About Your Father and Other Celebrities I Have Known: Ruminations and Revelations from a Desperate Mother to Her Dirty Son

by Peggy Rowe, Mike Rowe (Foreword)

Peggy Rowe is at it again—this time giving a hilarious inside look at growing up Rowe, both before and after Mike’s rise to fame.

Since the day they said, “I do,” Peggy’s previous “doting” lifestyle met with her husband John’s minimalist ways and became the backdrop for years of adventure and a quirky sense of humor because of their differences. From thoughts of wearing headlamps in the house to save energy, to squeezing out the last drop of toothpaste with a workbench vise, Peggy learned to pick her battles and celebrate the hilarity in each situation.

Once their boys were born, woodstove mishaps and garbage dumping tales were the seed for Mike’s obsession with doing dirty jobs and the comical presence he is known for today.

As Mike rose to fame, Peggy was his biggest fan—who gave motherly advice and constructive criticism, of course. She baked cookies for Mike to take to Joan Rivers for a Christmas party hostess gift, and even wrote fan letters under faux names and mailed them from different cities to Mike’s producer.  

By the time Mike hits it big, Peggy and John retire to face more adventures, with a lightning strike in their condo, an elderly friend who ate marijuana leaves, and entering into celebrity status by making Viva paper towel and Lee jeans commercials, plus so much more.

Peggy’s stories relive the details that intrigue and entertain old and new fans alike. So if you want a bigger, even funnier take on the Rowe family, About Your Father and Other Celebrities I Have Known delivers.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, Memoir, Biography, Autobiography, Comedy, Book Club

192 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 14, 2020

About the author

Peggy Rowe lives in Baltimore, Maryland, with John, her husband of sixty-one years. Both educators, they raised three sons. Peggy has been writing for most of her adult life and has two New York Times bestsellers to her credit—both of which were published after the age of eighty. Now eight-four, she is living the good life in a retirement community where material abounds. Peggy continues to write every day of her life—preferably without wearing jewelry or a bra.

Reviews

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is perfect for anyone who requests something to read that is good-hearted and funny as heck. Peggy Rowe (Mike Rowe's of Dirty Jobs 82-year-old mother) has written a wonderful collection of essays about her life, marriage, raising kids, and getting older that is both humorous and poignant. Someone said she is today's Erma Bombeck and I got that flavor but she definitely has her own voice. By the time you finish this, you'll want Peggy and John to be your mom and dad.

Get a copy if you are looking for an uplifting read during these tough times.

This is a good companion to Mike Rowe's The Way I Heard It and a good read for Erma Bomback fans.

[Judith Doyel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Husterical

I started reading this book on my Kindle on my way to Indianapolis to an emergency dental appointment for my recently installed dental implants, just after Indiana was starting to open up a little during the CoVid-19 pandemic in Early May of 2020. It is a 1 hour and 25 minute drive and I was laughing hard enough at about 10 minutes into the trip that my husband (the driver of course, I don't read and drive). I had to start the book over reading it aloud so my husband could enjoy it too. It sure made that trip so much easier and a lot of fun! I recommend it to everyone! If you are on good terms with your spouse, they too can enjoy an oral reading, at least if you can read through the giggles!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a joy to read. Very short chapters and laugh out loud funny. A little something to lighten your day, for sure.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Compilation of short stories -- this book was a recommendation from my sister-in-law. I didn't know who Mike Rowe was, so had to Google him prior to reading the book, written by his mother, Peggy. Even if you don't know who Mike is, there are many humorous, laugh-out-loud moments throughout! An easy, enjoyable read -- 6 out of 10.

[Frosty61 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever, witty, and talented, Peggy Rowe knows how to tell a story that delights and entertains. This collection of short bits about life with her husband of 50+ years as well as her recollections about Dirty Jobs star, Mike Rowe, and her other sons is charmingly funny. I love the positivity she expresses, the little digs she gets in as a mother whose children have moved away, and her practical POV about getting old.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend recommended this, believing I'd get a few chuckles out of it, and goodness knows we could all benefit from some laughter in these trying times. As I read, I smiled and laughed out loud several times. I most definitely want to read more of Peggy's musings. She almost made me forget for a while that the world has gone positively bonkers.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious vignettes about author Peggy Rowe and her husband John as addressed to her oldest son, Mike Rowe, of Dirty Jobs fame.

[Laurie DelaCruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun read! I hope I'm as full of life and wit in my 80s as these two are!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actual laughing and snort-guffawing in public while kids dribble basketballs across a court in drills and music blares over the speakers. I inserted these loud interruptions during a playoff game, too, and was given stern looks from family members. I remain unapologetic and have put Peggy Rowe on my list of favorite authors of all time. This book is no exception.

[Alana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss Peggy does it again! More hilarious stories that she describes in such witty detail that I can completely picture every moment. Once again literally laughed out loud on more than one occasion. It's a good fun read, do yourself a favor!

[Eden · Rating 5 out of 5]

2020 bk 166. A fun read. If you are in the mood for short essays, ones that mostly leave a smile on your face, a laugh, or a tsk tsk, then pick up Peggy Rowe's second book. The mother of celebrity host Mike Rowe, Peggy tells the story of raising three sons, while learning to live with a loving husband who is, quite frankly, an extreme frugal champion. The lengths she has to go to in order to throw out old rags (which her husband refers to as perfectly good shirts) are fun. Treat yourself to a book of love and laughter with this title.

[Donna Kremer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peggy could easily be my own mother, practically guaranteeing her a 5-star review, but I thought the stories were mostly just ok. I did enjoy the bits of humor. I feel bad about not rating this higher. Sorry, Mom!
3.5 stars

[Kathy Bielecki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love Mike Rowe and his parents. The stories were cute but a bit repetitive.

[Ashlee Kirschner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is written by a woman in her 80s. In her 80s! In a culture that seems to think most of your living is done at retirement, this is inspiring and so necessary to remind all of us your insight and value doesn’t fade with age.

Peggy writes gracefully and humourously about the things we all do (and the things we have yet to do as we age). She adores her husband and that is captivating. To live with the same person for most all of your life and still treasure him or her - that’s what we strive for.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There is some repetition here and there, but it is absolutely endearing.

[MKF · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's been a bad week so I decided I need a light, easy read with hopefully some humor because of it's connection with Mike Rowe. Sadly there's not a lot of stories about Mike though tons of text messages and emails to him. I did laugh once or twice at a few things but most of it I didn't find very funny. Maybe it's just where my head is at the moment but there's many parts throughout where she comes off as condescending. I'm probably not going to read her other books and only read this for a distraction.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been entertained by Peggy Rowe's letters and emails to her son on the latter's FB page for years, and this book was exactly what I expected: a funny, silly, irreverent, and sometimes sarcastic take on life as the mom of a celebrity known for being funny, silly, irreverent, and often sarcastic. It's quite obvious where Mike Rowe gets his wit. His mom's writing isn't high-quality (nor is the editing - "tork" instead of torque, "Santa Clause" instead of Santa Claus... REALLY?!), but her storytelling is fun.
3.5-4 stars

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful!

Funny, warm, human stories about real people you can truly relate to. I was hooked when I read Peggy’s first book, and she doesn’t disappoint in “About Your Father.” The frequent comparisons to Erma Bombeck are spot on, so if you have missed having Erma around like I have, you’re in for a treat with Peggy Rowe.

[Heather Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up. This reads like it was written by a woman in her eighties who has good stories to tell (because it was). It’s a bit disorganized and sometimes repetitive, but high on charm. Recommend for when you need something light with clean humor.

[Nancy Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read that would be especially appreciated by senior citizens and probably their children. Peggy Rowe's style reminded me of Erma Bombeck. Being able to find humor in day-to-day situations is a gift and one that I surely enjoyed.

[Ashley Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peggy Rowe has been called the modern Erma Bombeck. She’s hilarious! Through her stories of her family, I can see that her son Mike Rowe, of Dirty Jobs fame, gets his sense of humor from both parents. This was an easy read full of short snippets of life from her childhood up to now. It’s About Your Father — and mother, brothers, and others. And now I follow Peggy Rowe on FB. 😂

[Sharon Margevicius · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this light and easy read. I love seeing Peggy on Mike Rowe’s FB page videos and found her stories entertaining.

[Laurel Perkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like an old friend drinking coffee and swapping stories. Sweet, funny memories shared by a wonderful storyteller. I see a lot of my life in hers.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun read! I laughed out loud many times. Ms Peggy has a wonderful sense of humor and hilarious writing style!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little disjointed and repetitive in places but a very enjoyable and sweet read overall.

[Lisa Okeefe · Rating 5 out of 5]

As one of her LFBFs, I already knew I wanted to be Peggy Rowe when I grow up. This delightful book of stories from her life was a much-needed distraction from the current insanity of the world.

[Cathy Brake · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! Laugh out loud funny every day stories about life. Enjoyed it!:)

[Connie Stein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peggy Rowe is a great storyteller and this was a laugh out loud book

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun read. So many relatable stories. Peggy Rowe is the mom, aunt, grandmother, neighbor, BFF everyone would love to hang out with. And she’s proof that you’re never too old to start something new.

[Dlmrose · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[☺Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mrs. Peggy Rowe is a wonderful storyteller - she's a natural!
A fast and funny read that will definitely be worth a reread (or two)!