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

Seriously funny!

I'm a big Ross Mathew's fan, so I had huge expectations for this book. To be honest, in the beginning I thought it would be funnier than it actually was, however, you kinda get into another dimension and it seems you're living his life along with him. He's THAT good telling his story. I usually listen to audio books on my way to work and back, which means about 45 minutes of listening a day. In spite of that, I somehow managed to listen to this book in two days. That's right: TWO days!!! I couldn't get enough of it. Every free second I had I used to listen to the book - even while taking showers. When I realised I was getting to the end of the book I couldn't believe it. I looked at the app in my phone and checked, and checked again, and checked again. I wasn't even done with it yet, but I felt a hole inside because I knew I only had 30 more minutes of Ross.

If you like Ross, you don't even have to be a big fan, you're going to LOVE this book. The way he tells it is just beautiful and his story is truly lovely. My favorite part was definetely the one he talks about his Mom and about being gay. What an exquisite way to write about such a delicate topic. Plus, this is definetely a book to be heard!!!!! Ross is the best!

Buy the book. You won't regret it!!!!

Laugh out loud fun!

What did you love best about Man Up!?

Definitely the narration/performance by Ross Matthews. I listened to the entire book on a flight yesterday and I'm sure my fellow passengers were wondering what I was listening to - such a fun time!

What did you like best about this story?

Hearing about his great childhood. What a strong foundation for him

Which character – as performed by Ross Mathews – was your favorite?

Loved his stories about meeting Madonna and other celebs. He also performed the book in his great signature voice and rapid-fire speaking style - really funny and full of pep

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Loved it and look forward to more books/stories by Ross.

Any additional comments?

It would have been nice if Gwyneth and Chelsea would have read their parts themselves, but Ross did a fine job with their portions.

Ross just SPARKLES!!!!!

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

Growing up in the same town and attending the same high school, it was hilarious reading all the home town references and recognizing some characters, such as, the lady at the Cascade Mall who STILL works at Claires (crazy long hair lady). Go Bulldogs!

His coming out story had me crying with laughter! If only more parents reacted the way his mother did!!

What about Ross Mathews’s performance did you like?

His exuberance and sparkling personality lit up the pages! This is by far the most animated book I have ever listened too!!

Ross Rocks!

A funny man with an amazing outlook on life. Ross is such a positive person, I want to be his new BFF!

Pure Ross Fluff

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I wish there were more stories about his interactions with celebrities and his rise to the top.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

The ending was fun yet predictable.

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

His fun loving personality

What else would you have wanted to know about the authors’s life?

More celebrity and career stories darling!

Ross is Amazing!

Would you consider the audio edition of Man Up! to be better than the print version?

Absolutely because listening to Ross trumps reading it! Listening to him read the book brings the stories to life.

Any additional comments?

Anyone who is a fan of Ross Mathews or likes a good memoir with some laughs should buy this.

This book made me laugh out loud and smile!!!

Would you listen to Man Up! again? Why?

Yes. I love Ross!!! He makes me smile! I would LOVE to meet him someday!!

What did you like best about this story?

Listening to Ross read it was awesome! He cracks me up!

Which scene was your favorite?

Chapter 8 was awesome. Had to play it for my kids and husband to listen too. They laughed too!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I totally laughed!!

Any additional comments?

Ross is a great person! Great guy!!

Hilarious!!!

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

Ross does an awesome job delivering this audio book!!!

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene was when his father taught him to swear...

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Made me laugh out loud numerous times!!!

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!

HILARIOUS

I'd heard some bad reviews about this book, but I'm glad I ignored them! The story I amazing and made even better being narrated by Ross himself. I've never laughed so much when listening to an audio book! 😊😊