Tom Smothers and his brother Dick, who are celebrating their 44th year performing as a musical-comedy team, are to be roasted this week at the New York Friars Club.
Sophie’s Choice by William Styron (Vintage, $15). This book is impressive largely because of its staying power. Months after I read it, I was still affected by the subject matter. Beautifully written and disturbing.
Article continues belowThe Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
John Adams by David McCullough (Simon & Schuster, $19). I don’t recall hearing much about John Adams when I was growing up, and I feel like he was given a bit of the shaft in history. This book made me change the way I view the heroes of America’s beginning. I was truly stunned with the man that John Adams was.
Be Here Now by Ram Dass (Crown, $11). A book of inspirations written in Ram Dass’ own straightforward and simple way. When I flipped through this book, wherever I stopped I found something relevant. It’s full of observations you can take to heart.
Founding Brothers by Joseph J. Ellis (Vintage, $14). This is another book that really shows the human side of our founding fathers. Ellis lets you see the real men and real arguments behind the historical facts.
Stupid White Men