Audiobook Review: Happy, Happy, Happy by Phil Robertson

Title:  Happy, Happy, Happy

Author:  Phil Robertson

Narrator:  Al Robertson:

Unabridged Length: 4 hrs, 57 mn





Here is a summary of the book from the publisher's website:

This no-holds-barred autobiography chronicles the remarkable life of Phil Robertson, the original Duck Commander and Duck Dynasty star, from early childhood through the founding of a family business.

Life was always getting in the way of Phil Robertson’s passion for duck hunting.
An NFL-bound quarterback, Phil made his mark on Louisiana Tech University in the 1960s by playing football and completing his college career with a master’s degree in English. But Phil’s eyes were not always on the books or the ball; they were usually looking to the sky.

Phil grew up with the dream of living the simple life off the land like his forebears, but he soon found himself on a path to self-destruction—leasing a bar, drinking too much, fighting, and wasting his talents. He almost lost it all until he gave his life to God. And then everything changed.

Phil’s incredible story tells how he followed a calling from God and soon after invented a duck call that would begin an incredible journey to the life he had always dreamed of for himself and his family. With great love for his country, his family, and his maker, Phil has finally found the ingredients to the “good life” he always wanted.

My Review:
I wasn't sure what to expect from this audiobook, but keeping the Duck Dynasty television show in mind, I figured it would be entertaining.  And that it was!  You never know what to expect on an episode of the reality show and the same goes for this autobiography.  We hear the good, the bad, and the ugly, and let me tell you, there is plenty of all to keep you wanting to hear more.

Al Robertson is Phil's oldest son who does a wonderful job of narrating the book.  Since he lived through many of the events shared throughout the story, I'm sure that helped Al to emphasize certain parts.  You don't hear much about Al from the television show as he hasn't been active with the business until very recently.  We learn that this is probably the result of Al's strained relationship with his parents, which I found very refreshing when Phil shared so many personal details that isn't all sunshine and butterflies.

After watching a couple of episodes of Duck Dynasty, it is apparent that the Robertson's are a good, Christian family.  That doesn't mean that all has been easy for this family.  Phil traveled a road that he isn't proud of but has come to accept that his mistakes helped to shape him into the man he is today.

Phil starts the beginning of every chapter with a rule for being Happy, Happy, Happy.  These rules made me smile, but they are basic, common-sense standards.  Just a few of his rules are: wear shoes, don't let your grandkids grow up to be nerds, learn to cook, and don't try to understand women.  So of course each chapter relates to a piece of his life he shares with us.

A huge part of Phil's success and his family's happiness is his ministry and his personal relationship with God.  I thoroughly enjoyed this part of the book and how he shared the changes in his demeanor and attitude.  He developed a faith, changing him into a God-fearing man that left their children striving to be just like their dad.

This was a wonderful story of one family's success with themes of faith, success, and family that many of you would also enjoy.  If you are a fan of Duck Dynasty you definitely need to read it.  I highly recommend this book for personal leisure or as a book club discussion.

My Rating:  5/5

Disclosure:  This book was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.