This book pulls out all the stops and sets your emotions rolling. I cried during the chapter about 9/11 when a lady in Kansas not knowing what else to do baked a cake or the gentleman who said what they really missed at ground zero was something as simple as a candy bar. You could feel the immense feeling of being overwhelmed by all of the people represented in this chapter.

I laughed out loud about a conversation that he and Peter Jennings had one evening when Peter said that "Yes, and I think I like you better drunk." Yet, had tears in my eyes again a few pages later as I read his eulogy to Peter Jennings.

I loved reading about his relationships with Ossie Davis, Peter Jennings, Anne Bancroft and her husband, Mel Brooks, but not because of their celebrity. Rather, I enjoyed reading about the everyday things -- drying dishes, visiting on the front porch, eating a slice of pie, etc. We often put celebrities on pedestals and never think of them as being just like us; doing the everyday things.

I loved the story about Alan asking to put his feet on Marty Bregman's desk after 20 years -- that was a riot!

I also enjoyed reading about simple family pleasures such as inviting the grandkids over to make telephones (not the good old fashioned way with tin cans and string, either) and celebrating the life of Vinegar.

Alda talks about his political concerns, passionately, but doesn't shove his beliefs down your throat. He does, however, send the message that he cares and encourages the reader "to work together" to solve the problems that affect us: war, environment (global warming, etc.). http://www.readenews.com/2012/02/10-classy-speakers-to-match-your-white.html