Andy Rooney: 60 Years of Wisdom and Wit

by Andy Rooney

Andy Rooney is a classic chronicler of America and her foibles. Over more than six decades of intrepid reporting and elegant essays, Rooney has told it to us straight and without a hint of sugar coating, but with more than a grain of truth and humor.

Andy 60 Years of Wisdom and Wit brings together the best of more than a half-century of work (including long-out-of-print pieces from Rooney's early years) in an unforgettable celebration of one of America's funniest men. With selections from his beginnings as a correspondent for The Stars and Stripes during WWII to his arrival at CBS to his more than thirty-year stint on 60 Minutes , this book is a must-have for any Rooney fan.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Memoir, Humor, Ebooks, Essays, Autobiography

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Andrew Aitken "Andy" Rooney was an American radio and television writer. He became most famous as a humorist and commentator with his weekly broadcast A Few Minutes With Andy Rooney, a part of the CBS news program 60 Minutes from 1978 to 2011.

Reviews

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet another collection of Mr. Rooney's ramblings, some repeated, some never before in print. The old curmudgeon is a fine writer, something often overlooked by his television audience.

His thoughts on ordinary things are usually spot on, and I especially related to his column on "home". His Stars and Stripes pieces on WW11 were as good as anything I've ever read about aerial combat.

[Leew49 · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you watched Andy Rooney's end of show remarks on "60 Minutes" you probably have a pretty good idea of what this volume is like. If you never saw Rooney--and, sadly, there is an ever-growing number of people who have not--you might enjoy dipping into this collection of his musings. There is an Introduction by his son Brian which gives us a new and unique perspective on Andy Rooney the father, and a timeline of his career. I never knew what a woodworking enthusiast Rooney was, nor that his love of football could be traced to is own college playing career. I didn't know that he used to write for Garry Moore, and I certainly didn't know that, more than once, he resigned from good jobs as a matter of principle.

Rooney's early career is documented here largely through his own writing; what he did in college, how he met his wife, and his fascinating military career in World War II writing for STARS AND STRIPES. Essays from later in his career are just as entertaining as ever. "You see but you do not observe," Sherlock Holmes famously told Watson. Rooney observed what most of us only see, and his sharper eye was the starting point for analysis and insight that made his writing both entertaining and enlightening. His essay on Chairs is an outstanding example of how a commonplace everyday object can be the subject of original and eye-opening thinking, and remembrances of things like a trip to the dump can make the reader nostalgic for an America he himself may or may not remember.

Rooney was very opinionated, and no reader is likely to agree with everything he wrote; but noting those differences and trying to decide why we disagree can be just as much fun as those moments when we read one of his comments and say "Of course!"

[Kellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was thoroughly enjoyable. I found myself reading parts to my husband. I always admired Andy Rooney because he was one of the only journalists who was not afraid to NOT be politically correct. We need more people like him. I loved his frank, straightforward, opinionated way even if I didn’t agree with it. I respected it all of it. In this book, he writes about several things, including a small section about chairs. He is probably the only person who could write about chairs and make it sound interesting. There are so many quotes in this book, I would spend all day quoting him but here are some of my favorites…”I believe a lot of things I can’t prove” “If someone chooses to live in the United Sates, they should learn to speak English. I recognize that this is a small, meanspirited, right wing opinion but I hold it.” “People will generally accept facts as truth only if the facts agree with what they already believe”. “ Lawyers are more interested in winning than in justice.” “If dogs could talk, it would take a lot of fun out of owning one.”

[Verona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. To begin with, I've always liked the time with Andy Rooney on "60 Minutes," so I was a fan already. I learned a lot about Andy Rooney in this book. I liked learning about his personal life and his family and his values. I agree with so many of his observations about life. I feel that we must come from the same generation and have the "old fashioned" values and ideas about life and what's important. The only thing that struck me negatively was Andy's attitude about God and religion. I wish he could know how important God is in our lives and our need to be close to Him.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book at a used book sale. I had grown up watching 60 Minutes at my grandparents' home every Sunday evening, and all activity would stop when Any Rooney's monologue began. This book by Rooney covers six decades of essays and reporting, and is done in a chronological order. I laughed out loud often reading this book. He is "everyman" and articulates the frustrations of modern life that the rest of us just suffer through in silence, or at best, mumble about. Any one over 50 will enjoy this book; any one else may not know what he is talking about.

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

When your neighbor's house is on fire, you have an obligation to go and watch it burn.

Fans of Andy Rooney and his legendary witticisms will love this book. I listened to the audiobook version and found it highly entertaining. The man performing the book sounded a lot like Rooney -- so much so that I began hearing Rooney's memorable voice as he spoke. It was as if Andy was riding along with me each day. I recommend this book to fans of Rooney and to anyone looking for an easy-going read.

[Les · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started off slow and ended slow but everything in the middle was golden.

The middle of the book is a compilation of essays by Andy Rooney taken from his 60 years as a writer.

He covers many aspets of life that many of us can relate to..

Quote:

"I have finally come to the sad realization that I will never write anything today that looks as good as it should to me tomorrow. It is the writer's albatross."



And Andy is still kicking it today (2011) at the age of 92.

[Shawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always liked the straightforward wit and wisdom of Andy Rooney. I felt that one of the funnest parts of this book was the collection of witticisms (proverbs?) at the very end. Some of the parts in the middle were a bit mundane, but the genuine approach still made it enjoyable to read and to look at things in a different light. This is a good sampling of the sort of thing you'll find in this: http://books.google.com/books?id=7KnY...

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up listening to Andy Rooney on 60 Minutes. Getting to read a sample of his work over the last 60 years was a very special treat. Don't know anybody who can say it better than Andy Rooney. Even when you disagree with him you usually respect the way he expresses himself. Loved this book. Absolutely loved it. Highly recommend this book.

[Tim O'Hearn · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you watched enough Andy Rooney to be able to read using his voice and narration style, this book is a treasure. Rooney is a giant of a bygone era. He was a man of great moral character and integrity who both pioneered and perfected a style of writing. Although his analysis is on-point, at times it can be mundane. He wasn't an entertainer, he was a writer, and that always took precedence.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could hear Andy Rooney's voice as I read these essays. I skimmed the war ones, too grim. Some essays were written more than 20 years ago I suspect because he talks about the price of things... The good,old days.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this guy!!!

[Kim (BritishLass929) · Rating 4 out of 5]

An eclectic collection of essays ranging from ice cream to Christmas. None of them are very long, and most are quite amusing. A nice read.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

More from the curmudgeon at the other end of the dinner table, but this time with an incisive introduction written by his son.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read parts of this book after learning of Andy Rooney's passing. More on http://bookwinked.wordpress.com

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
There were some slow spots, but overall I enjoyed this book.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read. Learned more about him & his family. Don't always agree with his opinions but he is enjoyable to listen to & to read.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since we don't get to see him anymore this is a great fix for that unique humor.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andy Rooney is always a class act in his honest and forthright writing that makes me laugh.

[Steven Freeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bought this on the day he died and have been reading an entry or two every now and then. I did not always agree with him, but I always enjoyed his commentaries. He is missed.

[Linda Letourneau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good humor

I always enjoyed watching him on 60 minutes with sardonic wit and wry smile. Book entertained me, I see he wrote others.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compilation of observations from all of Rooney's previous works.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you watched enough Andy Rooney to be able to read using his voice and narration style, this book is a treasure. Rooney is a giant of a bygone era. He was a man of great moral character and integrity who both pioneered and perfected a style of writing. Although his analysis is on-point, at times it can be mundane. He wasn't an entertainer, he was a writer, and that always took precedence.

[Lisa Konet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve always respected Andy Rooney as brutally honest journalist and I also enjoyed his segment on 60 minutes. This was a fascinating memoir of his years in journalism and also what he’s learned, appreciated and been annoyed of. I couldn’t put this down!

[Patti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Andy Rooney’s opinions are best digested in short periods of time...whether in 3-4 minute segments on 60 Minutes for many years or 15 minutes at a time in this book. I picked it up every time I had just a few extra minutes in my day.

[Timber · Rating 3 out of 5]

I miss listening to Andy Rooney gripe about different things at the end of 60 Minutes. This was a good audiobook. The material is dated, for sure, but a nice look back in time. Many of his thoughts withstand the test of time.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had planned to read this book will have to purchase my own.
I purchased this book for my brother who resides in a nursing home. He and other residents enjoy reading this book. Andy Rooney was a real treasurer. Wish we had someone like him today.

[Dawn Galbraith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved hit wit and gritty attitude. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book!