Meet Mike Greenberg, the popular host of ESPN Radio’s Mike and Mike in the Morning, the highest-rated drive-time sports talk show on the dial. To his three-million-plus listeners, Greeny is the guy who’s equally as comfortable dissecting zone defenses as he is discussing cashmere sweaters. He’s been to Super Bowls and World Series, All-Star Games and Final Fours. He’s interviewed Michael Jordan, Joe Montana, and Wayne Gretzky. He gets paid to enthuse about sports, which means he’s the envy of most men in America. This is the hilarious, sometimes touching, and endlessly entertaining debut of one of America’s fastest-rising sportscasters, a wry and revealing look at one man’s good-hearted but mistake-prone attempt to grow up before his children do. Marriage, fatherhood, manhood, fame, athletes, crazed aunts with gambling problems, the true significance of sports, the worst possible thing to say in a room full of pregnant women–no topic is beyond his reach. But don’t take our word on it, read what Greeny has to say • “People who reminisce fondly about dating are blocking out all the disasters and focusing only on the few great nights. If that is all you choose to remember, fine. But be aware that no experience is without good moments. I’m sure during the sacking of Rome there were a few decent nights; maybe they put on a play.” • Life on the “Wife + television = no sleep.”“No wife + no television = no sleep.”“Wife + no television = sleep.”“No wife + television = porn.”• Keeping things in “Never assume you know more than the guy in the camouflage tux.”• And, of course, “All of us are married to women who think we’re idiots.”Whether he’s talking trash on the radio or talking dirty diapers over a fancy dinner, Greeny’s determined to reconcile two halves of a whole. So if your enthusiasm has ever been curbed, or you’re feeling remote without the remote, or you’re just wondering what exactly goes on in a guy’s brain, Why My Wife Thinks I’m an Idiot will be a source of comfort and unadulterated laughter.
Not bad. Some really funny moments, but I had a hard time caring about anything he said because he always ended with something like "my nanny always gets the groceries" or "I've never heard of kids peeing in a pool" and I'd like to know where's been.
That and he name drops expensive clothes like I'm supposed to care.
But then again, I don't listen to sports talk. Overall a quick read and enjoyable enough.
Your toddler son's first word is an expletive about poo. Your four-year-old daughter no longer needs you to go to swimming class with her. Your middle-aged, paunchy billionaire bud enjoys wearing speedos in public. You have a flat at 4:00 a.m. on the way to work and Triple A doesn't respond. You find out the hard way you can't clean up puke with a vacuum cleaner. And to top it all off, your wife thinks you're an idiot.
So what to do? Go see your shrink? Or write a book?
How about both?
Accordingly, Mike Greenberg's tribute to superficiality is born. WHY MY WIFE THINKS I'M AN IDIOT, penned by ESPN Radio's self-proclaimed--and unabashed on-air drama queen--metrosexual, is a read so lite you're afraid a slight summer breeze will waft it away. Greenberg (known affectionately as "Greeny" by his handful of fans) is at times witty, once or twice engaging, but always self-deprecating as he shares with his readers the trials and tribulations of marriage and parenthood (obviously something foreign to the rest of us)--all from the perspective of a semi-famous celebrity. Greeny writes, goes to see his shrink, then writes some more; after a few dozen pages the anecdotes and antics start to blur until the reader races to the Epilogue with a sigh and a yawn.
Wait a minute, Greeny. You had Elle MacPherson try on a pair of designer jeans right in front of you at a chic boutique and you said nothing and did nothing?
Your wife's not the only one who thinks you're an idiot.
I listened to Mike & Mike for years and have been watching Get Up since it’s debut, and part of the appeal to me was the approach of Greeny. For those of us who face indescribable pain—and everyone does at some time—the best thing you can do every now and again is treat something that’s meaningless like everything depends on it. Distraction therapy is wonderful. What makes it even more relatable in this book is that you have that distraction paired with someone who’s an idiot in the best way. Which of these stories are true and which aren’t is irrelevant because I can see them all happening to him. If you’re not a Greeny fan or you find him a snob, this won’t help, but if you enjoy his work on ESPN like I do you’ll love this.
Written by Mike Greenberg of “Mike and Mike in the Morning” and bought for my husband who listens to their radio program every morning on his way to work. Not entirely about sports Greenberg gives us a glimpse into his life as a husband, as a father, and then as a sportscaster. Because life isn’t just about sports or family or the need to go to the grocery store. It’s about all those things combined. The book is funny and sad and I would definitely recommend it, especially if you’re married (with or without kids) and a sports fan.
Apparently the author is a famous sports announcer. I picked it up because I thought the title was funny. Anyway, he's quite full of himself. Comes across as a misogynist, but he probably amped it up a bit since his audience is mostly men. He's not that funny, his writing is derivative, and I have no idea how it got on the NY Times bestseller list.
I like listening to him on the way to work, but I won't ever, ever read anything he writes again. Thought this would be a quick, enjoyable read but Greenberg comes off as an out of touch elitist...which makes it so less enjoyable. Ugh.
I have never listened to Mr. Greenberg and even though he comes across as having a sense of humor he also comes across as slightly chauvinistic. Still for the most part it was cute.
This is a funny book. I can't tell you how many times I burst out laughing. I'll be looking at Greenberg in a different way the next time I watch his morning show.
النصف الاول من الكتاب كان عادي جدا.. لكن شوية شوية بدأت الحكم وكشف لأسرار الاختلافات بين الأزواج..بين الرجل والأنثى تفاجئوني..لهذا سأعطيه نجمتين في النهاية.
I like to read sports biographies & memoirs. I used to watch Mike & Mike on ESPN. On the show, Greeny was self-deprecating but not pompous. After reading this book, I have huge sympathy for Golic putting up with this privileged prima donna all those years. I won't be watching any more of Mike Greenberg's TV shows. Luckily, I got this book at an annual local sale to benefit our police department. Glad I didn't pay full price--save your money.
I can't believe the editors let this book go out as is. I guess they figured since he's sort of a celebrity that it would do well regardless. I'm guessing that years down the line his kids are going to read this book and not believe how unappreciative their dad is of his bountiful life. Basically, this book is a bunch of self-serving journal entries and very poorly organized ones at that. Instead of having several cohesive chapters, the book has a prologue, three "sections," and an epilogue. Also, the entries are like a stream of consciousness, rambling on and on. Sometimes he goes on one of his many tangents before he eventually gets back to the point he started at. And, often when he gets back there, it definitely wasn't worth the trip. As he went to school for journalism, I expected a more cohesive book product. I'm guessing the editors were too chicken to stand up for journalistic integrity in the book. Too bad for that. He also tries to make every single sentence or story funny. It didn't work and just made him look like he was trying too hard. Also, his viewpoint of many of his stories wasn't funny to me, but pathetic.
He spends a lot of time throwing out designer names for most of his clothing, complains about hanging out with billionaires, and the worst thing of all, is his freaking out about spending a week at home with his two kids while his wife is out of town for work--and leaving him to care for their kids all alone with his Panamanian nanny. Oh, poor baby! He also complains about the three couples & their seven children sharing a house with tall ceilings in Aspen. What a hardship!
He really is more of an adolescent than a grown man in his 30s/40s. I don't feel bad for his wife. She married him and that's on her. He puts her in a bad light and makes her seem shrewd. I'd be a little ticked off if I had to deal with him all the time, too. However, I sincerely feel bad for his psychiatrist. He documents several of their sessions and it is obvious that he just likes to hear himself talk and doesn't put any effort into delving into reality. He can't figure out why he is so unhappy when he has everything. Hello - has he ever heard of gratitude?
It’s really sad that he put this book out there. After reading this book, I’m sure many people on ESPN and other celebrities have numerous stories about how self-absorbed he is. One of the worst stories was when his daughter had wet the bed and came in to him for assistance. He talks about choices of just sending her back to bed, letting her in his bed (but then he’d get all wet), or getting up to change her and the bed sheets which would take 20 precious minutes out of his sleep. Then he gets a brilliant idea. He says since Mom has been out of town she’d probably love if she curled up with her. So the little girl goes over there and snuggles up with Mom. Luckily, Mom didn’t wake up. Poor excuse for a husband and a father.
I could go on, but save your money and don’t read this one. I donate my books once I've read them. I feel guilty donating this one, but don't want to throw it in the trash--where it belongs.
Seems to have been written before he really found his voice but you can hear the roots of his radio personality. His reflections on the early years of fatherhood, the main theme throughout the book, is somewhat superficial at least from the point of view of someone who has already lived through that process but still a diverting read with some witty commentary scattered throughout.
I’ve been a fan of Greeny’s for many years but I didn’t realize he had written other books. I bought this for my husband and he would burst out laughing so I had to read it too. It was so funny that I found myself laughing aloud! I also found myself nodding as I related to the stories and shedding a tear as I remembered when my daughter didn’t need me to accompany her to a lesson. Well done!!
Before I read this book, I was a big fan of Mike and Mike. Greeney is an idiot. Whoever encouraged him to write this book or helped him publish it should be fired. This book showed that Greeney is a selfish self centered egotistical man. He neither mentions his broadcast partner by name or his wife. It was more shallow that a kiddie pool at the YMCA. The only good thing I can say about this book is that the story of Michael Jordan was interesting; but it was a brief light in a shallow sea of darkness. I paid a quarter for this book, and I want a refund.
Loved this book. Read it about 10 years ago when Mike Greenberg was awesome on Mike and Mike. I started my day with them. The stories are great. Quick and easy read. Very enjoyable if you are a sports fan.
Definitely identifiable moments and a few chuckles along the way but overall did not find it very well written and I tired of all the ways that he gets across how his near fame has paid off in dollars, social circles and lifestyle
If you have listened to Mike & Mike you will enjoy and recognize the family side of Greeny. This story sounds just like him on the air with the focus on family instead of sports. Don’t worry, though, he does hit on sports in the many side bars. A good quick read.
Greenberg tackles marriage, children, sports, being "a little famous" and many other nuances of daily life as a father, a husband and a sportscaster in his first book. The book is essentially journal entries from various times before and during fatherhood, as suggested by his therapist. The funniest thing about the book to me was that most of the book is about him saying or doing the wrong thing at the wrong time, which is a unique perspective of a tv personality whom most people believe are infallible. He always claims on his radio show that he is just like one of us...and this book is a prime example of that fact. I read the entire book in 2-3 sittings and it is very humorous. My two favorite parts are as follows: (1) He suggests that parents, after their children's games, ask them not "Did you win?" but "Did you have fun?" Let the child determine when they want to tell you about winning and losing, in hopes that they will truly enjoy their youth and realize that life is more about wins or losses. (2) He talks about how excited he has always been to take his daughter to swim lessons every Sunday morning. For the past 4 years, he has swam with her. One day, as he's suited up, the instructor laughs at him and tells him that after 4 years old, the children practice by themselves. "Bye Daddy!" his daughter yelled and the instructor retorted with "See, she doesn't need you!" It was shocking to him but even more so me, with no children yet, that they don't need you as much...at the young age of 4.
I really enjoyed this book, from start to finish. Greenberg is thoughtful, he's humble, he's real, he's senstive about his kids, and mostly he's FUNNY!
There is some great writing in this book, about sports, about the influence of sports on girls, about the influence of sports on our generation, and on the influence of our generation on sports. Greenberg is a whiz at sports facts & stats. But better than that, he is thoughtful and thought-provoking about sports and their place in our lives.
An example: After he bought his daughter a poster of Anna Kournikova, and was rebuked by women who were offended...
"Have you ever really looked at Anna Kournikova? She is a jock. She is a beautiful woman, no question, but she is also a jock. She has big, athletic shoulders and muscular arms and legs; a generation ago she woul have been considered manly. But now she is considered sexy, and she is. And I'll tel you something else she is that is infintely more important.
She is healthy.
You don't get to look like she does by making yourself throw up after you eat. You don't look like she does if you were on Weight Watchers at age nine. ... That's not how you grow up to look like Anna Kournikova. To look like Anna you've got to eat -- a lot -- and healthily. And you've got to work out. I don't mean an hour on the treadmill, I mean lifting wieghts and dedicating yourself to physical fitness. How much better off will my little girl be if that is what she thinks is sexy? How much better off would yours be?"
I can tell you what I didn't learn from this book: why Mike Greenberg's wife thinks he's an idiot. As a quick summary, Greenberg's therapist asks him to keep a journal, and the book strings together some of the entries in his quest to figure out what it all means. He never quite figures it out, but he does learn interesting life lessons along the way (mostly involving his kids, his wife, why he loves sports, and when the internal monologue running in your head should stay internal).
Despite the fact that he doesn't achieve nirvana, the book is very funny, and worth a quick read, even if you're not a sports fan or dating one. I read it in an attempt to understand my boyfriend better (who I must admit is sometimes an idiot). And I guess I sort of buy Greenberg's explanation of why sports are so important to him. Plus I spent many a laugh out loud moment, because the guy has one of the more hilarious tones I've read. I'd say give it a read - it's good summer, non chick lit fluff.
Many successful people fail to deal with their families in the right way. Despite their creativity and professional success, they fail to confront simple obstacles in marriage or family which makes them feel stupid and frustrated. The book introduces the experience of a well-known sports broadcaster who was able to impress and attract a wide audience achieving widespread fame. However, when he returns home he collides with his image in his wife's eyes: a foolish and helpless man who was unable to understand her feelings in her first pregnancy, and a husband who is unable to give affection and love to his wife. The life of our broadcaster turned upside down, to the extent that he realized the time has come for radical changes in order to be a wonderful husband and a successful father. The book answers awkward questions that face successful professionals when they find themselves helpless in the face of the most basic requirements of emotional life and family.
My husband is a fan of Greenberg's morning sports radio show & when he mentioned his new book, I checked it out of the library so Scott could read it. He liked it well enough to recommend to me, so I buzzed thru it yesterday afternoon.
Greenberg combines transcripts from his radio show with (supposed) excerpts from his journal (written upon a recommendation from his shrink). He combines anecdotes with reflections on his life & attitude - mostly in terms of his wife and impending children. He comes off a bit stereotypical (see the title), but still relatively interesting -- think Dave Barry with plenty of sports & family life mixed in.
Notes and Quotes
"I love the way cashmere feels and I love the way Yankee Stadium smells."
"There is nothing in the world better than investing everything into something that means absolutely nothing." (sports vs war)
Should of been called Why My Wife Thinks I'm a sissy.
There is very littler in terms of sports in this book. Most of it seems to be Greeny complaining about his wife's pregnancy. Then he goes on to talk about how hard it was to watch 2 kids with his live in nanny. Greeny comes off very silver spoon feed and like a "better than you" prick. Always name dropping about his cloths or money, hell in one section he dropped the word Billionaire an asinine amount of times. I dont know if this was for him to brag that he was talking to billionaires or not, however, the fact he's a Northwestern grad I'm sure it could of been written better.
Over all this book left me with an impression that he feels he is better than everyone else and that his life is so rough because he has to go to the supermarket at times because his live in nanny cant.
After reading the book by Mike and Mike my mother (the nonreader who slowly seems to be on the way to being a reader) ordered this from the library and then passed it on to me. She found it made her like Mike Greenburg a little less, I think his sense of whimsy and sarcastic tone can be lost on some.
The parts where he spends time with his kids are magically written and will be great memories for his kids for always. Some of his other adventures where we hear about times he got to drunk or made an idiot of himself don't add anything and don't stand him in good stead.
A quick read and take it all with a grain of salt.
This book was funny I only give it two stars because, it's about a sportscaster and he makes a bunch of sports references and stuff. If you like sports I believe you will like this a lot more than I did. The entire book is him telling stories most of which that make him looks like an idiot. Mike is learning lessons so if you think these lessons can help you it can be considered self-improvement. read by jerin
Read by Seth Drum. Finished April 2017. I like this book because the guy who wrote it is very funny. He tells funny stories through out the book about his life. He also reveals why his wife thinks he is an idiot. He also talks a lot about sports and how they relate to life.