Lake of the Ozarks

My Surreal Summers in a Vanishing America

De: Bill Geist

Narrado por: Bill Geist, Allan Robertson

Beloved TV host Bill Geist pens a reflective memoir of his incredible summers spent in the heart of America in this New York Times bestseller.
Before there was "tourism" and souvenir ashtrays became "kitsch," the Lake of the Ozarks was a Shangri-La for middle-class Midwestern families on vacation, complete with man-made beaches, Hillbilly Mini Golf, and feathered rubber tomahawks. It was there that author Bill Geist spent summers in the Sixties during his school and college years working at Arrowhead Lodge -- a small resort owned by his bombastic uncle -- in all areas of the operation, from cesspool attendant to bellhop.
What may have seemed just a summer job became, upon reflection, a transformative era where a cast of eccentric, small-town characters and experiences shaped (some might suggest "slightly twisted") Bill into the man he is today. He realized it was this time in his life that had a direct influence on his sensibilities, his humor, his writing, and ultimately a career searching the world for other such untamed creatures for the Chicago Tribune, the New York Times, and CBS News.
In Lake of the Ozarks, Emmy Award-winning CBS Sunday Morning correspondent Bill Geist reflects on his coming of age in the American Heartland and traces his evolution as a man and a writer. He shares laugh-out-loud anecdotes and tongue-in-cheek observations guaranteed to evoke a strong sense of nostalgia for "the good ol' days." Written with Geistian wit and warmth, Lake of the Ozarks takes readers back to a bygone era, and demonstrates how you can find inspiration in the most unexpected places.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Readers of Geist's vintage will enjoy sauntering through his formative summers and perhaps recall some of their own on the way."—--Booklist

"A tenderhearted remembrance...Geist's entertaining account of life in a resort town in the 1960s will certainly resonate with folks of his generation, and will offer younger readers a glimpse into a bygone era."—--Publishers Weekly

"Geist's writing is consistently nostalgic as he shows how those carefree summers helped mold him into the man he became. The book is a quick, pleasant read that effectively reflects how his time at the lodge showed him that 'life is more difficult and rewarding and fun when you manage to do things your way.' Old-fashioned, wistful stories that will appeal to fans of Geist's previous books."—--Kirkus

"It is a sure sign that a book is worthwhile if you can sense the author is having fun writing it. [Geist] just sits down to chat a while. More books should celebrate unbridled nostalgia like this one does."


—--The Florida Times Union

"Funny, poignant, and memorable, Bill Geist's memoir of his summers in the distant Ozarks -- distant in space and now in time -- is an entertaining and illuminating journey into the past of a fascinating man and an always-intriguing country. It's too bad we can't all get a rubber tomahawk and a Lake of the Ozarks ashtray with each purchase of the book, but life's taught us that you can't have everything."—--Jon Meacham, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Soul of America

"Lake of the Ozarks is the hilarious account by Bill Geist of his bizarre coming-of-age in a 'different' place and time. The lunacy is infectious. Prepare to laugh, a lot."—--Jane Pauley, host, CBS Sunday Morning

"This book is not affiliated in any way with the show Ozark, streaming now on Netflix...except for the parts you might like. Those we'll take credit for."—--Jason Bateman, Ozark

"Geist has written an amusing, charming tribute . . . an accomplished storyteller has filled this book with vignettes that make this time in American culture come back to life."—St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"In his charming new book, [Geist] has perfectly captured what middle-class life was like in the midcentury American Midwest . . . a meaningful and accurate rendering of times past."—New York Times Book Review

This is wonderful!

Loved the stories and hearing Bill and Willie talk at the end. I live in KC so have been to the "lake" many times. So fun to hear how it was in more innocent times.

Bill is a legendary storyteller.

A light-hearted, youthful step back into the past shared by August we’ve come to know & admire thru CBS Sunday Morning.

A light-hearted, youthful step back into the past shared by a delightful, comical person we’ve come to know & admire thru CBS Sunday Morning. Thx for memories of our own days .

Lake of the Ozarks

My husband’s family owned a resort on a river and this book brought back so many memories. Thank you Bill for all your funny stories.
We have been a devoted fan of Sunday Morning and we miss you. Keep writing!!

I was their

Mr Geist wrote a book so special that I thought I was there with him. Loved every word can't wait to let my family read this book . I laughed a lot

I remember Arrowhead Lodge…

And, while I certainly didn’t know it the way the author did, that lends credence and sentimentality to the enjoyment of reading these tales. Knowing the Ozarks in general will help the reader enjoy this, but I would think anybody would laugh and empathize as they hear these amusing and frequently touching tales of real-life people in a slightly off-kilter world.
Author Bill Geist reads the opening and closing sections with charm and an abundance of personality. The narrator who covers the middle section is serviceable, but lacks the warmth and authenticity of the author telling his tales.

Funny, insightful, a brilliant story of days gone by!

This is Book was stories of places that were treasured, simpler times. Enjoyable fun read! Thank you for your memories.

Ozark summers...

The story brought back memories for me. Having grown up there, it was amazing. The idiosyncratic nuances of the writer came through to me taking me back to Taney County and my Summers there.
Even his Military experiences paralleled mine. As a Signal Officer in Viet Nam, I too felt drawn in to the story.
The Ozarks are calling to me again and I must blame that on the writer. (Thank You!)

Thoroughly enjoyable!

Entertaining, fast read/listen. Hearing this tale of youth at a resort in the 60's is fascinating, and nostalgic. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a glimpse into life in 1960's middle America.

fantastic

This book was so good. It made me think of when I was little and my dad would take us to Lake George in upstate NY. It made me feel sorry for kids who will never know a simpler time. I recommend this book highly. Well done Bill. A+

So much fun to tead

I watched Bill Geist on CBS morning show for all
the years he was on and I wasn't disappointed with the book. He has a wonderful personality and it comes through when he tells his story.