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Written by Charles Grodin - Narrated by Charles & Marion Grodin - Unabridged Nonfiction - 3 COMPACT DISCS - 3 hours

Publisher, Hachette Audio (November 2007)

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As Charles says, "If you don't get wiser as you get older, then you just get older." The core of this book is about identifying our mistakes, learning from them, and not repeating them. Charles Grodin, a very funny individual who has appeared in movies, television and currently is on WCBS Radio every day, has asked his friends — from Robert Redford, Paul Newman, Shirley MacLaine, Alan Alda, Regis Philbin, Ben Stiller — to share sometimes very revealing memories of the biggest mistake they've made.

Rosie O'Donnell looks back to her college days and her inability to express her love for a close girlfriend. Regis Philbin learned to trust his instincts when an early talk show got cancelled. Irwin Redlener, the Co-founder of The Children's Health Fund, examines a near-mistake--how he almost cancelled a trip to see a grown son who soon after died in a skiing accident. Dr. Nicholas Perricone learns to shift his perspective after witnessing the bravery of a young girl during his internship. Senator Orrin Hatch discusses his mistaken vote against making Martin Luther King Day a national holiday. And Carol Burnett's hilarious essay explains why meeting Cary Grant turned out to be a big mistake!

This book offers intimate insights into dozens of celebrated figures' lives.

About the Author: Even though I've had five books published, I rarely write anything personal about my life, and the following should explain why. I would almost never say anything all that personal that involved others which most personal things do, and I rarely go out. Once a columnist reported my being at some event and called it a "sighting."

Another time it was reported about another event "He was actually there." It's not that I'm so special. It's just that if you're seldom seen, it seems to some, newsworthy if you are spotted somewhere.

Mostly I stay home and write books, plays and five commentaries a week for CBS news radio which I've been doing for the last six years.

In the evenings I like to watch comedy tapes I've collected. Scenes from SCTV are among my favorites. If I'm not watching comedy, I watch sports. I seldom see movies or plays, because I live in that world so much writing during the day. I'm sure I'm missing some great work. I have managed to see Waiting for Guffman, A Mighty Wind, and Best in Show, mockumentaries all made by brilliant people.

In addition I do a considerable amount of advocacy work on behalf of people I don't feel should be in prison. There's a book right there. I've been particularly involved in the case of Brandon Hein. You can go to Brandon Hein.com, if you'd like to know why that case got my attention.

I also host about a half dozen charity events a year. That's one of the most rewarding things I've ever done.

It's a real challenge, because they want me to be humorous, but the events concern children's blood cancer, bone marrow transplants, kids in crisis etc. – not a lot of humor there.

I've been married to a very successful children's book author for the last twenty four years. We have a son. My wife is constantly being asked to write books. As I've said, I've written five, but no one's ever asked me to write one.

I'm on the board of Help U.S.A. one of the nation's largest providers of services for the homeless. I have a daughter who's a brilliant stand up comedienne who opened for Linda Ronstadt recently on Broadway. She also works for Help U.S.A.

I've read non-fiction all my life. Right now I'm reading David Gergen's book Eyewitness to Power.

Mostly I read about political and social issues. Even though I was impeached as president of my fifth grade class for "talking incessantly," I've still retained my interest in all the issues that confront us.