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Hits, Heathens, and Hippos: Stories from an Agent, Activist, and Adventurer
Everyone has dreams of what they want to accomplish in life. Marty Essen’s childhood dream of becoming a herpetologist gave way to his dream of becoming a popular DJ, which led to his dream of becoming a big-time talent manager, which morphed into the dream of becoming an in-demand author and college speaker. While he achieved most of his dreams at various levels, he also realized that he didn’t necessarily have to reach the top to find success or happiness. Sometimes “almost” is close enough.
Hits, Heathens, and Hippos: Stories from an Agent, Activist, and Adventurer is a humorous and inspirational memoir that explores relationships and careers and how seemingly minor events can lead to life-changing results. Compelling stories have filled Marty’s life, and he tells those stories in a conversational style that combines his talents as an award-winning author with his talents as the creator of a one-man stage show that he has performed at hundreds of colleges across the United States.
His stories include:
• Growing up with an over-the-top, born-again Christian father, who prayed aloud in restaurants, thought Satan possessed his Masonic lodge watch, and attempted to faith-heal his old Toyota.
• Becoming the youngest disc jockey in Minnesota history, where he survived an on-air attack from a jealous DJ and learned that rock ’n’ roll and country radio stations have vastly different groupies.
• Running multiple music talent agencies and becoming one of the top young talent managers in America.
• Telling the best lie ever to reel in and marry an amazing woman that the media would later dub as his “intrepid wife.”
• Moving to Montana, where he founded one of the state’s fastest growing independent telephone companies and an unusual baseball league with pro-prospects and out-of-control players.
• Surviving as an outspoken liberal in the most conservative region of Montana and dealing with the death threats and dirty tricks that came with it.
• Heartwarming and humorous stories from his relationships with musicians, governors, senators, and a very special Democratic nominee for President of the United States.
• Traveling to all seven continents in search of rare and interesting wildlife, backpacking with a tribe known for headhunting, and surviving a vicious hippo attack.
Be prepared to be inspired, educated, and entertained!
Hits, Heathens, and Hippos: Stories from an Agent, Activist, and Adventurer is a humorous and inspirational memoir that explores relationships and careers and how seemingly minor events can lead to life-changing results. Compelling stories have filled Marty’s life, and he tells those stories in a conversational style that combines his talents as an award-winning author with his talents as the creator of a one-man stage show that he has performed at hundreds of colleges across the United States.
His stories include:
• Growing up with an over-the-top, born-again Christian father, who prayed aloud in restaurants, thought Satan possessed his Masonic lodge watch, and attempted to faith-heal his old Toyota.
• Becoming the youngest disc jockey in Minnesota history, where he survived an on-air attack from a jealous DJ and learned that rock ’n’ roll and country radio stations have vastly different groupies.
• Running multiple music talent agencies and becoming one of the top young talent managers in America.
• Telling the best lie ever to reel in and marry an amazing woman that the media would later dub as his “intrepid wife.”
• Moving to Montana, where he founded one of the state’s fastest growing independent telephone companies and an unusual baseball league with pro-prospects and out-of-control players.
• Surviving as an outspoken liberal in the most conservative region of Montana and dealing with the death threats and dirty tricks that came with it.
• Heartwarming and humorous stories from his relationships with musicians, governors, senators, and a very special Democratic nominee for President of the United States.
• Traveling to all seven continents in search of rare and interesting wildlife, backpacking with a tribe known for headhunting, and surviving a vicious hippo attack.
Be prepared to be inspired, educated, and entertained!
- GenresNonfictionAdventure
280 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 19, 2021
51 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
Marty Essen
9 books48 followersMarty Essen began writing professionally in the 1990s as a features writer for Gig Magazine. His first book, Cool Creatures, Hot Planet: Exploring the Seven Continents, won six awards, and the Minneapolis Star-Tribune named it a “Top Ten Green Book.” His second book, Endangered Edens: Exploring the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Costa Rica, the Everglades, and Puerto Rico, won four awards.
His novels, Time Is Irreverent, Time Is Irreverent 2: Jesus Christ, Not Again! Time Is Irreverent 3: Gone for 16 Seconds, and Doctor Refurb have all become Amazon #1 Best-Sellers in at least one category.
His seventh, Doctor Refurb, was a Booklife by Publisher’s Weekly Editor’s Pick and a Top-5 Finalist in the Shelf Unbound 2022 Best Indie Book contest.
The Silver Squad, published in early 2025, is Marty’s eighth and most mass appeal book to-date.
Marty is also a popular college speaker. Over the past seventeen years, he has captivated audiences with the stage-show version of Cool Creatures, Hot Planet, performing it on hundreds of campuses in forty-five states.
His novels, Time Is Irreverent, Time Is Irreverent 2: Jesus Christ, Not Again! Time Is Irreverent 3: Gone for 16 Seconds, and Doctor Refurb have all become Amazon #1 Best-Sellers in at least one category.
His seventh, Doctor Refurb, was a Booklife by Publisher’s Weekly Editor’s Pick and a Top-5 Finalist in the Shelf Unbound 2022 Best Indie Book contest.
The Silver Squad, published in early 2025, is Marty’s eighth and most mass appeal book to-date.
Marty is also a popular college speaker. Over the past seventeen years, he has captivated audiences with the stage-show version of Cool Creatures, Hot Planet, performing it on hundreds of campuses in forty-five states.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 21, 2021
I admire the tenacity that Marty Essen has in pursuing his passions. He has a passion for music, travel and writing. None of the acts he promoted made it big nationally, but I like the fact that he worked hard and enjoyed what he did in Minnesota where he is originally from. There is a reference to two bands that he used to work with. I listened to the music of two bands called Fairchild and Sussman Lawrence I enjoy the upbeat sound of their songs. Marty even has a passion for singers he did not work with. He saw Bruce Springsteen in concert in the early eighties. Springsteen is one artist I would love to see perform.
Marty Essen has received so much joy in pursuing his passion of travel. He has encountered many animals in his travels. Essen changes my mind about wolves and boa snakes just by describing their color and personality. I am still afraid of snakes and wolves, but I am less afraid of these animals because of his description. He has encountered hippos while canoeing on the Zambezi. Essen has consumed an apple wine in Spain called Sidra and a fermented rice wine called Tuak in Borneo. I am a fan of trying new drinks and would enjoy drinking these two types of wine. I would like to travel. but my physical disability and the pandemic makes travelling hard to do right now. Essen has talks travelling to all seven continents to people in colleges by showing a slideshow and a talk. I wish I could attend one of his performances in person.
Essen has a tenacity for writing. He shares that he spent over 12,000 hours writing his first travel book. Time and persistence are definitely keys to his success. Another tip he offers is to use real places when writing fiction. I will try to follow Essen’s tips in my own writing and try to write something every day.
Marty Essen has received so much joy in pursuing his passion of travel. He has encountered many animals in his travels. Essen changes my mind about wolves and boa snakes just by describing their color and personality. I am still afraid of snakes and wolves, but I am less afraid of these animals because of his description. He has encountered hippos while canoeing on the Zambezi. Essen has consumed an apple wine in Spain called Sidra and a fermented rice wine called Tuak in Borneo. I am a fan of trying new drinks and would enjoy drinking these two types of wine. I would like to travel. but my physical disability and the pandemic makes travelling hard to do right now. Essen has talks travelling to all seven continents to people in colleges by showing a slideshow and a talk. I wish I could attend one of his performances in person.
Essen has a tenacity for writing. He shares that he spent over 12,000 hours writing his first travel book. Time and persistence are definitely keys to his success. Another tip he offers is to use real places when writing fiction. I will try to follow Essen’s tips in my own writing and try to write something every day.
November 14, 2021
I'm not sure what I expected, but this was just a book about a guy who likes himself a lot.
Somehow, when I chose it, I thought it was going to be about other people, and their impacts on a life. Instead, they're Essen's impacts on the world, I guess. They're "I did this" and "I did that" and, sometimes, "Deb and I did ..."
It's entertaining reading, written in a chatty style that doesn't in itself scream "look at me" - but overall, that's what it does. If you know who the author is/was, perhaps you'd be more interested. As it is, after about the 50% point, I kept looking to see how close to the end I was.
I'd never heard of Marty Essen. I suspect I may like his Irreverent series, but whether I'll bother when there are so many thousands of books available - who knows.
Somehow, when I chose it, I thought it was going to be about other people, and their impacts on a life. Instead, they're Essen's impacts on the world, I guess. They're "I did this" and "I did that" and, sometimes, "Deb and I did ..."
It's entertaining reading, written in a chatty style that doesn't in itself scream "look at me" - but overall, that's what it does. If you know who the author is/was, perhaps you'd be more interested. As it is, after about the 50% point, I kept looking to see how close to the end I was.
I'd never heard of Marty Essen. I suspect I may like his Irreverent series, but whether I'll bother when there are so many thousands of books available - who knows.
July 6, 2021
This book is hard to rate. Parts I would rate 4 stars and parts I would give 0 stars, if it were possible. I never heard of Marty Essen so reading a memoir of someone unknown to me was a bit out of the ordinary.
I needed a hippo on the cover for a GR challenge, so it was chosen for that reason. You can't judge a book by it's cover for sure! Reading the blurb I thought it would be funny and entertaining, but save for a few parts I didn't find it that humorous.
I'm not a fan of people with big egos and in the book he comes across as quite boastful. His canoe gets thrown in the air 6 feet by a hippo on a remote river and when he and his wife come down in a mud pit with hippos and crocks all around they can't stop laughing?? That scenario, while exciting to read, was just so pompous. Still, there were parts of the book I really enjoyed. His travels to the 7 continents along with the stories about his pets were my favorite parts. The parts about his careers were too ego driven for my taste and I found his irreverence towards God and Jesus very sad.
I support many of his passions: love of animals, respect for our environment, political platform, strong connected marriage so I really wanted to like this book more. The writing is fine, evidenced by the awards he has won, I just didn't care for the overall tone.
I needed a hippo on the cover for a GR challenge, so it was chosen for that reason. You can't judge a book by it's cover for sure! Reading the blurb I thought it would be funny and entertaining, but save for a few parts I didn't find it that humorous.
I'm not a fan of people with big egos and in the book he comes across as quite boastful. His canoe gets thrown in the air 6 feet by a hippo on a remote river and when he and his wife come down in a mud pit with hippos and crocks all around they can't stop laughing?? That scenario, while exciting to read, was just so pompous. Still, there were parts of the book I really enjoyed. His travels to the 7 continents along with the stories about his pets were my favorite parts. The parts about his careers were too ego driven for my taste and I found his irreverence towards God and Jesus very sad.
I support many of his passions: love of animals, respect for our environment, political platform, strong connected marriage so I really wanted to like this book more. The writing is fine, evidenced by the awards he has won, I just didn't care for the overall tone.
May 26, 2021
( Format : Audiobook )
"I will adjust as I always have."
What and interesting life Marty Essen has lived and in Hits, Heathens and Hippos he shares a small part of it with us. He tells of his childhood days and the divorce of his parents, his infuriating Born Again Christian father, how he met the woman who was to become his wife and a taste of their adventures together. It's an easy read, peppered with amusing anecdotes told in an unsophisticated, direct to reader style which allows emotional convictions to trickle through without over dominating the story.
Narrated by Brian Marchant, also reading in a natural but well cadences style, it is nice to think that he has also captured something of the authentic voice of Marty, himself. But given that, before this book, I had never heard of Mr.Essen nor know how he speaks, I can only say that he carries the entire monologue well, maintaining interest throughout.
With some harrowing adventure moments endured amidst travelling highlights, Essen skilfully deflects reader envy of the exotic opportunities Marty and Debs have created for themselves and I would have rated this worthy of five, rather than four, stars had not much of the final hours been devoted to what freely like a prolonged advertisement for earlier books published and his current lecturing tours, either in person or via zoom since the advent of the Coronavirus pandemic: still interesting but too much of a cheat. But I am grateful to the rights holder who, at my request, freely gifted me with a complimentary copy via Audiobook Boom. Thank you so much. This was an interesting and enjoyable romp through an action filled life and it's O.K. for the author to include a touch of self aggrandizement and publicity - just,, perhaps, not for quite as long.. Recommended.
"I will adjust as I always have."
What and interesting life Marty Essen has lived and in Hits, Heathens and Hippos he shares a small part of it with us. He tells of his childhood days and the divorce of his parents, his infuriating Born Again Christian father, how he met the woman who was to become his wife and a taste of their adventures together. It's an easy read, peppered with amusing anecdotes told in an unsophisticated, direct to reader style which allows emotional convictions to trickle through without over dominating the story.
Narrated by Brian Marchant, also reading in a natural but well cadences style, it is nice to think that he has also captured something of the authentic voice of Marty, himself. But given that, before this book, I had never heard of Mr.Essen nor know how he speaks, I can only say that he carries the entire monologue well, maintaining interest throughout.
With some harrowing adventure moments endured amidst travelling highlights, Essen skilfully deflects reader envy of the exotic opportunities Marty and Debs have created for themselves and I would have rated this worthy of five, rather than four, stars had not much of the final hours been devoted to what freely like a prolonged advertisement for earlier books published and his current lecturing tours, either in person or via zoom since the advent of the Coronavirus pandemic: still interesting but too much of a cheat. But I am grateful to the rights holder who, at my request, freely gifted me with a complimentary copy via Audiobook Boom. Thank you so much. This was an interesting and enjoyable romp through an action filled life and it's O.K. for the author to include a touch of self aggrandizement and publicity - just,, perhaps, not for quite as long.. Recommended.
December 31, 2025
Memoirs can be a tough sell unless they're by somebody famous, or the person in question has done or lived through something fantastic or traumatic. But Marty Essen's memoir is proof that even seemingly ordinary people can have extraordinary life stories. And in this snarky yet entertaining autobiography he shares the story of his eclectic, colorful life, one that's certainly far from ordinary.
Growing up in Minnesota, Marty originally dreamed of becoming a herpetologist... a dream he amended to radio DJ when he got a job as one of the youngest DJs in Minnesota. From there, his life and career careened in all directions -- from starting his own music agency to selling landlines (back in the day when people actually had landline phones), from political activism to writing novels, from traveling the world with his wife to touring colleges to talk about his exploits. And throughout everything he manages to keep a sharp wit and to keep himself open to new experiences.
Marty is hilarious. I found myself laughing quite a bit through his memoir, and if his other books and his novels are anything like this I think I may enjoy them. He knows when to be self-depreciating, and when to not be afraid to toot his own horn. His political views DO leak into the text quite a bit, but I think that's true with all authors. If you lean conservative, you might not enjoy this book. (I don't lean conservative, so I enjoyed it just fine.)
I enjoyed this book, and I think I might check out some of his other books. Either his non-fiction books about his world travels, or his time-travel novels...
Growing up in Minnesota, Marty originally dreamed of becoming a herpetologist... a dream he amended to radio DJ when he got a job as one of the youngest DJs in Minnesota. From there, his life and career careened in all directions -- from starting his own music agency to selling landlines (back in the day when people actually had landline phones), from political activism to writing novels, from traveling the world with his wife to touring colleges to talk about his exploits. And throughout everything he manages to keep a sharp wit and to keep himself open to new experiences.
Marty is hilarious. I found myself laughing quite a bit through his memoir, and if his other books and his novels are anything like this I think I may enjoy them. He knows when to be self-depreciating, and when to not be afraid to toot his own horn. His political views DO leak into the text quite a bit, but I think that's true with all authors. If you lean conservative, you might not enjoy this book. (I don't lean conservative, so I enjoyed it just fine.)
I enjoyed this book, and I think I might check out some of his other books. Either his non-fiction books about his world travels, or his time-travel novels...
February 24, 2021
Marty Essen is a 21st century renaissance man. He has had to reinvent his life several times as outside events have tanked his businesses. In Hits, Heathens and Hippos he has written an engaging autobiography, or, as he puts it towards the end of the book (chapter 36) a “laugh-every-ten-or-so-minutes inspirational memoir.” In my opinion, he definitely succeeded in his goal. This is the sixth book Marty has published. I have now read five of those six and I firmly believe this is the best of the lot. I recommend Hits, Heathens and Hippos highly to anyone interested in how a person can turn his/her life around and keep going, laughing most of the way. Full disclosure, I was given a copy of this book prior to publication in exchange for a fair and honest review. I am so glad Marty chose to trust me with this. I could not put the book down, and I doubt you will be able to either. Fair warning, this is not a book for the Fox News crowd.
March 26, 2021
A mix of memoir, travel, and humor that makes a breezy read. It kept me coming back to see what would happen next in Marty's life. I particularly enjoyed the stories about his boyhood.
The later-in-life travel episodes, political issues, and music industry insights made interesting reading as well.
Since I'd read his political-time travel-satire trilogy and enjoyed those very much, I was already familiar with his humor. It was interesting to see more of the person behind the Time Is Irreverent series. Even if you haven't read those, Marty Essen's life makes a worthwhile read. Many memoirs fall into the I-had-a-horrible-childhood category or the See-what-an-important-person-I-am category. His is a refreshing change from those life stories.
The later-in-life travel episodes, political issues, and music industry insights made interesting reading as well.
Since I'd read his political-time travel-satire trilogy and enjoyed those very much, I was already familiar with his humor. It was interesting to see more of the person behind the Time Is Irreverent series. Even if you haven't read those, Marty Essen's life makes a worthwhile read. Many memoirs fall into the I-had-a-horrible-childhood category or the See-what-an-important-person-I-am category. His is a refreshing change from those life stories.
October 4, 2021
Laugh Out Loud adventures in Business and Travel
Marty is a natural promoter (but not the kind who annoy you on late night infomercials) who repeatedly found existing companies and outlets to be inadequate for his needs. So he successfully competed against them becoming, a music Talent Agent, a long distance telephone service reseller, and many other things that he stumbled into and turned into income streams, rollicking the reader with great funny stories along the way. But the best parts of the Book are the tours of 7 continents. Why? Just because. And again, interrupt to read to your partner entertaining stories, from hippos and giraffes to orangutans, this book will delight you.
Marty is a natural promoter (but not the kind who annoy you on late night infomercials) who repeatedly found existing companies and outlets to be inadequate for his needs. So he successfully competed against them becoming, a music Talent Agent, a long distance telephone service reseller, and many other things that he stumbled into and turned into income streams, rollicking the reader with great funny stories along the way. But the best parts of the Book are the tours of 7 continents. Why? Just because. And again, interrupt to read to your partner entertaining stories, from hippos and giraffes to orangutans, this book will delight you.
February 2, 2022
Parts of this book were great— the travel and pet chapters. Part of this book was painful — the career and any section where he is a know-it-all. I give him credit for his persistence in doing what is important to him and standing up for his beliefs. That doesn’t make anyone who disagrees with him wrong, merely a different experience and hence take on the world.
The good sections deserve a 5; the other sections a 0, therefore an average if 2.5.
I don’t disagree with many of his opinions; he’s just too in love with himself.
The good sections deserve a 5; the other sections a 0, therefore an average if 2.5.
I don’t disagree with many of his opinions; he’s just too in love with himself.
July 26, 2021
One of the most inspirational and motivational books I’ve ever read! I was blown away by the sheer number of BIG things this author has experienced. Truly amazing accomplishments in his life. This touches on most aspects of a person’s life and gives them hope for each and every one. Highly recommended!
February 28, 2021
Great fun
Having read Time is Irreverent #1, I was curious how Marty got to where he is. This book answered all my questions. What long, strange trip he has taken. And Deb is a saint!
Having read Time is Irreverent #1, I was curious how Marty got to where he is. This book answered all my questions. What long, strange trip he has taken. And Deb is a saint!
July 2, 2021
Wow, what a life. What a wonderful way to share his experiences with others. I enjoyed this from Essen. He has a great voice and he really manages to get his experiences across so smoothly. It was a fascinating read that really had a little of everything. Its inspiring and unique.
June 22, 2023
Funny & Witty
The adventures of Marty Essen brings you to the jungles of Malaysia & Zimbabwe & to the Artic. His life story is fully of funny lessons & deep writing. Born & raised in a Christian home, he shuns anything to do with tele evangelist & preachers.
The adventures of Marty Essen brings you to the jungles of Malaysia & Zimbabwe & to the Artic. His life story is fully of funny lessons & deep writing. Born & raised in a Christian home, he shuns anything to do with tele evangelist & preachers.
June 9, 2021
Very good! Review to come when time permits and vacation ends.
May 29, 2022
The author's overwhelming adherence to the liberal thought block and his extravagant flogging of HIS ideals makes this work pretty hard to stomach!
June 16, 2022
An unexpected delight!
I’m not into any of the things the author loves but this book made me smile, laugh and opened my eyes to new possibilities. Many thanks!
I’m not into any of the things the author loves but this book made me smile, laugh and opened my eyes to new possibilities. Many thanks!
September 14, 2022
Interesting
Funny. Part memoir, part travel experience and part life experience.
The Hippo encounter was frightening to read about. So glad, Marty lived through the experience
Funny. Part memoir, part travel experience and part life experience.
The Hippo encounter was frightening to read about. So glad, Marty lived through the experience
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews