Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself

Publisher's Summary

On the heels of his acclaimed memoir, Never Have Your Dog Stuffed, beloved actor and best-selling author Alan Alda has written Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself, an insightful and funny look at some of the impossible questions he's asked himself over the years.

Picking up where his best-selling memoir left off, and having been saved by emergency surgery after nearly dying on a mountaintop in Chile, Alda finds himself not only glad to be alive but searching for a way to squeeze the most juice out of his new life. Looking for a sense of meaning that would make this extra time count, he listens in on things he's heard himself saying in private and in public at critical points in his life - from the turbulence of the 60s, to his first Broadway show, to the birth of his children, to the ache of September 11, and beyond.

Reflecting on the transitions in his life and in all our lives, he wonders if there's one thing - art, activism, family, money, fame - that could lead to a "life of meaning".

In an audiobook that is candid, wise, and as questioning as it is incisive, Alda amuses and moves us with his unique and hilarious meditations on questions great and small. Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself is another superb Alan Alda performance, as inspiring and entertaining as the man himself.

©2007 Mayflower Productions, Inc. (P)2007 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Critic Reviews

"Alda is chatty, easygoing and humble, rather like a Mr. Rogers for grownups. His words of inspiration would be a perfect gift for a college grad or for anyone facing major life changes." ( Publishers Weekly)

inspiration

I enjoyed hearing the speeches and anecdotes from Alan himself. I told my son, who has ADD, to at least listen to the last 30 minutes. He listened to the entire book, and was impressed and inspired with the bits of knowledge as well. I am now looking forward to listening to the entire autobiography that awaits

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

A great learning tool from a well admired man.

I have listened to this book six times. every time I learn more about myself.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Just what I needed to hear

I love Alan Alda for MASH, but this audio book came at the perfect time in my life. I'm struggling to find meaning in my life and this book just says what I needed to hear to keep looking. Thank you, for every word.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Love!

LOVE this guy!! ALWAYS intriguing and interesting and funny and wise!! The world needs more Alan Alda's!!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

love it, highly recommend it.

I rarely do review books here. Buy this is one of the best books I have listen to in a while. A lot of insightful stories about life in general and how to go about it.
Thanks Alda

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Insight from a comedian: a study in life.

Alan Alden shares wonderful insights embedded in scenes from his life. His sense of humor, character, & sharp mind shine through as he share his perspective. Ultimately his focus is on relationships—building them, maintaining them & cherishing them. His idea that one should surrender to love will stay with me for a long time. May love “win” in your life too!

Not what I expected and that is a good thing

Life Wisdom brought in a light way. This allows for deeper reflection, which is certainly Alan’s driving approach.

At one point I thought - I think Alan Alda has some life parallels with Leonard Nimoy - I wonder if they ever met?

Good advice

Not quite as entertaining as his first book, Alda's second book still offers some good words of wisdom and interesting lessons.

Fun to listen to

I got this book because I listened to him narrate another book. Its a great book to listen to and Alan is such a great reader. As for the story... it is well written and full of life experiences that you can relate to.

Wise, witty and conversational

His fascination with humanity, curiosity, the arts, science and the intersection of all makes for fascinating listening.m

Greast listen

Read by Alan Alda, this book allows you to get to know one of the most respected actors in the the business and a very gentle man. Fo me I can relate to him on many levels. Well written and read. Highly recommended.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Good set of stories and way of looking at life.

great snapshots of an interesting man life. his reading gives more to the telling than just the words.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Inspiring if a tad exhausting

This picks up where his autobiography ('Never Have Your Dog Stuffed') leaves off in the early 2000's. This much longer work is essentially an amalgam of his personal beliefs, some life stories, and major speeches that he's given over the years. He's been an activist throughout his life and much of the message of this book is "Do what you can to improve the world". He's an articulate, well-read, enthusiastic and passionate man who has an inspiring outlook on life. To be frank, though, I'd have found it much more enjoyable if he just took a breath every now and then!