Synopses & Reviews
From its opening pages, Mike Farrell's new memoir reveals the distinctive voice of a man for whom life is an ongoing odyssey of self-discovery, personal commitment, and uncompromising social engagement.
With deep insight and disarming candor, Farrell describes his early years as a timid but restless teenager in West Hollywood, delivering groceries to the homes of Jack Benny, Lucille Ball, Jimmy Stewart, and countless other celebrities, while dreaming of having his own career as an actor. In stark but riveting language, he relates his formative years as a Marine recruit, confused, conflicted, and eager to prove himself as a man.
Farrell humorously portrays his professional development from a young soap opera player on Days of Our Livesto the amiable star of two popular television series, M*A*S*H and Providence, to the respected producer of successful motion pictures like Dominick and Eugene and Patch Adams.
At the heart of his story, Farrell narrates his public struggle to be a responsible citizen of the world. From his firsthand accounts of the ravages of war and oppression in Cambodia, El Salvador, Somalia, Bosnia, Rwanda, and the Gaza Strip, to his tireless advocacy against capital punishment, to his deep commitment to environmental causes, Farrell portrays each of these experiences with passion, outrage, and stubborn optimism.
Review
"These pages contain pure, luminous self-revelation. We watch Mike Farrell's unfurling soul from an unsure, unsteady little boy longing for his father's approval into a man of integrity and grace as he reaches out to suffering people in Cambodia and Central America, the condemned on death row, and gay people subjected to withering, homophobic prejudice. No one can read these pages and continue to live a narrow, anxious, self-absorbed life."
Sister Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking
Synopsis
From its opening pages, Mike Farrell's new memoir reveals the distinctive voice of a man for whom life is an ongoing odyssey of self-discovery, personal commitment, and uncompromising social engagement.
With deep insight and disarming candor, Farrell describes his early years as a timid but restless teenager in West Hollywood, delivering groceries to the homes of Jack Benny, Lucille Ball, Jimmy Stewart, and countless other celebrities, while dreaming of having his own career as an actor. In stark but riveting language, he relates his formative years as a Marine recruit, confused, conflicted, and eager to prove himself as a man.
Farrell humorously portrays his professional development from a young soap opera player on Days of Our Lives to the amiable star of two popular television series, M*A*S*H and Providence, to the respected producer of successful motion pictures like Dominick and Eugene and Patch Adams.
At the heart of his story, Farrell narrates his public struggle to be a responsible citizen of the world. From his firsthand accounts of the ravages of war and oppression in Cambodia, El Salvador, Somalia, Bosnia, Rwanda, and the Gaza Strip, to his tireless advocacy against capital punishment, to his deep commitment to environmental causes, Farrell portrays each of these experiences with passion, outrage, and stubborn optimism.
Synopsis
The world-renowned actor offers inspirational personal reflections on his path from fame to progressive activism.
Synopsis
Cultural Writing. Memoir. Best known for his eight years on M*A*S*H and five years on Providence, Mike Farrell is also a writer, director, and producer; cochair emeritus of Human Rights Watch in Southern California; spokesperson for Concern America; and cofounder of Artists United to Win Without War. As president of Death Penalty Focus, he speaks, writes, and works to abolish capitol punishment. "These pages contain pure, luminous self-revelation. We watch Mike Farrell's unfurling soul from an unsure, unsteady little boy longing for his father's approval into a man of integrity and grace as he reaches out to suffering people in Cambodia and Central America, the condemned on death row, and gay people subjected to withering, homophobic prejudice. No one can read these pages and continue to live a narrow, anxious, self-absorbed life"---Sister Helen Prejean.
About the Author
Best known for his eight years on M*A*S*H and five seasons on Providence, Mike Farrell is also a writer, director and producer. Farrell has served on human rights and peace delegations to many countries around the world. As President of Death Penalty Focus, he speaks, writes, and coordinates efforts to stop executions.