Yes Man

I read this book a few months ago, and hardly a day goes by that I don't think about it. A man decides to say yes to everything -- to every invitation, to every opportunity, to every solicitation. EVERYTHING. What a simple idea. But, that one resolution leads to many adventures and relationships that are so hystericallly funny and beyond belief; I found myself gut-bursting laughing through the entire book (good thing I was at home by myself because when I start to giggle, there ain't no stopping me!).

This book goes far beyond being a funny, silly book, however. It really makes you think. What if you decide to say yes more -- how would that change the way you see the world and what opportunities would present themselves if you utter that one little word? It's worth saying yes to more things just to find out, which is why I've made Danny's mantra my own, as well.

After hearing an NPR interview with the author, I bought this book for the title - as a gift to someone I once nicknamed a "yes man" . Once it arrived, I realized that my friend was unlikely to ever read it, so I did before passing it along. I'm a smallish town female U.S. Baby Boomer and much of the book just didn't speak to me; however, there were bits of fun and treasures of stories tucked throughout. I especially loved his response to the ubiquitous scam of "my [insert African country here] father died and left a fortune that he scammed from government, I just need your help to get it out of the country."

This book affected me in a strange way, but a positive way. It really makes you analyze your own life. How many opportunities do you pass up because it is just so easy to say "no"? After reading the book, I find myself being motivated to "say yes more", and I am capitalizing on a lot more opportunies.

It is a good, quick, entertaining read. I also got a kick out of the UK dialect. It is one of the few book I've read that I try to force my friends to read.

This guy is a lovable goof. He decides to say yes to anything for a year. Including a chance at a broken nose. At that point, he modifies his yeses. But he still is pretty silly with the concept. I found myself amused and exasperated at his antics. I think if I was one of his friends (he's British) I would shake him by the shoulders and yell "Quit being a bloody wanker and start saying no you f**kwit!"

It's quite a journey he makes in that year. Personally, I think a book on saying what you honestly think like the movie "Liar, Liar" would be better. He could modify it to not being brutally honest. That too would change your life considerably.

I don't know if I can recommend this book. It did have it's moments but it wasn't outstanding.

I read Danny Wallace's first book, Join Me, a few years ago and that was hilarious. This one was quite good but not really side-splitting except in one part.

The problem is, whereas this book is ostensibly about another one of his 'Stupid Boy Projects', unfortunately it turns into a rom-com (or just a rom) and thereby loses its oomph and also comic appeal. Romantic success is not nearly as funny as romantic failure. It's also let down by the pseudo-mystery element which I suppose was also added to drive the plot.

The other problem: Danny Wallace seems to think that he is the first person to have ever taken a risk or gone to another country on a whim, and that his behaviour is really radical and out-there. I suppose for people who have lived the same routine their whole lives, his experiment could seem wacky, hilarious and eye-opening, but for those of us who often shake up existence and live a life less ordinary, it seemed a little like a teenager who's smoking a joint and saying, Wow, look at me, I'm living on the edge! In fact, that's exactly what he does in the book.

Having said all that, it wasn't a bad read and I still like Danny Wallace. I just recommend Join Me a whole lot more.

I've read books that have made me laugh and and I've read books that have made me cry and books that have made me think about my life and how I've been living it and maybe how I should change it but I think that this is the first book that made me do all three. I will be recommending this book to whomever will listen to me. What I liked most was the honesty with which the book was written. He shows us what happens after making his decision to say yes, the good and the bad, and shows that it's not a panacea but a way to view life that, more likely than not, will make your life better. As soon as I'm done writing this review, I'm going to see if Amazon has any other books by Danny Wallace and purchase them tonight.

This book is fantastic!
I watched the movie so many times that I decided to read the book. And it did not disappoint.
Just be careful if you decide to apply this yes principle for a few months of your life. Here's what I recommend before you just blindly say yes to any offer or opportunity:
1. Can I get killed or injured someone?
2. Can I go to prison?
3. Does it compromise my morality?
Have some personal boundaries BUT do it. You will come out of a life filled with people who can't wait to see you (just like in the book).

I highly recommend this book for laughs. But beyond that, this guy lives a life many of us, me included would love to. He gets these zany ideas, then he acts on them! Kind of like George Plimpton's inside view on sports, this is vicarious pleasure. In this book, Wallace pledges to say "Yes," to everything. The results of this simple, yet profound manifesto, are hilarious, amazing and even moving. We not only follow Wallace's adventures, but the journey of his conscience, his internal battles as he fights to stay true to his commitment. I alternated between thinking the guy was certifiably crazy, with bouts of wishing I had his nerve. A totally fun and engaging read.

my favorite book ever!!!

This was a bit of a let down for me. Overall, I DID really enjoyed the book, but I felt that it just dragged. I would definitely recommend this to friends, but I wouldn't read it again.

My favorite lines:
"...make a note of all the times you could have said yes to something. And junk about where that yes could have led you. It might come in handy one day."

"I ha-haed, probably a little too ha-hard..."

"But sometimes to look forward, you had to look back."

"If there were such a thing as the Grown-up Scouts, I'd probably get a badge for that."

"Sometimes the biggest risk is never taking one!"

"Sometimes inspiration comes from the strangest places. Even the ordinary can be magical. Be open to it.”

“It’s incredible what can happen…when you allow it to."

“It was maybe thirty-five degrees, and I was sweaty and my boxer shorts already appeared to be trying to attempt an expedition of their own, exploring areas of my body usually reserved for someone with a qualification.”

“Take the stupidest thing you’ve ever done. At least it’s done. It’s over. It’s gone. We can all learn from our mistakes and heal and move on. But it’s harder to learn or heal or move on from something that hasn’t happened; something we don't know and is therefore indefinable; something which could very easily have been the best thin in our lives, if only we’d taken the plunge, if