This was a well-written and charming memoir. Most everyone in our club enjoyed this book, and it sparked interesting discussion. However, we all agreed that it was slow and had a tendency to drag.

This was a well-written and charming memoir. Most everyone in our club enjoyed this book, and it sparked interesting discussion. However, we all agreed that it was slow and had a tendency to drag.

OH Boy, did I love this book. It was so refreshing to read Moehringer's humorous yet serious perspective about growing up without a traditional father figure. His characters were animated and realistic all at the same time. So many times when you read a memoir, you expect to encounter tragic events in the writers life that he/she never seem to be able to get over, but this author was able to tell it like it was without going over-the-top dramatic. And finally, his ending realization of who the real "father figure" in his life was was so sweet it actually took my breath away. Unfortunately, we have no men in our bookclub, but I would love to get a man's perspective on this story.

Hanging out in a bar as a kid and the angst of a life of confusion was a subject many could relate to I suppose. For myself, having friends with parents with bars and seeing them as alcoholics is not great. Knowing our society is filled with pleanty of alcoholics hanging out in bars is sad. I finished the book but didn't care one way or the other about the characters.

Having lived on Long Island for 40 years and currently living in Scottsdale, a suburb of Phoenix, I found all the locales decribed accurate. JR's writing can not be argued with, he is a master of words. However, I question his total recall of conversations and details of events. To be kind I will state I believe he "embellished" for the sake of narrative. Further, there were a number of totally unbelievable instances. Just two examples: A Yale graduate not knowing the definition of "garret"? A book store that is part of a major chain keeping Bob and Bud on the payroll for years?
But main my objection, as a parent and retired teacher, is my belief that his upbring verged on child abuse and certainly should be considered neglect. I don't find it amusing for an eight year old to be in the constant company of hard drinking, foul mouthed men. During all JR's years at the bar, although the men congratulated him on successes, he admitted they seemed more comfortable with his failures. Positive role models? I think not.

The most read book by our club, funny thing it being about a bar and all.

The Tender Bar chronicles the upbringing of a boy who is deserted by his father and spends his life searching for who he really is. Interesting book that mostly keeps your attention. The author makes you feel a lot of his emotions which is a testament to his writing ability. Our book club had a good discussion since there were many topics to discuss...single parenthood, alcoholism, drinking, male role models, men and their ability to share friendships. I would recommned this for book clubs.

Our bookclub enjoyed reading this book since it takes place here on Long Island. One member realized at the end of the book that she knew some of the characters. It made for a fun discussion and meeting where we served "bar food"

I like the way he writes and wish he wrote novels. I think I would enjoy them. I did think it was too long and he could of cut some sections out that were not interesting.

Everybody loved the book, liked the story.

Hard to believe that the people in this book are real and not made up characters (although they read like characters). Meohringer has a unique writing style that grabs you. Short, to the point, but descriptive. You start reading, and don't want to to put the book down. You want to know more about ever character and become involved in their lives. A touching book about the coming of age of Moehringer, but we see glimpses of people we know. One of the few non-fiction books that does not read like non-fiction (fact oriented, predictable, one dimensional). Wonderful read. He also co-authored "Open" (excellent book even if you are not a tennis player).

I got the audio book and the author was the narrator, made it very interesting to listen to it through his words.

I really liked this book and felt that the author used his journalistic talents in adding the details. At times it was disjointed but still engaging. Atimes it was like a thought written on a bar napkin finding a chapter to fill in the space, but not smoothly. These are broken folks, no doubt, but their demons are just under the surface and not turned into tabloid news.

Excellent memoir. Heartbreaking and funny. Everyone should read this. Mother knows best!

A beautifully written memoir. If you appreciate good writing, you will savor this book.

Beautifully written memoir.

An interesting book on male bonding with sometimes hilarious dialogue. It illustrates the importance of both positive and negative role models.

I like this book.