1,000 Unforgettable Senior Moments: Of Which We Could Remember Only 246 [Hardcover]

Tom Friedman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 3, 2006

No, you’re not losing your mind. And you’re definitely not alone. There’s Jimmy Carter, forgetting the nuclear launch codes in a suit at the dry cleaners. Rod Stewart fumbling for the name of the intense first love who inspired “Maggie Mae.” G. K. Chesterton writing a long letter to his mother announcing the good news about his engagement—while his mother is in the room with him. Marilyn Monroe blowing the same line through 52 takes during the filming of Some Like It Hot.

Celebrating history’s greatest mental lapses, is a perfect impulse book in the fine gift format of Famous Last Words. Not just outlandishly funny, it’s also a book of great comfort—after all, having a senior moment puts you in the company of Einstein, Lincoln, Beethoven, Newton, Toscanini, and a whole assortment of presidents, poets, philosophers, popes, and Nobel Prize–winners. Talk about gaffes. Here are best men forgetting to show up at the wedding. Judges staggered by the incompetence of their previous decisions. Senators frozen in front of TV cameras. Olympic officials gazing absently while bewildered runners continue through the finish line. Bono losing the only copy of his lyrics to a new album. Forget to pick up your copy today!

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Featuring:

The President who left the nuclear launch codes in a suit at the dry cleaners, page 51

The movie star who blew the same line through 52 takes, page 10

The cellist who forgot his $2.5 million instrument in a taxi, page 137

The studio head who couldn't recall the name of his Oscar-winning leading lady, page 27

The Russian general who left home in full military dress, minus his pants, page 68

The bank robber who wrote the holdup note on a paycheck stub, which listed his name and address, page 123

The rocker who no longer remembers 1975, page 105

And of course, the novelist who put the orange juice outside and the kitten in the refrigerator, page 152

About the Author

Tom Friedman is a writer, editor, and George Foster Peabody Award–winning documentary producer. He lives in Northern California.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 166 pages
• Publisher: Workman Publishing Company; 1ST edition (May 3, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076114076X
• ISBN-13: 978-0761140764
• Product Dimensions: 6.2 x 4.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,232 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #2 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Entertainment > Humor > Satire, General
  • #2 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Literature & Fiction > World Literature > United States > History & Criticism
  • #3 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Entertainment > Humor > Satire, Classic

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Momma Said There'd Be Days Like This, June 6, 2006

By 

Smarm E. Caterpillar (Astoria, New York United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 1,000 Unforgettable Senior Moments: Of Which We Could Remember Only 246 (Hardcover)

Tom Friedman's new book is just in time for...um, wait, I knew it a second ago...

Well, whether its on time, late for an appointment, or in completely the wrong place, this book is fantastic. It's a read you won't be able to put down, because you'll want to read about these famous mishaps until you reach the end of the road. It is laugh-out-loud funny, and your favorite famous person is sure to be in there, and doing something forgetful.

My favorite moment was Mick Jagger's, who, when offered $5 million for his memoirs at age 25....had to return the money because he couldn't remember enough about his own life.

Priceless.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Don't forget to buy this one!, September 18, 2007

By 

J. Arena (Williamsburg, VA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: 1,000 Unforgettable Senior Moments: Of Which We Could Remember Only 246 (Hardcover)

Tom Friedman's humorous and well-researched collection of outrageous moments of forgetfulness in business, theater, politics, and every day life is sure to be a favorite. At least, it will make you feel somewhat better about yourself when you forget the keys, a name, or an appointment.

We are in the immortal company of the forgetful Albert Einstein, Doris Day, and Mark Twain, who claimed to be so deteriorated in his faculties that he "cannot remember any but the things that never happened."

This one's a keeper and you'll find yourself quoting from it often!

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Often Hilarious, Always Funny, and the Perfect Little Gift--Plus You Can Read It Again and Again!, October 11, 2006

By 

Anya (California) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 1,000 Unforgettable Senior Moments: Of Which We Could Remember Only 246 (Hardcover)

I think the previous reviewer must have read a different book. He didn't even get the joke of the title! But enough about his review, and on to mine:

I'm so grateful that I don't have to be defensive about my senior moments any more! This book is full of unique, laugh-out-loud historical anecdotes which prove that if Albert Einstein, Yo-Yo Ma, and the gorgeous, young Marilyn Monroe, among others, can have senior moments, then why not the rest of us?

My favorite is about Oprah Winfrey's knock-out display of modesty in, uhhhh.... What was the name of that movie? Ah well, I guess you'll just have to get the book and find the story for yourself. I certainly can't be expected to remember everything. By the way, 1,000 Unforgettable Senior Moments will make a great little stocking-stuffer-type gift. Or the kind of thing you bring to a party when you're not supposed to bring a present, but still want to.