The Stories I Tell My Friends

by Anita Lesko, Temple Grandin, Mick Jackson (foreword)

Temple Grandin is the most famous person with autism in the world. Whether you know her from the HBO movie Temple Grandin, her decades of work in the meat and cattle industry, or her unmatched contribution to the autism world, surely you know a thing or two about Temple. Well, prepare to meet a whole new side of her! Temple’s close friend and author, Anita Lesko, conducts personal and unique interviews that include chapters such as:

Filming of the HBO Movie Temple Grandin
Crazy Funny Stuff & Childhood Memories
Thrilling Events in Temple’s Life!
Work Hard to Succeed
Temple’s Big Message
And so much more!

In these pages, witness the moments that made her laugh (and cry!), meet those closest to her, and even take a glimpse into her seventieth birthday party! Discover Temple’s “big message” and her ideas about what makes the biggest difference for children with autism. Lesko has created a truly personal, unique look into the mind and life of Temple Grandin. This is a story you don’t want to miss!

Genres: Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Nonfiction

200 pages, Paperback

Published April 2, 2018

Reviews

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the book was good, it was a book of told stories, tales you might hear across the kitchen table from a friend. I did feel how it must have been for a woman with autism to be ridiculed and excluded from life; however, words could not adequately do the job. I was able to find some clips from the HBO movie "Temple Grandin" on youtube. Mick Jackson, a visual thinker himself, was able to give us some idea of what is going on in the mind of this autistic genius (wonderfully portrayed by Claire Danes).
Temple Grandin is currently a professor of livestock behavior and welfare at Colorado State University.
The most important lesson learned from the life of this remarkable woman is that there exist many types of intelligence that are not immediately recognized. Accepting and nurturing them may enrich our world beyond measure.

[Kimberly Brooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Temple Grandin is an incredibly remarkable woman, and I enjoyed reading her stories...the book itself, however, was not so enjoyable because:
1. too many exclamation points! Like every other sentence!
2. Yes, she has autism, and yes, so does the author, but do we really need to be told that in every paragraph?
3. I haven't seen the HBO movie, but according to the author, everyone has. "You saw in the movie...""Just like in the movie...""Remember in the movie..."
4. So many typos! Obviously this was written and edited pretty quickly. One chapter ended in the middle of a sentence!

I could keep going, but I won't. Fans of Temple Grandin will enjoy this book, fans of reading...maybe not so much.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t really enjoy this book until almost the end and then I loved it. As the book continued, I felt like I was getting to know Temple better. I have read other books about Temple’s life, but learned new insights. The writing style is simple, sometimes awkwardly worded, but would make a great audio book. I highly recommend this book and found the information valuable about teaching kids the value of hard work and meaningfully contributing to society.

[Robyn Martins · Rating 2 out of 5]

Temple Grandin is a wise soul with so much to offer on a variety of subjects, but this book was so poorly assembled and edited, I gave up two-thirds of the way through. It’s a shame because I had high hopes for it.

[Dennis · Rating 3 out of 5]

An OK book about a person I admire very much. This book was intended, I think, for people on the spectrum and their families. Dr. Grandin has advice for those on the spectrum and their parents which emphasizes getting out in the world and learning things. Worked out pretty well for her Dr. Grandin also shares many anecdotes from her equally amazing life and career. If you're a fan or curious I'd recommend reading this before tackling any of her own books or the HBO movie about her.

[Gary Basinger · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kudos to Temple and her amazing life, but the author tried to interject way to much of her life into the story and all I wanted to read was Temple and her stories. The author seems to be obsessed with Temple and being an acquaintance of her’s and therefore giving her life more meaning. I got a real creepy Temple stalker-type vibe from the author.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the stories, but I found the writing style challenging. Still, lots of great anecdotes about Grandin’s life and plenty of her wonderful advice about work and learning. Worth your time if you’re curious about her life.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me awhile to read but this was a fantastic book. It was insightful and gave the reader a unique look at Temple Grandin.

[A Driscoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book!

[Gill · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this book but I struggled with it. I found it hard going, and struggled to finish it.

[Laurie J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book, but writing was choppy. Great insight into her everyday life and special events. Wanted to rewatch the movie after reading

[LeighAnne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have had the pleasure of meeting Temple several times. This book was absolutely wonderful! It was like having a cup of tea with an old friend.

[Byron Edgington · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an intimate portrait of a friendship between two women who share an empowering, challenging, often mystifying trait that we've come to refer to as autism, or ASD. Lesko weaves interesting and revealing anecdotes about time spent with Dr. Temple Grandin in a conversational, casual style that gives readers not just an inside look at their friendship, but at how it evolved, the people Dr. Grandin attracts to herself such as grad students, cattlemen (and women), even celebrities such as John Wayne and Oliver Sacks. The real revelation in the book is Lesko's own diagnosis of autism which did not occur until age 50 for her, and the support she received around that. Filled with stories about the world's leading authority on autism and the humane treatment of cattle, the book covers a lot of territory, but satisfies regardless.

[W. Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am an autism parent. Like almost every autism parent in the day I have been impacted by Temple Grandin. Her advocacy and willingness to share her story has brought a new face to autism. That being said I really enjoyed this book. It was like having a conversation with someone about a friend that you both know. The author is the one who has known the friend better and in a deeper way so she tells us more great details about the person we both know and love. I do not know Temple Grandin personally, but this book just made me appreciate her more.

[Holly Senecal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Temple Grandin is, and has been, a hero of mine. Part of my admiration for her is for her accomplishments and speeches on behalf of the autism community. This biggest part though? Her determination and sense of humor. That woman is an inspiration in so many senses of the word!~ When I go into meeting for my sons IEP or find myself explaining for the millionth time why my son IS normal, his brain is just uniquely wired I keep Temple Grandins accomplishments and attitude in the back of my mind. Stories I Tell My Friends was a funny, beautiful look into her life and I enjoyed the visit immensely.