Book Summary and Reviews of Welcome to Pawnee by Jim O'Heir

Welcome to Pawnee by Jim O'Heir

Welcome to Pawnee

Stories of Friendship, Waffles, and Parks and Recreation

by Jim O'Heir

  • Critics' Consensus (5):
  • Published:
  • Nov 2024, 272 pages
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About this book

Book Summary

Jim O'Heir, who played Jerry (or Garry or Larry) on Parks and Recreation and co-hosts the hit podcast Parks and Recollection, brings fans a heartfelt behind-the-scenes look at one of America's most beloved sitcoms, brimming with never-before-told stories featuring the cast and crew, along with dozens of unseen photos! 

For seven seasons, Leslie Knope and the Parks and Recreation gang charmed millions of viewers with their quirky antics and unwavering positivity. The sitcom continues to be a fan-favorite for streaming services today, nearly a decade after its finale. Now for the first time, Jim O'Heir, who played the lovable Jerry (or, well, Garry/Larry/Terry/Barry, depending on the episode), invites readers back to Pawnee for an exclusive look behind the scenes.

Joined by some of his Parks and Recreation pals, including Chris Pratt, Retta, Rob Lowe, and showrunners Greg Daniels and Mike Schur, O'Heir reveals how this "little show that could" came to be, thanks to the tireless dedication and comedic genius of Amy Poehler, Nick Offerman, and the rest of the gang. As the show found its footing, the cast quickly bonded into a tight-knit family. Here O'Heir shares all his favorite unforgettable memories both on and off camera, from hilarious unscripted moments and epic dance-offs in the hair and makeup trailers, to iconic birthday parties at Rashida Jones's house and quiet bonfires in Nick Offerman's backyard.

Welcome to Pawnee is O'Heir's loving tribute to Parks and Recreation, imbued with the same warmth and humor that endeared the show to millions.

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Reviews

Media Reviews

"Entertaining and full of heart, this is a must for Parks and Recreation devotees." —Publishers Weekly

"O'Heir's memoir is as sweet and sentimental as the character he portrayed, highlighting the joys of ensemble acting with such a talented group." —Booklist

"Filled with hilarious stories and sweet observations, Welcome to Pawnee is a book for any Parks and Rec fan. It's funny and straight from the heart, and it took me back to the absolute joy it was to make this show with people like our dear Jim O'Heir. Jim did a great job of not Jerry-ing this book." —Amy Poehler

This information about Welcome to Pawnee was first featured in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.

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Author Information

Jim O'Heir

Jim O'Heir is an Emmy Award–winning actor, best known for his role as Jerry Gergich on Parks and Recreation. Throughout his career, Jim has starred in countless movies and TV shows, including Curb Your Enthusiasm, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Parenthood, and Better Call Saul. He now also co-hosts the hit podcast Parks and Recollection with Greg Levine.

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