A fan favorite
Non Fiction -
Autobiography
224 pages
Publication
Date: 2013
Written
by the patriarch of the Robertson Clan and original Duck Commander and bearded
star of Duck Dynasty, Phil Robertson, this book shares what went into shaping
Phil, his family and their business.
First
of all, this book will very obviously appeal mostly to the Duck Dynasty
fan. Clean, quick flowing writing, with
a good helping of fun told in Phil’s unique voice marks every chapter and direct
storytelling, with straight-forward unabashed values (you don’t have to agree
with everything he believes in to appreciate this story). His story is a true American dream story. Through gumption, hard work and God, Phil
pulled together his life. He came up
from being dirt poor and making horrible life decisions to getting it together
and creating a full, purposeful life for him and his family. These are the kind of stories that fuel the
American imagination.
Okay,
one blanket statement for the technical duck stuff. I am not a duck hunter, so I’ll be honest, I
found those sections boring. However, I
could see how someone interested in those things would really like them.
Side
Note: I read this book before any the
controversy surrounding Phil came up, but I have to say that doesn't change my
view of this memoir, though it did give me pause for a moment before posting. I chose to go ahead with it, because it just
illustrates to me another example of our society’s intolerance toward different
viewpoints. Sure as humans we are all naturally
judgey, but there is a line. When does
one aspect define a whole person be that Phil or someone who is gay. I find it sad in our society that we have
gotten to a point where instead of having an open dialogue – and yes I’m talking
to conservatives and liberals alike – we call each other idiots and refuse to
give each other the basic respect each human being deserves. I don’t agree with many of my friends and
family members’ decisions or even a lot of the world’s at large, but I also
don’t need to agree with them. I have
enough to deal with just holding my own self and actions accountable (yeah, and
my kids too of course - we are raising trying to raise responsible adults,
people). All I need to do is love them;
the rest of it is between them and God.
