Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself

Alan Alda is one of my favorite actors but this book is so interesting- he writes in a funny tone which is very easy to read and get lost in and he has had such an amazing life ! From polio as a child to raising kids while filming M*A*S*H- and loving one woman the whole time. I loved Alan Alda even more after reading this!

I gave the book only 4 stars because I’m not into science much. But I know why Mr Alda is and that is what kept me reading.Learned a few things I never knew and enjoyed the banter off and on.

I highly recommend this book. It's thoughtful and thought-provoking. It can change your life.That's all I need to say.

Whether or not you know who Alan Alda is, or what you may or may not think of his acting, this book is for those who just want to experience experience, and maybe gain some inspiration. This book certainly gave me that. I read his first book, "Never have your dog stuffed" and love it, but I think I loved this one more. Something about sharing in experiences and insight, especially "listening" to his speeches and thoughts on a variety of subjects, but the main subject is life. As he writes, "the meaning of life is life." I was caught by those words and went back a few pages, and saw where I actually highlighted a thought of his (I read the paperback copy) so I also dog-eared the page. "(1) find someone to laugh with. (2) find something to laugh at (yourself is always good) (3) keep moving". I was truly inspired by this read.

I ordered this book at the same time as Alan Alda's earlier book, Never Have Your Dog Stuffed, and I hadn't bothered reading a description of the contents. As Never was a memoir, I just assumed this was too.After finishing Never, I picked up this book only to discover it was not really a memoir and I must admit that this saddened me. Saddened me enough that I put the book down unread and went on to other books. I wasn't sure, at the time, if I would ever read the book. I recently watched some episodes of M*A*S*H and was so entertained by Alda the actor that I decided to give Alda the author another chance. I am glad I did.There is an honesty in his words that resonates with me and I think that will resonate with me others.

Alan Alda has assembled various speeches he has written and delivered, most of them commencement addresses. Most enjoyable, to me, are the personal background stories he includes. He seems to have a high set of morals, and to stick to them, which is very admirable.

If I could have dinner with any 2 living people...I might have once said the Obamas. Having read this book, I’d say Alan Alda and his wife Arlene.I love asking questions—professionally. And he loves asking questions (and it’s my guess that Mrs Alda does as well). And my wife and collaborator loves asking questions.I think it’d be a dinner of a lifetime.But since that’s unlikely to happen, I’ll just reread this book.

I'm a HUGE M*A*S*H fan and Hawkeye was one of my favorite characters. If you're looking for a book about M*A*S*H, this is not it. This is the 2nd book by Alan Alda I have read (the 1st one was "Never Have Your Dog Stuffed...And Other Things I've Learned"). Both of these books are very entertaining. They are biographical but not boring in the least. He has done SO many interesting things since leaving the role that made him famous. Mr. Alda is a very witty, smart and articulate writer, and it is interesting to read the way he brings stories to life; you almost feel like he's sitting right next to you telling you about something that happened to him. He is a very well respected, family man, so you will not find any trashy "tell-all" stories in his pages. If you like Alan Alda the person, you will very much enjoy reading this book.

Like most people I like Alan Alda, hence reading this book. It is primarily made up of personal thoughts and reflections along with commencement speeches, something that may or may not be familiar with British Audiences. Probably not as funny as I expected, you probably had to be there, I did find it insightful and entertaining. But through it all only one line actually sticks with me. "They make the pie taste better." A beautiful way of describing friends.

This is more a book of written rambling thoughts rather than a whole story. It's still a good read but not Alda at his best.

I was expecting more of an autobiography. What I got was a bunch of extended excerpts from various speeches (including commencement speeches) that Alan Alda has made, loosely linked together into some sort of order and context. A bit disappointing but with some good nuggets of wisdom.

Rilliant bookThis was a fascinating book written by one on my favourite actors, the great Alan Alda!!!

This books okay, but there's too much similar to his first book, and it's a bit too disjointed. If you like Alan Alda buy his first book "Never have your dog stuffed" in preference.