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BOOK REVIEW Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself by Alan Alda Random House - September 2007
Reviewed by Dr. Jonathan Dolhenty Well, frankly, I hardly know where to begin. I am not accustomed to reading books by celebrities in the entertainment industry. I was asked if I was interested in reading and reviewing Alan Alda's newest book and I said "OK," maybe just out of a need for something "lighter" for a change, after reading and reviewing so many "serious" books by philosophers, historians, political pundits, and others who write "serious" books. Besides, I always admired Alda as an actor on TV and in films. So, I have read Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself and was pleasantly surprised that I actually enjoyed the book, even though I knew in advance that Mr. Alda and I often differ widely regarding our respective political and social positions on many issues of the day. I was already aware (thanks to the maniacal news media, of course) that the star of one of my favorite TV shows way back when -- M*A*S*H -- was considered a "modern" liberal and I, of course, being a "classical" liberal, had to adjust my thinking and reset my ideological thermometer in the interest of fair play and a fair review. No problem, really. Regardless of being separated somewhat on the sociopolitical spectrum, I found many of Alda's views to be interesting and thought-provoking. Let's give him the credit he is due; he really does have some serious things to say about important things. My impression is that he sincerely thinks through his positions on social and political matters and forms his opinions after critically examining the facts he analyzes. This does not mean his views are correct or the best obtainable, but it does mean he is not indulging in "mere" opinion for opinion's sake (contrary to some recent Hollywood types!). I think it would be delightful to sit down with him and converse about the issues he talks about in his book. I suspect, and I base this purely on the attitude he presents which comes through a reading of his book, that it would be a most respectful discussion. I do not detect a "mean" bone in his body (or mind) and, considering that today the media are so filled with crass talk and personal attacks, it would be refreshing to discourse with and disagree with someone in a courteous environment. That being said, this is not really an autobiography or memoir in any strict sense; it is, for the most part, a compilation of speeches and talks he has given in various venues, ranging from academic institutions to scholarly organizations, along with much commentary and personal anecdotes in between. The book is, in a very genuine way, a celebration of life as Alda sees it after recovering from a near fatal experience with an intestinal obstruction while traveling in Chile -- facing death on the top of a mountain no less! Emergency surgery took care of that problem, but then the questions begin. What is of real value? What has real meaning? What is a life well lived? And so on and on. Now, I can relate to these questions and I think I can understand what he went through to some extent. Only two years separate us in age (he is, however, older than I am!). We are both at that point in life where these sorts of questions somehow magically appear, particularly after a personal traumatic event (his intestinal obstruction, my heart attacks). What does matter, and I think this comes through in his book quite clearly, is to maintain a sense of balance and, maybe even more importantly, a sense of humor. Alan Alda is funny; no doubt about that. I think I am often funny, too (although I'll never make the Comedy Club!). He exhibits what I call a "lighthearted" persona while not denigrating the seriousness of most of the issues he comments upon. I think I generally have that same disposition. It is always worthwhile to read what someone else, especially one who has spent threescore and ten years on this sometimes frustrating planet of ours, has to say, particularly when that someone has truly thought deeply about the matters that, well, matter most: values, integrity, truth, meaning, purpose, ethics, family, friends, and so on. Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself was mainly a pleasant diversion for me. It was probably a well-needed vacation from my usual literary fare. I had watched Alan Alda as an accomplished actor on both the small screen and large screen for many years. While reading his book, I got to know Alan Alda the person, and friend, and father, and just plain nice human being. If he really is, as some of his more vocal critics have charged, simply a "naïve Hollywood liberal," then he is my sort of naïve Hollywood liberal, despite our political differences. I don't have to agree with someone to respect them, to love them, to care about them, or be their friend. In fact, some of the worst people I have dealt with are those who mostly agree with me. If you are into books by celebrities, you'll most likely love this book. If not, it's a toss-up. All I can say is that I did enjoy the book even though it's not in one of my usual literary categories of interest. Some of this may be due to the fact that I watched Alan Alda for so many years and enjoyed his performance as "Hawkeye" on that now-classic television series, recently named one of the top 100 TV shows of all time by Time magazine. Maybe I was already primed to enjoy Alda's book just because I was a fan of his. I don't know and it really doesn't matter. It's good leisure reading and thought-provoking, too. Therefore, I am recommending it to all readers, even those I know will find fault with it. I have a feeling that Alan Alda will survive their objections to his political and social views. 
Order at Amazon.com Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself, by Alan Alda Order at Powell's Books |
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Enrich your life with a book about politics and current events... Enrich your political & social life with a politics or news magazine... |
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