If I Only Knew Then...

September 24, 2007
When actor and TV commentator Grodin (It Would Be So Nice if You Weren't Here
) asked Shirley MacLaine about her biggest mistake, she suggested he go ask President Bush about his. Others of the 82 celebrity contributors to this collection who look back at lessons learned the hard way squirmed to evade Grodin's “truth or dare,” while many have risen to the challenge with painful memories of nervousness, humiliation, social embarrassments, shame, regret, denial and guilt. Recalling an incident when she was 13, Mary Steenburgen can still “feel my face burn with shame at my own snobbery.” After Leonard Nimoy ignored a publisher's warning, fans wrongly interpreted the title of his memoir, I Am Not Spock,
to mean he was “rejecting the character and all things connected with Star Trek
.” Walter Cronkite's “biggest mistake” was retiring too soon. The standout piece is by Pete Hamill, who compresses his entire life into five pages as he reflects on the aftermath of his decision to drop out of high school. (Grodin will donate his royalties to HELP USA, which serves the homeless.)

Charles Grodin offers these personal accounts of regret and reminiscence from a large celebrity A-list that includes Ben Stiller, Rosie O'Donnell, and Paul Newman. The stories, each narrated by Grodin himself and his daughter, Marion, a comedian in her own right, are entertaining and original. However, the narration is stagnant, leaving the audience to wonder why the celebrities couldn't narrate their stories themselves. There is a clear disconnect between the narrators and the stories, which causes them to lose some of their impact. However, the intimate material ultimately prevails, keeping the listener engaged. L.B. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

September 15, 2007
Actor Grodin ("I Like It Better When Youre Funny") has compiled more than 80 compelling stories meant to help readers learn from their mistakes and those of others. Entries come from people in a variety of fields, including celebrities like Carol Burnett, Steve Somers, and Sen. Orrin G. Hatch. Their humanity shines through as they recount crucial mistakes. Actor Leonard Nimoy discusses the consequences of not listening to the experts, and astronaut Wally Schirra demonstrates how first feelings can be misleading. Highly browsable, this will most likely fly off the shelves. For all libraries. [All the proceeds of this books sale go toward HELP USA, a not-for-profit organization aimed at empowering the homeless.Ed.]

Copyright 2007 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.