The people are bright and full of life life, but concurrently sad and broken. None of them are particularly nice, but they are all understandable, if not relate-able. 
The first third of the book was (I think) wisely excised from the film, but is crucial to a better understanding of who Joe Buck is. Ratso's back-story is also fleshed out. The depth added to these two characters alone makes it a worthwhile read.

A straight tale - un-rhymed or gimmicked - that is completely enjoyable.

Everything you expect from Cussler, fast action, neat locations, exotic cars and historical tidbits scattered throughout.

Powerful post-apocalyptic sci-fi done right.

I don't need thirty pages of exposition, but for volume one in a series I expect at least a little explanation and background for the characters and the world they inhabit.

Interesting idea, pairing century old war poetry with modern comic illustration.

Fast paced action like one has come to expect from Reilly.

Other than minor editorial errors ('William' Hershey founded a chocolate empire??)an enjoyable read with a few neat recipes.

A dark Br'er Rabbit clone does restoration comedy in the American South. Fun read until it goes off the rails in the final dozen pages.

Almost a tripartite book - Leads to all the chapters are the story of parents fretting about sending their child off to college in the early 1950's, the bulk of the chapters then concern flashback to the parents themselves in school, and the whole book is scattered throughout with period illustrations about university life during Prohibition.

Good for both parents - as it addresses the common themes of letting go and situational blindness; and social historians - as it shines a light through the filter of time on the sexual and social mores of another age.

A schizophrenic work. A promising first half with a great setting and an interesting protagonist is dragged down by an absurd jump in setting, a ridiculous change in tone, and an insultingly unbelievable ending.

One man explores his own peculiar form of mental illness. Excellent as biography, insightful as addiction memoir, instructive about the West Coast comedy scene in the 1990's. The only frustrating part is that it wasn't bundled with copies of all the less mainstream movies mentioned within.

Humorous personal memoir of college life in the thirties and Naval service in WWII, but the co-author of Cheaper By The Dozen.

Read aloud to the boys in the car. Good concept (reimagining the origin of Peter Pan) but poor execution. EXCEEDINGLY repetitive and with a limited vocabulary - the word 'said' is on each page a dozen times if it appears once. Would have worked better at half the length.

The conclusion of the tale begun in Cheaper by the Dozen.

Tales of growing up in a large, loving family. Americana at its finest.

Simultaneously heart-warming and heart-wrenching, a difficult line to walk.

Typical Cussler, but something missing i just can't finger. Could be the FOUR different sunken ships integral to the plot, could be the last line being given to a non major character, could be the incredibly helpful billionaire mine owner who would have been much more interesting as a villain than as a yes-man for anything Pitt states - no matter how ridiculous - without question or hesitation.

Heavy on mugshots and dry factual police report recitation, but still interesting and informative.

Gorgeous portraits, as well as an insightful interview with the photographer.