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Stories of dads, from the famous to the common man
REVIEWS BY HOWARD SHIRLEY There is an essence to fatherhood that flows across differences in appearance, occupation and fame. Four new books explore the connection between father and child (or even father-figure and child), revealing in varied ways an experience common to us all. Dads across America
By Larry King Crown, $19.95 256 pages ISBN 0307236536
By Tim Russert Random House, $22.95 304 pages ISBN 1400064805
Of sons and godsons
By Chris Lemmon Algonquin, $22.95 194 pages ISBN 1565124804
By Reynolds Price Scribner, $15.95 112 pages ISBN 0743291808
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Rather than one life, Larry King's My Dad & Me: A Heartwarming Collection of Stories About Fathers from a Host of Larry's Famous Friends offers remembrances of the many fathers, good and bad, who influenced the lives of celebrities from actors to astronauts. Some of the memories are but a single phrase while others are lengthier, but across the board they offer insights into the motivations and character of the people who experienced them. Within these pages you'll find reminiscences from Buzz Aldrin, Yogi Berra, Sid Caesar, Mario Cuomo and many more. King's book offers an interesting exploration of how a father's strengths (and sometimes flaws) propelled each contributor into the lives they have today.
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In contrast, the stories in Tim Russert's Wisdom of Our Fathers: Lessons and Letters from Daughters and Sons come from people you've never heard of, about dads you've never known—unless they look remarkably like your own. After the publication of his memoir about his father, Big Russ & Me, NBC commentator Russert began receiving letters from thousands of readers, all sharing memories of their own fathers. He selected and edited these letters into a series of deeply moving stories about fathers and fatherhood, as told by their children. None of these fathers or children is famous, except perhaps in their own towns, but the book may be all the richer for that. Reading it you see how everyday lives touch and teach others in ways both familiar and profound. In this book you will find laughter and tears, folly and wisdom, and rediscover how we learn from each. Woven throughout are Russert's own experiences with his father and son, serving as a connecting thread that carries the reader through the book. Wisdom of Our Fathers is powerful and touching, tapping right into the heart. This book should not be missed by anyone who is a father or ever had one.
A Twist of Lemmon: A Tribute to My Father is a collection of memories and stories from the shared lives of Jack Lemmon and his eldest son, writer and actor Chris Lemmon. Not so much a biography as an act of memory, the book is built around Chris' experiences and emotions as he came to terms with his father's death from cancer in 2001. The stories Chris tells—some Jack's, some his, most theirs together—are poignant and often laugh-out-loud funny. There are encounters with everyone from Mark McGuire to Milton Berle, an interesting mix of old celebrity and new, with Jack as the bridge between the generations. And despite the celebrity nature of the names, these stories link with many a young man's life in America: dad at work, dad fishing, dad driving (badly) and dad and son playing golf. A Twist of Lemmon is a delightful and thoughtful read that will satisfy both fans of Jack Lemmon and those who simply enjoy a good book.
In a more philosophical vein is Reynolds Price's Letter to a Godchild: Concerning Faith. Price is a professor of English at Duke University and the godfather of Harper Peck Voll, Gregory Peck's grandson. Letter to a Godchild began in 2000 as a christening gift to the infant Harper and his parents, and is Price's attempt to share his philosophy and faith with the young man his godchild will one day become. In the book, Price explores his own life of faith and the choices, good and bad, that have led him to the place he is today. Letter to a Godchild is well crafted and deeply personal, a reflection of Price's faith, thought and self-examination. The reader may not agree with every interpretation Price offers, but this short journey is well worth taking.