Big Dumb Eyes: Stories from a Simpler Mind

Nate Bargatze's stand-up routines are nothing short of HILARIOUS, but unfortunately this book did not live up to that high standard. To be fair, this book is written in the same simpleton voice that Nate uses on stage (which I find to be endearing and down-to-earth), and it is good for a few occasional giggles. However, it's not as funny as his stand up routines.In that regard, Big Dumb Eyes reminds me of Dad is Fat by Jim Gaffigan (another talented funnyman who wrote an amusing –but not hilarious– book). Both comics are clean, family-friendly, and very funny, which is why I enjoy their performances on stage. However, their books didn't make me laugh as much as I had hoped.If you are looking for a funny autobiography written by talented comedians, I strongly recommend Born Standing Up by Steve Martin and It's Not Easy Being Me by Rodney Dangerfield. Both are excellent reads in my opinion and every bit as funny as the comics themselves.If you enjoy Nate's silly brand of humor, then you will probably be amused by this book. Just don't expect to be rolling on the floor with laughter.

I had a great time reading this. Each chapter is a funny stand alone, so you can pick it up and enjoy any time👏👏👏😂😂😂

If you have heard any of Nate Bargatze's comedic routines, you will love his book, Big Dumb Eyes. But if you don't know who Nate is, you should still read his book. As the subtitle reads, "stories from a simpler mind," Nate is not going to take you on an arduous journey into his life story with complicated twists. He is going to speak as if sitting across from you at McDonald's (his favorite eating joint). His life is far from simple, and yet it reads easily, and you connect with him and members of his family. I hope they have given their permission to be included in his stories. But if not, Nate makes them part of your adventure. Although I cannot identify with his life, I can appreciate how he makes me smile or giggle on every page. Read Nate's book for pure enjoyment, even the blank pages he had to convince the publisher to include. My estimate about Nate's intellect: he's smart, enough to keep his audience happy.

I was born in California, but my parents were from the South—Arkansas to be exact—so I know all about being poor. When Nate described how his Parents slept in different rooms that were not actually bedroom, I laughed and cried because there were six of us in a two bedroom house and my parents slept in the dining room until my brother left home. And we could only drink ice water, no sodas. This was a great book, hilarious. Highly recommend.

Nate Bargatze is great! You'll enjoy reading these stories about his life. Even the footnotes are funny! Nate's family stories are especially endearing.

Excellent read! Very funny all throughout. Been reading bits and pieces to my fam and they love it!

I bought the book and started reading it. I saw that there was an audiobook that was read by Nate. I bought that too and followed along with the book. Loved it! His voice and delivery made the book funnier! Great!

Absolutely delightful book! I love the way it is written, just as if he was talking to us. Wonderful, fun stories! I was sad when I finished the book and will miss it sitting down with it for some feel-good, fun-filled pages (and some blank ones). I look forward to reading it again someday, and again.

We own a bed and breakfast and we have this on the coffee table for our guests to browse through - what can we say it’s Bargatze and he’s amazing!

Truly enjoyed his story and it’s clear his Christian values have served him well. Vanderbilt who? Go Georgia Bull Dogs!

Maybe I am prejudiced. I now live in Idaho, but was born at Vanderbilt Hospital and grew up in small town Elizabethton, Tennessee. I spent my teen years in Nashville, where we attended First Baptist Church, the Baptist Vatican. I met my husband at the University of Tennessee. (GO BIG ORANGE!). My first job after college was at the Vanderbilt Library. I say all this to explain why Nate speaks to my soul! I actually did laugh out loud at the Vandy chapter! He takes me right back home to where nobody laughs when I call black engine juice ‘ohl’. He makes me homesick, but in a sweet way. He is coming to Boise on tour and my fondest wish is that he would reward my loyalty by sending 2 front row seat tickets to me!

I have mostly read this book in the middle of the night when I can’t sleep from all the turmoil in the world. After a few seconds of reading it, I’m grinning and then laughing (I sleep alone, so it doesn’t bother anyone), and I can feel the knots in my stomach loosening up, and pretty soon I can relax enough to go to sleep. No, it doesn’t put me to sleep; it soothes me. Accounts of growing up in the south, told with gentle, clean humor, no harshness, lots of insight into friend- and family dynamics. He’s one of my favorite standup comics in the world. I wish Big Dumb Eyes was longer or there were more books by Nate Bargatze.

I enjoy Nate's sense of humor. I liked the way it was written, a series of simple stories about his life. It feels like Nate is just chatting with you. I especially like learning about Laura and his family. I took my time reading and now I want to listen to the audio book. Congratulations Nate! You wrote a book!Thank you for all of your hard work.Rosie aka Rosalita9899 a Nateland Podcast listener.

Nate Bargatze is the best! The stories in this book expand on some of the bits from his live shows, but they are still good. I think it is better read one chapter per day. A real day brightener!

I love the book by Nate Bargatze! He is a scream live, but his book is just like his stand-up routine. If you're having a bad day, pick up his book and you'll be feeling better right away!

When I first started reading I thought “this is the most haphazard book I’ve ever read”. But the more I read, the more I liked it. I think because I have the same weird sense of humor so it really started to grow on me. Not for the intellectual type (and I’m not) but it’s entertaining.

I love the laughing at the crazy things in his life. The things he says about life in the South are amazingly accurate. My husband's family have same unusual attitudes toward money. I hope he can continue saving by spending on delivery of food.

I love Nate and the book was fantastic. I bought the audible book so that we could listen to it on a road trip coming up in June. But could not wait to listen to it. And have already heard the whole thing. We will still listen to it again. Just like I listened to a lot of his comedy sets, over and over and laugh just as had. He's fantastic.

I bought both the hardcover and the audiobook because I love Nate Bargatze! I just finished listening to the audiobook, and I absolutely loved it! He narrates beautifully, as his humor and authenticity come shining through! Oh my goodness, I laughed so much with each chapter as he delved into so many funny corners of his life. From his childhood to his faith to his path to comedy to his parents to his wife to his dogs, everything is fair game and simply hilarious! I can't do the book justice with my review, so I'll just say this: if you love Nate, you will love this book. I highly recommend the audio version!

If you like his stand up , you’ll like this book