This is a great read that lives up to the catch phrase "short mysteries for the curious mind with a short attention span". Lots of fun.

The Way I Heard It by Mike Rowe is the collected transcripts of thirty-five episodes from the Podcast of the same name. Each entry is a brief, fun story about some famous or historically important person who you probably know but told in such a way that it may not be the most obvious person it seems to be about. The identity is not revealed until the end so it makes for a fun guessing game. It's all true or at least true-ish (meaning that some things could be slightly embellished or exaggerated for the purpose of the story).

But wait... There's more!

Did you know that Mike Rowe was once a late-night host on a home shopping network? That he used to be an opera singer? That 'The Way I Heard It' was inspired by the late Paul Harvey's radio show The Rest of The Story? Well, you do now! Not only will you get the details behind those stories but you'll also find out much more about Mr. Rowe because after each "mystery" from the Podcast there is an additional biographical tidbit about Mike Rowe that is connected - at least tangentially - to the previous story.

The whole thing comes across in a folksy, easy to read style that brings to mind lazy summer evenings spent on a back porch swapping stories with an old friend or favorite uncle.

I loved it - Highly recommended!

MILD WARNING: Most of the content is suitable for all readers but there's at least one of the chapters (No Polite Way to Put It) that would probably not be suitable for the more easily offended. It's more naughty or suggestive than graphic but it is of a sexual nature.

***Thanks to NetGalley, Gallery Books, and author Mike Rowe for providing me with a free digital copy of this title in exchange for an honest review. I loved it. I honestly loved it.

Loved it!

A fabulous collection of fun and interesting stories. Some make you think and some make you chuckle.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy.

The Way I Heard It by Mike Rowe is a very highly recommended collection of 35 of his favorite episodes followed by his personal stories.

As Rowe explains,"Like The Rest of the Story, the mysteries in this book tell some true stories you probably don’t know, about some famous people you probably do. Your job is to figure out who or what I’m talking about before I get to the end. Inside, you’ll find thirty-five mysteries pulled from my podcast. Think of them as tiles in a mosaic. Each of these mysteries is followed by a personal recollection. Think of those as the grout that holds the tiles together. Like the flap copy says: Mystery and Memoir for the Curious Mind with a Short Attention Span."

The Way I Heard It is a wildly entertaining collection of Rowe's favorite podcast episodes combined with a memoir. His personal anecdotes, stories, and memories, or the grout, is just as entertaining and delightful as the stories. Rowe has a personable, charming, down-to-earth manner which makes reading this a pleasure. Don't let the self-deprecating humor deceive you, the stories are all compelling and enticing, while the personal recollections are humorous, interesting, and diverting, as well as imparting some wisdom along the way.

Once I started The Way I Heard It, I looked forward to reading more, saying "just-one-more-chapter" and thus it ended way-too-soon. It was a pleasure from start to finish. The writing is excellent. The Rest of the Story segments are interesting, and Rowe's stories are varied, interesting, and entertaining. This is one of the best nonfiction books of the year, especially if I base my choices on sheer pleasure while reading. All I can say is read this book. The Way I Heard It would be a great gift.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Simon & Schuster.

http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2019/10/the-way-i-heard-it.html
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3012523920
https://www.librarything.com/work/23366163/book/174305055
https://twitter.com/SheTreadsSoftly/status/1183844933121331200?s=20
Amazon and Barnes&Noble after publication

I normally don't stray from my comfort zone of romance novels. However, I've seen Mike Rowe on one of my favorite shows a number of times, and he always comes across as deeply intelligent and witty. I'm familiar with his work on Dirty Jobs and his mikeroweWORKS foundation, so I requested this book, thinking it would be interesting at best. I'm so freaking glad I did venture from my comfort zone...because this is one of the best books I've read. And I read a LOT.

Reminiscent of Paul Harvey's "The Rest of the Story", Mr. Rowe shares vignettes of people and events, followed by his life experiences which he connects to each story. I was hooked from the first vignette; I would never have guessed who it was about. I was truly shocked! (Don't want to ruin the surprise for anyone.). And it went on like that for me - hugely entertaining short stories, and the reveal of who or what the story is actually about. One or two I guessed correctly, such as Charlie the aspiring musician, but most were surprises.

Just as much, and in some cases more so, I loved Mike's personal stories. I had no idea of all the jobs and shows he was a part of, such as QVC. I had fun hearing about the jobs, plus also about Freddy the dog, Sandy his girlfriend (Mike's, not the dog), the pig, the barbershop quartet, his teachers and friends. My favorite tales, however, centered around his parents. They sound like the best parents ever...well, except for my own! Mike really knows how to tell a story; I snorted laughter throughout the whole book, but he also brought me to the verge of tears. Here's hoping Mike shares many more stories with us. I am in awe.

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

i LOVED this book!! How could anyone NOT love this book?! I've always been a fan of stories with a twist ending (yes, I enjoyed the Paul Harvey stories long ago) and this book is full of them. Even the ones where you think you know where it's going, the ending will sometimes go another direction.

Mike Rowe's writing is so easy-going and comforting. Comforting is a strange word to use for a book like this; but somehow these stories and the way he told them made me feel all warm and fuzzy. ha.

I enjoyed the way Mike wove stories of his own life in with the historical stories he told. He has a witty and self-deprecating style that made the book immensely readable.

My only complaint? It ended too soon!!

If you enjoy Mike Rowe, and who doesn't, you'll love this wonderful book, which is full of the same kind of fun stuff==and the downhome way Mike puts it--as all of his television.

By far one of the best books I've read so far this year (and I've read a lot of books already this year)! Part history (the fascinating kind, not the boring I need to learn it for a class kind), part memoir, always fascinating (a lot of those aha moments) and frequently funny (like laugh out loud kind of funny)! Inspired in part by his fascination of and admiration for the legendary Paul Harvey, this book is a collection of short "stories", none of which seemed to have anything in particular in common with ones another but then are inexplicably and expertly woven together in the most amazing way 😁 On several occasions Mike instructs us to "Google it, I'll wait" and Google it you will. Including his final page instruction to go to "Google it." That "it" is a video clip that will leave you laughing, make you want to binge watch every episode of Dirty Jobs, pull up old QVC clips, check out Evening Magazine, and wish the book wasn't ending! Maybe there'll be a sequel... 😁

I grew up listening to that amazing storyteller who could capture your imagination, paint a vivid picture in your mind; he’d have you picturing a young child controlling the switch of the railroad station for his sick friend only to find out that it was a monkey and no one new it. He would give you clues along the way that seemed to throw you off the trail like Shaggy and Scooby. And then he’d give say the words you’d been waiting for “but wait... there’s more. And now the rest of the story”

If you don’t know who I am talking about by now then the name Paul Harvey may not mean much to you. But if you do you are longing for that story teller to once again take prime spot on your radio.

Well guess what? Mike Rowe has been podcasting in the same style as Paul Harvey bringing back the stories that seem fanatical yet somehow probable. He shares his story, wrapped in clues and hints until the final revelation is pronounced. To which he ends with a humble “at least that’s the way I heard it”.

Well now he has written a book just as masterfully written as the podcast. You will find your imagination captured and you won’t want to put it down. All ages will gather as you share from the pages of the book. You’ll be inspired to see the small connections that can be so important. You hear stories of tragedy to triumph. All from a humble story teller who is sharing with you these secrets.

I’ve read and listened to these stories with my children and they are captivated. The world needs more truth and hopeful writers as Mike.
Get this book. By it for your family and friends. They will thank you!

I was given this ebook to review for my honest opinion. Honestly, I loved this book. It’s the way I read it and that’s the way I give it.

Fascinating, with fun little stories. It's a keeper.

Thanks to author,publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for ,it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.

I have always liked the down to earth ness of Mike Rowe and this book does not disappoint. It’s simple stories of a better way to go about our day to day. It’s a bit folksy and honest truth telling for readers looking for a bit of humor in these humorless times.

Mike Rowe at his absolute best! What's not to like about this treasure? Mike Rowe's sense of humor and incredible story telling skills make for a highly entertaining read. Highly recommend!

Yes yes yes! This is a fantastic book full of fascinating stories of famous and infamous people.
I love Mike Rowe’s podcast and this book fits right alongside it.

'I had a pedestal once. I put a pig on it. You can google it. Go ahead, do it- I’ll wait.'

In The Way I Heard It, Mike Rowe shares stories about famous people interspersed with tales of his own fascinating journey, from his youth cutting trees with is Dad, his days at QVC selling all sorts of odd products (I recommend his Katsak clip on YouTube), the famous Dirty Jobs (which many of us sorely miss) to his current podcast, The Way I heard it, you will be riveted. Did I read with Mike’s trademark sonorous voice in my head? You betcha! In fact, I should be writing this is my own voice and yet here I am using his! I could spend all day pondering what it is that draws people to Rowe, his charm, charisma, self-deprecating humor and wisdom, like putting a pig on a pedestal (he admits he is best when he gets out of the way and shines a spotlight on others) instead I will say this book is fantastic. Though it is perfect for those with ‘short attention spans’ or people too with busy their careers or families to sink into a long novel it is also the right fit for readers like me, who eat books every single day. The tales are short but rich in the telling, I was surprised by the many things I didn’t know about certain celebrities, particularly ones I admire- how did I not read about it on the internet where we are inundated by strange trivia? Rowe humanizes folks in the telling, and I find admirable qualities which can be surprising and a few that were downright heartbreaking.

There are winners and losers, because life is also luck as much as success requires cleverness and a fierce heart. How did we get here, how does one person’s idea change the world we live in? Why do some people push themselves hard and honor their promises much like a debt? Why do some give up? One’s fame can hang on a pretty face, but behind it there can be brilliance that no one can dim, though we see the world try. Fame for others can remain out of reach, until they take a plunge. Not all of the subjects are still alive, and often they had a far richer life, a more generous nature than the cameras or history revealed. Not to say some didn’t make mistakes or downright asses of themselves in the process, Mike included!

I spent time after finishing this uplifting book thinking about the strange turns of fate, the vital connections we often don’t even realize until later that are being made, and how we can set sail on a plan but find ourselves blown off course and yet right where we’re meant to be. As Mike Rowe himself has proven in his own full life, what looks like disaster on your worse day can lead to something far greater. That’s the way I heard it, anyway.

Beautifully written, kept me smiling and I am recommending it to every person I know.

Publication Date: October 15, 2019

Gallery Books

Mike Rowe is the realest celebrity there is. Listening to his voice evokes the feeling of a more simple time. His collection of short stories full of his unique coining of phrase and telling of a tale. In this compilation, Mike Rowe tells little mysteries of celebrities that will leave you guessing who is it right till the very end! Those on his mystery guest list ties into one of Mike’s own life adventures. His wit and humor as well as his compassion and love of life and his family make this a must read book of the year. Loved everything about this book, and highly recommend!

A quick story I instinctively heard in Mike Rowe's soothing baritone, a followup few pages relating that story to Rowe's life, repeat.
A format that allows quick reading, returning to life, and then dipping back into the book, I enjoyed the style.
Well written throughout, the stories get more and more personal as the book progresses, something I liked.

A delightful collection of real stories, all told so that the main character is only revealed at the end. As Rowe puts it in the Introduction part of the fun is trying to guess.

In addition to those stories, each chapter ends with another story, one from Mike Rowe's life.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Thank you to Net Galley and Gallery, Pocket Books for an e-ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review. This was a book I didn't even know I needed in my life right now, but I did. I know "of" Mike Rowe, but only in the most peripheral of ways. The cover of this book makes one think you're sitting down to chat with a friend, and Mike's writing style (see how I'm on first-name basis right away?) feels the same. I loved Paul Harvey, and this is reminiscent of that (with Mike acknowledging this) and I loved how he added on some personal history or lessons after the Wow part of the story. Really heartwarming without being cheesy. Loved this book.

From podcast to book, Mike Rowe delivers with great commentary.
I'm a huge fan of his podcast, and often listen when I'm traveling. I could hear his voice in my head as I read this. This is a MUST read for fans of his.

Sometimes an author just sees the world the same way you do. Mike Rowe sees what I see, but with more kindness. His is a heart-opening and mind-expanding perspective with lots of warm humor and humility mixed in.

I was expecting a bit of commentary interspersed with transcripts of the podcast. Maybe I'd glean some background information about how he came to write about his topics for "The Way I Heard It" (of which, I confess, I have not missed a single episode). There is much more meat in this book than what I expected.. Mike makes other connections from history and shares fun personal anecdotes. It's just more of Mike, and he's a great guy: an American folk hero like Mr. Rogers or Garrison Keillor or his inspiration, Paul Harvey. This is delightful reading and would make a perfect holiday gift for someone who loves Mike Rowe or just loves great storytelling.

Honestly wish I had the ability to rate more than 5 Stars!

The Way I Heard It is a collection of short stories full of Mike Rowe’s unique way of coining a phrase and telling a tale. Tipping his hat to Paul Harvey’s “…the rest of the story”, Mike Rowe tells little mysteries of celebrities that will leave you guessing who is it right till the very end! Those on his mystery guest list ties into one of Mike’s own life adventures. His wit and humor as well as his compassion and love of life and his family make this a must read book of the year…at least in my humble opinion. Loved everything about this book, and highly recommend!

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **