Tim Gunn: The Natty Professor

By: Tim Gunn, Ada Calhoun

Narrated by: Tim Gunn

Length: 5 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's Summary

Tim Gunn, America's favorite reality TV cohost, is known for his kind but firm approach in providing wisdom, guidance, and support to the scores of design hopefuls on Project Runway. Having begun his fashion career as a teacher at Parsons The New School for Design, Tim knows more than a thing or two about mentorship and how to convey invaluable pearls of wisdom in an approachable, accessible manner.

While Gunn's Golden Rules showcased Tim as life coach, imparting lessons based on his personal experiences, Tim Gunn: The Natty Professor will focus on Tim as teacher. Divided into sections on common themes - leadership, curiosity, diversity, understanding, and empathy - this practical, timely audiobook takes us on a journey through life lessons and uses Tim's own personal experiences, from the classroom to the therapist's office, to illustrate larger concepts. Each chapter will end with a "life assignment", where Tim challenges you to apply the lessons you've learned in practical mentoring or teaching situations.

©2015 Tim Gunn Productions, Inc. (P)2015 Tantor

Critic Reviews

"Gunn's unique view of the world and genuine desire to help others are apparent on every page of this must-read." ( Publishers Weekly)

"Fans of Tim Gunn and his television programs Project Runway and Under the Gunn are sure to enjoy listening to this audiobook, read by the author himself. Any other narrator would be entirely gauche!" ( AudioFile)

Life lessons for All

I didn't want to read this book. A friend Encouraged me to read it, and I loved it. I wish all my children's teachers would read this book and get the motivation and live for teaching that Mr. Gunn has!

I would have given this book 5 stars, but I didn't appreciate that Mr. Gunn told negative stories and named names attached with the stories. I know this is a reality TV show world, but I think the same lessons could have been learned with anonymous antagonists. Also, there is some language and adult content in the stories.

Overall, excellent book and principles for life!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Inspirational

Tim Gunn makes me believe I could do anything and become what I strive to be.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

A Great Read for Teachers and Project Runway Fans

I loved this book. As a teacher and a long-time watcher of Project Runway, it was the best of both worlds. Tim manages to blend advice for teaching and mentoring, stories from project runway, and other anecdotes from his long career in fashion into an engaging book that's half-memoir and half-advice.

I listened to this on a road trip with my mother, and she said it was not quite as great for her. For her, it was a bit too heavy on teaching advice and pedagogical methods at times. Had she wrote this rating, it would probably be more like 3-4 stars. However, we both laughed aloud many times, and agreed that it was a good way to spend an otherwise long road trip.

The narration was great. Tim does an excellent job bringing the stories to life in a way that is both entertaining and easy to understand. I would certainly listen to more of his books.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

If you love Tim Gunn...

You'll love this audio book. I actually started with the text, but quickly switch so I could hear Tim teach me these lessons and tell me these stories.
There were a few times where I wasn't sure how the story related to the topic at hand, but I didn't care, I wanted to hear it anyway.

Recommended for fans of Tim, fashion, and those looking for a few tips on how to teach or mentor.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Worth a listen for fans of Tim Gunn

Gunn's instructional tips are solid, though hardly revolutionary. This is far more of a book of insight into Tim Gunn himself, which I found interesting. (If he hadn't been the narrator, imparting the convictions of his beliefs as he narrated, I think this audiobook would have fallen quite flat.) Not an overly impressive book, per se, but I remain quite impressed with the character and integrity of Tim Gunn.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Very entertaining listen

This was a very entertaining, and fairly inspiring listen. I am an art professor, so I found his TEACH method quite helpful. I have not watched Project Runway, so many of his stories and asides were lost on me. Still, this is a great book for teachers and students alike - especially if you are in a creative field.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

t e a c h

love the book, narration and the various insights. will definitely apply many of the nuggets I collected.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great Insights

Loved this audiobook, felt like there are a lot of well developed little tibits to help anyone improve their social, and creative aptitude regardless of their field. At times Gunn goes off into little tangents about people he knows personally or encountered, these are useful context for his personal outlook, and break up the heavier content, but can also feel a bit off-the-cuff.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Tim Gunn, as always, hits the mark.

As a retired teacher of fashion and costume design in a magnet high school for visual and performing arts, I LOVED this book. I enjoyed Tim's opinions of both teachers and students and the letters from people who had opinions about teachers in their past. The book has a creative format that I also enjoyed. An excellent read or listen!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Thank you Mr. Gunn!

For everything you've done for education, particularly the arts. Thank you for being what I consider to be a fantastic example of how to BE in the world.

I want to gift your book to every teacher. My children are current in the NYC public school system. Your contribution to teaching could have a huge impact on education in this country.

I am a Parsons Graduate (communication design, class of '94). You're presence was invaluable there. I met you ever so briefly.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful