Man Up!

Tales of My Delusional Self-Confidence

By: Ross Mathews, Chelsea Handler - afterword, Gwyneth Paltrow - foreword

Narrated by: Ross Mathews

Length: 5 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

As a young kid growing up in a farm town, Ross Mathews might as well have wished for a pet unicorn or a calorie-free cookie tree to grow in his front yard. Either of those far-fetched fantasies would have been more likely to come true than his real dream: Working in television in Hollywood, California. Seriously, that stuff just doesn't happen to people like Ross. But guess what. It totally did.

Now, with his first book, Ross takes us inside his journey as a super-fan, revealing the most embarrassing and hilarious moments of his small-town life and big-city adventures. From learning to swear like a hardened trucker to that time in high school when had to face down the most frightening opponent of all (his girlfriend's lady bits), Ross holds nothing back.

Oh, then there's his surprisingly shady past involving the cutest pair of plus-sized women's pajama bottoms, deliciously dangerous pot butter, and embezzled sandwiches. And, of course, how he's managed to turn an obsession with pop-culture into one-on-one interactions with celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, Tiffani-Amber Theissen, Madonna, Michelle Kwan, and countless more without ever having a single restraining order issued against him.

Infused with Ross's trademark humor, unique voice, and total honesty, Man Up! is a mission statement for anyone who doesn't fit the mold. His hasn't been the most traditional way to build a career in Hollywood, but Ross has somehow managed to make his mark without ever compromising who he is. He is as serious about this as he is about Golden Girls trivia: You don't need to change who you are to achieve your dreams (although there's nothing wrong with a makeover every now and then). You just need to Man Up!

©2013 Ross Mathews (P)2013 Hachette Audio

Just what I needed

I have loved Ross for a long time, this glimpse in to his world made me love home more. I bought this a week ago and have listened to it twice already!

Really Phenomenal Work!!

I thought I couldn’t love Ross Mathews any more than I already do, but this book proved that wrong. His book really gave me something to compare my childhood to and retrospectively made me feel like I wasn’t such an outcast and made me not feel so weird for just being me. Thank you for this book! Kish kish!!!

Pretty darn adorable

What does Ross Mathews bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His chipper voice adds a lot of pep to the stories, and helps you to better understand how the people he encounters react to him.

Any additional comments?

I picked this title because I had seen Ross Mathews on Chelsea Lately and I thought he was pretty cute. Little did I know he's also extremely interesting! His stories are all pretty fun and I found myself chuckling out loud. Since he is gay, you would expect him to have a rough childhood, but Ross seems to have been quite fortunate in that regard so the book remains pretty upbeat from start to finish. I wish he was my best friend, too!

Laughed, cried, repeat.

Literally everything about this book was practically pristine perfect and precisely prescribed for anyone who wants a hilariously good story about an amazing persons life and journeys. Thank you, Ross!

Writers voice and a high pitched voice

His play on words and alliteration make this such a captivating listen. If you're in the need of a good laugh, Ross delivers.

Ross Rocks!!

I loved loved loved this autobiography. His sense of humor is just the best. I think reading the book does not do it any justice. To experience the full effect of this story in all it's glory, it has to be experienced via audiobook.

Totally Ross

No surprises here! If you love Ross Matthews you'll love this book. While I expected a bit more Depth, it made me laugh and cry, and in hindsight it was nice that it never got to intensely serious. I very much enjoyed this book and would recommend it everyone. Ross Matthews is a courageous man who has always lived his truth, this is his story. Hope you enjoy as much as I did.

Honest and clean fun

What made the experience of listening to Man Up! the most enjoyable?

Ross is an excellent narrator. He made me laugh out loud countless times.

What did you like best about this story?

Ross's honesty, integrity, humor and confidence

What about Ross Mathews’s performance did you like?

Hi charisma

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

when he came out to his mom

Any additional comments?

Love it, waiting on the next book!

A Pure Delight

I am surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I figured it would be light fluffy fair, which it is of course, but ultimately it's a very fun, light, fluffy book. I mainly know of Ross because of his appearances on RuPaul's Drag Race and this helps flesh out more of his career and pretty much his life. It's a delightful experience and the audiobook is brought to life by his unique narrative style.

You're sure to find yourself smiling at his different stories and quips as you go through the book and for that alone it makes it a great experience. It's definitely more fun that GuRu.

Giddy Up!

Loved this book! I lived a parallel rural childhood and early adulthood. It’s so good to hear a more wholesome and naive coming out story and Hollywood memoir. I think the wild stories of some are hilarious, but I had never heard a story so close to mine and my spouses. It’s inspiring that you can make it to the top without selling out or selling oneself. I’m sure that’s why Gwyneth loved you at first sight!