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Motherhood The Second Oldest Profession
What kind of mother would...
...hang up on E.T.?
...tip the tooth fairy?
...wash a measuring cup with soap after it held only water?
...reply when asked what it was like to give birth to Erma Bombeck, "It was a rotten job, but someone had to do it."
Read Erma Bombeck's hilarious new book to find out...
177 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
321 people are currently reading
1519 people want to read
About the author
Erma Bombeck
105 books546 followersErma Louise Bombeck, born Erma Fiste, was an American humorist who achieved great popularity for a newspaper column that depicted suburban home life humorously, in the second half of the 20th century.
For 31 years since 1965, Erma Bombeck published 4,000 newspaper articles. Already in the 1970s, her witty columns were read, twice weekly, by thirty million readers of 900 newspapers of USA and Canada. Besides, the majority of her 15 books became instant best sellers.
For 31 years since 1965, Erma Bombeck published 4,000 newspaper articles. Already in the 1970s, her witty columns were read, twice weekly, by thirty million readers of 900 newspapers of USA and Canada. Besides, the majority of her 15 books became instant best sellers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 229 reviews
July 21, 2019
One of my favourite humorists to read!
January 3, 2021
الكتاب هو مقالات ساخرة مجمعة لإيرما بومبك التي إكتسبت شهرتها من خلال كتابة مقالات إسبوعية في الصحف الأمريكية ساخرة فيها مما تعانيه الأمهات والصعوبات التي تقابلهن في القيام بثاني أصعب وظيفة في الحياة.
تنوعت مواضيع المقالات ولكن خفة دم إيرما القادمة من سبعينات القرن الماضي كانت ترسم الضحكة على وجهي ومعرفة أن الصعوبات واحدة رغم إختلاف الزمن واللغة والمجتمع كان يمس قلبي.
فما تتناوله إيرما من أزمات الأمهات الجدية منذ الحمل للولادة لتربية رضيع ثم طفل ثم مراهق أخيرا فشاب وثم الوحدة وإستمرار القلق حتى بعد مغادرة الأبناء العش هو يخص كل أم كانت وتكون وستكون مهما كانت جنسيتها، عمرها، خلفيتها الثقافية يبقى دائما رابط خفي يوحد كل الأمهات عابر لحدود الزمان والمكان.
جزى الله الأمهات جميعا عما بذوله ومازالوا يبذلونه من حب وحنان وحضن يساع الكون ❤❤❤
تنوعت مواضيع المقالات ولكن خفة دم إيرما القادمة من سبعينات القرن الماضي كانت ترسم الضحكة على وجهي ومعرفة أن الصعوبات واحدة رغم إختلاف الزمن واللغة والمجتمع كان يمس قلبي.
فما تتناوله إيرما من أزمات الأمهات الجدية منذ الحمل للولادة لتربية رضيع ثم طفل ثم مراهق أخيرا فشاب وثم الوحدة وإستمرار القلق حتى بعد مغادرة الأبناء العش هو يخص كل أم كانت وتكون وستكون مهما كانت جنسيتها، عمرها، خلفيتها الثقافية يبقى دائما رابط خفي يوحد كل الأمهات عابر لحدود الزمان والمكان.
جزى الله الأمهات جميعا عما بذوله ومازالوا يبذلونه من حب وحنان وحضن يساع الكون ❤❤❤
June 22, 2009
This book was a quick read. Very funny, as Bombeck always was to me. She also tells some sad and insightful things in this book. Of course there is special significance to me trying to get into the mind of a mother, and mothers everywhere, but this book felt a little dated. There are many more books from the more recent generation that tell these stories, but this one captures a moment in time, and what the interpretation was then. It was while I was growing up and my sisters were being born, so it definately made me think a lot about how my mother dealt with situations and how she learned things. All in all, read the book, and don't be so self-conscious that you cant' laugh or cry! It makes the book better!
March 31, 2010
I have fond memories of seeing this book on my mother's night stand and decided to revisit it. Not having kids of my own did not in any way detract from the classic humor and endearing quality of Ms. Bombeck's stories. As a matter of fact I think that should I ever be blessed/cursed with motherhood I might actually feel a little better prepared having read a little Erma. At the very least it helps me understand what my (and every other) mother goes through in a deeply personal and absolutely hilarious way. A must-read for every adult human.
November 21, 2016
Yes, that (below) was a good essay, worth reading this short book for. But others in the collection are even more meaningful. And a lot are very dated. I remember liking Bombeck when I was very young, and am glad to know I still do... but I can't quite recommend this to people who don't already have a reason to read her.
---------------
> I am looking for the title of a fiction short story that I read in a used book many years ago -- perhaps around 1984-1988. I think the stories in the book were written by the same author, though I'm not sure. I don't remember the author's name. I erroneously believed the story was in Erma Bombeck's book, "If Life Is a Bowl of Cherries, What Am I Doing in the Pits?", which I read on the same trip. Maybe the actual book was also in the humor genera.
>
> In the story, an aging woman casually discusses the common, day-to-day events of her life with her husband, who has died years ago, and who she misses deeply. She converses with him constantly, acting as if he can hear her from heaven. She says things like, "Well, Ed, today I went to the store to buy bread, and while I was there ..." (The former sentence is a made-up example of how she talks, and I'm sure his name isn't really Ed.) The entire story is just her ongoing monologue, written almost like diary entries, with different dates listed. One of the few details I remember is that the woman references her husband's deep love for golf. At another one point, she begins the day's narrative by with the tongue-in-cheek remark, "Ed, if you can hear me, give me a sign ... like lowering the heat to 95 degrees." Then she goes on to talk about the sweltering environment in the place where she has newly moved. She has hardships as she ages, but the story has a sweet and gentle poignancy. At the end of the story, she is finally placed in a nursing home. On her first day, she continues to talk to Ed quietly, sad but accepting. Then the short story switches from first person to third person, as one of the other elderly residents approaches her and asks who she was talking to. The woman awkwardly admits that she was talking to her husband Ed. The second woman brightens and says enthusiastically, "Did you say 'Ed'? Oh! My George died a few years ago, and he talks about an Ed all the time! Does he play golf? What is his handicap?" (I'm pretty sure that these were the exact or almost exact words of the last two sentences.) It was a very sweet surprise ending.
>
> Does anyone know the title of this short story?
It is by Erma Bombeck, but from a different book: "Motherhood: The
Second Oldest Profession". (Perhaps you were reading one of the omnibus
collections that include both this and "If Life Is a Bowl..."?) The
story in question is titled "Rose" (Chapter 37), and the final paragraph is:
Her visitor said, "You're talking to Seymour? My husband died two
years ago and talks about a Seymour all the time. Does he play golf?
What's his handicap?"
---------------
> I am looking for the title of a fiction short story that I read in a used book many years ago -- perhaps around 1984-1988. I think the stories in the book were written by the same author, though I'm not sure. I don't remember the author's name. I erroneously believed the story was in Erma Bombeck's book, "If Life Is a Bowl of Cherries, What Am I Doing in the Pits?", which I read on the same trip. Maybe the actual book was also in the humor genera.
>
> In the story, an aging woman casually discusses the common, day-to-day events of her life with her husband, who has died years ago, and who she misses deeply. She converses with him constantly, acting as if he can hear her from heaven. She says things like, "Well, Ed, today I went to the store to buy bread, and while I was there ..." (The former sentence is a made-up example of how she talks, and I'm sure his name isn't really Ed.) The entire story is just her ongoing monologue, written almost like diary entries, with different dates listed. One of the few details I remember is that the woman references her husband's deep love for golf. At another one point, she begins the day's narrative by with the tongue-in-cheek remark, "Ed, if you can hear me, give me a sign ... like lowering the heat to 95 degrees." Then she goes on to talk about the sweltering environment in the place where she has newly moved. She has hardships as she ages, but the story has a sweet and gentle poignancy. At the end of the story, she is finally placed in a nursing home. On her first day, she continues to talk to Ed quietly, sad but accepting. Then the short story switches from first person to third person, as one of the other elderly residents approaches her and asks who she was talking to. The woman awkwardly admits that she was talking to her husband Ed. The second woman brightens and says enthusiastically, "Did you say 'Ed'? Oh! My George died a few years ago, and he talks about an Ed all the time! Does he play golf? What is his handicap?" (I'm pretty sure that these were the exact or almost exact words of the last two sentences.) It was a very sweet surprise ending.
>
> Does anyone know the title of this short story?
It is by Erma Bombeck, but from a different book: "Motherhood: The
Second Oldest Profession". (Perhaps you were reading one of the omnibus
collections that include both this and "If Life Is a Bowl..."?) The
story in question is titled "Rose" (Chapter 37), and the final paragraph is:
Her visitor said, "You're talking to Seymour? My husband died two
years ago and talks about a Seymour all the time. Does he play golf?
What's his handicap?"
April 9, 2009
Any book that makes my husband shush me at 11:30 is worth at least four stars. I laughed, I cried, I hugged my kids.
November 21, 2017
Just OK
The humor in this book definitely shows it's age. While there are some funny parts, much of it falls victim to the passage of time. I was ready to give this book a two star rating until I read the chapter on Bombeck's own mother. For some reason, that single chapter somewhat redeemed the book in my eyes.
The humor in this book definitely shows it's age. While there are some funny parts, much of it falls victim to the passage of time. I was ready to give this book a two star rating until I read the chapter on Bombeck's own mother. For some reason, that single chapter somewhat redeemed the book in my eyes.
October 1, 2021
After enjoying the nostalgia and everyday humor in the last book I picked up by Erma Bombeck, I decided to grab up another of hers that remained unread for me. Motherhood was full of essays ranging from bittersweet to hilarious. I wasn't expecting the challenge to my emotions and thinking, but was glad to get it.
Erma Bombeck usually focuses on an individual 'made-up' character, but for this one, she included some real types including bits of herself though she changed the names. I've always enjoyed her pointed humor that keeps a housewife and mother's life sane- if you can't laugh then you will most certainly crack seems to be the core of it. But, here, there were pointed essays that spoke to mothers of all kinds and didn't just stick to the humor though it was there throughout- from young mom to empty-nester wannabee and to grandparent, from birth moms to adopt, from working mom to mom who wants out. And, most hardhitting, to me, were moms who were growing old and losing their memories to moms who did their best and their children ended up criminals. A wonderful hodge-podge that gave insight along with the humor. Not the lighter stuff and I had to adjust my reader expectations, but totally worth the read and winning as usual.
Erma Bombeck usually focuses on an individual 'made-up' character, but for this one, she included some real types including bits of herself though she changed the names. I've always enjoyed her pointed humor that keeps a housewife and mother's life sane- if you can't laugh then you will most certainly crack seems to be the core of it. But, here, there were pointed essays that spoke to mothers of all kinds and didn't just stick to the humor though it was there throughout- from young mom to empty-nester wannabee and to grandparent, from birth moms to adopt, from working mom to mom who wants out. And, most hardhitting, to me, were moms who were growing old and losing their memories to moms who did their best and their children ended up criminals. A wonderful hodge-podge that gave insight along with the humor. Not the lighter stuff and I had to adjust my reader expectations, but totally worth the read and winning as usual.
October 23, 2007
I remember my parents watching Erma Bombeck on Good Morning America back in the 1980s. I remember think she was out of touch with how our family worked but lots of people my parents age thought she was funny.
Through BookCrossing I came across her sixth book: Just Wait Until You Have Children of Your Own which was illustrated by Bil Keane (of Family Circus). Having enjoyed that book, I got this book at last year's local BookCrossing meeting.
Motherhood, the Second Oldest Profession was Bombeck's 11th collection of humorous sketches about being a mother and housewife. It was also done at probably the height of her popularity when she was up on a pedestal as the ultimate super-mom comedienne. Along with her fame came an imposed wholesomeness. Her status role model is reflected in these essays. In the Keane book, she wrote mostly about her own children and how ill equipped she felt about being a parent. In this book she has stories from a variety of baby-boom generation mothers which end on forced up notes and heartwarming moral lessons.
Yes, parenting is a lot of work and has the potential for being heartbreaking work especially if there is a family tragedy but Bombeck's essays that cover these topics feel forced. I think also by the 1980s, her children must have been grown so she was out of touch with modern family dynamics.
Through BookCrossing I came across her sixth book: Just Wait Until You Have Children of Your Own which was illustrated by Bil Keane (of Family Circus). Having enjoyed that book, I got this book at last year's local BookCrossing meeting.
Motherhood, the Second Oldest Profession was Bombeck's 11th collection of humorous sketches about being a mother and housewife. It was also done at probably the height of her popularity when she was up on a pedestal as the ultimate super-mom comedienne. Along with her fame came an imposed wholesomeness. Her status role model is reflected in these essays. In the Keane book, she wrote mostly about her own children and how ill equipped she felt about being a parent. In this book she has stories from a variety of baby-boom generation mothers which end on forced up notes and heartwarming moral lessons.
Yes, parenting is a lot of work and has the potential for being heartbreaking work especially if there is a family tragedy but Bombeck's essays that cover these topics feel forced. I think also by the 1980s, her children must have been grown so she was out of touch with modern family dynamics.
January 8, 2012
Erma Bombeck, the beloved newspaper columnist who wrote about the foibles of motherhood, expanded upon her familiar territory in "Motherhood: The Second Oldest Profession." The result is a work that, though familiar-sounding, delves deeper and sometimes darker than her newspaper columns did.
For example, Bombeck reruns one of her most popular columns, a paean to the mothers of disabled children, answering it with a new companion piece where the mother of a disabled child criticizes the original column, calling it naive and speaking about the realities of her life. In another piece, Bombeck expands upon a newspaper column where she had joked about leaving behind letters for each of her children to tell them she'd loved them best. In "Motherhood," the expanded piece takes place at the mother's funeral, as each of the children reads his or her letter privately. The resulting work takes on a more serious, almost ponderous import.
In the pages of "Motherhood," Bombeck shows that she is capable of contemplating more than just the whereabouts of wayward socks disappeared from the dryer. While these pieces still evince her trademark wit, they go beyond classic Bombeck, exploring the deeper side of motherhood.
For example, Bombeck reruns one of her most popular columns, a paean to the mothers of disabled children, answering it with a new companion piece where the mother of a disabled child criticizes the original column, calling it naive and speaking about the realities of her life. In another piece, Bombeck expands upon a newspaper column where she had joked about leaving behind letters for each of her children to tell them she'd loved them best. In "Motherhood," the expanded piece takes place at the mother's funeral, as each of the children reads his or her letter privately. The resulting work takes on a more serious, almost ponderous import.
In the pages of "Motherhood," Bombeck shows that she is capable of contemplating more than just the whereabouts of wayward socks disappeared from the dryer. While these pieces still evince her trademark wit, they go beyond classic Bombeck, exploring the deeper side of motherhood.
March 5, 2011
With my daughter expecting her first child I decided to give her the book to read. After I found her laughing at the book I decided to reread the book. Erma Bombeck and her insights, she is what I consider to be part of the American scene, Mom, Apple Pie and Baseball.
This book, which I read in one day. It made me laugh, roll my eyes about how Erma got situations just right and cry. The one chapter that made me cry the hardest is the letter from a mom whose son is a criminal. I love the letter from a teenager asking how did moms super powers.
This is a wonderful read for all moms and she actually be required. This is a book to read in different stages of your life too. This is a timeless book and I am glad that I thought to share it with my daughter who will be a new first time mom.
5Stars
This book, which I read in one day. It made me laugh, roll my eyes about how Erma got situations just right and cry. The one chapter that made me cry the hardest is the letter from a mom whose son is a criminal. I love the letter from a teenager asking how did moms super powers.
This is a wonderful read for all moms and she actually be required. This is a book to read in different stages of your life too. This is a timeless book and I am glad that I thought to share it with my daughter who will be a new first time mom.
5Stars
December 13, 2019
This book comprises a bunch of short chapters about the different kinds of mothers, often with a humorous take.
In the guise of attacking a stack of books people gave me to read, this book was in that stack. I have to say that I was not impressed with this book. I understand that Erma Bombeck was a humorist, but I didn't necessarily find much actual humor for me in this book. I guess most of the book seemed very tired and the humor fell flat with me. There was only one chapter which I liked -- Ethyl's chapter, almost the very last one of the book.
In the guise of attacking a stack of books people gave me to read, this book was in that stack. I have to say that I was not impressed with this book. I understand that Erma Bombeck was a humorist, but I didn't necessarily find much actual humor for me in this book. I guess most of the book seemed very tired and the humor fell flat with me. There was only one chapter which I liked -- Ethyl's chapter, almost the very last one of the book.
February 5, 2016
I'd read several quotes and a few columns by Erma Bombeck, but never one of her books until today. I saw this cover in the library and obviously had to take it home. Bombeck is hilarious and poignant, sometimes a little sentimental. I love how she celebrates all kinds of mothers, and the petty condescension of the "right kind of mother" that I see and read so much of today in the media, particularly social media, finds no place here.
July 23, 2009
Another one that I read when I was much younger that I should read again as an adult/wife/mother. I bet I didn't even get half the jokes when I was 12! But I know I thought it was hilarious then, so it'll probably be twice as funny to me now.
February 20, 2011
Meh. I had memories of her being hilarious. This was amusing, with some endearing stories.
March 17, 2019
The humor is dated, but I always enjoyed her sarcasm. :)
May 5, 2020
This one is not entirely for the faint of heart, but some beautiful stories about being a mom to many diverse children
October 30, 2009
This book was written from an era where more mothers stayed home, used starch and wrote hand written notes. Also, more stigma's about soap opera's must have circulated. With that said, though I didn't know some of the celebrities referenced, I can relate very much to the sarcasm and satire Erma Bombeck creates. Some comments truly made me laugh and surprisingly, I did have cause for reflection on others. For mothers who invest interest through the day to day trudging through kids, laundry and sanity, this is a fun relation even if I didn't get the parts about Joan Crawford!
June 10, 2010
I LOVE Erma Bombeck. I read this and all her others many, many years ago. Laughed then even when I wasn't even old enough to have kids and laughed even harder now that I do and can relate. Anyone else that writes about motherhood can't hold a candle to Erma, who is an original. Funny, funny stuff.
September 9, 2009
I read this book about 12 years ago - way before I had a kid of my own - and even then I found it hilarious. It was my mom's book and I loved it so much that I haven't ever given it back to her and have bought more. I would love to read it again some day, now that I'm a mom too.
January 14, 2010
Years ago I really liked Erma Bombeck's books. Don't know if my taste has changed or this book just isn't as good as the ones I remember. Guess I have to try another one to find out for sure! They don't take long to read.
December 29, 2010
A quick, fun read that made my day! It is always nice to know you aren't alone - Mothering problems are timeless!
I grew up reading my Moms Erma Bombeck books, so when I saw this at a library book sale for 10 cents I snatched it up! Worth every penny! I will be keeping my eyes open for more!
I grew up reading my Moms Erma Bombeck books, so when I saw this at a library book sale for 10 cents I snatched it up! Worth every penny! I will be keeping my eyes open for more!
April 22, 2011
It's funny because it's true. Erma Bombeck is great. Some of her stories made me laugh, some made me cry, some made me feel guilty, others removed all guilt whatsoever, all made me happy to be a mom and proud of the profession I have chosen.
May 19, 2013
the first 3 sentences and I am laughing my bum off. I think I struck gold!
This was one of the funniest books I ever read. It was also thoughtful, insightful, comforting and genuine. I found myself an author that I truly adore.
This was one of the funniest books I ever read. It was also thoughtful, insightful, comforting and genuine. I found myself an author that I truly adore.
February 24, 2013
This was such a sweet little collection of essays about the things that all us mommas go through but rarely talk about. It's a great book to read in little pieces as each chapter goes quickly. Some are touching, some are downright hilarious. Definitely one to pick up at some point along the way!
February 12, 2020
I read her columns off and on decades ago--thought she was clever and even insightful. She doesn't age well. It is less the content or even her humor but my standards for writing have continued to increase throughout my life.
August 5, 2007
I refuse to believe this book was published in 1992 (or whatever it says)...I didn't even "get" the title, I was so young when I read it!
November 3, 2008
I have loved pretty much everything I've ever read by Erma Bombeck, and this book was hysterical. You don't even have to have kids to appreciate the humor!
November 12, 2008
I love Erma. She has such a way of putting things into perspective, doesn't she?
November 6, 2009
Some funny and some too close to home, all the stories in here remind us to enjoy, as time soon passes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 229 reviews