Title: Life As I Lived It: Small Town Country Living
Authors: Richard W. Block
Publisher: Reputation Press
ISBN: 978-1-64961-252-6
Genre: Non-Fiction
Pages: 343
Reviewed by: Arthur Thares
Hollywood Book Review
Memoirs are almost synonymous with famous people telling the most intimate details of their life, but I have found some of the most interesting memoirs to be by ordinary people who have lived extraordinary lives. But, of course, it doesn’t hurt if that ordinary person is also a gifted storyteller who can weave an otherwise mundane event into gold. Author Richard (Dick) Block happens to be one of those storytellers.
First of all, Dick Block is a character, and he knows it. Some of the stories he tells in this book are rolling-on-the-floor hilarious and something that not everyone would even think of, much less get away with. Two of my favorite stories from Life As I Lived It are when he feeds guests an unexpected meal, and the time he had a little too much fun with a porta-potty. Mr. Block did live a rather extraordinary life, and he documents it well in this book of vignettes. Some stories seem to be documentation of his life, while others are meant to make the reader laugh, and as is the case with most memoirs, there are a few stories with morals as well. The only criticism that could possibly be levied on this book is that is pro-gun in a time when that is a hot button issue. However, Mr. Block does a nice job of balancing his personal appreciation of the weapons with the need for safety.
There is little rhyme or reason to this book’s structure. The stories aren’t grouped in any specific way, and they jump around to different points in Mr. Block’s life. While some may not like this idea, it is charming because it feels more like sitting down with your grandpa and hearing his life story than reading a book. Each vignette is the perfect length without any fluff to try to embellish or exaggerate the story.
In short, Dick Block seems like the kind of guy you want to sit down with and have a beer. Even with the numerous stories in this book, I bet he has a few more that can only be whispered after a beer or two. Mr. Block has spent a lifetime serving his community and collecting stories along the way to share with all of us. This book is highly recommended for most readers, and you will likely get something out of it, whether it be a new outlook on life or just a few giggles.