Review of Elbow Grease

Deretha Thompson · Post by **Deretha Thompson** » 19 May 2025, 13:24

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Elbow Grease" by Dave Guthmann.]

5 out of 5 stars

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Elbow Grease by Dave Guthman is an exciting nonfiction piece that highlights the importance of hard work and the lasting impact an encounter with a person can leave on you. It follows the adventures of the author while working for the Barker Brothers furniture home in 1976. Dave had just left college, and he needed a job, so he quickly applied for the position of mover through Jerry, who was manager at the Barker Brothers furniture store in Riverside. After one phone call, which was supposed to be an interview, he was hired as a gofer whose job tripled as cleaner, mover, and delivery guy.

On beginning the job, he starts to harbor regrets mainly because of how boring and lonely the job was; luck seemed to shine on him, and a second guy, Bob, was employed. Jerry had the habit of mixing people's names, and so he developed the habit of calling them Dave-Bob and Bob-Dave. Dave and Bob had many adventures and made plenty of memories throughout their stay together that summer. This book focuses on the daily adventures they had while working together during this time. They ranged from funny to serious to lesson-filled, so read on to find out more.

This book is written like a diary, starting from June 18th, when Dave began the job, to August 31st, when he quit, with each day heralding a new adventure. It is an expository into the author's life within this time period, and the book passes on a message about just how fun and eventful work in the workplace can be with the right person as a partner. Each diary entry, though concise, is well-developed and relatable; I had a great time reading each one. The story is unique and engaging; the summer the author had in that year was very eventful and definitely worth reading.

I enjoyed the plot of this book; it was simplistic yet adventurous. There were not many characters in the book, which helped make the book more immersive; at some point I thought I was part of the crew at the Barker Brother furniture home in Riverside. I had no dislikes at all for the story; rather, I resonated with every bit of it. I found no grammar errors during the course of my reading; this book was edited well. Based on the overwhelming positives of this book, I rate it 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend this book to audiences who enjoy simple and funny non-fiction-based stories.

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Elbow Grease
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Martinha · Post by **Martinha** » 21 May 2025, 11:01

I just read your review, which made me curious to read the book. The title caught my attention, and I really hope to find what I'm looking for in this work.

Post by **Kibet Hillary** » 21 May 2025, 13:59

I am glad that the adventures of Bob and Dave could either make one laugh or even teach the reader a lesson, which I have always to be some of the most important aspects in a book. I am wondering about the serious adventures, though, and how the two resolved them. Thank you for the review, @Deretha Thompson.

Hills Christopher Albert · Post by **Hills Christopher Albert** » 24 May 2025, 10:46

This review really captures the charm of Elbow Grease. I love the idea of a simple job turning into a memorable summer full of funny and meaningful moments. The diary format sounds like a great way to connect with the author’s day-to-day experiences. Definitely adding this to my reading list!

Onyemuwa-dave · Post by **Onyemuwa-dave** » 05 Jul 2025, 03:01

I love how you highlighted the diary-like format and the author's adventures as a "gofer" with his partner, Bob. It sounds like a wonderfully simple, yet adventurous nonfiction story that truly captures the fun of a shared work experience. Your 5-star rating and praise for the editing are well-deserved. Thanks for the review.

Helen Waziri · Post by **Helen Waziri** » Yesterday, 10:12

Wow, I wasn’t expecting a book about furniture moving in the ‘70s to sound so engaging! Your review really brings out the charm of what might otherwise seem like a mundane job. I love the idea of a diary format that makes everyday adventures feel meaningful—and the “Dave-Bob, Bob-Dave” nickname thing actually made me smile. I might have to check this out just to see how those small work moments turned into something memorable.

Etimbuk Eshiet · Post by **Etimbuk Eshiet** » Yesterday, 17:29

Your review gave me a clear picture of what to expect from Elbow Grease, and I really liked how you described the bond between Dave and Bob. It sounds like such a nostalgic and heartwarming read, especially the way their everyday experiences were captured like a diary. Great job pointing out the humor and life lessons!

Spoorthy S · Post by **Spoorthy S** » Yesterday, 20:55

I appreciate how you emphasized the lessons the author tries to convey. It sounds like a book that could be useful to many readers. Your review was short, but very effective.

Jessy Edward · Post by **Jessy Edward** » Today, 02:12

Sounds like a wholesome and nostalgic read! I like the diary-style storytelling. Makes it feel more personal and real. Dave and Bob’s work adventures sound like the kind of little moments that stay with you for life. Definitely seems like something I’d enjoy when I want something light but meaningful.