were repetitive, whiny, or just completely pointless. Did we really need a chapter that was simply a stream of consciousness list of twenty or so words? How about a list of injuries (groin pull, sprained ankle, etc.) and what they feel like? A chapter complaining about cheap toilet paper? Kluwe is better than this. There's some really important material here, but it really wasn't enough to fill a book. A blog, maybe. It seems as if the publisher rushed to release the book and capitalize on Kluwe's newsworthiness before he really had enough time to write enough material worthy of his talent.
October 13, 2013
I wanted to love this book and - as several reviewers have stated elsewhere - there are portions of this book I did love. However, the format of the book and the piecing of the essays / entries together didn't make for the best end product. Kluwe is an interesting man and I have loved listening to him on various Podcasts (this makes me wonder what a longer form piece of writing might look like from him) but a lot of that, for me at least, didn't transfer to the book. I will say this in the book's defense: It didn't make me less interested in Kluwe or his views. In other words: I'm more than willing to give a follow up a go.
October 28, 2013
Okay, Chris Kluwe and I are on the same page about a lot of things. These are great essays on all variety of topics, and each, on their own, is a compelling work. What keeps me from giving this book 5 stars is the poor editing. It feels as if they were all just jumbled together without much rhyme or reason. Ultimately what this book needs more than anything is a unifying arc from beginning to end, something that it ultimately lacks.
I'll buy pretty much anything Kluwe puts out—his style and sense of humor jive nicely with mine—and this is definitely a book worth reading. Just not a 5-star effort.
I'll buy pretty much anything Kluwe puts out—his style and sense of humor jive nicely with mine—and this is definitely a book worth reading. Just not a 5-star effort.
August 28, 2014
Kluwe has potential. You see the potential in this collection of blog posts and letters to the editor that's collected into a hardcover book. He has lots of ideas, but needs an editor to help him develop and focus his ideas. On the other hand, if I could give half stars I would. This book contains the awesome reply to Emmett C. Burns, Maryland state delegate, who wrote a letter to the owner of the Baltimore Ravens, back when a Ravens linebacker stated his support of same-sex marriage. The Maryland state delegate threatened government intervention if the Ravens player could not be silenced. Kluwe's reply is that good to deserve a star by itself.
July 27, 2013
Chris Kluwe is an astute guy who transcends the stereotype of the meathead or uncultured football player, and would be great to hang out with at a bar. He has a strong ability to write a sharp, memorable sentence, and represent an old idea in a new way. These characteristics alone do not inherently lead to a coherent, compelling book, as Beautiful Unique Sparkleponies demonstrates. But I'm glad to know that there Chris Kluwes in professional sports, and to the degree that exposure for this book increases the likelihood of more Kluwes expressing themselves, I guess I'm all for it.
November 27, 2013
Two stars not for the content of the book, but rather the organization and presentation of it all. It just isn't a very fulfilling book. It seems like a large collection of blog rants compiled together...many of which were very funny and thoughtful. It just wasn't a very satisfying book to read (perhaps because I waited for so many months to get this through the public library...I was just left disappointed).
January 10, 2014
Quite erudite discourse at times, and deliciously vulgar yet poignant phrasing. Still, best saved for small doses, as it careens from topic to topic, and the meandering subject matter eventually blurs together if you read too much at once.
July 7, 2013
Hilariously clever! I didn't think it was possible to love this guy more than I already did but he's succeeded at doing just that! Impressive read from one of my newest heroes!
August 4, 2013
There are wonderful moments in this book, surrounded by meandering pseudo-philosophical ramblings. I laughed, I yawned, I decided to get up and go do something else.
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