Reviews
* At 90 years old, recovered from a stroke and a near-fatal helicopter crash, acting legend Douglas is in a reflective mood: "now is the time to have an audit of my life," he writes, and he does not disappoint. Douglas recalls his childhood and his own children, 50-plus years of marriage to wife Anne and the deaths of his son and many of his famous friends. He tackles a wide range of topics, with chapter names like, "Three Thoughts About Two Races," "I Love Dogs" and "Does God Laugh?" He's also unafraid to take a few swings at the young 'uns, most notably at Mel Gibson, Michael Moore and even the whippersnappers at NASA. Douglas's assessment of his life is honest, wise and not always flattering; when he heard, in a recent documentary, what some family members had to say about him, he notes, "It's difficult to see ourselves as others see us." Nevertheless, Douglas is upbeat, engaging and full of sharp observations, such as his simple epitaph, "I tried, dammit, I tried." (Apr.) ( PW.com , April 16, 2007) For the record, this is Douglas's fourth memoir. His first, The Ragman's Son (1988), tells of his hardscrabble early years as Issur Danielovitch and his rise to fame. But a brush with death in a helicopter crash and a stroke led him to reevaluate his life and renew his Jewish faith, which he describes in Climbing the Mountain (2000). In his third book, My Stroke of Luck (2003), he shares his near recovery from the stroke. All of the books are liberally sprinkled with anecdotes, including this latest narrative. Now 90, Douglas weighs in on everything from Terri Schiavo to racism. He contemplates the meaning of life, gives tips on a happy marriage (he and his wife have been married for over 50 years), shares his sorrow over the death of his son Eric, and relates what it's like to outlive all of your friends. There is less pomposity here and perhaps even more truth as the actor rethinks things he wrote earlier. At his age, what do you have to lose? Fans of Douglas and those who enjoyed the previous memoirs will want to read this one. -Rosellen Brewer, Sno-Isle Libs., Marysville, WA ( Library Journal , April 1, 2007) easily his most compelling [book]…written in deftly lucid prose as a series of insights into the mind of a man reflecting on the past and facing the inevitable." ( The Times (Knowledge Supplement), 14th April 2007) "…a brilliant read and something you can't put down…you want to close your eyes and be taken into the world of Douglas. And what a world and life he has lived… ( SomethingJewish.co.uk, 12th April 2007) "...this self-deprecating, wise and witty book is not a vanity project - it's a genuinely moving account of a great figure's later years." ( Empire , August 2007), * At 90 years old, recovered from a stroke and a near-fatal helicopter crash, acting legend Douglas is in a reflective mood: "now is the time to have an audit of my life," he writes, and he does not disappoint. Douglas recalls his childhood and his own children, 50-plus years of marriage to wife Anne and the deaths of his son and many of his famous friends. He tackles a wide range of topics, with chapter names like, "Three Thoughts About Two Races," "I Love Dogs" and "Does God Laugh?" He's also unafraid to take a few swings at the young 'uns, most notably at Mel Gibson, Michael Moore and even the whippersnappers at NASA. Douglas's assessment of his life is honest, wise and not always flattering; when he heard, in a recent documentary, what some family members had to say about him, he notes, "It's difficult to see ourselves as others see us." Nevertheless, Douglas is upbeat, engaging and full of sharp observations, such as his simple epitaph, "I tried, dammit, I tried." (Apr.) ( PW.com , April 16, 2007) For the record, this is Douglas's fourth memoir. His first, The Ragman's Son (1988), tells of his hardscrabble early years as Issur Danielovitch and his rise to fame. But a brush with death in a helicopter crash and a stroke led him to reevaluate his life and renew his Jewish faith, which he describes in Climbing the Mountain (2000). In his third book, My Stroke of Luck (2003), he shares his near recovery from the stroke. All of the books are liberally sprinkled with anecdotes, including this latest narrative. Now 90, Douglas weighs in on everything from Terri Schiavo to racism. He contemplates the meaning of life, gives tips on a happy marriage (he and his wife have been married for over 50 years), shares his sorrow over the death of his son Eric, and relates what it's like to outlive all of your friends. There is less pomposity here and perhaps even more truth as the actor rethinks things he wrote earlier. At his age, what do you have to lose? Fans of Douglas and those who enjoyed the previous memoirs will want to read this one. -Rosellen Brewer, Sno-Isle Libs., Marysville, WA ( Library Journal , April 1, 2007) easily his most compelling [book]…written in deftly lucid prose as a series of insights into the mind of a man reflecting on the past and facing the inevitable."" ( The Times (Knowledge Supplement), 14th April 2007) "…a brilliant read and something you can't put down…you want to close your eyes and be taken into the world of Douglas. And what a world and life he has lived… ( SomethingJewish.co.uk, 12th April 2007) ""...this self-deprecating, wise and witty book is not a vanity project - it's a genuinely moving account of a great figure's later years."" ( Empire , August 2007), "Douglas is upbeat, engaging and full of sharp observations." ( PW.com , April 16, 2007) "Now 90, Douglas weighs in on everything from Terri Schiavo to racism. He contemplates the meaning of life, gives tips on a happy marriage (he and his wife have been married for over 50 years), shares his sorrow over the death of his son Eric, and relates what it's like to outlive all of your friends. There is less pomposity here and perhaps even more truth as the actor rethinks things he wrote earlier. At his age, what do you have to lose?" ( Library Journal , April 1, 2007) "written in deftly lucid prose as a series of insights into the mind of a man reflecting on the past ." ( The Times (Knowledge Supplement ),14th April 2007) "...you want to close your eyes and be taken into the world of Douglas.What a world and life ... ( SomethingJewish.co.uk , 12th April 2007) "...this self-deprecating, wise and witty book is not a vanity project - it's a genuinely moving account." ( Empire , August 2007), For the record, this is Douglas's fourth memoir. His first, "The Ragman's Son" (1988), tells of his hardscrabble early years as Issur Danielovitch and his rise to fame. But a brush with death in a helicopter crash and a stroke led him to reevaluate his life and renew his Jewish faith, which he describes in "Climbing the Mountain" (2000). In his third book, "My Stroke of Luck" (2003), he shares his near recovery from the stroke. All of the books are liberally sprinkled with anecdotes, including this latest narrative. Now 90, Douglas weighs in on everything from Terri Schiavo to racism. He contemplates the meaning of life, gives tips on a happy marriage (he and his wife have been married for over 50 years), shares his sorrow over the death of his son Eric, and relates what it's like to outlive all of your friends. There is less pomposity here and perhaps even more truth as the actor rethinks things he wrote earlier. At his age, what do you have to lose? Fans of Douglas and those who enjoyed the previous memoirs will want to read this one. -- Rosellen Brewer, Sno-Isle Libs., Marysville, WA ("Library Journal," April 1, 2007)
