Book Review: Never Have Your Dog Stuffed and Other Things I've Learned

by Alan Alda

I read this book because my dad gave it to my mom one year as a Christmas or birthday present (I can't remember) and it's reported that my two younger siblings picked it up and everyone enjoyed it. That's not to mention that in the kid-stage of my life, my family would watch rerun episodes of M*A*S*H* during the summer. (Two back-to-back episodes would air at 10pm on CBS and we would eat cinnamon toast while watching.)

I'll be honest and say that this book didn't do too much for me. Nothing is extremely spectacular in Alan Alda's memoir and his voice didn't knock my socks off. He's a little too sentimental for my tastes and he tries a little too hard to create a meaning and theme out of his childhood stuffed dog.

The one redeeming factor is that I still like the guy. At least he didn't prove to be a jerk. So, if I ever end up watching M*A*S*H* reruns, I can happily enjoy.

As a little side note, I think my family is an anomaly. I have yet to encounter anyone who enjoys(ed) that show as much as we did (does).

Enjoy!
T. Budnik