Alda's life story a compelling read

Readers will not necessarily have to enjoy the work of the actor/director/writer Alan Alda to warm to the autobiographical ride he takes them on through his fascinating life.

It begins with his childhood traipsing around the United States with his father's burlesque show while coping with his mother's growing schizophrenic paranoia.

It moves on through his years of struggle through school and as a young actor, his life as a husband and father to his success through the hit television series M*A*S*H.

It's funny, it's poignant, it's compelling - and the title is brilliantly appropriate, as readers will find out.

- Jude Hathaway