The F Word: How to Survive Your Family

In the realm of celebrity advice books, comedian and game show host Anderson's follow-up to Dear Dad: Letters from an Adult Child falls squarely in the middle of the scale of originality and usefulness: there's nothing particularly remarkable or cutting-edge about it, but it does offer a few pearls of wisdom on surviving dysfunctional blood relationships. The friendly analysis of family dynamics is too scrambled to be a true how-to volume; instead, it features an assortment of short essays on Anderson's tumultuous family life, interspersed with a collection of some 50 tips on surviving family interactions and pieces from his comedy routines. As Anderson focuses entirely on his own experiences, he ends up attempting to spin very specific elements (such as the impact of his fame and wealth on his 10 siblings) into general principles-somewhat of a difficult task. While he has not written the definitive guide to family harmony, Anderson has created an entertaining and heartfelt portfolio of personal advice that manages to sustain an easy, good humored feel despite its often painful subject matter.