Book Series

SEE Colleen's & Lainie's reviews below.

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Colleen A Parkinson

My review of MUDFLAP by Jay Bailey

A Guaranteed Satisfying Read Most of Us Can Relate To.

Sprinkled with dry humor throughout, this story of one man’s struggle to persevere within a system designed to crush the common citizen delivers a thought-provoking and satisfying read. Author Jay Alden Bailey tells Mudflap’s story in a no frills, fast paced, yet intimate manner that drew me completely into Mudflap’s world. As a reader, I found myself rooting for Mudflap as he struggled to rise above his limited means to attain the American Dream with the only tools he had: his amazing self-reliance, can-do attitude enhanced by his learned along the way skills, and his sharp wits that always outmatched those of his adversaries.

Not only is Mudflap the story of a man, it is also a narrative about American society and the pitfalls inherent in the American educational and business system. As the product of a typically dysfunctional early 1960s family, Mudflap manages to educate himself in the manual skills department while suffering the daily beatings by his violently overbearing older brother (which his mother and stepfather ignore). Along the way, he suffers through his wrong choice of women, unreliable employees, whining neighbors, towering financial debt, betrayal and heartbreak. However, this guy is no loser, and he won’t roll over in surrender to anyone or any situation.

Who is Mudflap, and what does his name mean? Mudflap is you and me and everyone else dealing with this life in this world. The meaning of his name becomes clear as we get to know him.

This is a brilliant “true story… every little bit,” written by a brilliant writer; a guaranteed satisfying read most of us can relate to. Get this one! Read it, think about it, and then tell your friends to get it.

FIVE shimmering stars, and kudos to author Jay Alden Bailey!

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Dr. Lainie Jones: My review of “Mudflap” by Jay Alden Bailey 

A Hero for Hard Times.

When I taught Life Writing at university, I used to tell my students there were multiple ways to write a memoir. Occasionally, they’d surprise me with something original. However, ‘Mudflap’, by Jay Bailey, wins the prize for originality.

A ‘mudflap’ in Bailey's world refers to someone who is always under the bus – usually thrown there by an unexpected turn of events or sheer bloody meanness on the part of the thrower. Following this theme, the writer takes us through the ups and downs of his life, telling Mudflap’s story in the third person, and with an easy conversational voice. He writes with a light and humorous touch that not only softens some of the devastating blows he experienced, but shapes them into a philosophy for life. 

At its heart, this is the story of a hard-working man who overcomes all kinds of setbacks to emerge triumphant. At the same time, it is also a thought-provoking exposition of how those setbacks are built into modern society and how they can, and should be, challenged. Five stars 

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Enjoy the FREE audio sample on the link below. 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086PGQ39C/ 

Mudflap: A true story ... every little bit.

Dorenda Doyle Review: A Modern Day Philosopher. 

I didn’t immediately realize this was an autobiography of sorts … the story-telling was so fantastical and entertaining—it couldn’t be real life! But real life it is, with a generous dose of wit and self-deprecating humor. The author offers a trip down memory lane (for those of us at a “certain age”) with plenty of philosophical commentary on neighbors, higher education, financial institutions, and other touchy subjects. Mudflap is what all of us strive to be: a good, decent human being who just wants others to play fairly and not throw each other under the bus! My favorite parts? The Mudflap quotes with the CBer sign-off!

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Tina Foster Review: Mudflap is a great book.

Mudflap is the person who is always thrown under the bus, but they hang onto the back next to the wheel. Thus they become like Mudflap. Always trying to do the right thing, but seem to get thrown under the bus anyway. Mudflap is every man or woman who is caught in this situation. We all can relate to his story. I really liked his philosophy and could relate to his life in many ways. A great book for anyone who likes personal stories, some humor, and sage advice thrown into the mix. Loved it.

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Andrew Review: Can learn a lot from Mudflap  

The book was recommended to me by a friend. I'm generally not a reader but took interest in the book because it takes place in a region I grew up in and during an era familiar to me. Nearly from the outset, I connected with this guy. His story was/became my story. Family tiffs. Business successes. Business setbacks. Neighbor feuds. It was all there. The more I read, the more I thought it was a definitely a"guy's" book. But by the end of the book, I realized that a wife, girlfriend or a daughter might get a bit more insight to the hard trek some guys have to endure. Simply written. Short vignettes. Anecdotal.

Would be a good book for anyone who has worked their ass off and still gets thrown under the bus. You're not alone.

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Darlene Maslek Colaianni Review: Very entertaining  read !

I really enjoyed the writing style of this book. Written in easy , every day language, which is nice for a change. With humor sprinkled in there as well.
I think we all have felt like Mudflap at some point of our life. Over and out!

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Anonymous #1 Review: Great read !

Mudflap is an intensely relatable man. His story is well written and gripping. It drew me in and held me to the end.
I highly recommend.

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Anonymous #2n Review: A Good Read

Well-written and very thought provoking!

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Anonymous #3 Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 27, 2023:

Entertaining

Mudflap’s story is one of the most unusual I have read, not least because of the format in which it is written. Had it been in standard prose, it would not have had the same appeal for me. Mudflap, the pseudonym adopted, is the younger of two brothers who are casualties of an acrimonious divorce.

It is soon apparent that his older brother had a similarly aggressive temperament to their father, a wealthy successful businessman. Mudflap is a survivor and proves this many times, one way or another and learns as he goes along. It illustrates the American work ethic and shows what life was like in New England during the latter half of the 20th century. It also shows that irrespective of where you live in the world, families have the same attitudes to education, work prospects and marriage – and however hard you try, as Mudflap obviously did, no one is exempt from blame. His dry humour and perception of Karma – what goes round comes round - made for an interesting read.
JML

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Counrty Gal #4

Entertaining, funny and introspective. 

While Mudflap isn't the normal genre I read, I found it to be insightful, at times funny, and introspective. Bravo to Jay Alden Bailey for a gem of a read. I would definitely add this to your reading list.

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Jay Bailey talks about every person who feels they have been thrown under the bus and are still hanging onto the back, like the Mudflap. His many stories are humorous, yet relateable to anyone who has been in the same situation. He hates bullies and tells how he handled a few in his time. His philosophies ring true for the average person who is working and just trying to enjoy life. I really enjoyed this book and encourage those who like humor, yet real life stories, with a hint of "every man" to buy it and read it. Highly recommended. I hope he writes a few more books.

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Enjoy the FREE audio sample on the Amazon link below. 

https://www.amazon.com/MUDFLAP-GLOVES-COME-OFF-BAILEY-ebook/dp/B08MDKNYKL?ref_=ast_author_mpb

Shannon J. : Mudflap Modern Day Philosopher,  When I was first introduced to Mudflap I immediately related to his experiences. Now, getting reacquainted in Mudflap: The Gloves Come Off, I cheered at his unique brand of self-advocacy. 

There is entertainment and life lessons in these books for everyone.

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Alex Drivdahl Review: Hilarious and insightful, A hilarious commentary on the world we live in today. You won't want to put it down.

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Teresa W. Review: Attention Grabber, Reader, not usually a reviewer....., totally enjoyed.

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Lily Lamb Review:  Humorous and Thought Provoking,  Mudflap The Gloves Come Off is a thought-provoking read that makes you smile or laugh. I like dark humor. The author was very brave in tackling current social issues. Bravo!

I could write a book to review this book. It’s so full of golden gems I can’t do it justice. Jay Bailey, known as “Mudflap,” takes on the most irritating people and events without pulling a punch, and gives us wisdom to fight back without going to jail. 

Who among us has not met up with doctors who left us wounded, lawyers who left us in debt, politicians who spoke in so many spirals we felt like slinkies going down the stairs, family and neighbors who made us feel like the crazy ones, or customer service people who made our heads spin and our computers spit smoke.  

I thought so. We encounter these people every day and wonder how they ever got hired. Well, Mudflap will show you how to toss those kid gloves or slap someone’s face to challenge them to a duel. He can turn red tape into pink shreds and drape it all over city hall. 

According to General Systems Theory, the more complex a system, the more dysfunctional it is. There are reasons for that, but we don’t have to accept it.

In a writing style that is sort of stream of consciousness revised, expanded on and edited along the way, Mudflap’s creative mind takes us on a ride through his life’s daily encounters with the bullies we encounter every day. He showed me how to avoid being tossed under the bus, without inflicting the same on another. Standing up for yourself is not bullying.

Take doctors. If you are late for an appointment, you may not be seen. Well MF says to realize YOUR time is also valuable, so it’s not okay for them to keep you waiting for unlimited times. It’s also not okay for a doctor to do procedures on you without asking or warning you, and to leave you with a whole new problem without solving the first one. I’d love to tell you what poor MF suffered, but I’m not a spoiler. Plus, it was painful to read it, so that’s up to you.

Some people involved in a writer’s literary life, including publishers, reviewers, librarians and even other writers, can treat us as inferiors, with their narcissistic self-righteousness. Ask MF about THAT librarian who thinks she owns the library.  

I was sickened to see a review of "Gloves Off", written by another writer, who appears to consider herself judge and jury of the literary world, because she has written books, reads books, and reviews books. Does that make her justified in writing a treatise to tear apart every aspect of another writer’s work? It saddened me because Jay Bailey goes out of his way to encourage other writers.

Jay made me realize in Gloves Off that we don’t have to be disrespected by those who hire us, or by those we hire. Some of his answers to these people are hysterical. As serious as the book is, there is a lot of laughing at ourselves and the culture we live in. 

Some people boost their own egos by finding fault with others, like the new neighbor who critiques all the other yards, or the out-of-towner at the Town Meeting who comes in deciding to fix the town.

How about the former pauper who becomes rich and now doesn't feel any responsibility to help others, not even the ones who helped him on the way up?

MF has a lot to say about liberals and conservatives who get stuck in their position and never listen to the other side, becoming obstructionists we see in our government. Thank God for the moderates, except when they are impotent. 

MF addresses Church and State, environmentalism, revolution, and probably every aspect of human life as we know it. He points out the unfairness and malfunction of humanity, and gives us ways to protect our own self-esteem without damaging that of the unaware. Righteous indignation is not violence.

MF fights battles throughout the book, letting the narcissists have it with strong words and feelings-no physical violence. You will laugh with empathy and cry with frustration when reading this book.

Then, in the last sections you will see that it doesn’t have to be an unending battle. Mudflap shows us how we can turn things around if we pay attention. We are in a state of change, where we must become aware of our mistakes, and work to bring peace and understanding in our nation and the world. If we don’t, we could be done. We need to take it seriously, and change our path while we still can.

MF asks us to look at the danger created by our greed, one-sidedness and inaction. In the quest for money and power we continue to allow fracking, drilling, oil spills, factory meat farming, extravagant travel, and excusing ourselves since we are benefiting in the present moment.  

We must change our attitude and listen to others. We must discuss and problem-solve together for a possible long-term. We need to have a common religion of respecting Mother Earth, and begin to heal her if we have not already put ourselves in an irreversible position. Mudflap gives us some good advice on how to work on that.

Mudflap The Gloves Come Off begins right where the first book Mudflap ended. The layout of the book is like none I have ever seen before.

I suggest you pay attention to the unique group of pages at the start of the book. I went back and read them again, realizing I had missed something as I finished the first chapter. It’s not at all like the first book, and I couldn’t believe how brutal and honest Bailey starts out.

As I reread the first dozen starting pages, I realized they were preparing me for what was coming, and yes, the gloves do come off. 

By the end of the third chapter, I felt as though I was personally at the boxing match with Mudflap, sometimes cheering, other times ducking as though I was in the ring myself. I started to wonder just how much more was to come. Bailey doesn’t reverse course quickly but the book starts to take a turn, and by the end, you find yourself looking 180 degrees the other way and the promises on the back cover are fulfilled. 

After the book ends there is another group of pages like the ones before the first chapter.  Again, unlike any other layout/format I have ever seen. I won’t elaborate so as not to be a spoiler. Just like his first book, it’s not winning a Pulitzer but I give Mudflap The Gloves Come Off five stars for being a knockout !

Dorenda Doyle Review : Raw Honesty, Want a book that doesn’t pull the punches? Takes you into the life of a hard-working American who continues to “do the right thing” in spite of all the obstructionists out there. An honest book about an honest guy that will entertain AND give you hope that there are still GOOD people out there.
I bought the Audible version and love MudFlap’s final quote: Big change starts small within us all..

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Cozy Mystery Book Reviews: A Brutally Honest Opinion, The thing to remember when reading Mudflap: The Gloves Come Off (Mudflap #2) by Jay Alden Bailey, or when reading any book actually, is that NO ONE is perfect. I had read Mudflap the first book Bailey wrote and after reading that book I felt sorry for Mudflap due to all the bullying he encountered during his life according to his book. However after reading Mudflap: The Gloves Come Off (Mudflap #2), I find it hard to feel sorry for him now…..

When you begin reading Mudflap: The Gloves Come Off (Mudflap #2) I feel I need to give you this advice…. Don’t stop reading !! You may find in the beginning that Mudflap is being the bully and I should say BULLY….he is quite honest and, well, the gloves in fact do come off and I think he took them and threw that at someone in the beginning of the book.

Bailey does tell us in the title of the book that the gloves come off so readers should be prepared for him being brutally honest and even though he warns us, I was still a bit shocked while reading the beginning of the book. However, he does “calm” down a bit and you are able to find yourself enjoying the rest of the book. Readers have to be strong and power through ! Now I am sure there are readers out there who will like Mudflap’s brutally honest beginning, not the people he mentions or attacks, but that is not for us to judge, we are just here to read his story and take whatever lesson, advice, or what not from it and go on with our lives.

I have to commend Bailey for writing such an honest book and hope that the people that do read it find the enjoyment in it and get to know Mudflap and his writings.

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Darlene Maslek Colaiann Review: Confused on how I should feel. I found this author's first book in the series entertaining and I felt engaged with the character. This second book made me feel a little uncomfortable by the character feeling "everyone" was against him, he seemed to bully others, and then the ending, prologue, etc seemed like a lecture about politics. That was a surprise. I would not discourage anyone from reading it since this is just my personal opinion. If you like the first you may also enjoy the 2nd.

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ALWAYS CHANGINHG & UP-DATING

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TO:  ANY PERSON WHO PUTS THIER OWN INTEREST BELOW THAT OF ANOTHER PERSON OR A CAUSE and ENDS UP "Under The Bus" is a MUDFLAP.

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Match wits with Mudflap, exchange ideas, and get a quote in the next book. 

Better yet, be a Mudflap Story.  

Mess with Mudflap and be the brunt of the next joke. 

Team up with Mudflap and take on the Bullies of the World.

M.F.  Over and Out !

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