If I Only Knew Then: Learning From Our Mistakes

As Charles says, 'If you don't get wiser as you get older, then you just get older.' This book is about identifying our mistakes, learning from them and not repeating them. Grodin, a very funny man who has appeared in movies, tv and is currently on WCBS Radio every day, has asked his friends (and friends of friends) - from Robert Redford, Paul Newman, Shirley MacLaine, Alan Alda, Ben Stiller and others - 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; 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. 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.