How I Lost 5 Pounds in 6 Years: An Autobiography: Tom Arnold: 9780312322441: Amazon.com: Books (original) (raw)
Reviews with images
Not so great for breaking bread.
Pretty unremarkable and not funny. My review is the same as the other 2 star reviewer who listed 3 reasons. To avoid plagiarism and redundancy, I'll just say - go read the other 2 star review. I do disagree with that reviewer on one major point, however - I don't think Tom Arnold is funny. Worth mentioning, he's now divorced from the woman he gushes about in this book.I make the world's greatest pea soup, and I like to break up stale french bread and put it in the bowl when I eat it. The spine of this book worked alright for smashing the stale bread into pieces - but just alright. Honestly, this is probably a 1 star review, but I added 1 more just to give credit to the guy for writing a book. I did find this for free and am going to "pay it forward" by passing it on… to the local landfill, by way of the trash bucket behind me.Next time, Tom, write an epic - something 1,000 pages or so - that will be better for breaking bread. I'm sure you have no problem doing it for the bread.:-P
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review
- Sort by reviews type
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2002
If Hemmingway had been from Iowa and he had married Roseanne, he might have been able to write this book. Otherwise, leave it to Tom Arnold. Tom speaks from the heart and he speaks the truth. Anyone who can't emphasize with Arnold's lessons learned isn't human. This multifaceted 'tour de force' leaves other celebrity 'tell alls' in the lurch. Why does Julia Louis-Dreyfus hate Tom? What did he tell Roseanne right before the national anthem? How low is his sperm count? You'll never know unless you pick up this magical tome. It's a perfect book for Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanza and Pagan New Year.
3 people found this helpful
Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2019
Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2002
I liked this book because it was a page-turner. I hated this book because it really wasn't funny or interesting or intriguing. It's not a bad book, just a book worthy of Tom Arnold's semi-celebrity.
First off, it's small, quick, and fluid and very readable. That's always a huge plus. Also, a few of the stories are fun, like the parking war with the Seinfield cast.
Here's the bad. Tom likes to discuss his views and family, friendship, and how to live life. Of all the people in the world, why would I want to know Tom Arnold's opinion on this topic? Also, many of his stories and family problems are just not interesting. He speaks in general terms, instead of getting into funny specific stories. Finally, it dawned on me that his life is just not interesting, and it shows.
It's a good page-turner, occasionally funny, but not something I could recommend to everyone.
Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2019
It Shocks me to say this, but I have to admit, years after reading it, this is indeed the funniest book I have ever read. Massive belly laughs throughout. Yes, TOM ARNOLD wrote the funniest book I ever read, so much so, that years later I had to look it up on Amazon and give it this review. Thank you Tom.
Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2012
This book is a super fast read. Like Wow, who knew where Tom Arnold came from. It's a perfect example of how true life is stranger than fiction. Tom tells of his family and where he came from. He tells of his romantic part of life as well as the career part. I really enjoyed the book and think you will too.
One person found this helpful
Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2002
Tom Arnold's _How I Lost Five Pounds in Six Years_ is just what this family needs! This tome is about the best exposure our wonderful and tight-knit little clan is going to get, so let's build on it!
I had just finished Scott Spencer's delightfully humorous and understated novel, _Endless Love_. After that insouciant romp through the flowers, I wasn't in the mood for another lighthearted comedy/romance. So, I went in search of something that looked deep within a man's tortured psyche. Yes, the characters in Spencer's novel added laughter and smiles to my day, but I wanted and needed something dark, overbearing, and consuming (obviously, something Spencer will never be known for). For this reason, I took a calculated risk on Tom Arnold's autobiography.
Within a few pages, _How I Lost Five Pounds in Six Years_ quickly confirmed that Arnold's book would be a rare find. Most reviewers found that they could immediately understand their own sub-human and primitive nature through the sullen memories of Tom's tortured childhood. One reviewer spoke for us all when he wrote, "[when] I read about how Tom spent his youth [killing pigs in a slaughterhouse], I couldn't help but connect his dehumanizing job with all of the inner feelings of hatred and moribund humanity that I had built-up through the years." It appears that thanks to Tom's willingness to put it all on the line, almost everyone can find new ways to scale life's toughest ramparts.
As a fan of hog carcass splitters and "bung droppers," nothing made me realize, so quickly, that we Arnolds have a lot in common when it comes time to slaughter the pigs. We can better understand our family, our heritage, and, in fact, each other, through Tom's courageous attempts to bring the world around him into focus.
2 people found this helpful
Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2002
I found this book absolutely wonderful. Smartly funny and also heart-tuggingly sensitive. Tom's quick wit is only to be matched by his willingness to give the reader a rare look into one of Hollywood's truly good guys heart. He lays it all out for his "child" yet to be born... the good, the bad and the hilarious. I highly recomend this book to anyone who loves to laugh and cry all in the same night. Well written and easy to identify with. I hope Tom's family and friends appreciate how lucky they are to have this special man in thier lives- the giving and the sharing of his time, money and support alone shows how much Tom cares for not only those who are close to him but also those in need. Bravo Mr. Arnold. You deserve all the best in life and I thank you for the experience of sharing in your life through your words. Your unborn child has a great daddy!!
4 people found this helpful
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2015
Pretty unremarkable and not funny. My review is the same as the other 2 star reviewer who listed 3 reasons. To avoid plagiarism and redundancy, I'll just say - go read the other 2 star review. I do disagree with that reviewer on one major point, however - I don't think Tom Arnold is funny. Worth mentioning, he's now divorced from the woman he gushes about in this book.
I make the world's greatest pea soup, and I like to break up stale french bread and put it in the bowl when I eat it. The spine of this book worked alright for smashing the stale bread into pieces - but just alright. Honestly, this is probably a 1 star review, but I added 1 more just to give credit to the guy for writing a book. I did find this for free and am going to "pay it forward" by passing it on… to the local landfill, by way of the trash bucket behind me.
Next time, Tom, write an epic - something 1,000 pages or so - that will be better for breaking bread. I'm sure you have no problem doing it for the bread.
:-P
2.0 out of 5 stars Not so great for breaking bread.
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2015
Pretty unremarkable and not funny. My review is the same as the other 2 star reviewer who listed 3 reasons. To avoid plagiarism and redundancy, I'll just say - go read the other 2 star review. I do disagree with that reviewer on one major point, however - I don't think Tom Arnold is funny. Worth mentioning, he's now divorced from the woman he gushes about in this book.
I make the world's greatest pea soup, and I like to break up stale french bread and put it in the bowl when I eat it. The spine of this book worked alright for smashing the stale bread into pieces - but just alright. Honestly, this is probably a 1 star review, but I added 1 more just to give credit to the guy for writing a book. I did find this for free and am going to "pay it forward" by passing it on… to the local landfill, by way of the trash bucket behind me.
Next time, Tom, write an epic - something 1,000 pages or so - that will be better for breaking bread. I'm sure you have no problem doing it for the bread.
:-P
Images in this review
