"Uncle John's Triumphant 20th Anniversary Bathroom Reader" by the Bathroom Reader's Institute

This book actually lives up to it's flamboyant cover and really delivers the goods on all sorts of things. Some are topics you have wondered about at one time or another, and some are about things you have never even imagined.

At about 600 pages long, this book will give you the entire history of Peanuts, along with the biographies of Charles Schultz and all of the characters in the Peanuts comic strip. From there it is only a turn of the page that takes you to another topic, equally dissected and examined.

True crimes, sports history, geography, the origins of common phrases (the phrase "bakers dozen" came about as the result of laws enacted to keep the weight of bread regulated- the penalties were so stiff that the baker threw in an extra roll as a precaution), space exploration, sports records, crazy stunts, all of it is crammed into this book.

One chapter, Strange Celebrity Lawsuits, is really interesting. Vanna White sued Samsung for creating a robot that could perform her job of turning the letters on Wheel of Fortune. Although the machine was not in any way a likeness of her, she sued and won $403,000.

The still pending lawsuit between country star Keith Urban and the New Jersey painter with the same name explores the world of web domains. The painter has keithurban.com, while the country star has keithurban.net. The painter has had his site for longer than the country star has been famous. What will happen? I don't know, but it makes for good reading. (This book has a copyright date of 2007, so the lawsuit may have been settled by now.)

Another fun section is the one that deals with famous expressions, such as "The Shot Heard 'Round the World." First coined by Ralph Waldo Emerson in 1837 for his poem "The Concord Hymn", written about the Battle of Lexington and Concord, the phrase has come to mean a variety of things. The Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand that began the First World War, is one example, while another would be when the New York Giants were playing the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1951. It was the last game of the season, 9th inning, when Bobby Thompson, of the Giants, belted out a home run to cinch the game.

If you're a TV buff this book has a very concise and informative section about the Dumont Network of the late 1940's and how it became an independent network, known as Metromedia after Mr. Dumont sold off his stations. Mr. Dumont was one of the early pioneers of the medium, and is credited with the first sitcom, "Mary Kay and Johnny." He also pioneered Soap Operas, Religous Broadcasting, and was the first station to broadcast sports events. Today's Fox Network was built upon the remains of the Metromedia Network by a very saavy Australian named Rupert Murdoch.

From Christmas being banned in Boston early in the 17th century, to the complete text of Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech, this book is packed with things we take for granted, and the stories behind them.

There are lots of books like these out there, but for my money this is the best I've seen yet. I have a belief that if you carry something to read you never have to wait. It's only when you have nothing at hand that you seem to find yourself stranded, sometimes for hours. Think of this book as sort of an insurance policy, and throw it in the back of the car. This is the perfect book to have on hand while waiting for the tow truck to arrive.

"Growing Up Laughing" by Marlo Thomas

A few years ago I read Danny Thomas' autobiography. It was brilliant, taking the reader on a journey from childhood to one of the true Kings of Comedy. Danny Thomas was the driving force, and producer of, at least five prime time sitcoms, and along the way, set the standard for the genre.

Mr. Thomas passed away just before completing the recording of his book. His daughter, Marlo Thomas, of "That Girl" fame, went on to finish the book tape. Several chapters of the book "Make Room For Danny" had not been recorded, and in a stroke of genius, Ms. Thomas decided to finish the tape by having her fathers friends, all famous comedians themselves, read portions of the final chapters. That was great. But what was even better was that she read the final chapter of her father's book herself. This was about 15 years ago and I instantly became a fan of Ms. Thomas and her outlook on life.

The author takes you from her childhood, growing up surrounded by the legends of comedy; luminaries such as Milton Berle, Henny Youngman, and George Burns, just to name a few, had a profound effect on the author and the direction her life would take. With priceless stories of family dinners, and the entertainment provided by some of Hollywood's funniest people in her home, this book engages the reader from page 1, and doesn't let go until the very last page.

The story of Danny Thomas not being allowed to join the Hillcrest Country Club in Hollywood is hysterical. At the time, Jews were not allowed to join any of the exclusive Country Clubs in Hollywood. So, they formed their own. And one day some one realized that Danny Thomas, with his large nose, and dark Middle Eastern looks, was not Jewish at all! A meeting was hastily arranged and a vote taken. All voted to let Mr. Thomas join, except Groucho Marx. His problem was that the "non-Jew" looked too Jewish. He relented under very little pressure and Danny Thomas was a member of the Club for the remainder of his life.

Organized in a most unusual manner, the narrative shifts from Ms. Thomas' early recollections as a child, to stories of her mother and father. This would be enough to make a good book. But what makes this book so different and insightful, are the interviews she conducts with some of today's top comedians, and the influence that Danny Thomas and his contemporaries had upon them. Some of the interviews are conducted by phone, others by printed questions, and some in person. This gives the book a feeling of spontaneity, almost as if the reader is part of the conversations. Using interviews with Lily Tomlin, Billy Crystal, Jerry Seinfield, Whoppi Goldberg and Joan Rivers, to name a few, underscores this influence, making the book all the more relevant.

Exploring the different approaches taken by various comedians, ranging from Sid Caeser to Chris Rock, is a veritable education in comedy. What makes an audience happy? How do you read them within a few minutes of taking stage? Conan O'Brien and Jay Leno weigh in on this issue, providing the answer to what makes people laugh, and more importantly, why?

Some of the best parts of this book are the wonderful, and loving stories, that the author tells about her father. She clearly adored him, as did everyone who knew him.

The book also delves into the way Hollywood, and the entertainment industry, treated women in the early 1960's. Ms. Thomas' show, "That Girl", paved the way for Mary Tyler Moore, Rhoda and all the female based sitcoms that surfaced in the 1970's. These werenot Lucille Ball type characters. They were independent, strong willed women.

Most people are unaware that Ms. Thomas, along with Betty Friedan and Bella Abzug, were partners in setting up the Ms. Foundation. In spite of her feminist leanings she finds herself meeting with, and subsequently becoming married to, Phil Donahue, a veritable love story in itself, that still endures today. This is a very unusual feat in the entertainment business, where long separations are often the norm.

Before reading this book I had no idea at what the author had accomplished on her own, beyond "That Girl". In a career which now spans over 40 years, Ms. Thomas has played all sorts of roles, from an Indian on a TV western to the lead role in the London Production of "Barefoot In the Park". She posesses all the skills of a "triple threat." She acts, produces and directs.

In the 1980's she was the driving force behind "Free to Be - You and Me", which won awards for it's message of tolerance and understanding. Several more books followed.

This is a very entertaining book. I read it in 2 days, picking it up in every spare moment available. Of course one of my favorite parts concerned the St. Judes Children's Center, which Danny Thomas began in fulfillment of a pledge he had made to St. Jude when he was expecting his first child and had no money. That Ms. Thomas, along with her brother and sister, all continue to support the activities at the hospital speaks volumes about them as people. It also says a lot about the parents who raised them.

An accomplished author, actress, Emmy winner, activist and wife, this woman has done it all. And very quietly, too. This is a very comfortable read.

Auld Lang Syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

And there's a hand my trusty fiere,
And gie's a hand o thine,
And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught,
For auld lang syne

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

"What Do Jewish People Think About Jesus?" by Michael L. Brown

This is a very unusual book which takes an unusual look at the question posed in the title. In addition to answering this question, the book is also very revealing about what Christians think about the Jews. And it may come as a bit of a surprise.

Taking the basic question, as an example, "What is the cause of anti-semitism?", most would answer that Christianity is the root. But that would be short sighted, for what then could explain the anti-semitism of the pre-Christian era?

This is a valuable resource book that offers a look at the sometimes misconceived beliefs that we have concerning one another and our views about God. The whole book is done with respect towards other faiths, with no finger pointing about who is right, or wrong, concerning their individual beliefs.

I have always been a proponent of the beliefs espoused in Romans, that Christianity is but a branch grafted onto the olive tree that has it's roots in Judaism. And that interpretation is borne out by the author. This was particularly gratifying for me to read,as I have had many a long discussion about this very issue with friends and co-workers over the years.

In this fascinating book, the author explores, and explains, the Oral Law, the difference between the matrilineal and patrilineal descent, whether Jesus was really a Rabbi, and all manner of things related to the topic of Judaism and Christianity. More importantly it connects the two faiths without rancor. No one is calling upon you to accept Jesus as the Messiah. Rather, the book serves as an explanation to the myriad of questions and misinformation that abound concerning the subject of Messianic Jews.

This book will not change your mind, and I don't believe that it was meant to. Instead, it serves as a bridge, fostering a bit more understanding between two of the world's oldest faiths.

I received this book as a gift from Matt Corbin, a vendor, who was selling toys at the mall last week, just before Christmas. Somehow we got to talking and the subject came around to religion. We found that we had a lot in common, and then he pulled out a copy of this book. After a bit of discussion concerning the topic, Mr. Corbin gave me the book. I promised to give it a read after the holidays. I ended up reading it during the holidays.

Well done to the author, Michael L. Brown, for taking such a potentially divisive subject and keeping it well centered and informative. And a very special thanks to Matt Corbin for alerting me, and presenting me, with such an interesting read.

Mystery Classics

Looking for some old movies to watch? This collection of 50 black and white mysteries from the 1930's through the 1950's contains some of the better Bulldog Drummond series with John Howard, as well as the Sherlock Holmes films, with both Basil Rathbone and Reginald Owen in the lead role. I have always preferred Basil Rathbone.

The collection contains, among others, Peter Lorre as Mr. Moto, John Garfield in "They Made Me a Criminal", Edward G. Robinson in "Scarlett Street", even Orson Welles in "The Stranger." They're all here, nicely packaged and arranged.

Frank Sinatra is taut as a would be assassin in the 1954 film "Suddenly", as he waits to shoot the President. Bela Lugosi is sinister as "The Mysterious Mr. Wong", and of course Nigel Bruce is bemused, as always, while Basil Rathbone takes the measure of the case at hand, solving the seemingly impossible, while making it look so easy!

Even William Powell is here, in the first of the Dashiell Hammett films he would later make so famous with "The Thin Man" series. The film here is one of Mr. Hammett's Philo Vance mysteries.

Looking for a different version of James Cagney? He's here, too, as the only honest Inspector of Weights and Measures in "The Great Guy."

If you like the old black and white mystery films from those rainy afternoons watching TV when you were a bit younger, this collection is made to order for you.

The Frog- I Wonder Where You Are Tonight?

It's winter outside and the lawn is covered with snow. I know my little green friend is probably doing just fine, but on days like these, I just can't help but wonder about him. It brings to mind that old Hank Williams song, "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry";

Hear that lonesome whippoorwill
He sounds too blue to fly
The midnight train is whining low
I'm so lonesome I could cry.

I've never seen a night so long
When time goes crawling by
The moon just went behind the clouds
To hide its face and cry.

Did you ever see a robin weep
When leaves begin to die?
That means he's lost the will to live
I'm so lonesome I could cry.

The silence of a falling star
Lights up a purple sky
And as I wonder where you are
I'm so lonesome I could cry.

Listen to the original recording here;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvW6_-TP5cs

The Kids Are Back In Town

I know I've been slacking off recently, and I promise to start reading more after the holidays are through. But right now "The Kids" are back in town, that's Trinity on the left, and Aliyah on the right. With their red hair and flashing eyes, what more could an old man want for Christmas?


And when the day gets to be a bit too much, there's always the time honored sport of sitting by the fireside in your favorite rocking chair. Looks like Trinity has this activity down pat!