ALAN ALDA

Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself
$15.00
Wow. That was nothing like "Never Have Your Dog Stuffed."

Whereas Alan Alda's prior book was mainly biographical, this one is simply his commentary and analysis of the various commencement and other speeches he's given. If you're extremely partial to Alan Alda or his liberal politics you might find this book insightful and affirming, otherwise it may sound presumptuous and a bit conceited (with a generous dose of hubris). Not that I don't think he makes some good points - love your children, don't pollute, try to do good - but even then it sounds wishful and sappy. The book is best when he sticks to some of his personal experiences (I liked chapter 6, about better understanding Thomas Jefferson through a Chinese man even if it was a bit of a stretch), but it drags when he quotes the advice he offered (even though some of the advice actually sounded pretty good). Some of the political stuff isn't even very pertinent anymore (he obviously continues to mourn losing the Equal Rights Amendment fight), and he openly admits that some of his topics weren't even a good idea at the time he presented them. I have no doubt he is sincere and passionate but it's just not very interesting. Hardly anyone actually listens to those speeches when they're given, and absent the "commencement" setting, I'm not really sure who'd want to listen to them after the fact. I recommend skipping this one.

The Glass House
$5.98
excellent really great movie , from 1972, alan alda, and roy jenson, are really brillant brillant actors

The Four Seasons
$12.98
The DVD I ordered, "The Four Seasons", which I consider a real classic and hard to find, arrived just a couple days after I ordered it. Brand new, box undamaged and the DVD quality was supurb. What else can I say, Amazon.com is the place to shop!

Never Have Your Dog Stuffed: And Other Things I've Learned
$14.95
First time ever to order using Amazon. The process is very simple and efficient. Alda's book speaks about life lessons he learned growing up, acting, parenting and writing. Laugh out loud funny at times. Quite poignant at others. The man is as deep as the serious side of his character, Hawkeye Pierce. But it's not about Hawkeye! Thanks Amazon and thank you Mr. Alda!