Work in Progress: Confessions of a Busboy, Dishwasher, Caddy, Usher, Factory Worker, Bank Teller, Corporate Tool, and Priest

by James Martin

In this humorous memoir, New York Times bestselling author and podcast host of The Spiritual Life, Father James Martin tells the story of a busboy, dishwasher, caddy, usher, factory worker, bank teller, and corporate tool and, finally, a Jesuit priest.

"Funny, charming, inspiring and wise—this is a memorable memoir." — Stephen Colbert, Comedian and writer

Work in Progress is a snapshot of several years—first as a boy, then as a teenager, and finally as a young adult--of being thrown into a series of jobs for which Martin had zero training. He had never set foot in a restaurant kitchen before working as a busboy and dishwasher; never stepped onto a golf course before working as a caddy; and had never seen a factory floor before working as an assembly-line worker. He almost always felt uncomfortable, unsettled, and uneasy. But, like many of us, he needed the money.

This coming-of-age story is set in the 1960s and 1970s, a lighthearted tale for readers who enjoy personal narratives, and it’s unlike anything Father Martin has written before. As he puts it, "This is a spiritual memoir from a different angle … told 'slant' as Emily Dickinson might say."

Each chapter features photos of memories and milestones throughout Father Martin's young life. If you're an aficionado of snafus, you won't be disappointed. He's not the hero of these stories, more a hapless teenager who learns in each job, even the ones he loathes, something about the value of work, about what it means to be an adult, about people, and about life overall.

Work in Progress teaches us small but important life lessons such

work hard and be on time, don't be mean, apologize when you need to, and forgive frequently, ask if you don't know something, don't misuse power,pay attention to those who are struggling, listen and, above all, be kind.Martin shares, "My summer jobs, crazy and funny and varied as they were, had something to do with who I am. As we Jesuits would say, the lessons I learned helped to 'form" me."

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography Memoir, Audiobook, Religion, Biography, Spirituality

362 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 3, 2026

About the author

James Martin, SJ is a Jesuit priest, writer, editor at large of the Jesuit magazine America, and consultor to the Vatican's Secretariat for Communication.

Fr. Martin grew up in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, United States, and attended Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business in 1982 and worked in corporate finance at General Electric for six years. Dissatisfied with the corporate world, he entered the Society of Jesus (more commonly known as the Jesuits) in 1988, and after completing his Jesuit training (which included studies in philosophy and theology, as well as full time-ministry) was ordained a priest in 1999. He received his Master's in Divinity (M.Div.) and Master's in Theology (Th.M.) from the Weston Jesuit School of Theology (now part of Boston College).

During his Jesuit training, Martin worked in a hospital for the seriously ill and a homeless shelter in Boston, with Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity in Jamaica, with street-gang members in Chicago, in a prison in Boston, and for two years with East African refugees in Nairobi, Kenya, with the Jesuit Refugee Service. In addition to his work at America magazine, Fr. Martin has written or edited more than 15 books, most of which are about spirituality and religion. He is a frequent commentator on religion and spirituality and has appeared on all the major networks, served as an expert commentator for ABC for the papal conclave that elected Pope Francis, and has written for many outlets, including the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.

Father Martin's best known books The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything (2010) and Jesus: A Pilgrimage were both New York Times bestsellers; My Life with the Saints was named a Publishers Weekly Best Book; and all three were winners of the Christopher Award.

He has received over 15 honorary degrees from Catholic colleges and universities, and in 2017 Pope Francis appointed him as consultor to the Vatican's Secretariat for Communication.

Reviews

[Ellen Cosgrove · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first time I heard Fr. James Martin speak was at a live taping for the Colbert Report. I was very taken by his charm, his intellect, his sense of humor, and his spirituality.

I saw he was leading a book group for his latest book and decided to read it. It was a fun memoir following along as he recounted his childhood through the early years of his Jesuit study. Since we’re basically the same age, we shared many familiar experiences and I particularly enjoyed his recounting of working in NYC in the 1980s where we frequented many of the same places.

I had hoped he would go into more detail about his discernment to enter into religious life, but he has covered this elsewhere, so it was an enjoyable opportunity to get to know him better and to understand what makes him tick.

[Jeffrey Aubuchon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Fr. James Martin and I appreciate his vision of inclusion among Catholics. This book doesn't (explicitly) address that vision, nor is it Merton's Seven Storey Mountain. This is his homage to summer work as a teenager and as a young professional. He's showing the world that 'priests are human, too'. It's a beach or airplane read for those nostalgic for bicentennial America and soda jerks.

[Annelieske Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this. Funny and light hearted stories with just a touch of spiritualism and Jesuit reflection. The 70s tidbits sent me down a shag carpet and permanent daylight savings rabbit hole

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delightful read! Being raised Catholic, we tend to form a certain view of the life of a priest, and so it was so much fun to read about the ACTUAL life of Father Martin - before he took his vows. Completely relatable and definitely not censored to give the reader any other impression beyond the fact that yes, even religious members of the Church grew up living their lives in many of the same ways (mistakes and all) that the rest of society did! It was fun to hear his take on the various summer jobs he endured and how they changed his view on life, especially as he looked back on the experience. Great read - definitely recommend!

[Glen Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting life study focused on summer jobs and life choices. Those born in the 1960s will be reminded of a lot that we’ve seen and experienced. Here are life lessons that everyone can relate to even if you’re young and don’t remember having a paper route. This is a fun, enjoyable read, written by a man with a sense of humor, humility and reality. This is for everyone that’s interested in living a life of fulfillment.

[Vita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars . Review to come soon

[Kevin Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made me...not want to be a Jesuit, but it made me appreciate them more than I already do!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful, smart, funny memoir. Father Martin is someone I would love to have as a friend. Highly recommend.

[Jill M Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent memoir and vocation story and a clear explanation of how we are all a work in progress.

[Greg Talbot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Memoirs often begin in childhood, but it's often a launching pad to be pushed or escaped from. We marvel at an origin - humble, destitute, languorous, dramatic  - knowing the early arc imparts so much to who we are. It offers us the questions of our lives. What is meaningful? How best to live it? Who can I become? Who can i forgive?

Of course it does matter that Martin is more than a great storyteller of childhood. He is a leading ambassador of the Catholic Church, a revered Jesuit Priest,  a prominent advocate for LBGTQ rights, and an occasional guest  on Stephen Colbert's show. It's an interesting choice to frame his narrative on work experiences. It fits his personality well - we see the ease and comfort he finds in organizational structure like school and religious orders. In a deeper way though it confronts the general notion that the sacred and the profane are separate. The lessons we learn on sunday mornings can follow us outside the church. Religious living can be a way of being instead of a punch card.

Maybe it takes the kodak realism of a writer like the venerable Reverend James Martin to breathe life into a Pennsylvanian 1970s coming of age story. These are stories that are joyful and warm.   The gentle brush of sensory detail makes the vocation stories vivid and compelling.  We can imagine the lactic messes at the Ice Cream Inn, and having to clean up a cigarette-butted ice cream mess. We can imagine the paper route and having to sail pass a yappy in pursuit. We can imagine a first job after college, working in HR, and seeing the pressures of managers to restructure in a globally competitive firm.  The job experiences have a cumulative role of poking and prodding Martin into asking the hard questions about meaningful vocation.

This isn't a prechy or bromide filled writing - it's grounded, and the seeking for meaning is generally before Martin became a Christian. He shares stories of shame and embarrassment. Like most young men, he was swept up in the pursuit of stimulation and ambition. Fortunately that is not where the story ends. There is grace and the awareness that these experiences in work or relationships give us the possibility to change. As the revered Jesuit monk Thomas Merton once said, "The beginning of love is the will to let those we love be perfectly themselves, the resolution not to twist them to fit our own image".  

Just as Thomas Merton inspired Martin to join the Jesuit order, I would imagine this book will give many people a reason to reflect on their work habits and technology habits, and wonder if there is a deeper purpose to connect to. The thirst for moral leadership and community is strong, and leaders like Martin and Pope Leo are pulling on the deep reservoirs of a faith tradition to meet the moment with clarity and humanity. There's a place for career tracks, certifications, ambitions to excel and Dr. Seuss books, but all our work serves a greater purpose in shaping who we become.

[Hank Stuever · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the spirit of my Jesuit education, I will be supportive but also not inflate the grade, first by saying that Father James Martin has been an important part of present-day Catholicism, a steadfast voice and conscience for living true gospel values of love and acceptance and clarity, in an era where Christian morality has been so clouded and manipulated by cruelty and politics. He's doing good work.

This memoir, however, needed significantly more work -- even though it is published under Harper's soft-focus imprint of spiritual and inspirational material. If warmth is the only goal here, then I should have hesitated and browsed more closely before buying the book and diving in. I do like the organizing principle: By examining one's earliest labors as a teen and young adult in summer jobs, one can find a sense of becoming, of learning what work means and what it brings us, besides money. Not enough is said these days about the concept of work ethic, yet we certainly bemoan it when we perceive a lack of it in others. In Father Martin's case, jobs are what lead him to his vocation.

Good and honest memoirs by today's priests are, as far as I know, pretty rare, and there's a reason for that. Priests are not called to the spotlight, which runs counter to their mission. In chapter one, Father Martin lets the reader know the boundaries of his willingness to share everything -- his pre-priesthood experiences with love and relationships, for example. He's not going there. And that's okay, and certainly adheres to the purpose and meaning of a vow of celibacy, which is not only about sex. It's nevertheless okay for a reader to wish he had.

My other mark on this book is that, although it is loaded with memories, none of them are very insightful -- indeed, many of them are the sort of surface details that are nothing new in a world already soaked in 20th-century nostalgia: If a radio is on, it is playing "Afternoon Delight." If we're in his childhood home, the kitchen appliances are all avocado green and muted gold. If there is carpet, it is shag that needs be vacuumed and raked. AI could and does come up with videos of such ephemera, such that it has become meaningless.

Things pick up some in the college years, and then fade off as Father Martin leaves a corporate job in the late 1980s and finds his way to the Jesuits. The book feels like an okay first draft that still needs to be pared down and more sharply reflective. Work harder?

[Jquick99 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Didn’t know who the author was when I got the audiobook from the library. I was enjoying chapter 1 so much that I decided to Google to see who the author is. But then I didn’t believe what I found, so I googled it again, and still didn’t believe it, and so then I decided to Google whatever this SJ is after his name, and I realize that this book that I am thoroughly enjoying the very beginning of, is written and read by … a priest.

I am the same age as the author and really enjoyed going down memory lane. I’m surprised at all that he can remember. How in the world can he remember all these details? Even things like the board game Mystery Date (which I had), that I had completely forgotten about. And then he mentions the tv commercial, which I really forgot about until of course he jogged my memory.

This book is full of wonderful life lessons that many younger people should read and fully take in, but I wonder how to get the target audience to actually read or listen to a book that they should be reading or listening to.

Towards the end of the book, I found it very, very interesting that decades ago I too worked at a company that had followed Jack Welch’s management style where we worked long long hours (over 12 hours a day, and the weekends), we were ranked (1 to 5 versus GE’s 1 to 4), and the bottom 10% were fired every 6 months. But the thought of becoming a priest never entered my mind (instead, I did the opposite, and saved every penny and retired early).

I am ignorant regarding all things religion. The author mentions Jesuit a lot throughout the book, and didn’t understand until very late in the book that it’s a sect-ish part of Catholicism. I stopped listening about the last 45 minutes because he was talking about him becoming a priest and although I have zero interest in that topic, I found that I really liked the author and if I ever wanted to talk to a priest, I would hunt him down.

Oh, and I want to visit Plymouth Meeting, which I had never heard of before.

[Eve (Moving to StoryGraph: eve314) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Father Jim Martin is just so likable, and ‘Searching for God at Ground Zero’—his account of ministering to first responders as a newly minted priest—is transcendent. I liked ‘Work in Progress,’ but it was not nearly as deep. For the most part, it skips over the surface like a flat stone on a glassy summer lake.

Contrary to ‘Ground Zero,’ it is more or less a diary of Martin’s teenage and young adult jobs. If you grew up in the ‘70s or ‘80s—Martin, born at the end of 1960, is slightly more than a decade older than I am—you will recall a lot of what he talks about, including some jobs that surely overlapped in my life too. (I found it striking how many aspects of those worlds do not exist anymore.) It’s more atmospheric than prescriptive—a memoir of a place in time, and not much to suggest the priest he would become.

Of course, Martin gradually matured during that time. As a teen, he was quick to blame others for his errors. (Even the chapter titles lend themselves to hyperbole.) He was lucky enough to come of age in a middle-class community that was safe in all the ways you would imagine, a harvest gold-tinged adolescence where everybody smoked and you could ride your bike practically anywhere. Come later high school, It’s Linklater’s ‘Dazed and Confused.’ He goes to Penn and becomes New York yuppie scum for a few years before (as one does) discovering Thomas Merton and, despite having only cursory knowledge of the faith he nominally was brought up in, joins the Jesuits.

Throughout the book, as Martin gets older, he comes to realize that being in the world but not of it is the way to go, and we start to see the seeds of his present self. Religion aside, ‘Work in Progress’ is a pleasant enough read for readers of a certain age looking to revisit a time in our life that seemed innocent, even though now, as middle-aged adults, we know nothing ever was.

I was ready to give this three stars, but then the last hundred pages kicked in, and I really enjoyed that part—Martin’s burgeoning, hard-won maturity—the most. So I am going to round this up to four. VRAIMENT.

[Romzanul Islam · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The rarest kind of memoir: one that makes you laugh, cry, and immediately call your parents."

I finished this book at 2 a.m., tears streaming, genuinely angry that it had to end.

James Martin—Jesuit priest, corporate dropout, former busboy—has written something miraculous: a spiritual memoir that never once feels like one. It's just story after story, each funnier and more heartbreaking than the last. The Bicentennial Wagon Train disaster.

The Dachau survivor on the assembly line. Brad's funeral. The therapist who asked, "What would you do if you could do anything?"

I expected lessons about work ethic. I did not expect to sob on page 185. I did not expect to text my own college roommate at midnight. I did not expect to recognize myself in a fifteen-year-old kid who just wanted everyone to like him.

This is not "The Seven Storey Mountain". It's better. It's messier. It's funnier. It's the memoir Merton might have written if he'd ever worked at a movie theater.

If you've ever had a job you hated, a friend you lost, or a life that didn't look like you planned—read this. Then buy a copy for your parents. Then another for your therapist.

Five stars is not enough.

Read whole review if you want to at: https://www.probinism.com/work-in-pro...

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fr. James Martin, S.J., tells about his wide-ranging line of summer jobs growing up, his pursuit of big money by majoring in economics at Wharton; and his years as a partying, hard-drinking “corporate tool” at GE before deciding there had to be something more meaningful in life. And that led him to join the Jesuits at age 27, despite the fact that he really knew little about God or the Bible at the time, and hadn’t been much more than a “transactional” Christian.

He credits all those jobs he had in building up to what he eventually became; he learned how to treat people and not to treat people, to be punctual, disciplined, forgiving, and to take pride in any job well done. With the Jesuits, he worked at a hospital for the seriously ill in Boston, then tended the sick and dying in Jamaica; then went to a homeless shelter in Boston, then worked with low-income students in NYC and with street-gang members in Chicago. His Wharton training paid off when he did two years in Kenya helping refugees start small businesses. He was also a prison chaplain before taking his writing skills to American Media. I loved a book he wrote many years ago called The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything, so it was nice to see where he came from. I follow him on FB (where he regularly gets attacked for his progressive views).

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am now a fan girl of Father James Martin who was the author of this book. I was not familiar with this author before, and I see that he has written several books. I loved how the author was so vulnerable and truthful about his younger days and earlier jobs. I found it really refreshing that a graduate of Penn State Wharton School of Business would decide to go in the exact opposite direction of his profession. He also narrated the audiobook, and I love hearing the author’s voice. His voice was genuinely kind, and I enjoyed listening to him reflect on earlier times. I was very interested in what he said about his university as that is where the notorious Donald Trump also went. I am guessing that Trump is about 20 years older than the author. He did not paint a very attractive picture of the school. While James comes from the middle class outside Philly, the school was filled with legacy students and extremely wealthy young people. He talked about and explained the ideology used at that school of business, and he decided that it didn’t work in the long run or sync with his values. It is a great story of how someone truly came to find their passion. The book was also very entertaining and I burst out loud laughing a couple of times.

[Isaiah]

This was an incredibly engaging and thoughtfully written book that I genuinely enjoyed from start to finish. From the very first chapter, the story pulled me in with its strong sense of direction and well-crafted narrative.
One of the standout aspects for me was the character development. The characters felt real, with clear motivations and emotional depth that made it easy to connect with their journey. I found myself invested in their decisions and curious to see how everything would unfold.
The writing style was smooth and immersive, making it easy to stay engaged without feeling overwhelmed. I also appreciated how the author handled the themes throughout the book they were presented in a way that felt natural and thought-provoking without being forced.
There were several moments that stood out and stayed with me even after I finished reading, which is always a sign of a memorable book. The pacing was consistent, and the story maintained my interest all the way to a satisfying conclusion.
Overall, this was a rewarding reading experience, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys a well-told and meaningful story. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit to a fondness for Jesuit priests, since I went to college at one of their schools, and learned so many important things. I slso have a soft spot for the author, having followed him for years, and also having gone to a talk with him regarding this book at the Free Library of Philadelphia.

Anyway, this book is his memoir from his early high school years upnyo yhe time he joined the Society of Jesus. What is great about it is that he was from a Catholic family with a Catholic background, but not from a overly devout or holy family (known in my family as "The Ideal Parishioners.") So much of his story is familiar, from the childhood rhymes when playing games to the college experience and trying to find your first job after getting that degree. I am 4 years older than Father Martin, but could identify with so much in this book. And since it takes place in the Philadelphia area, many locales were familiar.

Father Martin has a friendly, approachable manner of writing, and is a good storyteller. He is someone who remains friends with so many of those he talks about that you can only imagine that it's a lot of fun when they are together.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A highly enjoyable memoir of growing up in the 70’s and 80’s, shaped by stories of the author’s summer jobs, part time jobs, post-college job, and, eventually, his calling to become a Jesuit priest. Each job--from mowing lawns, bussing tables, working in a factory, as a bank teller, and a GE executive--offered the opportunities to earn money, develop skills, and a work ethic. More importantly, however, each job brought lessons on how to treat people, how to overcome humiliation, how to value self and others, and how to discern what kind of person you want to be for the world.

I am just a few years younger than the author and, like him, I grew up in Pennsylvania (although Northeast rather than Southeastern PA). Many of his experiences felt so familiar--the songs, the toys, the allure of the mall, the bicentennial wagon train. It was fun to revisit those days. I especially liked how he included his friends and loving family who supported him during his many mishaps and joys. A very fine book that is funny, warm, and wise.

[James Veliky · Rating 5 out of 5]

“ None of us suddenly becomes something overnight. The preparations have been in the making for a lifetime.”
- Gail Godwin

“ When you’ve taught your children a work ethic you’ve given them a great gift.”
- Badger Bob Johnson
NHL Hall of Fame Hockey Coach

I greatly enjoyed this memoir from Fr. Jim Martin recounting his work life first as a teenager, then a college student, and then working for six years at General Electric before entering the Jesuit novitiate for eleven years before being ordained in 1999.
The funny stories, embarrassing moments, and poignant recollections of classmates, bosses, and mentors looked back on form the heart of the book. His gravitational pull towards the priesthood begins during his soulless but economically rewarding stint at GE. You will love the humor, honesty, and vulnerability on this reflection about what we learn when we are young and what stays with us. Like Fr. Jim, we all have a lot of people to thank.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

IF you didn't already know that James Martin became a famous theologian, his secret identity would be kept safe in his first 10 chapters here. Clearly he was not born a saint! As cradle Catholics, we seem to form a certain view of the life of a priest. This was not it. No one could accuse Jim of being holy throughout this delightful coming of age read about the the honest unabridged life of a great priest, long before he took his vows, and became Father James Martin, SJ. His candor and humor were especially enjoyable; so much so I laughed out loud several times at his hilarious retelling of his capers. His " normal" life helps us to understand the complex nature of how our early years, our work ethics, and character, prepare us for our destiny, and God's patience with us as we struggle to see the light. As Stephen Colbert said simply, "It's a memorable memoir"

[Keith Good · Rating 2 out of 5]

Work in Progress is a nice slice-of-life memoir reminiscent of TV's The Wonder Years, heavily influenced by the short stories of Jean Shepherd (of A Christmas Story Fame). Is it slightly disorienting that the memoir of a Catholic priest opens with him behind an ice-cream stand doing whippets? Yes. But by looking at his progression of summer jobs, James Martin, SJ, paints a vibrant picture of teenage life in the American 70's and 80's. There's nothing particularly salacious here beyond some pot, and on the flip side, very little preachiness. Martin is a talented writer and connects well the dots of his budding faith, showing how bussing tables and working an assembly line shaped his later dedication to the poor and downcast.

[Raphael Kellner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A funny and heartfelt reflection of one's life and the memories and moments that defined them. From his varied jobs, school-mates, and college life I related a lot to Father Martin's experiences. It's interesting to think how we can recall memories that we perceive as unique but we're also lived by a guy 130 miles south 60 years ago.

Despite knowing his inclusion in the book, it was both amusing and a unnerving to read about my father in college. Especially since his paragraphs are dedicated to a bit he has had for nearly 50 years. At least he's consistent I guess, lol.

Either way, would definitely reccomend.

[Matt Vaughan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the sixth(!) Fr. James Martin book I’ve read, and it’s probably the breeziest, which isn’t a slight against it, it’s just the nature of a memoir-esque book like this with a narrow focus. If you’ve ever wanted to hear a priest talk about his life and actually sound like a real human, this is a great book for you.

This reminds me of Ken Dryden’s ‘The Game’, as I’d probably recommend both books to people who just finished up university or are starting their first real jobs. They both work, in pretty different ways, as coming-of-age books for fully grown (albeit still young) adults. It also works well as a book for anyone who feels stuck in their life and career choices.

4.5/5.

[Joel Lakadosch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Father Martin’s book. Even though he is older than me and I didn’t experience at much of the 70’s as he did, I loved the nostalgia it gave me anyway. I especially enjoyed reading about his time as a busboy and working in a theater. As someone who has worked retail most of my life, I resonated with what he said about working with people, how they can make boring jobs more enjoyable. The people you work with can truly make a job better.

On the spiritual side, I appreciated what he shared about entering the Jesuits. Especially powerful was when he talked about Jesus being your friend. As part of an exercise he had to come up with ideas of who Jesus was to him, and after thinking about words like savior or lord or messiah, friend jumped into his mind. I’m still thinking of that.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've gotten to know Father Martin through his appearances on Colbert and his podcast The Spiritual Life. I appreciate the perspective he has on faith and life in general. This was a unique read that I just loved. It's about his life "before" he was a priest, and it's really fun reflections on all the jobs he had along the way. There were so many stories I laughed out loud at, especially as there are lots of misadventures, and I appreciated how he wove in a little reflection and connection to his life now along the way.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't love this book as much as some others by Martin, but it was an interesting glimpse of his life before priesthood. I enjoyed hearing about his summer jobs and first job after college - his life in Plymouth Meeting, PA was pretty different than mine on the Alabama Gulf Coast. I predict the things that will stay with me from this book are an invitation to look at how my work has shaped who I currently am and a gentle reminder that God will keep calling me no matter how unlikely it might seem that God wants me for a particular role.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read, many parts LOL funny. Great stories of the author’s summer jobs as a student and early career from his initial perspective of “how hard could it be” to life lessons learned including being a good and kind person and the importance of a good work ethic. I grew up at the same time in the same geographical area so I could really relate to many of his references. A great feel good book.

[Sharron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always been a fan, but never wanted to read his other books.
This was totally relatable for me. I didn't realize he didn't always want to be a priest. We had many similar experiences in the 70's/80's.
Two things he mentions that would have made me give it a five star review even if I hated the rest - mentioning that The Cat from Outer Space was a wretched movie and the mention of the mini-series The Holocaust (no one ever mentions it!!).