Ham: Slices of a Life

Essays and Stories

De: Sam Harris

Narrado por: Sam Harris

Duración: 9 h y 9 m

Resumen del Editor

ham (noun) [hæm]

• 1 the hind leg of a hog, salted, smoked, and cured
• 2 second son of Noah
• 3 somebody who performs in an exaggerated showy style - always hamming it up

  Just when you thought you knew everything about ham, you discover that ham is also:

  • 4 a reason to laugh about everyday life, and
  • 5 an irresistible collection of humorous essays from a man who was born to entertain us

  In 16 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. 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.

©2013 Sam Harris (P)2013 Simon & Schuster

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.

Funny, warmhearted and sincere

I almost stopped listening to this title after just a few chapters in. I don't care for Sam Harris' singing or his Broadway career. I don't care about Liza Minnelli or Over the Rainbow. I gave it one more chapter which happened to the very first one touching on Sam's son Cooper and Sam's many pets. That hooked me and I happily finished the book. Yes, in the end, Sam wants to share snippets of celebrity sightings and experiences, but he also wants to share his journey as a gay boy and teen and then about a single gay man who falls in love and marries his lover and then raises a family. That's what I cared about, the journey from a homophobic Oklahoma to a normal family in California. The book is technically superb and Sam makes a very good narrator. One last thing, God Bless all of the "Mr. McDowells" in the world.

Wonderful

What did you love best about Ham: Slices of a Life?

I loved that he sings from time to time.

What did you like best about this story?

It's great the way the essays are told out of sequence.

What about Sam Harris’s performance did you like?

He blends showmanship with authenticity. It's wonderful to listen to him tell a story.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

n/a

Any additional comments?

I will probably buy a hard copy of the book, but I appreciate being able to hear him sing.

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.

The show must go on, I guess.

Any additional comments?

I thought I was buying a book by Sam Harris the religion writer. But this Sam Harris turns out to be an actor/singer, it is not so much a story as much as a collection of memories that are not really connected in any way except that they are about him. I really enjoyed it but Mr Harris ought to be aware that the people (particularly taxi drivers) who wear turbans are Sikhs not Muslims and the accent he uses as "middle eastern" is, in fact, Indian.

By the singer, not the philosopher Sam Harris

Somewhat entertaining, but not exactly food for thought. Read/listen if you are interested in the anecdotes of a gay artist.

I loved every minute of it!

I can't even remember what made me think of Sam Harris the other night. I honestly couldn't even remember his last name. I just remembered him from Star Search in his high top Converse & oversized, shabby coattails, singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow. He was adorable , I think my mom had a crush on him. I was only 11 at the time & the internet was not a thing back then, so after Star Search, I didn't keep up with his career at all & had absolutely no idea what had become of him. I looked him up on YouTube & discovered he had a book...so I came here & was happy to find it. the essays & stories are funny, outlandish, sad, and often relatable.

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.