I am interested in their show and way of life. The book provides some additional insight into their family which provided an interesting read. However, it didn't hold my attention as much as I hoped.

If you love the show you'll love this book! Wonderfull, wonderfull, wonderfull insight on the family and their values!

This is a great book of the story of the Duggar family. We really appreciate their testimony of raising a large family. Many questions we have wondered about them since they came into the spotlight have been answered.

I finished this book in only a few days as it is light and enjoyable reading. I think the couples' testimony of faith shines through in the book and those that have such negative comments would actually benefit from reading it. They are living their lives not in judgement of others, but in such a way as to please God, not people... as should we all! I found it spiritually encouraging!

I watch the tv program about the Duggars, and so it is fascinating to read the book about the family. They are a great inspiration. I know anyone who reads the book will fall in love with it.

I pre-ordered this book because I LOVE their TV shows and was anxious to know more. I am so glad I did because it's full of information they can't fit into TV segments. It is very easy reading and left me wanting to know more!

I was surprised at their level of honesty (they shared past "sins"); and their level of committment to stay debt-free (going without air-conditioning for a year AFTER their house was completed, until they could pay cash for it - I thought TLC paid for it like other home shows, but no!) They are very candid about their lives, their faith in God, and yes their "quiverfull mindset", which is actually nothing new, it's just Bible (pre-Margaret Sanger, planned parenthood, and the feminist movement).

Mr. & Mrs. Duggar are to be commended that they are raising an enormous family that loves God, loves eachother, and are living totally debt-free. Sadly, most families these days can't say the same and they have just a few children (that are for the most part self-centered and don't love eachother; are never satisfied with even the latest, greatest "must-have", and could care less about being in debt as long as they get what they want!)

We could learn a lot from this family! They are evidently doing something right! GET THE BOOK!!! You'll be happy you did! I hope there will be a sequel -- I'll be first in line to buy it! :o)

These people make me want to puke. 18 children and she just keeps shelling them out. I'm not at all snowed by their "oh everything is just sunshine and roses" act. First of all, those daughters in that family are taught that they are less than men, you can tell that because of the awful way they are made to dress and keep their hair long. Michelle's hair alone screams religious cult. I know they say they love all their children, blah blah blah. Well I doubt big southern families were that much different from the German farming families of the midwest. My dad and maternal grandfather grew up in houses with 10 and 13 kids. The kids were nothing but workhorses. In my opinion, when a woman has that many kids, she doesn't even have the chance to know them all let alone give them true motherly love and support. They are starting to marry off their kids now in nothing more than arranged marriages to other religious nutjobs. And lastly, Jim Bob must not really give a damn about his wife to constantly keep her barefoot and pregnant 18 times, that has to be getting more and more dangerous the older she gets, and then who's going to end up raising all those kids. I'll bet a million it won't be him. If she was really taking the time to raise all her children instead of making them raise each other, they wouldn't have had time to keep making more kids. They are ruining their kids' childhoods by making them be parents to their younger siblings. Don't encourage this disgusting family , and don't by this piece of garbage.

I saw the show on TLC by accident flipping through channels and was impressed immediately by the way the children spoke during their interviews. They seem to have done an excellent job raising their many children. The book answers so many questions viewers end up wondering about while watching the shows. It's an easy read and full of great information, whether you have one child or 20! I have a two year old and a newborn and I try to read a page whenever I get the chance though I wish I could read it all at once! Great price for a great book.

I'm not trying to argue for or against corporal punishment. But I do have a problem when people use corporal punishment, and then try to hide it because it would affect ratings or book sales.

If you google the Duggars, you will find an article written before they became famous, around when Jim Bob was just a state rep. In it, they state that they believe in corporal punishment, and state that the Bible instructs them on how to do it.

The Bible does state "Spare the rod and spoil the child." People who live literally by the Bible interpret this to mean that children should be struck with a stick or object of some sort, when they are disobedient.

Now, in the book, Michelle does mention that she dispenses "corrections." . She says that a child who acts up in a store is taken back to the car and then they "have to deal with a correction." She doesn't say what this means. (It's pretty clear that a correction isn't just a scolding, because she talks about using stern words along with a correction.)

Michelle is a big fan of "blanket training" toddlers, but again, she is vague on the correction she gives the toddler who crawls off the blacket. She advises parents to use whatever correction they believe in, but that it should be momentarily unpleasant. Hmmm. . . what could this mean?

Despite the Duggars desire to spread the word of the Bible to other people. . .I believe they lack the courage and conviction to state whether they follow the Biblical instruction not to spare the rod.

If you use corporal punishment, and you believe it is right, then have the courage to come out and say it! Don't hide it because you are afraid your ratings will drop!

We always need more good people in the world and they really show us how to do it. Their book is very honest and they share details that I thought they wouldn't. They have lots of good ideas. We need more people like this in the world to show us how to raise good stable families so to support our society. The fact that they went public really makes them amazing..

I bought this book recently, and it is just wonderful.
Anyone who thought that they are weird, closeted religious fanatics will change their minds if they read this. Michelle and JimBob *are* strong Christians, with a conviction to allow God to control their family size. This does not mean that they breed like animals or take fertility drugs to have as many children as they can. Instead, they enjoy each other, and enjoy their life together. What this means is that if God has chosen for this one to be the last, they will accept it, and not go to extraordinary lengths to achieve a pregnancy. They will also welcome with open arms any children God blesses them with. This is really not an unusual viewpoint to have today, believe it or not. It IS hard to do. I know, because I and many of my friends follow a life that does not include artificial birth control. Michelle is one of the lucky ones. Out of 19 pregnancies, she has 18 children. Most of us have much smaller families. I have four, and I know several with less than five. The average seems to be 6 or 7. Please don't assume that those of us with many less children don't believe in the same thing! We just weren't blessed with that number of full-term births.
Reading this book, I am struck by the real-life education that these children are receiving. The children have been involved in their family businesses since birth! They have real skills, including building a house (!), that most video-playing, couch potato children of today are lacking. They will be ready for their adult lives when the time comes. I am sure that employers will line up to hire these honest, hard-working young men and women. They can only be a benefit to society.
I am a fan, obviously, but even I was amazed at how much more *normal* they seem compared to the tv show. I didn't know that the reason they are debt-free was simple hard work and planning. I didn't know that the tv show did NOT finish their house completely. That they went a whole year after moving in without air conditioning, until they saved up for it!!! Ditto for a yard. The show is NOT how they paid for their house, or why they can afford their children. Remember, the show was 15 and pregnant again. They had 15 children when they first had a show! They were supporting them themselves.
Instead of criticizing these people, read the book and find out the truth. They are a hard-working, good-natured couple who have been blessed abundantly, and are generous enough to share it with others. I recommend this book for everyone. It will open your eyes to a lifestyle that is a true blessing to everyone.

I think there's something really strange about these people, and if you want to know "how they do it" -- they do it by selling books and making money off their TV show. That's how they do it. Could anyone else do it on a regular salary with only one working parent? Hardly. The better reading material would be a book on their movement, the Quiverfull movement, and how it's subjugated women. I feel very sorry for the women in that family.

I can't believe the Dugger family. Yes you have a nice home and good for you to have strong morals and beliefs. However, there are so many children out there who would love nothing more to have a family and be loved by a mom and dad and siblings. Have you ever thought of adoption or foster parenting? It makes me sick that there are so many children out there who need homes, and here you guys are having child after child after child. WHy not help out a child that is less fortunate!? The Duggers are a republican breeding farm and for being such "Christian" folk, youd think they'd think of other people a little more....You guys make me sick!!!!

Although the narrative of this book is awkward as "Jim Bob" and "Michelle" both use the pronoun I, it was an interesting peek into their life for someone that has never seen the show. There were some good tidbits, but most was surface level and I would have enjoyed a bit more to their story. Nevertheless, it was a fun, easy read of a God-loving family. I actually thought they were "less-crazy" after reading their book.

I have just ordered this book today and I should receive it in a few days.

Reading the reviews, I JUST WANT TO ASK YOU TO BUY THIS BOOK INSTEAD OF HAVING IT ORDERED BY YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY. Why? Just to make it a bestseller and to give indirectly to the Duggars some financial support even though they would have to sell many to make it a financial success.

I love the Duggars because of the values they convey and because of their love of children. They are a breadth of fresh air in a world that has lost true values (family values).

There is no doubt in my mind that this book will be interesting and the reviews so far seem to agree.

I ordered this book, and in two days I had read the entire thing. It is an easy, quick read, and reveals a ton of information that is not discussed or shown in their documentaries on Discovery and TLC. I appreciated their openness in discussing their personal pasts as children, how they started from nothing to owning various businesses (convenience store, used-car lots), to getting to where they are now as owners of larger commercial rental properties. They truly are a frugal family, especially when I read about Jim Bob building one working 21-passenger bus from two other buses. It's truly extraordinary how they make things work with their finances, children, and marriage.

They do speak candidly about their faith, but it doesn't feel preachy. Although it's easy to see that they are big believers in the teachings of Bill Gothard, I did not believe they pushed it onto the reader. As another reviewer mentioned, it was more of sharing how their family does things in their home.

I'd recommend this book as an inspirational, quick read that even smaller families (which is almost all of us!) can benefit from. Her section on organization (as their family was moving from their first home to their second), I found to be incredibly helpful - worth the price of the book alone. Great book!

I have a fascination with the Duggar family. Not in a creepy way, but more in the way that people find the Amish interesting. A "how do they possibly manage?" kind of way. Well, this book answered many of the questions I have had and was very candid and straightforward. Whether or not I agree with their beliefs, I respect the fact that they are strong in them. They seem to do a great job with child rearing, financial management and more. I also never get the greed feeling off of them that I do the Gosselins.

I would recommend this book but it is a pretty quick read, so you might just want to have your library order it for you.

I really enjoyed this book, and found that it explained alot of questions that I had about this family. I may not agree with everything they do, or their choice to continue to have children, but I know it is a free country. I respect them for their lifestyle, and I respect them for writing a book that gives us all some insight into why they do what they do. I just hope and pray that if they decide to have more children, that Michelle and her babies continue to be healthy. Age is a factor now, and the risks get higher.

I debated pre-ordering this book or just waiting for it at the library. In the end, I did pre-order and received it today. I've really been pleasantly surprised by it so far!

It's really well organized and is easy to browse through... stopping on areas you're interested in.

It is in no-way preachy.. but is more of a "this is what works for our family" type approach.

Michelle seems to be a very gentle Mom with a lot of good info. I was surprised to read about her positive home birth experience. I also was impressed with her determination to breastfeed even though she faced problems.

All in all, I left with many good ideas on how to help raise my kids with some good old fashioned values and morals, while not feeling that this book was not for me because I'm not a Christian.

Though I don't ever envision having 18 kids, I believe anyone with any size family can truly benefit from the tips, stratagies, and heartfelt truths in this book. I see no problem at all with the fact that the Duggars have chosen to have a large family. They don't pretend to be saints or superhuman, but they are great parents and their kids are well adjusted, kind human beings. Way to go Duggars! And, thank you for such an awesome book!

I'm only half way through and I do love the Duggar's - but I have to say I cannot believe how frank and honest they are in this book - all the critiscims people have made of their family like "why doesn't Michelle breastfeed for birthcontrol?" - these are all addressed in the book. Also I'm ashamed to admit I assumed they had inherited money and that they got health insurance from Jim Bob's brief stint in the house of Reps - wrong wrong wrong - they are incredibly frugal and always have been - they started out with nothing married as teenagers and have saved and scrimped until they came to the relative financial security they have today (not wealth, security) - also they have a health insurance plan with high deductibles to make it more affordable - once again - I'm astounded they shared all these very personal details. I am absolutely loving this book and can't wait to finish.

These people are disgusting. Please don't support this kind of reckless behavior. To bring 18 children into this world with no regard for your effect on the planet or anyone else is purely SELFISH, irresponsible and disturbing.

Duggar family: FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, STOP HAVING KIDS!

The Duggar family is doing a great service for a country and world wallowing deeper in depression and moral filth every day. They have come to the worlds attention just in time to give us greater hope for a better way to live. I have loved every page of your book and am so thankful for your humility before God to trust Him in "all things he has commanded". You have been so honest in your own failures as you are journeying along in life, but the tender mercies of the Lord are evident as you live true your faith.

I've really enjoyed reading this book. I love watching the Duggar family on television and am now happy to know a little more about them. They explain many of their past and present business ventures that have helped them to keep up with the expenses of their growing family. The best aspect of their family is showing the secular world that people can be completely happy and content living life putting God first. I think their family is truly a blessing to TV viewers and this book helps solidfy everything that is shown on their TV series and specials. Recipes and many helpful tips are included as well as resources for books that they've used to help them organize and structure their lives while still being flexible enough for unexpected events.

I recommend this book for everyone and hope that it helps many families live better lives!!

I had my library order this book for me for their collection, and it arrived early (hence the review before publication date). I read the book in a few hours today. It is quite an interesting read with lots of information that has never been included in their television specials. The Duggars write about their political run, child rearing philosphies, daily schedule, organizing and chore methods, their businesses (past and present), and many more topics.

There are many recipes and pictures with captions (some from before they had any kids) scattered throughout the book. Most of the recipes are available on their family website, though. The Duggars even included a floor plan of their home which cleared up some confusion for me as to where things were located after watching their tv shows.

I was surprised to read that even though their home was professionally decorated by Discovery Health/TLC, there were a couple of things not included/completed in their home their first year that many of us would not want to live without in our own homes. They had to save up to afford them. I think some of us probably get the wrong impression from their shows that they have a lot of money in the bank. After reading the book I believe that they really are frugal and need to be to provide for their family.

I wish the book had included more information on how they really live frugally today. Possibly some information on the menus they follow to budget food expenses or more overall budget/expense information on how they truly afford 17+ kids, would have made an interesting addition. Also, there is only a little tidbit about the girls' "dress code". I wish they had included more information about how they came to decide on it and when they started the modest dress code.

It was overall an interesting read and gave me a more complete understanding of this large God fearing family.