Hersquo;s one of Americarsquo;s most recognizable and acclaimed actorsndash;a star on Broadway; an Oscar nominee for The Aviator; and the only person to ever win Emmys for acting; writing; and directing; during his eleven years on M*A*S*H. Now Alan Alda has written a memoir as elegant; funny; and affecting as his greatest performances.ldquo;My mother didnrsquo;t try to stab my father until I was six;rdquo; begins Aldarsquo;s irresistible story. The son of a popular actor and a loving but mentally ill mother; he spent his early childhood backstage in the erotic and comic world of burlesque and went on; after early struggles; to achieve extraordinary success in his profession. Yet Never Have Your Dog Stuffed is not a memoir of show-business ups and downs. It is a moving and funny story of a boy growing into a man who then realizes he has only just begun to grow. It is the story of turning points in Aldarsquo;s life; events that would make him what he isndash;if only he could survive them.From the moment as a boy when his dead dog is returned from the taxidermistrsquo;s shop with a hideous expression on his face; and he learns that death canrsquo;t be undone; to the decades-long effort to find compassion for the mother he lived with but never knew; to his acceptance of his father; both personally and professionally; Alda learns the hard way that change; uncertainty; and transformation are what life is made of; and true happiness is found in embracing them.Never Have Your Dog Stuffed; filled with curiosity about nature; good humor; and honesty; is the crowning achievement of an actor; author; and director; but surprisingly; it is the story of a life more filled with turbulence and laughter than any Alda has ever played on the stage or screen.From the Hardcover edition.
#199624 in eBooks 2005-09-13 2005-09-13File Name: B000FCKDIM
Review
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Must-read for all primary secondary school music teachersBy A CustomerThe author starts from the observation that music lessons in our primary and secondary schools are missing the mark; and always have done. He sets out a clear map of how to make a start at putting this right.Some teachers in the past have had particular strengths. Some have been good at coaching pupils in an instrument; others in involving the class in studying ethnic music or pop music; others have concentrated on composition; or improvisation; or handling written music. The authors map puts each of these in its place; and shows why each; in isolation; is only meeting a few of the needs of a few of the class.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. This was a great read on the sociological and psychological happenings as students ...By UxorialDecemberThis was a great read on the sociological and psychological happenings as students progress through music. It was fairly easy to read through but the information was very helpful for any music teacher.