Mobituaries: Great Lives Worth Reliving

by Mo Rocca

Hardcover, 2019

Status

Available

Call number

CT105

Publication

Simon & Schuster (2019), 384 pages

Description

Biography & Autobiography. History. Nonfiction. Humor (Nonfiction.) HTML:From beloved CBS Sunday Morning correspondent and humorist Mo Rocca, a rigorously researched, "funny and smart" (Jon Stewart) book that celebrates the dead people who have long fascinated him. Mo Rocca has always loved obituaries�??reading about the remarkable lives of global leaders, Hollywood heavyweights, and innovators who changed the world. But not every notable life has gotten the send-off it deserves. His quest to right that wrong inspired Mobituaries, his #1 hit podcast. But here, in this "delightful, hilarious romp through history" (Booklist) he has gone much further, with all-new essays on artists, entertainers, sports stars, political pioneers, founding fathers, and more. Even if you know the names, you've never understood why they matter...until now. Take Herbert Hoover: before he was president, he was the "Great Humanitarian," the man who saved tens of millions from starvation. But after less than a year in the White House, the stock market crashed, and all the good he had done seemed to be forgotten. Then there's Marlene Dietrich, well remembered as a screen goddess, less remembered as a great patriot. Alongside servicemen on the front lines during World War II, she risked her life to help defeat the Nazis of her native Germany. And what about Billy Carter and history's unruly presidential brothers? Were they ne'er-do-well liabilities...or secret weapons? Plus, Mobits for dead sports teams, dead countries, the dearly departed station wagon, and dragons. Yes, dragons. Rocca is an expert researcher and storyteller who offers "joy for curious minds" (Walter Isaacson, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Steve Jobs and Leonardo da Vinci), and with his dogged reporting and trademark wit, he brings these men and women back to life like no one else can. "In our fact-challenged times, Rocca's joyful tour through the didja know's of history is an unexpected antidote" (The New Yorker… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member dmclane
The concept is intriguing, but the idea of reading a book full of obituaries is also off-putting. What I found was a book full of trivia data, often amusing, often biased, and often about presidents and/or persons in the film and music entertainment industry. It was surprisingly enjoyable, on
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several occasions I found myself ‘sharing’ with my spouse, “did you know, that. . .,” and certainly read quickly. In short, not macabre as I had feared, and a fun read, leaving me with the impression that probably everyone has at least one notable mention in their lifetimes’. It just takes a genius of an idea and a fanatic researcher to find the noteworthy and make it entertaining. I predict you will like this book.
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LibraryThing member jetangen4571
historical-figures, historical-research, history, verbal-humor, world-history *****

People, places, things, TV shows, and more! Anyone who has any kind of interest in any kind of history will geek this book as much as I do. I never had a lot of interest in TV (working off shifts is part of it) so
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I've never seen the author's contributions there, but I have now subscribed to the Mobituaries podcasts. I'm tempted to list the chapter headings, but that would get crazy. So, I'll just leave you with the idea that this is a great read and also a great gift.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Simon and Schuster Publishing via NetGalley. Thank you!
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LibraryThing member FormerEnglishTeacher
Never having listened to Rocca’s podcast, I wasn’t sure what to expect from his book of the same name. As it turned out, I enjoyed the book, although I must admit, about 2/3 of the way through,, I began skimming, especially during the sidebar stories.
Rocca features the stoies of many well known
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people with some not so well known stories in their lives. Others who are less well known have their stories told as well. Rocca writes longer pieces separated by shorter sidebars of people of fit the theme he is discussing at that point in the book. I found out some interesting things about celebrities I thought I already knew. But, until Rocca told their stories, who knewa?
An enjoyable book that can be picked up and put down through several settings. Perfect for the doctor’s office and/or for bedtime.
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LibraryThing member MarthaHuntley
I gave this one a 5-star rating because it's just such an enjoyable book - quirky, informative and fun. I've always been fond of a well-written obituary, and this is a book full of them! Not just people, but a country (Prussia), reputations, movements, and trees are memorialized here with grace and
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humor.
I like Mo Rocca on TV (mostly CBS This Morning) and he did not disappoint!
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LibraryThing member Narshkite
This was an enjoyable light listen. Well suited 1o listening for 15 or 20 minute intervals. I found when I listened for longer than that it just started to drone on like Charlie Brown's teacher.

I am one of those people who loves going down internet rabbit holes, often about discrete historical
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events or figures, and Rocca clearly belongs to this tribe as well. He is clever and funny, and many of the snippets here are fun and interesting. I knew a lot of the information packed in here (see above re rabbit holes, and also, like Rocca, I used to read the World Book Encyclopedia for fun) but some was new, and some things I knew I had forgotten about and enjoyed being reminded.

In the end this was a pleasant trivia-filled escape from Coronavirus and police murdering Black people, and I really needed that escape.
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LibraryThing member knightlight777
A compilation of strange and unusual lives and how they were seen upon their eventual demise. The book at times was entertaining with some unusual or odd tales interspersed. If found myself wanting to get through it however as it dragged on and I eventually rejoiced in its own demise.
LibraryThing member capewood
2021 book #71. 2019. Based on a podcast, a series of essays on people, places and things that have either been forgotten or not remember correctly. Interesting read. A wide variety of topics from the death of some oak trees at Auburn U to Lord Byron's aid to Greek revolutionaries

Language

Original language

English

Original publication date

2019

Physical description

384 p.; 9.13 inches

ISBN

1501197622 / 9781501197628
Page: 0.5077 seconds