Product Description
In a books that is at once laugh-out-loud funny and all-too-true to life, comedy-talent-turned-television-star Ray Romano goes home again, revealing that the source of his inspiration is heritage, hearth and family. As did his stand-up comedy and his present, top-rated CBS-TV program, Romano draws on his real-life experience as a husband, a father, a father of twins, a son with parents living very very close, and a brother, to make readers laugh and laugh harder.


From the Hardcover edition.Amazon.com Review
Ray Romano's Everybody Loves Raymond is the mostimportant TV comedy since Seinfeld. Now hemakes his debut as an author with a reported seven-figure bookdeal. Some of what makes his show great is captured between the coversof Everything and a Kite--it boasts the same affectionate, yetnot cheaply sentimental, comedy that conveys actual insights aboutfamily life, an experience Martin Mull has likened to "having abowling alley installed in your brain." The show is like Married... withChildren with a heart or Home Improvement with abrain.

In book form, Romano is kind of like Dave Barry. Barry is funnier onthe page, but Romano writes a good spritz-of-consciousnessmonologue. And Barry dared not utter the word prostate in Dave Barry Turns50, but Romano provides a state-of-the-art prostate-examreminiscence. There is no shame he shuns--not his fear of spiders,exacerbated when he splooshed one off his windshield with the washerbutton through the moonroof into the car while driving, nor hissexual-conquest count ("one less than the number of times I've beenstung by a bee... greater than the number of times I've put apet to sleep... exactly equal to the number of times I've beencrapped on by a bird"). But Romano stole his title: when he asked his4-year-old son what he wanted for his birthday, the kid said,"Everything and a kite." --Tim Appelo ... Read more

Customer Reviews (48)

Do the audio
Ray Romano isn't just a somewhat decent actor who is able to take someone else's script and act it out in a semi-humorous manner. Romano proves here he is a genuinely funny guy. I think it's much harder to write great humor than to speak or act it. That's one reason why I recommend the audio version of this book, which is done by Romano himself. He has the gift of taking incidents in life that aren't necessarily hilarious and making them hilarious by his peculiar take on them. If you're stressed out on life (and who isn't) pick up the audio and play it on your way to work. Other drivers will think you're a little psycho for laughing alone while at a stop light, but, what the heck. Life is short. (Do be aware that there's a little language used)

LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!
Thank you for shipping a good quality book so fast!I've had to order it 5 times so far because i keep giving it away to share the laughs and say just pass it on!!thanks for getting it to me so fast!!!!

Comic advice on marriage, kids
Ray Romano has written a very funny book about the challenges of marriage and parenthood, staying in character with the sad sack, loveable loser we know and love from Everybody Loves Raymond.It's not an autobiography, although he includes references to his family; instead it's a stand-up comedy routine with gags and punch lines and just a few brief glimpses into the real loving husband and father.

This is a short book with very large spacing, so it's a quick read.It did drag a bit toward the end, almost as if he ran out of jokes, but the rest is comedy gold.You can just picture him rolling his eyes, hanging his head, and delivering the lines with Ray Barone's deadpan expression.It would be fun to listen to the audio book.If you're a fan of his show, you'll love this book.I did.

It was too good. I was in the middle of enjoying the book when I suddenly reached the last few pages!
It is the best funny book I have ever read. I wish it didn't end. It seemed like I was watching one of his shows and the episode ended. I can't wait for him to write another book so I can continue reading more and more funny pages.

Everything and a little disappointing
I love the series Everybody Loves Raymond. I have all 9 seasons on DVD. I was anxious to read this book.However, disappointing is the word that comes to mind. The asterisks, used way to often, were annoying. The observations, not so funny. The spacing of sentences were used to make the book longer but I felt like a was reading a child's chapter book. However, there was one page that I found humorous. slightly. Not a great read. Sorry. ... Read more

Product Description
Everybody might love Raymond now, but when Ray Romano was ten years old, he & his brothers didn't always get along. Raymie has two brothers, Dickie & the Bean. One day Raymie's family takes a trip to the amusement park. Raymie & Dickie can t wait to ride the vomitizer because it s the scariest ride in the whole park. But first Mom makes them ride on Chuckie the Choo-Choo with Bean. Raymie knows that when you have brothers, things never go exactly how you expect them to, even when you give them noogie after noogie to drive the point home. But in this funny family tale we find out that Ray Romano loves his brothers -- & everybody loves Raymie! Reinforced binding. Includes a CD. Illustrations. For ages 4-7.Amazon.com Review
Tossing his hat in the ring of celebrity children's book authors, Ray Romano of the popular TV show Everybody Loves Raymond pens an affectionate tribute to his own boyhood with help from his two brothers Richard (Dickie) and Robert (the Bean). The good news is most everyone will still love Raymond after reading his children's book debut, a nostalgic vignette of sibling rivalry and revelry.

The story begins when the narrator (his family calls him Raymie) is 10 years old and the boys' parents are taking them to the amusement park: "Finally, after what seems like four hundred hours, they get in the car and we are on our way. Dickie is so excited that he gives me some noogies. I hate that, but he and Bean think it's hilarious." Kids with younger siblings will relate to having to ride on Chuckie the Choo-Choo before cool rides like the Vomitizer and thinking that the youngest is faking being asleep so he doesn't have to help unload the car. Because this is a book about three young boys, farting is inevitable (complete with green wafting gas), as are bathroom antics, good-natured insults, and rampant silliness. Gary Locke's skillful oil painting caricatures of the slightly (disturbingly) adult-headed boys are expressive, comical, and varied by interesting perspectives. If you can't get enough of Ray Romano, listen to the audio CD of the story included in the back of the book. (Ages 6-8) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Good example for would-be children's book authors
If Romano weren't famous,this book would have never made itto print. Lacking in almost every element of a good story, it is a great example to use if you are teaching people how to write children's books--how NOT to do it, that is. I imagine it sold a bazillion copies. Oh well.

Our family loves this book!
Perhaps it is because my boys are the same ages as Raymie and his brothers in this story, but we found it very humorous. Any family with boys in it should be able to relate to the antics of these brothers as they go through their day. The artwork adds to the story as the illustrator has captured well the expressions on the faces.I recommend it to fun-loving families of sons. Those who wish to bring up genteel, cultured children may prefer to stick with more proper literature.

Lacking so, so much...
It was during a trip to my local bookstore that I first encountered this literary waste pile.Romano, along with two other hardly mentioned brothers, recount a fictitious and very 'mild' trip to a theme park.The trio's day goes along quite predictably, with the brothers anticipating the trip, naturally and, upon getting to the park, having to ride annoyingly named 'kiddie rides' with the youngest of the three.C'mon people, 'Chuckie the Choo-Choo'?

The rest of the day, chock-full of wedgies, noogies, and farts, goes on with Ray, called Raymie (pl-ease!), and the other one, Dickie, maybe?, finally going on 'The Vomitizer'.So much for a climax, eh?

Finally the family goes home and...I forgot the rest.But I'm telling you, this book is terrible.No joke.Lacking even a mild plotline, among other thing, the title doesn't even make sense.Raymie, Dickie, and the Bean: Why I Love and Hate My Brothers.If Ray is the narrator, then why does he refer to himself as Raymie and not simply 'Me' or 'I'.Oh wait, I know; because then his name wouldn't be first.

Oh, and the illustrations; why is it that every book written by a comedian, or in Jason Alexander's case, a guy in a funny show, seem to have the same illustrations.Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno, the aforementioned Jason Alexander.All feature the same caricature-like illustrations in their books.What's up with that!?

R, your friendly neighborhood reviewer.

Ray's Sense of Humor
I love EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND, so this book really made me laugh. My sons found it funny but some of the drier humor went over their head. Still, a very funny book.

Really not...good.
I picked this up at the bookstore I work at and read it on my break one afternoon. Having been delighted in the past by Raymond, I expected a lot more from him. This truly was one of the worst children's books I've read. The Borders I work at is huge, filled with talented artists and writers whose children's picture books will continue to go unnoticed. However, a celebrity can write anything and get full recognition for it. This book plays out merely as a remembrance of a day he took at a family outing. No redeeming quality or sense of entertainment to keep a child's interest in here. Just randomness of a charicature of his childhood that had potential of being interesting, yet fell very short of being just that. Stick with Sendak, Rey, Yolen, or Eric Carle if you want something that will peak interest. ... Read more

Product Description
Everybody Loves Raymond is the most consistently funny program on television today -- and also one of the most widely watched and hihgly praised shows of all time. Now, Ray Romano and show creator Phil Rosenthal have made an official companion to the series. This insider's look at Raymond's world features a lively introduction by Ray and Phil, where they tell the stories of how they met, how Raymond came to be, and how the first episode was made.

The next eight chapters follow the show season by season, with candid photography by Tom Caltabiano, one of the show's writers, who has informally documented the cast and crew from day one. Accompanying the photos is hilarious running commentary from Ray and Phil, as they describe memorable moments, fun facts, and tales from behind the scenes. Along the way, interviews with the cast reveal humorous and insightful anecdotes from Patricia Heaton, Doris Roberts, Peter Boyle, Brad Garrett, and Monica Horan. And the conversation with the show's award-winning writers show how their personal family dramas provide inspiration for the on-screen stories. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

A great compendum for a timeless show!
What M*A*S*H did for the large, looming distractions and inhumanities of war, Everybody Loves Raymond (ELR) did for the common everyday occurrences of turn-of-the-century family life in western civilization (and perhaps beyond.)The beauty of ELR is that it wasn't a show that simply went for the laugh (although there were/are plenty of those) but it dealt more with the foibles and eccentricities of the human being in a family situation with all it's myriad complexities and turmoil.I suspected that every part of the production process of ELR was done with great care and attention to detail, so that the subtleties of human rapport can be exposed; and this tremendous album bares-out that suspicion.The remarkable chemistry betwixt and between cast, writers, crew is clearly illuminated in the show and in this book as well.

Wouldn't it be great if say, 10 years from now, after the Barones have experienced the trials and tribulations of aging and deceased parents, raising teenagers and maybe some career changes that the cast would pick up where they left off with "Everybody Still Loves Raymond?"Let us pray........

A must-have for Everybody Loves Raymond fans!
If you're an Everybody Loves Raymond fan, then don't miss this opportunity to get the behind-the-scenes look into one of the best tv comedy shows ever made!This family album comes complete with interviews from each cast member as well as beautiful color photos of show highlights and never-before scene footage.From the conception of the show to entertaining stories behind your episode favorites, it's a must-have for every ELR fan!!!:)

Incomplete...
I purchased the entire "Everybody Loves Raymond" series on DVD.I thought this book would be good accompanimentfor the DVD's.While I agree with the other reviewers that it is a great book, it is incomplete.Why would they publish a book about a T.V. series, but leave half the 8th season and the entire final season out of it?Why didn't they wait until the series was completed to publish the book?For this reason, I give the book 3 stars instead of 5.

A Favorite Series
Getting to know the Barones better!What a treat!May the reruns stay on forever.I would love to find one that I haven't seen, but unfortunately, that is impossible!

Great episode guide!
This has sort of become our staple coffee table book, is that weird? Even though it's missing a season and a half of episodes, this is where I go to find any particular episode(s) I'm in the mood to watch for whatever particular reason. The "insider" photographs are excellent and I love any interviews with the people involved with this show. ... Read more

Product Description
What would my mother say? How would she want me to handle this situation? How can I make this tough decision and stay true to myself?

What would my mother say?

Sam Haskell still asks himself these questions every day.

When Haskell was young, his devoted mother, Mary, instilled in her son the values of character, faith, and honor by setting an example and asking him to promise to live his life according to her lessons. He did, and those promises have served Haskell consistently from his Mississippi boyhood to his long career at the venerable William Morris Agency in Beverly Hills.

In this inspiring memoir full of touching stories and amusing anecdotes, Haskell reveals how he kept his pledge to his mother to live a decent life–even in the shark-infested waters of Hollywood, where he handled the hottest stars and packaged the highest-rated shows–by refusing to become the cliché of an amoral agent. Here is Haskell as a child in Amory, Mississippi (pop. 7,000), discovering the power of hope as he waits for an unlikely visit from the “Cheer Man” (a representative of the detergent company who gave ten dollars to anyone using the brand), learning humility after pursuing an eighth-grade “Good Citizenship” award he cockily assumed he’d win, confronting the complications of human character when a near-fatal car crash exposed his judgmental father’s true nature.

Years later, in Hollywood, Haskell would rely on his mother’s teachings–honesty, self-reliance, and belief in God–as he swiftly rose from the William Morris mailroom to eventually become the company’s Worldwide Head of Television. His capacity for friendship and his insistence on living his version of the Golden Rule (being “thoughtfully political”) allowed him to handle various client crises and the tense negotiations that nearly scuttled the last years of Everybody Loves Raymond and the entire existence of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

Haskell has achieved success through self-respect, and from his story we learn how we, too, can maintain our dignity when faced with life’s challenges. This stirring memoir is a testament to mothers everywhere who instill in their sons the lasting values they need to become good men and devoted fathers.


From the Hardcover edition.Amazon.com Review
Book Description
What would my mother say? How would she want me to handle this situation? How can I make this tough decision and stay true to myself?

What would my mother say?

Sam Haskell still asks himself these questions every day.

When Haskell was young, his devoted mother, Mary, instilled in her son the values of character, faith, and honor by setting an example and asking him to promise to live his life according to her lessons. He did, and those promises have served Haskell consistently from his Mississippi boyhood to his long career at the venerable William Morris Agency in Beverly Hills.

In this inspiring memoir full of touching stories and amusing anecdotes, Haskell reveals how he kept his pledge to his mother to live a decent life–even in the shark-infested waters of Hollywood, where he handled the hottest stars and packaged the highest-rated shows–by refusing to become the cliché of an amoral agent. Here is Haskell as a child in Amory, Mississippi (pop. 7,000), discovering the power of hope as he waits for an unlikely visit from the “Cheer Man” (a representative of the detergent company who gave ten dollars to anyone using the brand), learning humility after pursuing an eighth-grade “Good Citizenship” award he cockily assumed he’d win, confronting the complications of human character when a near-fatal car crash exposed his judgmental father’s true nature.

Years later, in Hollywood, Haskell would rely on his mother’s teachings–honesty, self-reliance, and belief in God–as he swiftly rose from the William Morris mailroom to eventually become the company’s Worldwide Head of Television. His capacity for friendship and his insistence on living his version of the Golden Rule (being “thoughtfully political”) allowed him to handle various client crises and the tense negotiations that nearly scuttled the last years of Everybody Loves Raymond and the entire existence of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

Haskell has achieved success through self-respect, and from his story we learn how we, too, can maintain our dignity when faced with life’s challenges. This stirring memoir is a testament to mothers everywhere who instill in their sons the lasting values they need to become good men and devoted fathers.

Customer Reviews (19)

A Charming Tribute To Mom
With Southern charm and a Mississippi accent, Sam Haskell celebrates the love and wisdom of his dearly loved mother. In this biographical story, Sam Haskell tells of his personal journey from Amory, Mississippi to Hollywood, California where he rubs elbows with Who's Who as an agent to the stars. He credits his mother as being the one who instilled good character in him when he was growing up. In this book, he recounts how he learned character and moral lessons through his mother's wisdom and then relates it to how that experience has helped him find success in his adult life. Young Sam meets the long awaited Cheer man and the grownup Mr. Haskell gets acquainted with Queen Elisabeth and Prince Edward. Once into the book, you will begin to wonder, "Is there anyone who doesn't know Sam Haskell?" His ever hopeful expectations for the future and adroitness for giving people what they want so they will feel good about giving him what he wants will inspire you.

A Good Read to "Re-Ground" Yourself
When you get in a reflective mood - and want to "re-ground" yourself, this is a perfect book to read.Here is a Man who was not raised in the easiest of situations.He was however blessed with a strong and wise Mother.
Luckily Sam Haskell has chosen to share his wealth of information and Character with us.We are reminded how important it is to be true to ourselves and basic core values.
This is a book that I will be buying copies of and give as gifts to many friends.This is a book I will read over and over again as a refresher to myself as the type of person I desire to be.

The World Needs More Books Like This...
I found Sam Haskell's "Promises I Made My Mother" just flat out wonderful!Written with grace and skill, it is a joy to read, highly inspirational and makes you feel great/re-assured that people like Mr. Haskell still exist in the world.

I don't normally read these kinds of books because they oftentimes come off preachy or saccharine, but Sam Haskell has a great knack for distilling his mother's simple-yet-sage wisdom and relating how living in her image has brought him professional and personal happiness.The book also reads like a love story to not only his mother, but his family, friends and faith and is a real page-turner with so many amazing stories and anecdotes from his extraordinary life.

I think this book will really resonate with people and provide a wonderful inspirational support mechanism and blueprint for living a principled life.Thank you Sam Haskell (and mom Mary Kirkpatrick Haskell) for sharing your wonderful vision with the world.It proves that the good guy can win in the end!

Interesting information
I enjoyed reading Sam Haskell's book.It was always interesting to see who he would "introduce" me to next.

True To His Word
Promises I Made My Mother is everything I expected it to be and more.I met Sam Haskell just two years ago after having heard about him from a number of people.Everyone said he was one special man - generous and open-hearted.They were right.After reading Promises, I've come to understand what has motivated him to be the kind of human being people want to emulate. I was warmed by his love and admiration for his mother who was so influential in his life. The lessons contained in his book about integrity, honesty, hard work and following your heart are universal and the celebrity quotient makes Promises an engaging and entertaining read.I couldn't put it down! Penny Pearlman, author of award winning Pretty Smart: Lessons From Our Miss Americas ... Read more

Product Description
Word count: 1798. ... Read more

Product Description
Bye Ray! Special Farewell - PLUS: Ray & Brad Take Us Behind the Scenes (7 Page article with many photos!) // Patrick Dempsey (3 Page article with photos) // Jerry Seinfeld: 4th Season DVD Release (2 page article with photos) // Tarantino takes on CSI (2 page article with photos) // Lena Olin // and more! ... Read more

Product Description
Hardcover (10 x 10 1/4") with 32 colorful illustrations by Gary Locke.CD Inside read by Ray Romano himself. - Everybody might love Raymond now, but when Ray Romano was ten years old, he and his brothers didn't always get along. Join their trip to the amusement park. - Read the story yourself or let Ray read it to you! ... Read more

Product Description
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, also known as Ice Age 3, isa 2009 3-D computer animated film. It is the thirdinstallment of the Ice Age series, produced by Blue SkyStudios and distributed by 20th Century Fox. A sneakpreview was shown in selected theaters on Father's Day inthe United States. The film features the voices of RayRomano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Queen Latifah, SeannWilliam Scott, Josh Peck, Simon Pegg, and Chris Wedge. Thestory has Sid being taken by a female Tyrannosaurus rexafter stealing her eggs, leading the rest of theprotagonists to rescue him in a tropical lost worldinhabited by dinosaurs beneath the ice. Despite mixedreviews by critics, Dawn of the Dinosaurs became the secondhighest grossing animated film of all time with $869.1million worldwide. There is an attraction based on the filmat Chessington World of Adventures. It is a smallwalkthrough involving a few interactive activities. It wasavailable to June 18 to August 31. ... Read more