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Life As I Have Known It Has Been Finger Lickin' Good
Colonel Sanders - sixth-grade dropout, farmhand (at age 12), army mule-tender, locomotive fireman, railroad section hand, aspiring lawyer, insurance salesman, ferryboat entrepreneur, Chamber of Commerce secretary, tire salesman, amateur obstetrician, unsuccessful political candidate, gas station operator, motel operator, restauranteur.
Then, at the age of 65, a new Interstate highway snatched the traffic away from his corner, and Colonel Sanders was left with nothing but a Social Security check and a secret recipe for fried chicken.
That's all he needed.
In this rollicking but deeply moving account which stretches back to the late 19th century is a colorful glimpse of life among Kentucky mountain folk. Here, Colonel Sanders tells his own story, laced with his own dry humor and inimitable mountain grammar.
Then, at the age of 65, a new Interstate highway snatched the traffic away from his corner, and Colonel Sanders was left with nothing but a Social Security check and a secret recipe for fried chicken.
That's all he needed.
In this rollicking but deeply moving account which stretches back to the late 19th century is a colorful glimpse of life among Kentucky mountain folk. Here, Colonel Sanders tells his own story, laced with his own dry humor and inimitable mountain grammar.
144 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1974
16 people are currently reading
337 people want to read
About the author
Harland Sanders
7 books19 followersAmerican businessman best known for his chicken restaurant chain Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Sanders held a number of jobs in his early life, such as steam engine stoker, insurance salesman and filling station operator.
He began selling fried chicken from his roadside restaurant in North Corbin, Kentucky, during the Great Depression. Sanders recognized the potential of the restaurant franchising concept, and the first KFC franchise opened in Utah in 1952.
Sanders held a number of jobs in his early life, such as steam engine stoker, insurance salesman and filling station operator.
He began selling fried chicken from his roadside restaurant in North Corbin, Kentucky, during the Great Depression. Sanders recognized the potential of the restaurant franchising concept, and the first KFC franchise opened in Utah in 1952.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 12, 2011
when my sister said this read as if written by Mark Twain, I think she meant Foghorn Leghorn.
August 8, 2011
This book was like the sort of person where you're talking on the phone, and they're talking and talking, and you put down the phone for a minute and go check your email and get a snack and pick up the phone again and they're still talking.
(However, "Dadgummit!" is kind of an awesome opening sentence. Have to give him that.)
(However, "Dadgummit!" is kind of an awesome opening sentence. Have to give him that.)
September 18, 2008
I will never look at Kentucky Fried Chicken again without thinking, "Huh, who knew that a self-described Amateur Obstetrician would write a memoir with such an unfortunate title?"
June 19, 2020
Finger Licken’ Good the autobiography of Colonel Harland Sanders, founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken. Most of his life he worked hard at many varied enterprises, many of which flopped, yet he seemed to have learned from each of them to help make the next ones a little more successful. Without question he had the heart of an entrepreneur in him. Yet what makes him all the more amazing, it wasn’t until he was 65 years of age (retirement age for many) that he began his world famous chicken enterprise. When he sold the business, he had 600 franchises around the world. He was living proof that great success can come at any age thorough hard work, dedication, and commitment to one’s product.
This book also has such a unique voice to it, with his down home southern drawl ever present throughout. His folksy voice makes the reader feel as if he/she is sitting across from the grandfatherly Colonel listening to his down to earth reminiscences. He was a humble man, generous of his time, resources, and money, all which show in this book. The Colonel only had a 6th grade education so his writing isn’t the most sophisticated. One won’t become an entrepreneurial genius from reading this book, but one would gain from the Colonel’s wisdom about the value of working diligently throughout one’s life to be a better person.
This book also has such a unique voice to it, with his down home southern drawl ever present throughout. His folksy voice makes the reader feel as if he/she is sitting across from the grandfatherly Colonel listening to his down to earth reminiscences. He was a humble man, generous of his time, resources, and money, all which show in this book. The Colonel only had a 6th grade education so his writing isn’t the most sophisticated. One won’t become an entrepreneurial genius from reading this book, but one would gain from the Colonel’s wisdom about the value of working diligently throughout one’s life to be a better person.
December 31, 2007
What can I say about this book? It is completely unforgettable, fascinating, hilarious, entertaining, outrageous, and inspiring. The first word is "Dadgummit!" and the entire book is written in Sanders' unmistakable dialect. Perhaps if I simply copy the text on the back cover, you will understand the appeal:
"Tire salesman, restauranteur, motel operator, aspiring lawyer, army mule-tender, insurance salesman, locomotive fireman, gas station operator, sixth-grade drop out, farmhand (at age 12), amateur obstetrician, railroad section hand, ferryboat entrepreneur, unsuccessful political candidate, Chamber of Commerce secretary...
"Then, at the age of 65, a new Interstate highway snatched the traffic away from his corner, and Colonel Sanders was left with nothing but a Social Security check and a secret recipe for fried chicken... That's all he needed."
"Tire salesman, restauranteur, motel operator, aspiring lawyer, army mule-tender, insurance salesman, locomotive fireman, gas station operator, sixth-grade drop out, farmhand (at age 12), amateur obstetrician, railroad section hand, ferryboat entrepreneur, unsuccessful political candidate, Chamber of Commerce secretary...
"Then, at the age of 65, a new Interstate highway snatched the traffic away from his corner, and Colonel Sanders was left with nothing but a Social Security check and a secret recipe for fried chicken... That's all he needed."
December 9, 2023
Pop off, you crazy chicken king
November 16, 2024
I really enjoy reading about this magnanimous man from Kentucky who creates his empire with nostalgic and respect for his home grown appreciation of his Mom's kitchen and family recipe.
December 5, 2011
Ok, so I will admit that I was hoping there would be the secret herbs and spices blend hidden somewhere in this book. Or even some kind of recipe. But alas, there wasn't. But it was still interesting and considering Mr. Sanders himself wrote it at 83 years of age and having only a 6th grade education, it was a pretty good book.
Sanders describes his entire life from when he was a boy and left home at the age of twelve, all the way up through the time that he is writing the book. He seems to drift through jobs, never staying any place long, and did a lot of work on the railroads and also selling insurance. It actually wasn't until he was in his sixties that he really buckled down and got the chicken thing going. Which is where the book turned the most interesting as he describes how he franchised and ran the business and developed his methods for cooking chicken. I never knew they used pressure cookers to cook the chicken until now and it really explains how they can cook it so fast.
Sanders is a pretty persnickety guy and he makes sure you know it in this book. Of course he's also somewhat of a braggart and makes sure you know just who he influenced or how much he gave to charity. But I guess at 83 if you want to brag its as good a time as any. And he did do a lot of good with his life. His biggest flaw, although not really seen in the book, is his cussing it would seem. He reiterates several times that he has a pretty foul mouth. And he also likes to preach quite a bit as he has a distinct relationship with God in his mind.
The book could have greatly used an editor to be more reader friendly (or a better one if it already had one). Sanders wrote just how he spoke more than likely and it is seen in the way his stories meander back and forth and how he gets off track. And if you read it out loud it would sound very much like regularly speech when you're telling a story to a friend. There were some details that were probably superfluous, but others that really gave an example of just how amazing his life was. I only wish he would have wrote more about his immediate family, they seemed to take a back burner to the stories strictly about him.
Still an interesting read of a unique fellow who had a way with chicken. I'll have to smile a little next time I step into a KFC and see his picture.
Life As I Have Known It Has Been Finger Lickin Good
Copyright 1974
144 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2011
More of my reviews can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com
Sanders describes his entire life from when he was a boy and left home at the age of twelve, all the way up through the time that he is writing the book. He seems to drift through jobs, never staying any place long, and did a lot of work on the railroads and also selling insurance. It actually wasn't until he was in his sixties that he really buckled down and got the chicken thing going. Which is where the book turned the most interesting as he describes how he franchised and ran the business and developed his methods for cooking chicken. I never knew they used pressure cookers to cook the chicken until now and it really explains how they can cook it so fast.
Sanders is a pretty persnickety guy and he makes sure you know it in this book. Of course he's also somewhat of a braggart and makes sure you know just who he influenced or how much he gave to charity. But I guess at 83 if you want to brag its as good a time as any. And he did do a lot of good with his life. His biggest flaw, although not really seen in the book, is his cussing it would seem. He reiterates several times that he has a pretty foul mouth. And he also likes to preach quite a bit as he has a distinct relationship with God in his mind.
The book could have greatly used an editor to be more reader friendly (or a better one if it already had one). Sanders wrote just how he spoke more than likely and it is seen in the way his stories meander back and forth and how he gets off track. And if you read it out loud it would sound very much like regularly speech when you're telling a story to a friend. There were some details that were probably superfluous, but others that really gave an example of just how amazing his life was. I only wish he would have wrote more about his immediate family, they seemed to take a back burner to the stories strictly about him.
Still an interesting read of a unique fellow who had a way with chicken. I'll have to smile a little next time I step into a KFC and see his picture.
Life As I Have Known It Has Been Finger Lickin Good
Copyright 1974
144 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2011
More of my reviews can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com
October 1, 2014
Sixth grade dropout, tire salesman, motel operator, army mule-tender, gas station operator, railroad section man, political candidate, and the man behind the KFC business. While the path was not clearly cut, a designed with suxh precision, at the young age of 65 he decided to start his own business by selling his recipie to the public. This was a story of passion, humor, and good old hard work.
August 8, 2017
"I just believed that any failure I had gave me the opportunity to start over again or try something new." (Harland Sanders, Life as I Have Known It Has Been Finger Lickin' Good, Page 50)
This is the autobiography of Harland Sanders, the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). I laughed out loud as I read this book in many places because of the plainness of which he spoke.
I filed this book under "evangelism" in my Goodreads list because he shares his own testimony of being healed, saved and delivered. He was divinely healed two times of diseases when prayed for by believers and he was saved when he went to church and accepted Christ and at the same time he admits to having a problem with swearing or cussing as he liked to say. God saved, healed and delivered the founder of KFC!
This book takes you through the authors many experiences before he started his KFC franchises. He was a very entrepreneurial and hardworking person, even through he only had a grade 6 education. Some of the businesses he had before he started KFC were delivering babies, working on the railroad, motel operator, gas station operator, justice of the peace, paralegal...
Inspiring story of a legend in the fast-food industry still enjoyed today!
This is the autobiography of Harland Sanders, the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). I laughed out loud as I read this book in many places because of the plainness of which he spoke.
I filed this book under "evangelism" in my Goodreads list because he shares his own testimony of being healed, saved and delivered. He was divinely healed two times of diseases when prayed for by believers and he was saved when he went to church and accepted Christ and at the same time he admits to having a problem with swearing or cussing as he liked to say. God saved, healed and delivered the founder of KFC!
This book takes you through the authors many experiences before he started his KFC franchises. He was a very entrepreneurial and hardworking person, even through he only had a grade 6 education. Some of the businesses he had before he started KFC were delivering babies, working on the railroad, motel operator, gas station operator, justice of the peace, paralegal...
Inspiring story of a legend in the fast-food industry still enjoyed today!
November 19, 2017
Even though Colonel Sanders had only a 6th grade education, he still managed to write an excellent account of his life that sucks you in from the very first chapter.
I really enjoyed the book, because like many biographies, it gives you a glimpse at the humble beginnings and numerous failures that lead to ultimate success, and helps give you courage to keep trying even when things aren't going your way.
In this book, you will get a first hand look into the many exciting ventures the Colonel undertook, and the many lessons he learned from them. It is a beautiful tale of amazing variety, and will teach you to keep going, and never quit.
I really enjoyed the book, because like many biographies, it gives you a glimpse at the humble beginnings and numerous failures that lead to ultimate success, and helps give you courage to keep trying even when things aren't going your way.
In this book, you will get a first hand look into the many exciting ventures the Colonel undertook, and the many lessons he learned from them. It is a beautiful tale of amazing variety, and will teach you to keep going, and never quit.
May 10, 2021
Great story about a young man that leaves his parent's house at age 12 and goes out on his own.
It is a rambling story about his life and some parts are very interesting. You can see his passion for serving others and Rotary had a big effect on his life. The craziest thing is he started KFC at age 65 that should give anyone hope that wants to start their own business and thinks they are too old. Fun story, but couldn't recommend it.
It is a rambling story about his life and some parts are very interesting. You can see his passion for serving others and Rotary had a big effect on his life. The craziest thing is he started KFC at age 65 that should give anyone hope that wants to start their own business and thinks they are too old. Fun story, but couldn't recommend it.
August 24, 2025
Knew I was in for a treat when the first word of the book was “Dadgummit!”
One-of-a-kind look behind a man some people have never known as anything more than a corporate mascot. Very easy read that really does feel like you’re listening to the Colonel tell you his story.
One-of-a-kind look behind a man some people have never known as anything more than a corporate mascot. Very easy read that really does feel like you’re listening to the Colonel tell you his story.
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December 13, 2020If you'd like to know what I thought of this book, please contact me directly and I'd be happy to discuss it with you.
All the best,
- TB
All the best,
- TB
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May 10, 2021its not very good dagnabit but its kinda funny just to have this on yr shelf doncha know !
May 19, 2025
A great history on col sanders and how he started KFC from his own telling
December 22, 2022
A page-turner for sure. I didn't know that to hobo was ride the undercarriage if the train, whereas to ride the blinds was to be inside of the accordion-like intercar space. Pretty entertaining random book. I've never eaten KFC. Maybe I'll try it sometime.
August 14, 2011
I think that reading the book jacket gets you the gist as Col. Sanders is all over the place when he writes. Be prepared, it's in his grammar/voice (dadgummit!), so you've been fairwarned. He's held more jobs than teenagers do in one summer, which is part of the reason this was hard to follow. And no, he doesn't give away his secret recipe for the chicken.
August 1, 2011
It felt like Mark Twain ghostwrote this one. The stories were all over the place; it's snippets of the Colonel's life, with very little about KFC itself. That said, it's an interesting tale of a resourceful guy going through the Depression and an innovative businessman. Bonus points for an awesome cover.
November 4, 2015
The narrator is all over the place, but I see the connection others have made with Twain. I think this might be one of the more enjoyable memoirs out there. 6th grade education or not, the Colonel writes from the heart and the tales are tall and fun.
January 4, 2008
America's foremost fried chicken icon tells his story. An important work for aspring fastfood barons, southern linguists, or anyone who enjoys a well-told yarn.
March 13, 2013
This is a short autobiography that is worth the time to read it. It's written is the Colonels voice, which makes you feel like he is talking to you. Very interesting.
Currently reading
November 4, 2008Eat it, Kenny Rogers -- your Roasters have nothin' on this guy.
Want to read
April 25, 2012I found this for $3 at a used book store and it sounded too interesting to pass up.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews