I was first introduced to this book by my English teacher in junior high school long before the movie starring Steve Martin was released. He read it aloud to us in class chapter by chapter and we were in stitches.

Years later I came upon this book in the library and took it out. I read the book through in a few hours and immediately bought it online.

The movie is based on this book, a (perhaps embellished?) biography of Frank Gilbreth Sr. (1868-1924) and his family of 12 children. The book was written by 2 of his kids - Frank Jr and Ernestine.

Needless to say it bears virtually no resemblance to the movie, but since the book takes place in the early part of the 20th century I suppose a modernization was called for.

Though this book reads like a diary in that some chapters skip and jump, the vignettes are absolutely hilarious and will have you guffawing out loud. That Mr. Gilbreth was clearly QUITE a character.

Check it out!