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Old School: Life in the Sane Lane
Old School is in session....
You have probably heard the term Old School, but what you might not know is that there is a concentrated effort to tear that school down.
It's a values thing. The anti-Old School forces believe the traditional way of looking at life is oppressive. Not inclusive. The Old School way may harbor microaggressions. Therefore, Old School philosophy must be diminished.
Those crusading against Old School now have a name: Snowflakes. You may have seen them on cable TV whining about social injustice and income inequality. You may have heard them cheering Bernie Sanders as he suggested the government pay for almost everything. The Snowflake movement is proud and loud, and they don't like Old School grads.
So where are you in all this?
Did you get up this morning knowing there are mountains to climb--and deciding how you are going to climb them? Do you show up on time? Do you still bend over to pick up a penny? If so, you're Old School.
Or did you wake up whining about safe spaces and trigger warnings? Do you feel marginalized by your college's mascot? Do you look for something to get outraged about, every single day, so you can fire off a tweet defending your exquisitely precious sensibilities? Then you're a Snowflake.
So again, are you drifting frozen precipitation? Or do you matriculate at the Old School fountain of wisdom?
This book will explain the looming confrontation so even the ladies on The View can understand it.
Time to take a stand. Old School or Snowflake. Which will it be?
You have probably heard the term Old School, but what you might not know is that there is a concentrated effort to tear that school down.
It's a values thing. The anti-Old School forces believe the traditional way of looking at life is oppressive. Not inclusive. The Old School way may harbor microaggressions. Therefore, Old School philosophy must be diminished.
Those crusading against Old School now have a name: Snowflakes. You may have seen them on cable TV whining about social injustice and income inequality. You may have heard them cheering Bernie Sanders as he suggested the government pay for almost everything. The Snowflake movement is proud and loud, and they don't like Old School grads.
So where are you in all this?
Did you get up this morning knowing there are mountains to climb--and deciding how you are going to climb them? Do you show up on time? Do you still bend over to pick up a penny? If so, you're Old School.
Or did you wake up whining about safe spaces and trigger warnings? Do you feel marginalized by your college's mascot? Do you look for something to get outraged about, every single day, so you can fire off a tweet defending your exquisitely precious sensibilities? Then you're a Snowflake.
So again, are you drifting frozen precipitation? Or do you matriculate at the Old School fountain of wisdom?
This book will explain the looming confrontation so even the ladies on The View can understand it.
Time to take a stand. Old School or Snowflake. Which will it be?
192 pages, Hardcover
First published March 28, 2017
584 people are currently reading
643 people want to read
About the author
Bill O'Reilly
59 books3,423 followersBill O'Reilly's success in broadcasting and publishing is unmatched. The iconic anchor of The O'Reilly Factor led the program to the status of the highest rated cable news broadcast in the nation for sixteen consecutive years. His website BillOReilly.com is followed by millions all over the world.
In addition, he has authored an astonishing 12 number one ranked non-fiction books including the historical "Killing" series. Mr. O'Reilly currently has 17 million books in print.
Bill O'Reilly has been a broadcaster for 42 years. He has been awarded three Emmys and a number of other journalism accolades. He was a national correspondent for CBS News and ABC News as well as a reporter-anchor for WCBS-TV in New York City, among other high-profile jobs.
Mr. O'Reilly received two other Emmy nominations for the movies "Killing Kennedy" and "Killing Jesus."
He holds a history degree from Marist College, a master’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from Boston University, and another master’s degree from Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Bill O'Reilly lives on Long Island where he was raised. His philanthropic enterprises have raised tens of millions for people in need and wounded American veterans.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/billor...
In addition, he has authored an astonishing 12 number one ranked non-fiction books including the historical "Killing" series. Mr. O'Reilly currently has 17 million books in print.
Bill O'Reilly has been a broadcaster for 42 years. He has been awarded three Emmys and a number of other journalism accolades. He was a national correspondent for CBS News and ABC News as well as a reporter-anchor for WCBS-TV in New York City, among other high-profile jobs.
Mr. O'Reilly received two other Emmy nominations for the movies "Killing Kennedy" and "Killing Jesus."
He holds a history degree from Marist College, a master’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from Boston University, and another master’s degree from Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Bill O'Reilly lives on Long Island where he was raised. His philanthropic enterprises have raised tens of millions for people in need and wounded American veterans.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/billor...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 297 reviews
April 10, 2017
...OLD SCHOOL was just okay for me.
...Was really looking forward to this one. Thought I was going to get a super funny book all about O'Reilly's school days back in the 60's, but instead received a politically laced novel with two author's opinions that could do with some editing.
...Snowflake vs. OLD SCHOOL is the overall theme of the novel, more specifically, Now vs. Then and Left vs. Right with some interesting examples given of those who fit each category...Hollywood types, historic figures and political folks in the news....you can probably guess a few.
...Anyway, there are a few funnies, some entertaining comparison questionnaires, and two pieces of correspondence between incoming and outgoing presidents I enjoyed, but bottom line, the overall theme was too political for my liking; and if we are to believe recent news reports, some of O'Reilly's OLD SCHOOL values seem to be debatable at this time.
April 1, 2017
Laughing, laughing, and more laughing. Reading this on a sedate Friday night recovering from a stomach flu type of situation- this kept me up and also gave all my laugh muscles a true workout. It was a one sitting read for me. It's short, abrupt as his speech is, and is accompanied by charts and time lines and all kinds of glossary type term defining pages.
Absolutely the funniest of Bill O'Reilly books and in a completely different vein as 90% of them.
In this truly hilarious book, he and his buddy Bruce Feirstein take turns telling their stories and giving their own life observations of change in their fields. And in their wider lives in general with those they meet for work or charity etc. So it is basically a double memoir. But always written in the sense of the times our lives' paths have encountered, their events, their fads or encompassing cultural milestones as per music, tv, tech etc. Not fashion so much but at times, an inkling.
From the get-go I was nearly prone from the "Dad" proclivities. Mine was an immigrant but Army too, and at that time he was a lens grinder (physical job)until his manufacturing company moved to California. (They wanted to move him and his entire family and pay for it all too- but he could never leave "the neighborhood" or his aged Mom behind- VERY OLD SCHOOL.) But my Dad, the exact same- ordering his pants from Sansibelt. NO WASTE, no extras- 5 or 7 people regardless there is ONE bathroom. No A.C. Bill had it much better, actually. For me, NO CAR, as well. But identical in all other aspects and especially the jobs. He too. This book is worth reading for the jobs and youth stories alone. I have them as well, some hilarious, some not so much. Kids by us- the same. Not only "seen but not heard"- but 90% also "NOT SEEN NOR HEARD"- because you were "out". Adults had their own lives and yours was NOT the onus for their activities. Catholic school for us from 1st-high school. At least Bill got the first 8 with the "Publics". Little difference though because their Moms and Dads were Old School too.
Highly recommend this read to anyone born before 1960. And double that for those who are born after 1990. In fact, I am going to give a copy to my 5 grand kids. All taller than I but I believe at least two are on the verge of Snowflakehood.
You will probably not HATE this book if you are a leftist or ultra liberal. Nor will you laugh as much for the chapters in the middle on historical context. But I could be wrong. He has some strong Democrats up for ultra Old School icon hood and others take the original Snowflake award (Martin Van Buren). Both he and Bruce (who is a liberal) rate this last and current centuries celebs and Presidents. They differ only on two or three. Bill leaves them in middle ground and Bruce includes them in "Old School". I disagree with Bill on one of those, but both have their strong points to support their claims.
There are certain sections that may rise the ire, but just briefly. Like the charts on corresponding parental /child relationship habits from "Old School" to "Snowflake". And college administrators will not laugh at some of the articles taken straight out of their newspapers and websites, as I did.
But both Bill and Bruce give fair and equal explanations. No spin. They say exactly what they are doing. And the tuition costs are also cited for the year of the posting.
All sane people have to read this book. It is NOT satire and ridicule in the sense of a liberal talk show or a SNL, not at all. It is reality as I myself have seen it evolve.
To both GR friends who have encouraged me endlessly to do my memoir- I have heard you. I started. Mine is much more "interesting" times than Bill's and I was A GIRL. (Girls don't go to college, drive, or live away from home at any time in my culture.)
And house painting is one thing, but my dozen jobs from 14 to 20 were MORE education than his quarterbacking or summer work was. Plus he got 362 on the lottery for Nam. And he didn't have the Black Panthers to traipse through each day either or have to take 3 buses and an el to get anywhere.
Some of the revelations about celeb charity and REAL green living are mind bending on top of it. Read this for some succinct present world reality to those concerns. It also exposes a world where empathy coupled with no action to actually CHANGE the lives of the afflicted or persecuted is entirely meaningless and often counter productive to the empathized. Bill's Dad, like my Dad and my brother, DID to change it. Completely the opposite and entirely Old School.
The pictures of Bill with hair and the time lines of history as recorded "then" and "now" are worth the read alone.
This is not mean spirited in any sense, and completely the opposite of the tone of a Bill Mahrer or Colbert, IMHO. VERY Old School characteristic. Swearing and name calls and dope- not in the picture for us. Same as Bill, the summer of 1967 and all of the Hippie summers of love and pot/LSD/liquor were as alien to me as if they had happened on the moon or Mars. And just like Bill, all associates who went that path, especially with pot- every last one of them are gone today. Not at 27 as all he cites here, but not a ONE of my dozens ever made "old bones". Another OLD SCHOOL phrase, which has probably lost its meaning for most. I'm sure it wasn't pot alone that did them all in, but a various number of associated exits on the same "beautiful young corpse" expressway.
Absolutely the funniest of Bill O'Reilly books and in a completely different vein as 90% of them.
In this truly hilarious book, he and his buddy Bruce Feirstein take turns telling their stories and giving their own life observations of change in their fields. And in their wider lives in general with those they meet for work or charity etc. So it is basically a double memoir. But always written in the sense of the times our lives' paths have encountered, their events, their fads or encompassing cultural milestones as per music, tv, tech etc. Not fashion so much but at times, an inkling.
From the get-go I was nearly prone from the "Dad" proclivities. Mine was an immigrant but Army too, and at that time he was a lens grinder (physical job)until his manufacturing company moved to California. (They wanted to move him and his entire family and pay for it all too- but he could never leave "the neighborhood" or his aged Mom behind- VERY OLD SCHOOL.) But my Dad, the exact same- ordering his pants from Sansibelt. NO WASTE, no extras- 5 or 7 people regardless there is ONE bathroom. No A.C. Bill had it much better, actually. For me, NO CAR, as well. But identical in all other aspects and especially the jobs. He too. This book is worth reading for the jobs and youth stories alone. I have them as well, some hilarious, some not so much. Kids by us- the same. Not only "seen but not heard"- but 90% also "NOT SEEN NOR HEARD"- because you were "out". Adults had their own lives and yours was NOT the onus for their activities. Catholic school for us from 1st-high school. At least Bill got the first 8 with the "Publics". Little difference though because their Moms and Dads were Old School too.
Highly recommend this read to anyone born before 1960. And double that for those who are born after 1990. In fact, I am going to give a copy to my 5 grand kids. All taller than I but I believe at least two are on the verge of Snowflakehood.
You will probably not HATE this book if you are a leftist or ultra liberal. Nor will you laugh as much for the chapters in the middle on historical context. But I could be wrong. He has some strong Democrats up for ultra Old School icon hood and others take the original Snowflake award (Martin Van Buren). Both he and Bruce (who is a liberal) rate this last and current centuries celebs and Presidents. They differ only on two or three. Bill leaves them in middle ground and Bruce includes them in "Old School". I disagree with Bill on one of those, but both have their strong points to support their claims.
There are certain sections that may rise the ire, but just briefly. Like the charts on corresponding parental /child relationship habits from "Old School" to "Snowflake". And college administrators will not laugh at some of the articles taken straight out of their newspapers and websites, as I did.
But both Bill and Bruce give fair and equal explanations. No spin. They say exactly what they are doing. And the tuition costs are also cited for the year of the posting.
All sane people have to read this book. It is NOT satire and ridicule in the sense of a liberal talk show or a SNL, not at all. It is reality as I myself have seen it evolve.
To both GR friends who have encouraged me endlessly to do my memoir- I have heard you. I started. Mine is much more "interesting" times than Bill's and I was A GIRL. (Girls don't go to college, drive, or live away from home at any time in my culture.)
And house painting is one thing, but my dozen jobs from 14 to 20 were MORE education than his quarterbacking or summer work was. Plus he got 362 on the lottery for Nam. And he didn't have the Black Panthers to traipse through each day either or have to take 3 buses and an el to get anywhere.
Some of the revelations about celeb charity and REAL green living are mind bending on top of it. Read this for some succinct present world reality to those concerns. It also exposes a world where empathy coupled with no action to actually CHANGE the lives of the afflicted or persecuted is entirely meaningless and often counter productive to the empathized. Bill's Dad, like my Dad and my brother, DID to change it. Completely the opposite and entirely Old School.
The pictures of Bill with hair and the time lines of history as recorded "then" and "now" are worth the read alone.
This is not mean spirited in any sense, and completely the opposite of the tone of a Bill Mahrer or Colbert, IMHO. VERY Old School characteristic. Swearing and name calls and dope- not in the picture for us. Same as Bill, the summer of 1967 and all of the Hippie summers of love and pot/LSD/liquor were as alien to me as if they had happened on the moon or Mars. And just like Bill, all associates who went that path, especially with pot- every last one of them are gone today. Not at 27 as all he cites here, but not a ONE of my dozens ever made "old bones". Another OLD SCHOOL phrase, which has probably lost its meaning for most. I'm sure it wasn't pot alone that did them all in, but a various number of associated exits on the same "beautiful young corpse" expressway.
April 5, 2017
It's not the worst book I've ever read, but only because 'Diary of an Oxygen Thief' will most likely hold that title forever. Was this book informative? No. Was it well-written? Not particularly. Did it change my opinion on anything? Definitely not. Portions of this book contained absolutely ridiculous generalizations and the authors often contradicted each other (or themselves). The hypocrisy was nearly tangible at times, but read as a parody of itself, the book could actually be a little funny. Also, there are quizzes. And the internet is the root of all evil. And Clint Eastwood is the best. And Darth Vader is a stand-up guy. And there are too many toothpaste options.
November 10, 2017
Where to begin on my thoughts... Judgmental.
Polarizing.
Meretricious.
Pedantic.
The hubris of this man, while it really shouldn't, still astounds me.
Separating people into either "Old School" - the "right" way, or "Snowflakes" - the wrong way, accomplishes nothing but to create strife and an 'Us vs. Them' mentality; which honestly, doesn't help anyone in any way. Especially in today's polarizing climate.
The term "old school" has connotations of days past and years gone by. So already, a vague idea of the older generation and those who want to "make America great again" with pictures of the 1950s and 60s behind it, are clear thinking, level headed, intelligent types who we [humanity] need more of.
What's extremely upsetting is that while I'm sure Mr. O'Reilly has wonderful memories of his childhood, the old days were not perfect, nor in anyway close to an ideal utopia, much less an ideal to emulate.
Yes, I understand O'Reilly's classification of "Old School" doesn't necessarily mean the "old days." But Old School by definition refers to days gone by. The way things used to be. The old ways in which we were taught. O'Reilly can argue all he likes that old school is just a reference, a way to define the differences, but it's one he shrewdly, critically, and manipulatively uses to belittle and condescend with.
I can't help but read O'Reilly's words and think of the older generation I sit and visit with during my family's get-togethers, listening to stories of their youth. The older they've become, the fonder their memories of childhood and way they were raised, along with a lessening understanding and overwhelmed confusion of today's generation.
Polarizing.
Meretricious.
Pedantic.
The hubris of this man, while it really shouldn't, still astounds me.
Separating people into either "Old School" - the "right" way, or "Snowflakes" - the wrong way, accomplishes nothing but to create strife and an 'Us vs. Them' mentality; which honestly, doesn't help anyone in any way. Especially in today's polarizing climate.
The term "old school" has connotations of days past and years gone by. So already, a vague idea of the older generation and those who want to "make America great again" with pictures of the 1950s and 60s behind it, are clear thinking, level headed, intelligent types who we [humanity] need more of.
What's extremely upsetting is that while I'm sure Mr. O'Reilly has wonderful memories of his childhood, the old days were not perfect, nor in anyway close to an ideal utopia, much less an ideal to emulate.
Yes, I understand O'Reilly's classification of "Old School" doesn't necessarily mean the "old days." But Old School by definition refers to days gone by. The way things used to be. The old ways in which we were taught. O'Reilly can argue all he likes that old school is just a reference, a way to define the differences, but it's one he shrewdly, critically, and manipulatively uses to belittle and condescend with.
I can't help but read O'Reilly's words and think of the older generation I sit and visit with during my family's get-togethers, listening to stories of their youth. The older they've become, the fonder their memories of childhood and way they were raised, along with a lessening understanding and overwhelmed confusion of today's generation.
January 5, 2022
Part comedy; part fact and part griping of an old man.
I preferred the comedy portion and tended to ignore the griping.
I preferred the comedy portion and tended to ignore the griping.
April 11, 2017
I have never read a book by Bill O'Reilly and Bruce Feirstein. I really didn't know what to expect but the first half had me laughing out loud. It was very similar to my childhood in many ways...thus "old school." At one part I thought, wow, this is like something out of the last century and then realized that it WAS from the last century. The century I grew up in. The book flips authors from chapter to chapter so a bit of a different perceptive comes through but more similarities than not...one raised Catholic and one raised Jewish. Both from working class families with parents who grew up in the depression and WWII. They knew right from wrong and expected you to as well...not be taught, just know. The value of a penny was ingrained as well.
As the book progresses it tells and shows society changing and the things that influenced the changes. Some changes were good and some not so much but all culminating in a (hopefully) subculture of youth that need safe spaces , trigger warnings, live with or are supported by their parents well into their 30's. They label words macro or micro aggressions --yes we are talking about WORDS. The people who believe in the first amendment...well for themselves and those that agree with them 100%
Anyway, I think age might determine if you like or hate this book but I enjoyed it very much.
As the book progresses it tells and shows society changing and the things that influenced the changes. Some changes were good and some not so much but all culminating in a (hopefully) subculture of youth that need safe spaces , trigger warnings, live with or are supported by their parents well into their 30's. They label words macro or micro aggressions --yes we are talking about WORDS. The people who believe in the first amendment...well for themselves and those that agree with them 100%
Anyway, I think age might determine if you like or hate this book but I enjoyed it very much.
May 19, 2017
I was asked to read this by an O'Reilly fan in my life. I am not a fan. This book did not change that for two reasons - 1) he is still a sexual predator and 2) this book is pretty much a joint diary (or blog post if that wasn't the antithesis to 'old school values') of two old, white men who worked hard to achieve success. They seem to think everyone's experience should mirror theirs and have no apparent capacity to understand how race, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, etc. might make the notion of meritocracy less accessible to some. This seemed like a pandering and self-congratulatory newsletter for their fellow 1965 high school graduates. Also, there are no formal sources. Yikes.
June 22, 2022
I can not rate this book because you can not give negative stars. I went in open minded but by the end of the first chapter I realized this was just another rehashing of us vs them (old school vs. snowflake), my way or the highway, good ol’ boys remembering their earlier, “better” days.
November 10, 2020
You might be an irrelevant old fart, err excuse me, old-school, if you get a publishing deal to spend 200 pages complaining about the generation that you helped to raise.
Most of this is just old people complaining about young whippersnappers and the fact that things are different now, but some of it is just plain ridiculous.
The author complains about “ethically raised beef,“ saying that, “it’s all ground beef in the end.“ If that is all the compassion that you can muster for fellow living creatures then I don’t have much compassion for you. You’re just worm food in the end, after all.
Most of this is just old people complaining about young whippersnappers and the fact that things are different now, but some of it is just plain ridiculous.
The author complains about “ethically raised beef,“ saying that, “it’s all ground beef in the end.“ If that is all the compassion that you can muster for fellow living creatures then I don’t have much compassion for you. You’re just worm food in the end, after all.
March 22, 2017
Kind of humorous, I get the message but the book was rushed and hard to follow. I always wanted to try an O'Reilly book but not having a bibliography almost made me put it back down.
Page 119 has the wrong year which I thought was funnier than most of the jokes and jabs at politicians. It also helps to read it with Stephen Colbert's voice.
Fans of O'Reilly will probably enjoy this book and also wonder like I did, "Who is Bruce Feirstein?"
Page 119 has the wrong year which I thought was funnier than most of the jokes and jabs at politicians. It also helps to read it with Stephen Colbert's voice.
Fans of O'Reilly will probably enjoy this book and also wonder like I did, "Who is Bruce Feirstein?"
May 22, 2017
This was an enjoyable book for me since I consider myself Old School. I know for sure I am not a Snowflake! The authors do a great job of telling us their opinions on what values make a person Old School or a Snowflake. I chuckled through most of this slim book which was a fast read for me.
I knew nothing of O'Reilly's upbringing or background. He wrote about the values instilled in him during his childhood. I had never heard of Bruce Feirstein and enjoyed his input and liked that he took his friend, O'Reilly, to task on the minor differences they have. I would like to see them collaborate on another book.
I knew nothing of O'Reilly's upbringing or background. He wrote about the values instilled in him during his childhood. I had never heard of Bruce Feirstein and enjoyed his input and liked that he took his friend, O'Reilly, to task on the minor differences they have. I would like to see them collaborate on another book.
June 9, 2017
Short book, so its a quick easy read. Previously I read Bill O'Reilly's books Killing Lincoln and Killing Reagan and enjoyed those so I thought I would give this a try. It was funny in some parts and in others just information. One sentence did stand out to me "Old School is about looking at the past and deciding what's worth keeping and what's better left behind". The times were different during the periods he was talking about and had some good qualities. For some it wasn't a great time. Therefore, I think it is important to remember the past and learn from it.
April 5, 2017
A wonderfully written, humorous look at the Old School philosophy vs the Snowflake philosophy. When did we, as a society in general, change from earning most things you have through hard work and dependability to an entitlement viewpoint where everything that goes wrong is the fault of someone else? Age is not always the determining factor in whether you are "Old School" or not. This is not boring, but thought provoking and fun in this reader's opinion.
February 20, 2023
I didn't agree with everything that was said in this book, but I was in full agreement with the premise of the book. I found it refreshing and amusing. Those of us who are "Old School" in our approach to life are becoming less and less and that is quite alarming!
May 13, 2022
The book is actually written by both Bill O'Reilly and Bruce Feirstein, and was at times confusing for me, as to which one was writing. The book was partly autobiographical for both men. There was a bit of bad language, which I felt could have been omitted. But I loved the comparison between "Old School" and "Snowflake," and could definitely identify myself as one more than the other. ;) I found myself laughing and chuckling at times with their descriptions of both types of people. Not just an entertaining book, though. It is one that will hopefully provoke some thought.
April 19, 2017
3.5. First of all, this is a very short book-so if you are spending your hard earned money-this is a definite-get it from the library. Parts of it were funny---it's basically a "back in the day" type of book. It's two authors sort of bantering about their slightly different opinions. There just wasn't enough solid content for me and too much, as Bill would say, bloviating.
June 9, 2022
I am a fan of Bill O'Reilly although I don't agree with his point of view on any subject. I find him too far right for my taste. I can say though (and this is why I'm a fan) that he has always given me something to think about, to question what I believe.
This is my first O'Reilly read (audiobook) and I enjoyed it. Filled with laughs and some very good points the time just flew by.
The only thing I wish is that O'Reilly had done the reading himself, not to say that Mr Graham did a bad job, I just would have liked listening to O'Reilly.
At just an hour for each of the 4 DVD set, this is a great way to spend 4 audio hours.
This is my first O'Reilly read (audiobook) and I enjoyed it. Filled with laughs and some very good points the time just flew by.
The only thing I wish is that O'Reilly had done the reading himself, not to say that Mr Graham did a bad job, I just would have liked listening to O'Reilly.
At just an hour for each of the 4 DVD set, this is a great way to spend 4 audio hours.
April 25, 2017
This book was really a wonderful read; I loved it! One of my favorite parts was the snowflake glossary in the back. It was hilarious! I also appreciated the sometimes opposing views of the two authors. As any book, you cannot agree with every single thing that is said, but this was a (mostly) very informative and entertaining read.
I recommend this book to anyone who does not believe "safe-spaces" are necessary for survival.
I recommend this book to anyone who does not believe "safe-spaces" are necessary for survival.
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May 5, 2017its great book i read one day its quite interested character about old school!!!!!!!
August 23, 2017
A quick and fun read. I Especially enjoyed all the definitions of terms used in today's world. Also great references to James Bond.
January 31, 2019
I am old school, so enjoyed the comparisons to snowflakes. Multiple typos in the Kindle version, though. Never seen so many in a publication. Bad proofing.
November 2, 2019
A common sense book. We need more of it today.
January 15, 2018
Old School right here! 🙋🏻
October 7, 2018
This is not the kind of book I normally read. I don’t like politics, but I really enjoyed this one! Laugh out loud funny in so many places, unless you’re a snowflake, then you might be offended.
August 4, 2021
Bunch of rambling on about what they believe to be "Old School" mentality.
If you're a fan of this guy O'Reilly on tv then you'll enjoy this book.
If you're a fan of this guy O'Reilly on tv then you'll enjoy this book.
June 18, 2017
Even if you’re not a Bill O’Reilly fan, don’t automatically shun this book. You’ll still enjoy the contributions of his co-author, screenwriter Bruce Feirstein. A conservative Catholic and liberal Jew, both identifying as Old School, hand the mic back and forth as they poke fun at certain current phenomena. Old School is about doing what you say you will. It’s about “looking at the past and deciding what’s worth keeping and what’s better left behind. It’s looking at the present and recognizing what’s worth embracing and what’s ridiculous and better tossed aside. Above all else, it’s hoping you have the experience, and the wisdom, to know the difference.”
Most readers will appreciate at least one or the other author’s good-natured humor, as well as the genuine respect of both for people of integrity throughout history, with whom they didn’t necessarily agree. But some readers will inevitably miss the point (thus proving it) and take offense: the so-called Snowflakes, the original of which was allegedly none other than former US President Martin Van Buren. Those slapped with this label — and their enablers — are cut no slack but ridiculed mercilessly.
I personally prefer Feirstein’s more nuanced style to O’Reilly’s hard punches, and some of Feirstein’s anecdotes are priceless. For instance, I loved the screenwriter’s account of his chance encounter with Sean Connery in a public park and the latter’s attempt to engage Feierstein’s toddler in conversation. Both authors offer serious analyses of the 2016 election and come across as reasonable and sane. The book ends on a positive note: Both authors view 2016 as an anomaly and express confidence that Old School values, as defined, will ultimately prevail, regardless of which party is in power.
Most readers will appreciate at least one or the other author’s good-natured humor, as well as the genuine respect of both for people of integrity throughout history, with whom they didn’t necessarily agree. But some readers will inevitably miss the point (thus proving it) and take offense: the so-called Snowflakes, the original of which was allegedly none other than former US President Martin Van Buren. Those slapped with this label — and their enablers — are cut no slack but ridiculed mercilessly.
I personally prefer Feirstein’s more nuanced style to O’Reilly’s hard punches, and some of Feirstein’s anecdotes are priceless. For instance, I loved the screenwriter’s account of his chance encounter with Sean Connery in a public park and the latter’s attempt to engage Feierstein’s toddler in conversation. Both authors offer serious analyses of the 2016 election and come across as reasonable and sane. The book ends on a positive note: Both authors view 2016 as an anomaly and express confidence that Old School values, as defined, will ultimately prevail, regardless of which party is in power.
November 8, 2017
Admittedly, my fist impression of this book was that it looked lame. But I enjoyed most of O'Reilly's previous books, so I wanted to at least give it a shot. Still, it seemed like a lazy cash-grab, something rushed out to meet a contractual deadline.
I downloaded it from Audible.com, listened to the first 5 or 6 chapters, and promptly exchanged it for something else. Turns out, my first impression was right on the money. OLD SCHOOL is a lousy book that goes after the easiest of targets: millennial snowflakes. I rated it two stars simply because deep down at its core there's a premise I agree with and think is important; but it's a premise the book does a terrible job of exploring.
Simply pointing out how whiny and spoiled today's "snowflakes" are in comparison with previous generations is not news to me. Nor is it news to anyone in O'Reilly's audience. Nor is it news to anyone with an internet connection. Or a heartbeat. I guess that's another reason why this book is so lazy: O'Reilly knows he's preaching to the choir and so doesn't worry about making a solid argument.
I'm not completely sold on the value of being "old school" as he sometimes chooses to define it, either. If you want to talk about hard work, clean living, and personal responsibility, then fine and dandy. But if being old school means feeling proud of yourself for not wearing a bike helmet, then maybe the snowflakes have a point.
I downloaded it from Audible.com, listened to the first 5 or 6 chapters, and promptly exchanged it for something else. Turns out, my first impression was right on the money. OLD SCHOOL is a lousy book that goes after the easiest of targets: millennial snowflakes. I rated it two stars simply because deep down at its core there's a premise I agree with and think is important; but it's a premise the book does a terrible job of exploring.
Simply pointing out how whiny and spoiled today's "snowflakes" are in comparison with previous generations is not news to me. Nor is it news to anyone in O'Reilly's audience. Nor is it news to anyone with an internet connection. Or a heartbeat. I guess that's another reason why this book is so lazy: O'Reilly knows he's preaching to the choir and so doesn't worry about making a solid argument.
I'm not completely sold on the value of being "old school" as he sometimes chooses to define it, either. If you want to talk about hard work, clean living, and personal responsibility, then fine and dandy. But if being old school means feeling proud of yourself for not wearing a bike helmet, then maybe the snowflakes have a point.
July 3, 2017
I might be being a little harsh on this book. I was asked to read this by a cousin that is on quite the opposite side of the political spectrum to me to start a conversation. I'm always looking for something out of the ordinary to read especially when it's on the short side like this and shouldn't take too much of a time investment so I agreed.
My take on the book is that it was lazily put together for a quick buck. Even if O'reilly wrote half, which I doubt, he would have wrote about 90 pages. Pick a theme that is sure to cater to his fans and you've got a can't miss money-maker on your hands. At 178 pages, it actually felt a little long. There was a surprising amount of fill and the book can basically be summarized as follows:
There is old school and snowflakes, you have to pick one, unless you don't. If you are a boomer and hate electronics than you're old school. If you think that racism died in the 60's and you believe in trickle down economics than you're old school. You're not allowed to talk about global warming if you own a private jet. I think you get what I mean.
The book badly needed editing but I suppose only snowflakes care about grammar and spelling. I guess if anything good could come out of it is that I get a better understanding of where the other side comes from. I may not agree, but I can at least try to see things from their point of view.
My take on the book is that it was lazily put together for a quick buck. Even if O'reilly wrote half, which I doubt, he would have wrote about 90 pages. Pick a theme that is sure to cater to his fans and you've got a can't miss money-maker on your hands. At 178 pages, it actually felt a little long. There was a surprising amount of fill and the book can basically be summarized as follows:
There is old school and snowflakes, you have to pick one, unless you don't. If you are a boomer and hate electronics than you're old school. If you think that racism died in the 60's and you believe in trickle down economics than you're old school. You're not allowed to talk about global warming if you own a private jet. I think you get what I mean.
The book badly needed editing but I suppose only snowflakes care about grammar and spelling. I guess if anything good could come out of it is that I get a better understanding of where the other side comes from. I may not agree, but I can at least try to see things from their point of view.
November 3, 2017
Real Rating: .5
I tried, I really tried to read this book even going as far to place it down to finish reading several comic books I had put off until now.
Was this book humorous? Not really. Was this book interesting? Not at all.
This book was more about how people of the "Old School" generation are far better than those of generation that followed are nothing short of entitled "Snowflakes." This is coming from the same guy who just recently blamed his God for failing to protect him from all those sexual harrassment lawsuits.
You know that definition of "Snowflake"? The part where they offended and whatnot? Yeah Bill O'Reilly really shouldn't be throwing stones at glass houses when his own glass house already has tons of holes in it.
My verdict of this book:
Don't bother with it. The humor just falls flat. The quizzes are ridiculous and the author of this book tries too hard to prove his own experiences should be the same for the generations that follow him.
I tried, I really tried to read this book even going as far to place it down to finish reading several comic books I had put off until now.
Was this book humorous? Not really. Was this book interesting? Not at all.
This book was more about how people of the "Old School" generation are far better than those of generation that followed are nothing short of entitled "Snowflakes." This is coming from the same guy who just recently blamed his God for failing to protect him from all those sexual harrassment lawsuits.
You know that definition of "Snowflake"? The part where they offended and whatnot? Yeah Bill O'Reilly really shouldn't be throwing stones at glass houses when his own glass house already has tons of holes in it.
My verdict of this book:
Don't bother with it. The humor just falls flat. The quizzes are ridiculous and the author of this book tries too hard to prove his own experiences should be the same for the generations that follow him.
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