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.
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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.
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