Ham: Slices of a Life

Essays and Stories

De: Sam Harris

Narrado por: Sam Harris

In a collection of personal essays that are “both rip-roaringly funny and sentimental, drawing natural (and justified) comparisons to David Sedaris and David Rakoff” (Esquire), longtime recording artist and actor Sam Harris recounts stories of friendship, love, celebrity, and growing up and getting sober.

In sixteen brilliantly observed true stories, Sam Harris emerges as a natural humorist in league with David Sedaris, Chelsea Handler, Carrie Fisher, and Steve Martin, but with a voice uniquely his own. Praised by the Chicago Sun-Times for his “manic, witty commentary,” and with a storytelling talent The New York Times calls “New Yorker– worthy,” he puts a comedic spin on full-disclosure episodes from his own colorful life. In “I Feel, You Feel” he opens for Aretha Franklin during a blizzard. “Promises” is a front-row account of Liza Minnelli’s infamous wedding to “the man whose name shall go unmentioned.” In “The Zoo Story” Harris desperately searches for a common bond with his rough-and-tumble four-year-old son.

What better place to find painfully funny material than in growing up gay, gifted, and ambitious in the heart of the Bible belt? And that’s just the first cut: From partying to parenting, from Sunday school to getting sober, these slices of Ham will have you laughing and wiping away salty tears in equal measure with their universal and down-to-earth appeal. After all, there’s a little ham in all of us.

Witty, Funny and Thought-provoking

Would you consider the audio edition of Ham: Slices of a Life to be better than the print version?

Yes, I bought both

What did you like best about this story?

The stories were very relatable and told in funny, but honest way.

Which scene was your favorite?

Liza, of course.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

My favorite audio book this year.

Delicious Ham

Any additional comments?

I found many of the stories funny, some touching, others brutally honest and almost awkwardly intimate. Overall, I enjoyed every one of them.

There were moments where Sam Harris just seemed to recite names of famous people he knew, but for the most part I enjoyed the sneak peak into the life of the neurotic celebrities and kind of feel like I'm best friends with Liza Minnelli too.

I feel bad for returning it

I thought this was Sam Harris the neuroscientist. what of the book I heard was very entertaining, but it's not exactly what I'm craving.

Misleadingly labeled

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, but not for the reasons I purchased it. I was searching for books by the neuroscientist Sam Harris and when I searched his name this came up. I purchased it. I soon realized I was listening to the Broadway singer/actor Sam Harris. Since I have several of his albums I was not disappointed, just annoyed that it was not properly labeled.

Have you listened to any of Sam Harris’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Just his music performances. I love his versions of Peace Train, Drinking Again, and Blame It on My Youth.

Great performance and heartfelt, inspiring stories

Where does Ham: Slices of a Life rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Fun and interesting

What other book might you compare Ham: Slices of a Life to and why?

Tough to say, in that is autobiographical, but not a linear memoir (it's a collection of stories and experiences that are related, but don't flow in order). Once you get the hang of it though, it's very good. IUt's not all fun and games though - there are tough subjects discussed (which are handled honestly and very well).

Have you listened to any of Sam Harris’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, this is the first one and I would definitely listen to more

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

His conversation with one of high school teachers (during a tough time in Sam's life). What an inspiration - the situation could have gone so many (negative) ways

Any additional comments?

Give this one a try - it's an unusual arrangement, but made me think and reflect on things.