Time to Thank: Caregiving for My Hero

by Steve Guttenberg

After his father—the hero and strength of the family—is diagnosed with kidney failure, actor Steve Guttenberg dedicates himself to becoming a caregiver and reflects on their life together, from childhood through his Hollywood career, in his father’s final years.Since moving to Hollywood at age seventeen, Steve Guttenberg has delighted and moved audiences with his film and television work. But when his father is diagnosed with kidney failure, Steve has to step into a new and wholly unexpected caretaker. In Time to Thank, Steve tracks his weekly road trips from Los Angeles to Arizona to care for his father and the ways in which his time on the road affords him the perspective to reflect on his life.Through the prism of his relationship with his father, Steve recounts his early life in Queens and Long Island; his early career as a rising Hollywood star, trying to find his way with the encouragement of his parents; and the painful and moving work of helping care for an ailing family member at the end of their life. From glamorous Hollywood parties and film sets around the world to the daily process of dialysis in suburban Phoenix, Steve offers his wit, empathy, and signature charm.This is a book for movie fans, road trip junkies, and anyone who finds themselves doing the hard work of caring for an aging loved one. Steve Guttenberg serves as a uniquely perceptive guide through all these phases of life, with a story that is certain to touch readers and make sure they know that they’re not alone.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Audiobook

240 pages, Hardcover

Published May 21, 2024

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read a lot of caregiving books since my career is supporting caregivers. I also needed to read this to prep for a podcast interview with Steve. What a found was a family story of love that resonated with my own. I have lost both my parents. There was a portion of caregiving years when I was traveling 6 hours by car to support my parents.
Lots of time to think in those car rides. This book blends stories from the past to those of the final years Steve treasured with his dad. I enjoyed getting to know the softer side of Hollywood movie star Steve and wished there were more humans in our world like his dad, Stanley.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful.

I can attest there is no greater gift than being a care giver to your parent. Returning that precious love and care that they so freely gave you is a joy and blessing, and the hardest thing you may ever experience.

Steve Gutenberg told his story with tenderness and love and compassion and honesty. I could feel the sheer respect and pride he has for his father. What a perfectly crafted journey he took me on. It was an honor to get to know them all.

[Mikey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything this man had done in terms of his legendary film roles to his first book to this amazing tribute to his father has brought a smile to my face. What you see on camera is even better In person from the two amazing experiences I had with him at a chiller show and a book signing. He’s one of the good guys and really enjoyed this unique book which is a reminder to never be too busy for our loved ones and don’t get to the point of not knowing what you had til it’s gone. Thanks always Steve guttenberg you are a true mensch.

[Mark Lieberman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a small handful of books about fathers and sons, and this one is one of the best.

Steve Guttenberg tells the story of him, his wife, his sisters, and his brother-in-law taking their dad to dialysis. Steve drives from California to Arizona to be with them, and shares a lot of stories about them when father took care of his son as well as son taking care of his father. I could easily tell that Steve absolutely loved his father, especially when they did things together from the stories.

Overall, I enjoyed the book.

[Tony Farinella · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wrestled with whether to give this book 3 or 4 stars. I ultimately settled on 3 stars. I’m a huge Steve Guttenberg fan, and I have great respect for him as an actor and a human being. This book is the perfect example of a great idea with poor execution. I imagine this book was very therapeutic and healing for Steve Gutenberg, as he talks about being a caregiver for his father before he passed. He mixes in stories from his career in the movies and lessons he learned from his father. At times, he’s able to blend it all together in a heartfelt, tender, and insightful way. Other times, he doesn’t go deep enough and the book feels like it’s missing direction. It feels too meandering at times. It’s an above average book that could have been great.

[Sarah Ewald · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heart-felt love story to his dad.
Told in flash backs to his childhood and his immense admiration for his dad, who in Steve's eyes, was the strongest person he had ever known. Time goes forward to when Steve, full of ambition, goes to Hollywood with the blessing of his parents, and their $300.
All his recollections take place as he makes his weekly 400 mile trip from his home north of LA to his dad and mom's home in Arizona. He takes the trip each week to be with his dad as he undergoes dialysis three times a week. It is a tiresome trip, but there is no place he'd rather be than with his dad.
He loses himself in his thoughts as he makes the trip, counting down the miles, often caught by a police patrol with his lead foot.

[booksbydorothea · Rating 5 out of 5]

5.0 stars
HIGHLY recommend

What a tribute to Mr. Stanley Guttenberg by his beloved son, Steve. This memoir details the caregiving of his dad during his terminal end-stage kidney disease, including dialysis treatment.

The subject is not an easy one, and Steve handles it with compassion and respect. We will all be the caregiver, provider, or both in our life. Steve and his family made his dad's last year or so manageable and full of love.

If you want a lovely memoir, something uplifting, or like Steve Guttenberg, listen to this as an audiobook.

For a more detailed review, check out my blog - booksbydorothea:
https://booksbydorothea.blogspot.com/...

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always liked Steve Guttenberg, having been a fan of the Three Men and a Baby movies since I was a kid. I liked hearing his stories about getting into acting, but the main story is memories of his father. He passed away at 89 years old, but no matter how old your parents are, you are never ready for them to go. It was sweet to hear about how Steve would help his father when he ended up needing dialysis. He was there for him, just like his father was there for him when Steve was a child, and into adulthood. I liked that the author read the story. He did a good job. He has a really jovial voice. The ending was heartbreaking, but expected. Steve expressed really eloquently his feelings and grief. It's a quick read, and I liked seeing the pictures on the cover.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book for anyone who is or has been a caretaker for a loved one or anyone who has lost a beloved parent. It home for me so many times because I took care of my mom for 4 years as she lived with Lewy Body Dementia and I have lost my mother and father. My father was a lot like Steve's, the life of the party, the one who everyone wanted to be around. My heart broke for Steve. His reading of it was upbeat at remembering growing up with his father and it was touching as he watched him suffer and ultimately dying. Such a good book.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title is exactly what you get - a love letter to his dad. Beautifully written and I liked the metaphor of his dad's journey being paralleled with Steve's trip to assist with his dad's medical treatments.

I'm not ashamed to admit that I did tear up at the end.

I would have liked a few more "Hollywood" stories and a bit more of Steve's career but that wasn't the point of the book. Maybe another one in the works?

[Kim Lockhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who also drives through the desert for hours at a time to see my mom, bedridden with MS and Stiff Persons Syndrome, this memoir really hit home. This was a beautiful love letter to a beloved parent by a loving son, who is also an actor. The stories of memories from Steve's life with his dad jumped through time, which was a little confusing sometimes on the audiobook, but enjoyable and heartwarming nonetheless. I hope I can one day honor my parents and our stories like this.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steve Guttenberg, Hollywood actor, writes a memoir of love and admiration for his father. Stanley Guttenberg was a father of three, a member of the NYPD, a fitness enthusiast, and proud of his son's acting success. (Police Academy, Three Men and a Baby)
In his eighties, Stanley needed family support to assist him in his dialysis treatments, and Steve did this, even though he had to drive from California to Arizona once a week. Photos and reminiscing anecdotes throughout.

[Jessica Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I begin to deal with the reality that my own parents are getting older, I thought this would be an encouragement. What a beautiful story. I really enjoyed the audio, as read by Guttenberg. His easy-going and kind cadence shines through, and I enjoyed a number of his movies in my youth. I liked how the story shifts from present to past seamlessly, so I never felt like I was in the more difficult portions of the story for long. Poignant. Powerful. Well worth the read!

[Ana Neubaum · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolutely beautiful tribute. I loved the way this memoir was presented- that you’re on a trip with Mr. Gutenberg to see his dad. You feel you’re in the car, too. Listening to all the incredible stories of his dad and anticipating when you’ll arrive to meet Mr. Stanley Guttenberg.

I enjoyed this book very much. As a current caregiver, I see myself in these pages. Remembering how my mother was when she was at her best, healthy.

Highly recommended.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to thank you Mr. Guttenberg, for sharing this part of your life with us. I took care of my mother who had Dementia for five years. I can totally relate to what you went through with your father. I listened to the audio version of this book, it was such a joy to hear your famous voice. I laughed and cried along with you. This is a must read for anyone taking care of an elderly parent. Honestly it’s a great read for anyone.

[DORET · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book that mixes memories with current events. Steve really opened himself up in writing this - talking about the good and the bad. I watch his instagram and I can see now why they are always positive. His father might not be with him physically any longer; however, they will always be together in the heart and soul and mind.

[Mediaman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good celebrity and entertainment stories mixed with a whole lot about Steve Guttenberg's dad. The star certainly revered his late father. It's good, if you like this kind of book that constantly praises someone you've never heard of before. Supposedly inspirational but a bit depressing in the end. For me it was too much about dad and not enough about Steve.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up on a whim, having grownup watching Steve Gutenberg. The anecdotes are wonderfully funny and touching. The love he has for his father true. For anyone who has had loved ones on dialysis this is poignant, it is heartfelt and it is difficult at times to read. The indignity that is visited upon each of us as we navigate terminal illness is never easy to watch.

[Jessica Royer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is part of my grief/ healing journey. I was a caregiver for my father who was on his dialysis journey for 5 years. I lost my father 1 month ago and this book is refreshing to read. As caregivers for our parents at times it is so nice to feel like we are heard and understood. Thank you for sharing your journey.

[Bob Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A grateful son recounts his extremely close and loving relationship with his father, relating stories of their bond from his earliest memories to his father’s passing at 89. Basically a son’s touching love letter to his dad.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book. Real. Really hits home if you've cared for and lost a parent.

[Nanaz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve always liked him as an actor but this book was a bit repetitive.

[Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A memoir unlike any other. It is a story of a life well lived for Steve and his father, Stanley. It's informative, inspiring, and heartbreaking!

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audio book. Memoir from actor Steve Guttenberg. Showed an exceptional relationship with his parents, especially his dad.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful tribute to caregiving and to his father

[CYNTHIA BUTER · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.50

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written book telling of the true love between father & son

[Terrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heartfelt but got a little boring

[Amanda Eaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed every page of this book. I think Steve Guttenberg has his dad’s charisma and gift of storytelling.

[India · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do not have the same fantastic stories with my loved one. However, this book reminded me that maybe it’s not too late to craft some good stories in the time I have remaining with my mom.