Fat, Forty, and Fired Engages with Humor and Candor

Fat, Forty, and Fired: One Man's Frank, Funny, and Inspiring Account of Losing His Job and Finding His Life

Ever dream of taking a year off? To stop, step back, and think? About jobs, family-life? In Fat, Forty, and Fired: One Man's Frank, Funny, and Inspiring Account of Losing His Job and Finding His Life (Andrews McMeel Publishing, $19.95) Nigel Marsh relates his experience "living the dream"—turning on to his family, tuning into their needs, and dropping out of the executive suite.

A high-powered CEO on the fast track in advertising, Marsh reached a milestone birthday just as a merger resulted in his "becoming redundant." Suddenly forced to consider his position in life and his next step, Marsh confronts the reality of being fat, forty, fired-and an alcoholic. By reconsidering his situation as an opportunity instead of a roadblock, Marsh decides to step back, (re)connect with his family, quit drinking, get in shape, and get perspective. Fat, Forty, and Fired: One Man's Frank, Funny, and Inspiring Account of Losing His Job and Finding His Life is the memoir of his year off. And a very funny one at that.

And, although Marsh shares his experiences with wit and honesty, he by no means considers himself an expert. He concludes his introduction:

"I haven't got a catchy slogan that sums up what I learned from my year off. I do know, however, that men aren't from Mars and fat isn't a feminist issue. Men are from Earth and fat is fat. I don't claim to have usable wisdom for anyone else. All I can say is that I lived the dream of dropping out for a year and this is how it was for me."

By the end of his hiatus, Marsh has learned a great deal about himself, his family, and his job, and recognizes the perpetual challenge of trying to achieve some sort of balance between each. He concludes there are no easy answers. Yet, far from being discouraging, his insight, candor, and sense of humor are remarkably refreshing.

Candid, entertaining, and often touching, Fat, Forty, and Fired: One Man's Frank, Funny, and Inspiring Account of Losing His Job and Finding His Life resonates with both men and women as Marsh's reflections spark moments of recognition. His conversational and humorous detailing of modern family life, with all its inherent chaos and poignancy, will amuse and be appreciated by all.

About the Author

Nigel Marsh is the Chairman of Leo Burnett Australia. He has worked for a variety of businesses, including some of the world's top companies: McDonald's, Pepsi, British Airways, and Philip Morris. He lives with his wife and children in Bronte, Australia.

Contact: Kathy Hilliard, Publicity Director, (800) 851-8923, khilliard@amuniversal.com